I admit that I have a special place in my heart for the people of the town of Gilroy, the self-proclaimed "Garlic capitol of the world", where 92% of the residents are involved in raising garlic and whose annual garlic festival is a humorous but delightful highlight of the culinary life of California. Four years ago, the good people of Gilroy went too far however, and released their first wine. The latest "vintage" has just been released, and I cannot help but conclude that the wine released by the "Rapazzini Winery" in Gilroy may very well qualify for the title of the world's worst wine.

Known as "Chateau de Garlic", the label gives no hint of which (or, for that matter, if any) grapes were used. What is obvious, however, is that the wine has been so heavily flavored with liquid garlic that it is pungent and offensive. The winery suggests that the wine should be served with chicken, steaks and Italian pasta. They also suggest that the wine be served ice cold. My guess is that the icy coldness is intended to deaden the taste buds so you will not notice just how terrible this stuff really is. The label states that the wine "should be shared with a friend. Personally, I suggest giving it to an enemy.

© Daniel Rogov