In the thread here what to do when they bring white zinfandel to a party at your house. - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers, I commented that I said nothing and did nothing about the person who brought the magnum of Beringer White Zinfandel to my house for a party. I started today with the idea that it was OK for him/her (I have no idea who brought it) to bring it and I should be a gracious host. However, as I read the posts in the thread, I am changing my mind and moving away from the majority view. If I am going to someone else’s house for a party and I know they are a great French chef, do I bring a bag of Italian food because I like it better? Of course not. I relish the opportunity to try the great things the host will prepare. Everyone who came to our house yesterday knew we are wine collectors, or they are married to someone who knew. They or their spouses all work in the office where all of our mail order deliveries come, because it is closer to our house. They have seen as many as 10 boxes stacked up at a time waiting for me to bring them home. If you were such a person, wouldn’t you want to see what was in store for you when you showed up as a guest? Isn’t it just as rude to show up with your bottle of white zin as it would be for me to bring my Zaltos to someone’s house to make sure I have good glasses to drink from?
It still doesn’t change what I will do the next time - I prefer to play the gracious host. However, I am coming to the conclusion that it was not just that the other person liked to have white zinfandel to drink. They were also either rude or dumber than a box of rocks.
I have no idea how old you are but I’d bet a 78 Monfortino that you are relatively young. There will come a time when stuff like this won’t ruffle your feathers and you will find it amusing.
I believe it was Ogden Nash who commented, “You are young only once, but you can be immature your entire life.” That statement has now been been proven true.
Phil Jones
First, mabye the guy was dumb. Your friends are probably all dumb. Hell, you hang out with me and I’m dumb.
Second, he really might not have known that white Zin was a rube move.
Third, he may have thought he was being oh so trendy because people are talking up rosado these days, even Brad Pitt is making one, and to him that may have been an OK idea and he probably knew Beringer better than something else so he brought it.
Fourth, maybe he’s a cheap bastard.
Fifth, maybe he just has a great sense of humor because he knew full well that you’d have some wine and he wouldn’t be able to match yours. You did tell them not to bring wine, so he may have done that one as a joke.
In any event, I wouldn’t sweat it too much! You did the right thing. Next time throw him in the pool while you’re drinking that Monfortino you’ve just won.
I’ve learned over the years that our guests who know I like wine will often bring wine, quite simply because they feel like they are bringing something they believe I will enjoy.
Firstly you are assuming the person who brought it knew you were a wine geek.
Secondly you are assuming that they knew they were bringing an inferior wine.
Thirdly 1/3 of a magnum drank is 2/3 of a 750. Someone liked it.
This makes me wonder if there have been times where I felt I was giving a thoughtful gift but unbeknownst to me the receiver thought I was being rude and/or am an idiot.
The original thread might not have provided this opportunity:
Michael, you’re paying up, right? I think Jay will enjoy the Monfortino.
Jay, I think the thread title is hilarious. I do have a serious question. Do you open wine with residual sugar when you have a group? Might there have been someone there who doesn’t like dry wine and was embarrassed to say so for the reasons you mentioned (knowing you’re really into wine)? I don’t really care, and I think this whole thing is pretty humorous, but that’s the most reasonable explanation I can think of.
