For the first time, I have succeeded in presenting, to the gathered extended family, a wine that did not cause puckered faces, a general rush toward the usual bottles of Woodbridge, exclamations of "you paid $20 for this?" or my grandfather demanding a Coors Light to wash it down.
The wine?
Clairette de Die (Carod Tradition NV).
Even Pépère was smuggling glasses into another room.
How did it work with dinner? Not bad actually, if struggling a bit to be noticed among the many flavors that make up Easter dinner. Ham dowsed in a sweet raisin gravy seems to pose a significant challenge, regardless of the varied side dishes. A small amount of balanced RS was certainly needed. Riesling could have been the easy answer, but I've tried it on this family before and, aside from the nostalgia for Blue Nun on the part of a few aunts, judgement was passed before the wine was even sipped. Apparently Riesling isn't what the cool kids drink these days. I tried to trick them once with Scheurebe. It didn't work.
No formal notes, as I don't think this wine warrants deep contemplation and I already get enough flak for bringing my own glassware, nevermind a moleskine. My uncles give me the same look I once received when introducing my Star Wars action figures to the grown-up table. "That kid will never get laid."
