the good stuff
I like wine. Those who know me know this. Reds are my preference with Pinot Noir being my favorite. I've been fortunate enough to visit the Willamette Valley three times and have come to appreciate wines from Argyle Winery, The Eyrie Vineyards, and Granville Wine Company. I also like a Barolo with the right meal, a Chenin Blanc from Vouvray to accompany a seafood meal, and my most recent white wine experiment - Vermintino paired with a seafood alfredo meal. I have yet to acquire a taste for sparkling wines - the bubbles give me a headache - but I never say never when it comes to wines.
weeknight wines
The wineries listed above produce limited quantity "premium" wines. I'm not inclined to open a premium bottle on a Tuesday night to accompany leftovers or a frozen pizza. For reasons such as this, and because I have been known to be a cheapskate from time to time, I've begun the weeknight wines project. The criteria are pretty simple:
- Readily available around town
- Ready to drink now
- Pairs well with easy weeknight meals (one skillet meals, leftovers, the occasional takeaway, and so on)
- Priced no more than $25 per bottle (which makes them affordable for drinking Mondays through Thursdays)
The wines I'll sample here meet these criteria and may, or may not, be palatable. I will share my perspective on the wines I bring home and rate them with a very simple WILL or WILL NOT buy again rating. Nothing fancy here because these aren't fancy wines.
These are my opinions - not facts. Take them for what they're worth and please do not get offended if I say I don't like your favorite wines.
disclaimer
As an FYI, "room temperature" is anywhere between 68 to 77 degress with the average being somewhere between 70 and 72 degrees. My wines - even the weeknight wines - are stored in the basement to keep them at the low end of the room temperature scale. That said, if you prefer your wines chilled, then you should defintely chill them. Enjoy wine on your terms and in your way. It's your palate so make it happy!