13 hrs confidence:   peer agreement (net): +1 decent
Explanation:
This is a rather untranslatable expression. The fact that in one of the examples I give below they resort to the French expression in an English description suggests this is son.
I think it is generally pretty positive though. I have found the following examples of its use which suggest this. And in English wine tasting, ratings tend to use the word "decent" in a similar fashion. So this could well be an option. I think it would happily substitute for "sage" in these examples:
'Que ne dégustâmes nous pas ensuite ce fameux 1986 en guise d'épilogue, complètement apaisé dans le tanin, malgré une jeunesse compliquée, comme l’expliquait Eric. Un vin sage, de sage pourrait on dire, essence de gamay sur granit, d’une indicible élégance, mais sans maigreur.'
http://blog.cavesa.ch/index.php/2009/10/05/189727-un-quart-d...
'Là un vin sage à boire avec la quiche lorraine.'
http://ch172.gadz.org/sitemetz12.htm
'2004 Anjou Villages (Cab Sv) -- half aged in newish oak. Structured, very dry, very fresh, lovely fruit, not a touch of exaggeration, un vin sage, very good.'
http://www.jacquelinefriedrich.com/a_wine___food_guide_to_th...
3° Loupiac 1982 by Château Dauphiné Rondillon, France, Bordeaux
Cette bouteille aurait pu tenir encore plusieurs années, sans que je pense elle ne devienne franchement meilleure. Ce qui m’a particulièrement plu est sa note végétale (typique d’un vieux Sauvignon) et naturellement, l’intégration de ses sucres. C’est un vin sage, subtil. Son âge lui donne une grâce incroyable. L’émotion qu’il apporte est bien celle des vieux vins, mûrs, dont même les défauts se font accepter. Très belle expérience.'
http://wineops.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/noel-ses-emotions-et...
| Evans (X)
Local time: 01:51
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 31
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16 hrs confidence:
6 hrs confidence: reasonable
Explanation:
2001 Le Botti di Antistene Symposyo Rosso (Italy, Sicily ...
25 Dec 2004 ... Overall a reasonable wine, but lacking in character and uniqueness, as well as a less than exciting structure. ...
www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=35199
Maybe in your example: a reasonably good Vouvray
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Note added at 1 day17 hrs (2011-03-01 12:52:40 GMT)
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another suggestion: sound
Welcome to the Wine Gallery
Always a sound wine, the black-fruited Echelon Pinot Noir exhibits excellent liveliness on the palate; perfect with grilled salmon. Echelon Pinot Noir 2004 ...
www.winegallery-ryeridge.com/Results.cfm?PageNum_Results
Chateau Piada, Le Hauret du Piada (white), Graves, Bordeaux, 2005 2/5
A sound wine but lacking any excitement or definition.
http://www.foodvacation.com/id13.html
Not bad, but nothing really special either. Sweet, overripe cherry nose, almost cordial like, along with chocolate, plums and and touch of crushed flowers, almost fermenting in its sweetness. Rose syrup maybe. The palate was marked with dry, woody tannins, a liberal dash of wood spice and pepper, ripe berries, a touch of sour cherries and nice clean acidity. Very extracted, a little alcoholic, but decent enough balance. Finish had an interesting savoury note to it. Otherwise, I would say a sound wine, but rather souless.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=393923
Her wine is an exemplar in my mind of that style of Chambolle but I don’t have the references to make the same judgement regarding specific site. The Rion example, yet another big, low acid 2005 is actually a sound wine but lacking any real personality. Ripe strawberry fruit, some mineral notes and really soft structure and hints of oak though nothing undue in terms of influence. No hint of the spark of great Chambolle. Actually sort of diffuse and even a bit hot. Not a bad wine really but not my style.
http://stevegoldun.wordpress.com/page/2/
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Note added at 1 day17 hrs (2011-03-01 12:55:11 GMT)
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@ Lori: I thought your question was specifically about the phrase "pour aller avec un veau au curry: un vin de Vouvray un peu sage", but I am not sure now.
| Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:51
Works in field
Native speaker of:  English
PRO pts in category: 23
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3 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +3 |
