"Merlot is supposed to be served warm"

Guidelines...All, of course open to adjustment according to one's personal tastes.

...and possession of a pocket-sized digital thermometer at all times.

Just a few miles south of there, is Frederick Rd (exit 14). Go west roughly 1.5 miles and you'll see Catonsville Gourmet. They are fairly new and have no liquor license. Thus, BYO. As Karl mentioned, there are a couple of wine shops on route 40 (exit 12)(several miles west) that are worth your time. One is called Jason's and I can't recall the others name. Either way, you'll find something you will want at Jason's. The food at Catonsville Gourmet is excellent and if I remember correctly, the corkage is $5. We offer too much wine to the staff and are rarely charged any corkage.

Security Square has nothing to offer.

mark

Welcome to Maryland/Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, Peter. I live in Maryland myself and have five wineries within a 20 minute drive from home and some of the wine is pretty good.
At no time is the word 'warm' ever appropriate for a cab or merlot; I'm sorry it happened to you in Maryland. I was at a nice restaurant years ago and found that they actually stored the red wine high on a shelf near the commercial refrigerator! I got the owner to change location and buy a cooler.

I am somewhere on the outskirts of Baltimore, MD

Sorry to be so late chiming in, Peter. Am I recalling correctly you have a son or daughter attending U. of Maryland, Baltimore County? There are some better than decent options west of the City--the highly recommended Iron Bridge Wine Company (I think James Roscoe has been, but I haven't) is a few miles out toward Columbia. If you're coming into the city center, obviously there will be more. If you haven't already left for Virginia, or if you're returning to Baltimore for a few days, please drop me a PM. BTW, Boordy does some decent hybrids (e.g., Seyval Blanc) and some folks really like their sparklers, but IMO there are better Maryland wines to be had (Basignani, Woodhall). Regardless, Virginia's wine industry puts ours to shame.

[James Roscoe]

I am somewhere on the outskirts of Baltimore, MD

Sorry to be so late chiming in, Peter. Am I recalling correctly you have a son or daughter attending U. of Maryland, Baltimore County? There are some better than decent options west of the City--the highly recommended Iron Bridge Wine Company (I think James Roscoe has been, but I haven't) is a few miles out toward Columbia. If you're coming into the city center, obviously there will be more. If you haven't already left for Virginia, or if you're returning to Baltimore for a few days, please drop me a PM. BTW, Boordy does some decent hybrids (e.g., Seyval Blanc) and some folks really like their sparklers, but IMO there are better Maryland wines to be had (Basignani, Woodhall). Regardless, Virginia's wine industry puts ours to shame.

Well stated Clinton. I might put it in somewhat stronger words than that.

Peter, next time you are in town, we will make a night of it!

Gentlemen

Many thanks for your kind words...

I expect to return here in the new year so will contact you before hand.

Clinton, what a good memory you have. Indeed my son had a wonderful time at UMBC. He's home now and looking for a job. He's applied for more than 50 without success.....

I get to work at 0800 and get to the hotel between 18:30 and 19:00 so by then its a bit late and I have been wary about driving in the dark a way as I'm still acclimatising myself to driving here.

While the only American restaurant I can get to without driving is by no means a wine destination -- and I understand that -- I thought the comment about warm Merlot amusing. I was not trying to be superior.

I went back there last night and there was a different and inexperienced waitress. My Paris goblet of warm Merlot came with a red cocktail straw in it. (I also overheard the waiter whod' previously served me tell the waitress 'bring him a small glass of ice for his wine and look after him because he is a good tipper). So I guess this board has taught me how to tip 20%+ in the USA. (But I don't understand why the restaurant adds a 15% 'service charge' before adding tax....

Tomorrow I'm heading for Virginia. I'm now aware of the Maryland wineries- so maybe next time -- but I am on a mission to visit vineyards growing and making Pinotage and there are three in Virginia.

[David M. Bueker]

Arrr....shivver me oak barrels...arrr

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!