Salad Fork. Forehead. Jab (repeat).
via Vinography:
The top 10 wines ordered in American restaurants in 2005:
1. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
2. Beringer Vineyards White Zinfandel
3. Cavit Pinot Grigio
4. Sutter Home White Zinfandel
5. Inglenook Chablis
6. Woodbridge Chardonnay
7. Franzia Winetaps Vintner Select White Zinfandel
8. Yellow Tail Chardonnay
9. Yellow Tail Shiraz
10. Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
Salad fork. Forehead. Jab. Jab. Jab.
oy. Winetaps Vintner Select White Zinfandel? Could you tell me exactly who this vintner is and what makes her/his white Zinfandel 'select'?
Kindly remove the fork from your forehead and impale it in mine. THREE white zins, chablis that isn't Chablis, and the shiraz is the ONLY red out of ten to boot! When you take into account, however, that most of middle America is dining out at chains like the Olive Garden, Fridays, etc. it makes all the sense in the world....not to mention the fact that most of these cost-conscious folks don't wanna spend a lot on a glass of wine. It's also easier to pronounce Kendall-Jackson and Sutter Home than Chateauneuf du Pape ;-)
Posted by: KatieP | 18 August 2006 at 07:26 AM
Sheeple. Baa-baa-baa...
Posted by: s'kat | 18 August 2006 at 07:39 AM
What's even more twisted about this is the actual amount you pay for these wines in a restaurant...often as much or more by the glass than what it costs in a grocery store for a bottle. Then again, perhaps anyone who would order grocery store wine in a restaurant deserves to pay through the nose.
Posted by: Jack | 18 August 2006 at 08:49 AM
Who is more to blame here?
The Franzia box-wine drinker or the restaurant with the poor selection?
Posted by: Kevin Erskine | 18 August 2006 at 09:23 AM
I'm not a big fan of Olive Garden food-wise, but they do a great job of wine service for a middle America restaurant. At least they are getting more people to enjoy wine with dinner.
And how hard is it to say "Gimme a glass of Pop"? :)
Posted by: jeff | 18 August 2006 at 11:23 AM
everyone and no one is to blame..
For starters, I blame high fructose corn syrup - I'm convinced the stuff kills people's palates (put down the 32 oz Big Gulp and step away). I then blame lazy restaurant/beverage managers who look for the cheapest 'white', 'red' and 'pink'. Finally, I blame American diners who prize quantity & Val-u over quality.
Mediocrity rules, man.
Posted by: beau | 18 August 2006 at 12:38 PM
A wise man once said "90% of everything is crap!" (I believe it was Theodore Sturgeon.)
Bsides, look at that big bulge in the middle of the curve...
Posted by: jeff | 18 August 2006 at 05:16 PM
Yes, but have you had the Ingelnook Chablis Les Clos? Stunning, and it comes with a built-in handle.
I guess I shouldn't hold my breath to see a Picpoul or a Ugni Blanc/Colombard from Gascogny to crack the top...100.
Posted by: Jameson | 19 August 2006 at 01:11 AM
Despite my best efforts I cannot find information on the blend of white Argentinian wines offered as Franzia Old World Classic Chablis, Argentina (5-ltr. box.
Can anyone help me?
bart_lewis@msn.com
Thanks!
Posted by: Bart Lewis | 21 October 2008 at 11:26 AM