The Wine Dilemma

16/10/2017

In Australia, (and elsewhere, I’m sure) it’s a nice tradition that people bring a bottle to a gathering but my number one rule is, the minute you walk in the door, the wine no longer belongs to you.

1. It seems some people worry that the lovely bottle of wine they’ve selected for a friend’s dinner will be whisked away and they’ll be served an inferior wine?
What to do…
Forget it. It’s not the last supper. Would anyone really think friends are whisking it away to serve on another occasion? Who on earth are they keeping it for? This is a myth. Perhaps the friends don’t know the wine. Perhaps they really like their own selection.
Feel compassion and next time, bring a simpler bottle. If they are secreting it away, they are to be pitied. It’s only wine, (but surely no-one knows anybody like this).

2. Have you gone to dinner and worried that your wine won’t be served so you’ve turned up with it opened, to force your host’s hand? Golly, I hope not.
Never do this. It shows lack of trust and greed. You’re bigger than this. Just hand the bottle over. It’s not the last bottle of wine you’ll drink.

3. Have you refused to drink the wine you’ve been poured and demanded to drink yours? Golly, I hope not. Eating together is about sharing the experience, the food and the wine.
Just drink it. Put up with it. It’s not the last supper. If it’s truly ghastly, drink less (which is not going to do any of us any harm).

Nice idea for the hosts…
You’ve probably got a few bottles planned for the night and guests will also bring some. This could be more than you need. Do not give the wine back, (rude and vulgar).
Write the givers’ name on the label, along with the date. Later, ask these friends over and say, “Come to eat with us. I'd like to drink that bottle of wine you brought.”

7 Comments

Roger Vincent

16/10/2017 06:31:21 pm

Dear Catherine - what a terrific blog. I hope those who read it and are “guilty” of the social faux pas to which Catherine refers do something about and mature a little - you know it does not hurt to become a little more worldly and sophisticated. And as Cath says it’s only a bottle of wine.

Patricia Paddick

17/10/2017 08:53:17 am

I once had a friend say at the end of the evening "Seeing you didn't drink it I'll take it home" and grab it by the neck and leave.

Cath Kerry

18/10/2017 08:20:24 am

Lovely story Patricia. I hope you stopped inviting him.

Janet Worth

17/10/2017 04:25:53 pm

I know someone (not a friend, just someone I know) who, when the hostess thanked her for and moved to open the bottle said 'Oh. If I'd known you were going to open it I would have brought something decent'. As I said, not a friend.

And there's more which may shock ... I have been know to arrive at the home of close friends with a bottle of wine not only open but partly consumed. This rather than abandon a bottle of good red not fully consumed from the night before. But not the only gift I would bring. Promise.

And by the way above named Patricia Paddock - you taught me English in Year 11 at Walford sometime last century and I remain grateful for your contribution to my love of poetry and literature.

18/10/2017 08:39:29 am

Janet you are always very generous but remember that wine will keep for a fews days, once opened. You could be drinking it, yourself! I do know a friend who took a half opened bottle not realising what she had grabbed from the fridge!

Frank McWilliams

22/10/2017 10:26:43 am

Cath I am still discovering just how much you taught me.
It seems that most of what your blog’s introduction
highlights are sadly almost extinct today.
I consider myself very lucky to have been shown the way things should be done. Mind you it does make it hard to dine out. But when you do find a waiter or an establishment that gets it, it is a lovely surprise.
Great idea this blog. Well done and thank you 😊

22/10/2017 05:54:50 pm

Thanks Frank. Yes it's a bit of fun and it's nice to get comments and suggestions But I have a question for you. Will we ever be able to buy your fruit loaf on a Friday? I just don't think there's enough made every week.

The Wine Dilemma

Leave a Reply.

Archives

Categories