Great Wall Red - it's getting better, but...

[David M. Bueker]

Many years ago I had the "opportunity" to try the Chinese wines, Great Wall Red as well as Great Wall White.

At that time the white was barely drinkable, and the red pretty much a DNPIM.

Fast forward to Wednesday night, and Great Wall Red (I think it was a 2007...not sure) was actually drinkable in a "I have to drink this to be polite" sort of way. It's still rough, and the alcohol sticks out more than a little bit, but it has a little fruit.

Still a long, long way to go to reach the quality level of Yellow Tail.

... Great Wall Red (I think it was a 2007...not sure) was actually drinkable...

David,

That is indeed a very high compliment for a Great Wall wine. From my experience from last October I would say that the Great Wall Red can be swallowed. It still aspires to be classified as plonk.

I cannot imagine why anyone would consume Chinese wine....it's probably loaded with lead .

[David M. Bueker]

I cannot imagine why anyone would consume Chinese wine....it's probably loaded with lead .

Imagine a situation where there is truly no way not to without giving offense.

I cannot imagine why anyone would consume Chinese wine....it's probably loaded with lead.

When attending a business dinner in China you literally cannot refuse without completely embarrassing the host. He will pay careful attention not only to make sure that you are consuming the wine, but that your glass does not come close to emptying.

It gets really tough when you just had a 1989 Lafite-Rothschild paraded in front of you which is then NOT served to the dinner guests. To top it off, Great Wall ends up being the best wine served at dinner! I have had wine in China that truly tasted like spoiled grape juices, soaked in leather and infused with diesel fuel. I literally had to fight my gag reflex to get it down.

They have some nasty shiz-nit over there.