Mood: Unnerved

Wine Selection: Chronic Cellars 2006 “Sofa King Bueno”

I have been in the Napa Valley almost a month. I have been wine tasting in the Napa Valley once. My experience? UNNERVING! I don’t want to pat my own back, but I know some things about wine. Let me rephrase, I know enough to where I have never been embarrassed in a conversation with someone who knows a lot about wine.

The story…

I walked into a tasting room with a group of 5 people and bellied up to the tasting bar. The man working the counter looked at us and asked what we were up to. We told him that we wanted to do some tasting. He proceeded to pour us the first wine and asked where we were from. I took out my business card for my blog and was about to tell him that I was new in town and this is the blog that I have created, but before I could say anything, he picks up my card and lifts it to the light?! I thought it was odd. He proceeded to flick the card as though he was testing the card stock and authenticity of the card and said, “So, I suppose you want a free tasting????” I couldn’t believe it! I hadn’t had a sip of wine and I already had a bad taste in my mouth! I mean, these people are in CUSTOMER SERVICE! They are there to serve me! I couldn’t believe his attitude! To think that if I liked the wine, I was going to buy some! Well not after that! I wouldn’t buy wine from that guy if it was the best wine I had ever tasted. What bothers me even more is that I am in the same industry as this guy and I was hoping to strike some decent conversation about his wine and the region. Should I be punished for that? Plus, I not only host a blog, but I also work for a neighbor winery. Should I get thrown to the gutter because of that? So I have created a guide for all tasting room staff to follow:

1. When someone comes into your establishment looking for wine, smile.
2. When the person asks for a tasting, other than checking their I.D., get a glass.
3. As you are describing the wine, try to acknowledge the possible sale of wine and give them the information that they seem to want.
4. No matter if the person is 21 or 79, wearing sweat pants or a tuxedo, never act like they aren’t good enough for your establishment, wine, or time…you NEVER KNOW when you are talking to someone with money or an opinion that people care about.
5. Lastly, thank them for their visit and ask them to come again.

This should seem like common sense to anyone who has worked in a customer service position. You would never expect to be treated like that in Starbucks, the grocery store, or even a doctors office. Why is it accepted behavior in a winery? I mean, the point of a tasting room is supposed to be to educate people about your wine and the story of the winery. I understand that people take advantage of the system and print their own cards to get a free tasting, but it goes with the territory. If you are too bitter, after serving in a tasting room for too long, find a new career, don’t give me attitude.

Ok, off my soap box On the Sunday after this “lovely” wine tasting experience, I decided to improve my mood with a glass of wine and some good ol’ fashioned pumpkin carving. The Chronic Cellars “Sofa King Bueno,” is a Rhone style blend of Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah.

“Bright fruit flavors and aromas. Dark fruits followed by a hint of the tropics. Herbs and spice are plentiful along with some floral/violet highlights.” In other words it’s got fruit, it’s got a smooth mouth feel, and a finish that keeps going and going. This is a crowd pleasing wine, fun label, and a perfect pick for Halloween!

The result of my pumpkin carving and wine down, was obviously a happy one! What do you think?

Cheers!

Erica Lauesen

The Moody Wine Drinker

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