Muscular Reds
Since we’ve all been working out more here, we have found ourselves craving bigger bolder, more muscular wines. Now, this doesn’t mean high-octane fruit bombs necessarily (not that there’s anything wrong with them). It means, rather, the kind of rich, bold offerings that we like to drink when, say, watching wrestling. Here are a few in the state system right now that fit that bill perfectly.
Find them here: The Wine Finder
Ruffino Modus – What better wine to workout with than a Super Tuscan? This one, though still young, has enough depth to give pleasure now or 5 years on…when we’ll be benching 350-lbs each.
Mollydooker Two Left Feet – Wrestling-match training followed by hydration with a rich, ripe, deeply flavored Shiraz-Cab-Merlot called “Mollydooker?” Sounds perfect to us.
Goulart Malbec “The Marshall” – From Lujan de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s prime locations, comes this powerful red that works both on its own or with manly-man food like steak or short ribs. Protein! Beefcake!.
Niepoort “Twisted” – From one of the legends of Portuguese winemaking, this affordably priced ’06 blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, and other local grape varieties has it all…except the typically higher price of Dirk’s wines. We like the name, the juice, the producer–everything about it.
Balanced Bottles
Even in the midst of a battle (a smackdown, you might say…), we still have to address our collective softer side. Because in the cold weather and the heat of battle, man cannot live on big wines alone. Plus, all those richer wines wear (paradoxically, perhaps) thin after a while, and we all need something a bit easier on the palate, which is why we like the ones below so much.
Cristalino NV Brut Cava – Will it change your life? Will it plumb the depths of profundity that a great Tete de Cuvee Champagne will? Probably not. But it’s a heck of a sparkler, bright and citrusy, and perfect for mimosas. To celebrate a victory, perhaps?
Domaine Laroche Chablis “St.-Martin” – From one of our favorite Chablis producers, this is a white worthy of all seasons, even the cooler one we find ourselves in now. Think of this as 750ml of sunshine.
Domaine Henry Fessy Morgon – Take everything you ever thought about Beaujolais and put it aside. This Beaujolais Cru is a standout, with structure, fruit, and terroir to burn.
Sattler St. Laurent – We like to think of St. Laurent as we do top-notch Beaujolais: Fruity and fun most of the time, but, like this bottling or the Morgon above, unexpectedly complex and structured. Lovely.