Gruet. Blew It.

As commented in
SheenaVision passim, the prospect of a world-class bubbly maker in the desert plains of New Mexico was quite thrilling. Particularly an historic producer, with a foray into international circles.

Today I visited the Gruet facility.

Based on a not-insignificant amount of research, Sheena had every intention of walking out with at least a half-case of the premium bubbly. She walked out with 4 of their cheap-ass Roses and Blanc de Noirs

in spite of the fact it was rude, inconsiderate service that deserved to be stiffed on the $5/person tasting fee. Screw the souvenir glasses.

Why persons in the service industry insist on upon being assholes to strangers - not knowing upon sight if they are wankers or buyers - is beyond me.

The unfortunately complexioned clerk insisted on making busy work and avoiding serving the present and accounted for paying customers. If he was taking orders by the caseload for French Laundry, I'd understand the slight. But trust me.. he wasn't. Making calls, running to the back, everything and anything to avoid dealing with the consuming public.

Questions were answered with snippy answers, verging on sarcasm without a trace of humour. When I asked him to clarify precisely which grapes were used, he eye-rollingly retorted "pinot noir and chardonnay, the only ones EVER used in Champagne". As Sheena's head cocked into attack mode, he realized his error and backtracked, recognizing that of course American bubbly was not even 'champagne', but that Gruet was true to traditional methods.

Then Sheena brought up this little ruling, and zit-boy played dumb. Worse than dumb, played arrogant as though the stupid chick in front of him must be smoking crack.

I bought the bare minimum intended, signed my bill, and as I did, screamed into my mind "LISTEN YOU STUPID HICK... YOU'RE POURING $13 NEW MEXICAN WINE ON THE SERVICE ROAD NEXT TO THE INTERSTATE. BE NICER TO PEOPLE WHO STOP IN AND PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SELL THE WORLD!"