A cautionary tale.
Yesterday a smart looking red van pulled up at the house, and the fast-talking driver at once engaged me in conversation. "What a beautiful location", " What a friendly dog"; that sort of thing.
Only after a while did he mention that he was visiting the area selling his wonderful Bordeaux grand cru wines; and would I have a couple of minutes to taste them. Like a fool, I said 'yes'.
Well his wine was really excellent; I tried about four different reds, and one in particular stood out as being far superior. When I asked him the price, I nearly fell over backwards.
Now you have to understand that Cro is used to paying €1.10 per litre for his daily sustenance, and being told the price of his stuff had me reeling. But by this time his salesmanship was working its magic, and I foolishly signed-up for a 12 bottle case (with two free bottles thrown in).
His little visit cost me €150, for which I could have bought 136 litres of my usual wine; instead of 14 bottles of his.
I hardly knew what had hit me. I'm not at all the sort to be bamboozled into buying anything; let alone wine.
OK, I feel like a bit of a mug, but, hey, what the hell; the wine is wonderful. We had the first bottle last night.
Ch. Haut Meyreau. Legende D'Autumne 2012. You can look it up.
If you are going to be taken by somebody, it is better to be taken by one carrying fine wine.
ReplyDeleteThere's a good side to everything; even being bamboozled by a wine salesman!
DeleteAt least the wine you've opened has actually lived up to expectations. It could have been a cheap substitute in the bottles you bought.
ReplyDeleteIt did cross my mind.
DeleteI shall be on the look out for smart red vans. Not sure if we would send him on his way or be tempted to try his tasters. I do like drinking expensive wine but preferably when someone else is paying!
ReplyDeleteI'm just as happy with my €1.10 wine from St Martin le Redon.
DeleteBetter that than dodgy double glazing eh!
ReplyDeleteArilx
A lot cheaper too!
DeleteWhen we were on Lake Como a few years ago, the wine in a litre carton from the nearby shop, at 1 euro I think, was far nicer than any of the wine we had with dinner in the hotel, costing about 15/17 euros !
ReplyDeleteIt's very often the case; and probably far more 'natural' too.
DeleteHere's what to do the next time a salesman rolls around...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtlUNhbODCQ
Wonderful.
DeleteWe once did a part exchange on an old Rayburn for some wine. It was pretty darned good. Didn't last very long though - the old Rayburn will have lasted a lot longer, and kept them warmer!
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound like a very good deal; unless it was a wine lake.
DeleteSome saleman Cro - you have to admire his wily ways.
ReplyDeleteOr not-admire my lack of will power.
DeleteOh well! At least you got wine out of it! :)
ReplyDeleteObviously a very good salesman but, hey, never regret a decision: live with it and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIf it was that good then it was worth the price I'd say.
ReplyDeleteWell...now you've bought it, the best thing to do is shrug your shoulders gallically, (Gallicly?) (In a Gallic manner) and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteWe bought a Grand Cru bottle by mistake in Carrefour once upon a time (round about 50€ the bottle) We kept it, and kept it for a "special ocassion" that never materialised as being "special" enough. In the end, we had some good friends round for a meal, and considering that probably good friends are the best reason for celebrating, we opened it on the spur of the moment, and thoroughly enjoyed it!!
The only door-to-door folk that come around these parts are those spreading the 'Good Word'. I'd rather a wine salesman any day!
ReplyDelete