WHINE # 45

 

A GREAT WINE FOR THE BARBECUE:   On a warm summer afternoon one usually seeks out a cold, cold beer for the first drink of the day.   If, however, you prefer a glass of wine, then it is usually something light; a chilled white, a rose, or a light, low-alcohol sipping red such as a Beaujolais.

Next, you think about firing up the barbecue and tossing on a nice steak, some ribs, or even a sausage or two.  Here the matching drink will be quite different.  You will want to pair your meat with a heavier wine, preferably one with nice tannins to match the protein in the meat.  Usually the choice is a well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon or a medium-priced Australian Shiraz.

As a change let me recommend a Spanish Monastrell.   Monastrell is the second grape of Spain (after Tempranillo) and is a big, tannic wine that can be an incredible value.  Monastrell is grown in various parts of Spain but particularly in Jumilla.   This varietal is also grown in south of France where it has been re-named Mouverdre.  Mouverdre is usually used for blending and is one of the many varietals that make up the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  This varietal has also made its way to Portugal where it is called Mataro.

Monastrell is a very late ripening grape requiring lots of sun.  Spain has better growing conditions than France.  For that reason, in my view, Monastrell wins hands down over Mouverdre.  And, not only does it taste better, it is cheaper.

Finally, let me add a word of caution.  If you pick up a bottle, don’t pour yourself a glass as a pre-dinner sipping wine.  Have a glass of beer or a lighter wine and then enjoy your big, full-bodied, highly tannic Monastrell with your steak, cooked perfectly rare.

WINE TEMPERATURES:  We all like our coffee hot and our lemonade cold, but what about wine?  The old belief that white wine is to be served chilled and red to be drunk at room temperature is an insufficient guide.  Of course sparkling wines (Cava, Prosecco) are best placed in a bucket of ice for 30 minutes or more.   Still whites should also be cold, but not necessarily ice cold.

The problem, however, is with reds.   Room temperature of 21 or 22 degrees (in a centrally heated house) is too warm.  In the summer it is even worse.  Most North Americans do not have wine cellars and store their wines in a closet or perhaps even on the kitchen counter.  It is almost a crime to serve a wine at 25 or 26 degrees, but I bet that is frequently done.

Light, thin reds (such as Beaujolais) are best served at 14 or 15 degrees.  Heavier reds, such as Monastrell (see above) or Cabernet Sauvignon are quite lovely at slightly higher temperatures (say 18 degrees).

If you are about to uncork a bottle of red that is the temperature of a moderately warm room I suggest you place the bottle in your freezer for 10 minutes.  If the wine gets a little too cold that is not a problem.  It will quickly warm to a suitable temperature once it has been poured into a glass.  However, don’t forget and leave your wine in the freezer.   Making wine popsicles is not a good use of an aged Napa Cabernet.

SOME MEDICAL ADVICE:  Many thanks to Judi Travis of Florida for sending along this bit of medical wisdom.

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?  Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?  Do you suffer from shyness?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Cabernet Sauvignon.  Cabernet Sauvignon is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.  It can help leave you willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Cabernet Sauvignon almost immediately, and, with a regimen of regular doses, you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to life.  Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.  Stop hiding and start living.

Cabernet Sauvignon may not be right for everyone.  Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it.  However, women who wouldn’t mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effect may include:  dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, loss of motor control, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke all night.

WARNINGS:  The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may make you think you are whispering when you are not.  The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.  The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to think you can sing.  The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

Similar benefits may accrue from the consumption of less expensive Monastrell (see above).

 

O.S. Special Offering 52:  Once a year Opimian offers wine in 500 ml bottles.  It is sometimes very convenient to have such smaller bottles on hand.  In this offering none of the wines are particularly expensive and most can be drunk almost immediately.  I think any of the offerings would be worth having, but I’ll list the ones that I have personally tried and will thus recommend:  Lot 7258 (the two wines from Puglia are particularly good); Lot7259 (the French Chablis is excellent); Lot 7262 (one can never go wrong with wines from Chile’s Central Valley).