Club Newsletter - July 2025
- Teresa Martain
- Jun 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 6
Reader Wine Stories: Light-hearted Tales from the World of Wine
A Collection of Amusing Wine Experiences
I found some light-hearted wine stories submitted to various websites that I thought I would share. These anecdotes remind us that wine is not just a beverage; it’s an experience filled with laughter and memories.
A Memorable Dinner
Years ago, my wife and I went to an inexpensive restaurant for dinner. The wine list was small, and nothing on it was particularly interesting. I ordered a red Mouton Cadet, thinking it would be fine. The waitress brought out a bottle of white Mouton Cadet instead. I politely told her that we ordered the red version. She took back the bottle of white, only to return with the same bottle a few minutes later.
She told me she asked the chef, and he said that the white wine was actually made from red grapes, so it was really a red wine. We ended up drinking the white wine, and it turned out to be quite enjoyable!
The Post-COVID Experience
Bad (Sort of)
The first meal back in a restaurant after COVID shut everything down was quite an experience. We went to one of our favorite local places, which had always had great food and service. However, due to the pandemic, there was a lot of turnover, and all the waiters were new. I ordered a bottle of Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir.
The waiter proceeded to brutalize the capsule and then the cork. Once the cork was out, he exclaimed loudly, “Wow! First cork removed EVER!” I asked him to decant the bottle. In the middle of our conversation, he returned with a granite wine chiller, plopped it on the table, and tried to pour the wine into the chiller. I had never before grabbed the arm of a server, but I did this time. He was very apologetic and earnest. No harm, no foul!
A Birthday Surprise
Good
I was invited to a nice resort to play golf for my birthday by a good friend, probably in 2016 or 2017. My friend paid for my room, golf, and all meals. I was trying to figure out a way to pay him back “a little.” We planned to meet at the bar before dinner. I arrived early and asked the bartender for the best glass of liquor he had.
He mentioned they had just gotten a bottle of 25-year-old Old Rip Van Winkle, which is now selling for over $50K online. I bought a glass for myself and one for my friend for $256 each. It was a splurge, but it was the only way I could contribute that weekend. The General Manager/Sommelier came to serve it out of curiosity. My friend tried it and didn’t like it, as it was high proof and he prefers mellower mixed drinks. I ended up giving his glass to the General Manager.
We went to dinner and had a fantastic meal. We ordered two bottles of Saxum (2007 James Berry and 2010 Bone Rock). Since I ordered the expensive wine, I insisted on paying for them when the bill came. To my surprise, my friend agreed. The General Manager had zeroed out the bottles!
Wine Adventures Across the USA
California Memories
In the 1970s and 80s, we holidayed in the US. Heading south along the coast after staying in St. Helena in Napa Valley, we had dinner in a restaurant and ordered a California Cabernet Sauvignon from the list. When the waitress brought it to us, it was very cold and crusted with ice. I mentioned it was too cold.
The waitress explained that all the wines were like that because the boss kept them in the cold room. She assured me to leave it to her. Five minutes later, she returned with the bottle, no longer crusted with ice and at a reasonable temperature. She said she had put the bottle in the dishwasher. The wine was fine!
A Virginia Experience
Decades later, after having children stopped our trips to the US, I was sent by my new employer to Virginia as part of an international team. On the first night, six of us foreigners met in a restaurant for dinner. I took responsibility for ordering the wine because no one else would. I told them about Zinfandel, a great spicy red unique to California. However, I didn’t recognize any winery names.
The waiter brought a pink wine. “Oh no,” I said. “I wanted a Zinfandel.” He insisted it was, showing me the label. Since my last visit to the USA, “white Zinfandels” had become the big thing. I managed to get the single red Zinfandel they had, but I’m not sure I regained my reputation as someone who knew about wine.
International Wine Tales
An Upscale Encounter in England
I was in an upscale restaurant when the sommelier learned of my interest in wine. He offered to show me the cellar. While there, he shared his biggest professional mistake. One night, the restaurant was packed, and they were short-staffed. A businessman was dining with associates and ordered Ch. Cheval Blanc. The sommelier’s mistake was not showing the businessman the bottle before decanting it.
When the decanter reached the table, the businessman exclaimed that he had ordered a white wine. He assumed the “Blanc” part of the name meant the wine was white!
Bordeaux Adventures
In 2022, we were on a Scenic River cruise of the Bordeaux region. At dinner on the first night, we were asked, “red or white?” The white was Chardonnay, and the red was Gamay. I asked if I could have a Bordeaux wine. After some time, the waiter brought another bottle. I could see, as he walked the length of the dining room, that it was not Bordeaux, as it was in a Burgundy-shaped bottle. Finally, I got a Bordeaux red.
On the same cruise, we visited St. Emilion. On the way back, the coach drove through the vineyards of Pomerol. Our guide proudly stated that we were in the heart of Merlot country. He claimed the world’s best Merlots came from the St. Emilion region. It was surprising that the recommended red wine at dinner was a Merlot from the Languedoc. We chose a St. Emilion from the wine list instead.
On the same trip, the bartender argued that the word “Cremant” on a bottle meant it was Champagne.
Conclusion: The Joy of Wine Stories
Wine is more than just a drink; it’s a source of joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. Each story shared adds to the rich tapestry of wine culture. Whether it’s a mishap at a restaurant or a memorable birthday celebration, these anecdotes remind us to appreciate the lighter side of wine.
For more delightful wine stories, you can check out this link.
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