Tonight was one of those nights in which the ordinary go-to vino wouldn't suffice. Hubby and I wanted to try something unique, new, and interesting because that's often how we classify "vacation wine" vs "weeknight wine". We were grilling burgers and hot dogs in true American fashion, but we also wanted to accentuate the BBQ flavors with a bold, layered, oaky, smokey red. And because we are often difficult (or awesome?) we also added a dimension of challenge to give ourselves the pentameter of "$15 or less". This is actually my favorite category of wine-buying trips: searching for bang for your buck aka a quest for incredible value. Some said it couldn't be done....
But boom: Thank you, Argentina. We ended up walking out of Total Wine with a bottle of Syrah, Malbec, and Cab Sauv blend grown at 700 meters above sea level in Mendoza and aged in French and American oak for 12 months. A 2010 vintage that proved to be satisfying on the palate with a lingering fruit-forward finish for a frugalista price of $14.99. Mission accomplished.
*Looking for a new red? South America never seems to disappoint when it comes to affordability without sacrificing complexity. Don't be afraid to reach for a Bonarda from Argentina, a Carmenere from Chile, or a Tannat from Uruguay when you have one of those "I feel adventurous about trying a new red wine but don't want to risk a lot of investment" nights. These big, bold, layered reds offer an excellent alternative to a standard Cab or Merlot for a summer night BBQ.
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