Bringing a bottle ?

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Ardross

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Jancis Robinson has declared the following to be naff bring a bottle gifts .

FROM www.jancisrobinson.com

Some people think that because of their age or status, it is somehow not 'done' to bring a bottle. Others would never dream of crossing a friend's threshold without a bottle of wine in hand. I can't see why anyone would resent the gift of a bottle thoughtfully chosen; although anyone who expects every guest to bring a bottle and gets upset if they don't, is probably wise to spell this out in advance.

One of the touchier questions of modern etiquette is whether you have to open a bottle that someone brings, or can you keep it and savour it on another occasion? I would say that if someone brings a bottle of white or sparkling wine ready-chilled or, as has frequently happened to me, a red wine already decanted, then this should be taken as a pretty strong hint that its donor expects the wine to be drunk then and there. If, however, your guest arrives and puts a bottle on one side without comment, then you are not duty-bound to open it. However, the perfect host would probably unwrap it at some point, express thanks, and ask whether the guest would like to taste it ('taste' being such a useful euphemism for 'drink').
(Naff, by the way, is a British expression for something we all agree to look down on.)

Naff bottles


* Cheaper branded wines e.g. Blossom Hill, Gallo’s Sierra Valley, Yellow Tail, Piat d'Or, Mateus, Lambrini, Liebfraumilch
* Any really cheap table wine wines in funny, asymmetrical bottles; wine with serving suggestions as titles; or wine in containers other than bottles
 
:shy: Throw rotten tomatoes at me if you want, I rarely drink wine and if I do prefer Lambrusco :shy:
 
You'll think half the stuff I drink is naff too I'm sure - usually Australian/New World Chardonnays or Sauvignon Blancs. Got a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc open at the mo - it's nae so bad...
 
I was just recording the comments of Jancis R :lol:

Nowt wrong with NZ sauvignons !

The bringing a bottle etiquette question is an interesting one . Do you expect it to be drunk or treated as a present ?
 
Life is too short to drink bad wine.

Pouilly Fume is half price in Sainsbury's at the moment. £12 to £6.
 
If I took a bottle of wine I would expect it to be opened and drunk at some point during the evening but would not be offended if it wasn't.
 
Doesn't bother me either way James although I'm always happy to help share a bottle!! I was glad to see the Bolly I brought on Saturday was promptly opened.....B)
 
I've started brewing my own. Just done a gallon of this white wine and its turned out nice (forget the name of it) but now i've 5 gallons of Solomon Grundy Gold - Piesporter on the go and will be ready in 1 week.
 
Originally posted by PDJ@Nov 16 2006, 08:41 PM

Pouilly Fume is half price in Sainsbury's at the moment. £12 to £6.
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Sounds like a bad smell... :lol:

Oh good on you DOM and thanks if in my two glasses I drank some of yours I owe you one.... ;) not being an avid drinker I actually took with me a bottle of red!!Which was in the boot (its still there now was bought at Sainsbury's so think it was a good brew? I do not profess to be a wine or bolly drinker as a norm Guinness drinker would more apt) of my car 2 miles away???? :D I think I paid £15 for it last year.... :rolleyes: I did say to Champagne Harry!!! That I would go and get it but he said don't bother ................
 
The only thing I have noticed about home brewed wine is that if often lacks acidity , that lipsmacking side to wine, it can be a bit sweet and heavy .

Home brewed beer :blink: don't go there . I still remember a student hangover from 1987 :ph34r:
 
Yeah my Grandad still brews the beer at 90 yrs old its lethal stuff, ive only just got into the wine making and even liking wine to be honest but my aunty is a master and puts me on the right track, she does all sorts from fruit to normal to potato which ive got a bottle here, tastes abit like sherry.
 
Just who the f*ck is Jancis Robinson to try to dictate etiquette on wine and guests?

(I'm off to bed. I'm in a foul mood h:) )
 
PENFOLDS BIN 128 COONAWARRA SHIRAZ VINTAGE 2001

Does this mean anything to you wino's... :P this is the one I have I just retrieved from my car....is it any good?????????????
 
SL
On Saturday we only opened your Bolly after it had been thoroughly chilled (about ten minutes) :lol:
I had a Chablis (chilled of course) and a St Emillion red (at boot temp) with me in case anyone didn't like Cattier Vintage, Bollinger, Laraunt Perrier, Veuve Cliquot or Bruno Paillard (apologies for those I can't remember) champagne. Both bottles remained unopened but I am happy to bring them on the 9th if anyone fancies hosting a car park wine tasting on that day. I could probably persuade another couple of trout to join us if there was any interest.
 
I do at least remember the opening of the Bolly Diver - I wasn't that bad by 1130!!!! I do have a few problems remembering exactly what went on after 2330 mind - I remember waffling to Mounty for ages in the Queen's (probably boring him senseless!!!) then later I vaguely remember tripping over a kerb outside the same establishmet and luckily being caught - the bruises and scrapes attest to that also!!!
 
Originally posted by Ardross@Nov 16 2006, 08:08 PM


Naff bottles


* Cheaper branded wines e.g. Blossom Hill, Gallo’s Sierra Valley, Yellow Tail, Piat d'Or, Mateus, Lambrini, Liebfraumilch
* Any really cheap table wine wines in funny, asymmetrical bottles; wine with serving suggestions as titles; or wine in containers other than bottles
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I was surprised to see this name here. I do drink wine often - however I don't usually go the offsales to buy it. I've had Yellow Tail on numerous occaisons and have found it quite pleasant - certainly better in my eyes than the other wines listed here. Maybe I had a more expensive bottle from the range or something...
 
God, not MORE lecturing and nannying! Look, people should just drink what the hell they like, regardless of the cachet or not attached to its label. I don't imagine that the majority of uni students can afford your plonk, PDJ, so they'll probably buy BOXES of 'white wine' (cue throwing up of hands and fainting stage left). And so what? Eventually, one learns more of what one enjoys and if one has the pocket, one can buy more expensive stuff. Just as one might like a Bentley Flying Spur a bit more than a Proton, had one the dosh. This 'wine connoisseur' stuff is fine if you really want to sit round gazing into the glass, comparing notes with other oenobores, but honestly - drink what makes you feel happy, folks!

It's like food bores, clothes bores, and car bores - they all assume the pretence that any of it really matters. Life is over in a blink - ENJOY IT!

(Further copies of this diatribe: 3p.)
 
Originally posted by krizon@Nov 17 2006, 10:02 PM
This 'wine connoisseur' stuff is fine if you really want to sit round gazing into the glass, comparing notes with other oenobores, but honestly - drink what makes you feel happy, folks!
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Well said, Krizon. I've quite enjoyed my few glasses of '3 for £10' from my local Co-op.

If you can't drink what makes you happy, drink what makes you stotious.
 
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