Your Chateau or Mine?

The first time I realized that not all wine producers were created equal was the night our waiter brought out Chateau St. Michelle chardonnay with a slight frown. At that point, I assumed there wasn’t much difference, like Coke or Pepsi. The person who ordered the wine politely corrected the waiter, saying that he asked for Chateau St. Jean. The waiter’s face lit up like Christmas, and he apologetically excused himself to retrieve the superior bottling. The waiter was now happy, and we seemed to get better service afterwards. With hindsight, this was perhaps also my first experience with shabby-snobby waiter in a nice restaurant.

No disrespect to our friends at Chatean St. Jean, but for me, if I’m paying the bill, make mine Chateau St. Michelle. This Plonkalicious producer of top-notch value red (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah) and white (chardonnay, dry Riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, riesling, sauvignon blanc, rose) wines regularly hits singles and doubles in the $7 to $15 dollar range under their Columbia Valley label, and also makes wonderful, higher priced bottlings under the Ethos and Artist Series labels. In fact, I’ll put their $7 Sauvignon Blanc up against anybody, anywhere, anytime. Your Chateau or mine?

Best, Joe Plonk

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