Posted on 05/22/2016 12:09:43 AM PDT by lee martell
One year ago, I helped a friend of mine find a place to rentshare and move into. I knew she would fit right in. We have been coworkers in the past, just platonic friends. She thanked me by giving me a bottle of Chianti; red Italian wine. I thanked her of course, and put the bottle in my storage closet for when I got ready for it. I was ready today, having just finished writing a group of Quarterly Reports for my Manager of a Group Home. I was planning to reward myself for completing the job to everyone's satisfaction.
I rarely use real glasses, if it's just me, but for this moment, I washed out an old glass goblet with fluted sides, perfect for sipping wine. I take the bottle out of the storage closet, bring it to the sink, and I make a discovery. This is one of those bottles with a cork in it. Damn. I no longer have one of those spiral cork removers, it was loaned out, and never returned some time ago. So I was stuck. I had a feeling this might get messy, so I took off one of my nicer Polo Shirts, and changed into an old one that always fits no matter how long it stays in the dryer.
I got my favorite steak knife out, and pushed down cork. No movement. I needed to tap the knife handle with something. I used a heavy rubber spatula, raised the spatula high over my head, and swung down hard on the knife handle, now jammed into the cork. It worked! I got the cork to move. Only it went down the neck of the bottle, getting stuck halfway. I used a siphon to pour the dark red wine into an empty juice bottle that I had been planning to turn into a terrarium. Finally, all the wine was out. Now I had to pull my steak knife free from the cork.
I put the now mostly empty bottle into the sink, filled it with warm soapy water. Soon, the bottle has expanded just enough so that I could wrench it out. I give it one last strong tug, like Thor pulling his hammer out of that stone. The knife comes out, with cork still attached. I get sprayed with a little wine, the kitchen wall gets sprayed too.
Finally, I pour some Chianti into my fine glass goblet. I was...disappointed. I had forgotten just how bitter Chianti could be, even when red. I doubt if I finish the rest of that wine any time soon. I guess you could say, I have 'pedestrian tastes, or low class preferences. When I'm in the mood for wine, something that doesn't happen very often, I much prefer a sweet taste. I don't always come out and tell people that I one of my favorite after dinner sipping wines is Carlos Rossi Sangria, or Riunite Lambrusco. I admit, it's not very worldly or sophisticated. What can I say? I was brought up with Mogen-David Concord Passover Wine being the only alcohol in the house, except for during Christmas, when we needed to add a kick to the Egg Nog. I have also enjoyed German wines here and there, such as Zinfandel and Liebfraumilch. Sometimes you buy something different just to experiment and learn.
Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond Pale Ale. The best...
Sounds like Bernie Sanders.
I’ll have to look into it. I’ve never heard of that label.
boones farm and mad dog 20/20 were staples around the house in the 70’s
I tried not to go so low as Night Train though, I had principles after all!
Anywho, she likes it in the bottle with a cork but she pours it into a glass to drink.
Out of Bend, Oregon. Lots of good stuff, Inversion IPA, Pinedrops IPA, Black Butte Porter, if you can get it in your area, they make some pretty yummy stuff!
Boone’s Farm Stawberry Hill comes to mind.
That’s a good drinking song. Another one is “Wine, Wine, Wine! I don’t know who wrote or sang it. From the 1950’s.
Try mixing frozen concentrated lemonade using a 1/2 water/1/2 cheap vodka.
Hmmm. Very creative, and inexpensive to try out.
This one will be both Shaken & Stirred.
lol, yeah Strawberry Hill, it was my wife’s favorite too
we were so broke, it was the best we could afford, lol
If you like Riesling, Leitz Dragonstone is pretty good, around $16 at klwines.com.
I preferred Night Train in my youth but it’s been a looooong time...back when the label was black.
Have you heard...What’s the word....It’s Thunderbird.
And Greta Garbo’s looks give me a thrill.
Thunderbird was easily the most disgusting thing I ever tasted. Saw it one day in ghetto Pittsburgh and had to try.
I’m sure it gets one wrecked beyond belief if they can stomach it.
Messina Hof Beau. Great taste, you will love it.
ZZTop
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