We have been given a bottle of Chardonnay Vin de Pays des Coteaux des Baronnies. It seems rather sedimenty and we wondered if this is how it should be. Or is it off?

It is showing a 1996 label and is a reddish color but on the back it says it has a buttery nose and perfectly balanced by citrus flavors.

Can you advise please?
Dennis
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This wine was meant to be drank within a couple of years of its creation, certainly not later than 2000. By now it is very oxidized, having turned from clear yellow to dark to orange or reddish which means an advanced state of evolution. While some rare people enjoy the "maderization" effect of oxidation it is not what this wine was supposed to become. It has simply been forgotten and will now end up in the sink unless you can find a use for it in cooking!

DrMic

I recently purchased an organic vegan no sulfite wine from your business. I received the wine a few days ago,tried it and was very,very unhappy with the flavor. I'm sorry to say that I think there might've been an error when the wine was produced because it tasted like bad vinegar and neither me or my guests could finish a glass of it.Please discontinue to sell this wine to
customers until the problem is resolved.

Thank you/Angela
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Hi Angela,

I am sad to hear your story but I am happy to report that it is an extremely rare occurrence. As any "alive" product, wine can also "die". Trying to answer consumer's request for no added sulfites in the wine is a real technical challenge! Particularly for wines that come all the way from France and then travel back across the USA.
Sulfites are not put into wines for pleasure but precisely to prevent the kind of accident you were the victim of. This particular product is in fact remarkably made but being without sulfites is like being naked in the winter, a demanding situation!

While we have ourselves drunk cases of this particular wine (Didier) without finding any bad one it is certainly possible and even to be expected to find occasionally one that has turned bad. It is our policy to satisfy the customer and we will be happy to send you a replacement. If the problem persists, either you have really bad luck or we have to seriously look at it. Moreover even conventional wines have an admissible percentage of defective bottles. For the moment with maybe a 2 per thousand occurrence, this wine is still way better than most.

I will send you a replacement bottle hoping to have better luck with it.

sincerely

Dr Mic

Hi Michel,

We have enjoyed being members of the 'red only' club. However, we are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change issues and are seeking ways to reduce our own footprint. While we love opening the once a month package you've shipped us, we recognize the significant transportation impact to the environment. We've been having a big discussion about saving international wine experiences for special occasions. Then, we excitedly opened December's shipment, and were extremely disappointed at the Styrofoam packaging. What's up????

- Anna and Doug
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I guess I should make a general email for this subject. During weather extremes, both hot and cold, my warehouse switches to Styrofoam following weather reports. While corrugated cardboard is our preference it has little if any insulating quality. It then becomes a choice of stopping the service or using Styrofoam to reduce greatly the chances of ruining the wines, which in itself would be a stupid loss for everyone and a possible damage to other goods!

Regarding the Wine Club, I am having the same thoughts myself. This is the reason why I chose to send 3 bottles instead of 2 like in many other wine clubs, but in terms of impact it would make more sense to send a full case 3 times a year! Given the durability of wine this is the way to go!

All the best

Dr Mic

Comment on Gypsy Melody

This red is spectacular! My taste in reds is light, crisp & non-acidic & this wine is all that. I was surprised by my first sip which was at first light & fruity, then slightly dry & acidic but completed so smoothly & deliciously that I found myself on my 2nd glass in what seemed like no time. I've been telling everyone about this wine & will be getting a case to share with all my family and friends during the holidays.

Anonymous, Boston

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