New Friends and Old Vines
Each time we go to our neighborhood restaurant, we often run into old friends and are introduced to new ones. Barstools are rearranged, making room for a gathering.
Kate the bartender sets two napkins in front of us and smiles warmly. "What can I get you?"
My husband usually goes with some form of Bourbon. I'm less predictable. But when I can't decide, I have a back-up plan: The house red.
The house wine at most restaurants is a cheap, unnamed bottle. At Spasso, it's something different. Inexpensive, yes. But also delicious. Marietta Old Vine. A spicy red with dark berry notes, it's an amazing value for an exceptional wine.
| Red Wine Info Bottle Marietta Old Vine Lot 50 Grape Zinfandel-based blend Year n.v. Region Geyserville, California Price ~$11.00 Shop Internet Wines & Spirits, BevMo Food Pairing Spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, grilled steak, blue cheese |
More Exceptional Red Wines Under $15 Penfolds Koonunga Hills HRM Rex-Goliath Pinot Noir Don Miguel Gascón Malbec View all the wines Diane has tried recently. |
Sometimes these barside get-togethers are planned, but more often than not, they're spontaneous. A surprise encounter turns a simple glass of wine into an hour-long gab session or even a night of story-telling.
Diane Timba is a contributing writer at Thursday Happy Hour. Check out her lifestyle wine column here on Wednesdays. What's your favorite house wine and where do you drink it? Let Diane know in the comments below. Or chat with her on Facebook.
Comments