My favorite wine this week was a 2020 Bordeaux red blend from Chateau Fage Graves de Vayres.
I enjoyed this wine after a shift of bartending on a Sunday night. I got home at around 2:15 a.m. and paired it with a quick burrito (leftover, well-seasoned ground beef and cheddar cheese) and a side of garlic potatoes.
On this particular night, it was especially slow even for a Sunday. I thought I was going to go home early. I had wiped the whole bar down and cleaned almost everything. I thought that even if a few people came in, I could simply bus that section of the bar and be no worse off.
My friends, I was mistaken. Somehow, the whole bar filled up within that hour.
I got over it—to be clear, I love my customers!
I got home late, and this was the perfect way to end my night. A quick and savory meal and a nice wine was a great way to wind down and start getting ready for bed.
The wine had a great balance of tannin and acidity and had strong berry notes. It was fruity, but maintained an earthy, old-world feel.
The composition of the wine was 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet, 5% Petet Verdot, 5% Malbec. Merlot was one of the first red wines I enjoyed when I was younger, so I am not surprised I enjoyed this one so much. The color was mostly ruby with the purplish tinge that comes with a Cabernet Sauvignon. The cost was about $15, which is great for my grad-school budget! It goes to show that good wine does not have to cost $50+ or beyond. You also don’t have to have expensive food to complement your wine, especially when short on time and funds!