American vs. french

[tomstevenson]

Did you scan my reply a tad too quick Bucko? I was actually stating that the "vast majority (of French plonk) is much worse". There are some charming inexpensive French wines, but I would not classify any varietal wine or, indeed, any AOC wine as plonk (acknowledging the fact that most wines sold as AOC are "plonk" in quality ... and that many Vins de Pays are hugely superior and not always cheaper ... but I digress). Plonk is by definition a wine of no abode. In the USA you call it Jug wine (which might be why you confuse an AOC wine served in a jug as theoretically plonk) and in France it is Vin de Table - no grape variety and no origin. The word plonk derives from 19th century rhyming slang for the most ubiquitous Vin de Table - blanc de blancs. Our charming Cockney friends not being fussy about pronouncing their own language let alone French would say "Blanc de Blanc(s) Plonk!". The Australians re-invented the word in the 1930s (not surprising considering that the somewhat less than charming British establishment sent so many Cockneys to serve time there for having the gall to steal a loaf of bread) and, ironically, in more modern times someone came up with Plonk de Plonks, little realising I suppose the origin of "plonk". Talk about digression!

[This message has been edited by tomstevenson (edited 08-03-2001).]