Packers vs. Bears = Wine

After another crazy exhausting weekend of work, I settle in this morning with my usual English muffin and peanut butter along with my giant mugged latte.  I haven’t headed outside yet and I don’t really plan to venture far today, as I’ll spend my morning indoors with my hubby and small petting zoo (2 cats and 1 insane dachshund) preparing for what could be one of THE biggest games in Green Bay Packer History!
I wondered all week if I should begin my usual Sunday morning a little different due to the extreme importance of our game this afternoon?  I joked with friends that I was going to build a bonfire in the back yard and that I’d spend the morning running naked around it, painted in green and gold, chanting Aaron Rodgers name.  As I look outside now, maybe not so much. 

So I stick to the inside, still naked, painted in green and gold, chanting ARodg’s name!  Ha!

But most importantly, I pull back in the same conversation I’ve had with myself all week ~ “What the heck am I going to drink today?” 

I could do a couple of things… 

Drink a bunch of wine that has to do with the colors GREEN or GOLD. 

1.  Drink only ‘orgainc wines’ = GREEN   OR    2.  Drink only thick, syrupy, deliciously coated Sauternes all day = GOLD.  Could be doable for the first, but the second – ouch.  I might be sick by noon.
I guess I could always stick to drinking a few labels that have animals on them, bigger than a BEAR?   Hmmm, getting hotter.  Like, ELK COVE’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir or a WOLF Blass’s Aussie Shiraz.  Both could almost act a bit like a voo-doo doll.  I like that, too.  Yet after much liberation, I think I’m going to just stick to something that sounds good on a day like today.

With a frosty -4 temp outside much doesn’t sound good, except for a wine that will add a little ‘snuggle’ to the game today. 

So, I’m choosing a few RED BLENDS for my afternoon game time. 

Knowing that I’ll be eating a few yummy sammies from my new neighborhood joint, Patisserie 46, and heading in for seconds on that disgusting buffalo chicken cheese dip my husband buys from Kowalski’s, I better have something that will take care of the coating both will leave on my arteries today. 

 I head downstairs to the cellar and find a few of my favorites…

1.  Peterson Winery’s ‘Zero Manipulation’ ~ MY FAVORITE Dry Creek, CA producer creates this ‘one of a kind’ Carignan, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zin little packet of delicious-ness.  So juicy, unctuous and gooey, yet completely ‘in control’ red blend.  Ripe, yet would still go well with one heap of sticky ribs.  I HEART this wine any time of year.  (Only sold at Surdyks in the Twin Cities, for less than $20 on the shelf)
2.  Toad Hollow’s ‘Eric’s the Red’ ~ This, a blend of 18 (yes, 18!) different red grapes ranging from Zinfandel to Cab Franc and Mourvedre is one yummy little snuggle bug.  Called the ultimate bbq wine, this is a great one for almost everyone to love.  There’s a little something in there for every person at your party today!  Dark fruit, red fruit, blue fruit – oh my!  And, can be found on most retail shelves, again for under $20.  A great wine from Paso Robles. 
3.  Villa Antinori Tuscan ‘Rosso’ ~ Has become one of my new ‘house’ wines.  Why, because you don’t have to spend too much to find this wine just serious enough to pair to even the most sophisticated palate.  A blend of Tuscany’s usual suspects:  Sangiovese, Cab, Merlot, Syrah.  A really nice Super Tuscan.  Great for ‘that guy’ who’s coming over today who really likes wine, yet also great for folks who are looking to step outside their ‘New World Wine’ box.  Earthy, spicy, a bit dirty with red fruit – great for burgers on the grill today.  Can be found at most high end retail outlets for under $25.
4. Ernie Els Guardian Peak ‘Frontier Red’ ~ Now this is a great one for today’s match up!  So gamey, again spicy, rich, dense, firey, goopy, chocolatey, earthy, and just down right GOOD JUICE!  For roughly $16-$18, you can find this little gem in some of the smaller retail locations.  A great pizza, pasta, rib, bbq, chocolate covered anything, blue cheese burger wine!  A blend of Shiraz, Cab and Merlot – it is a truly one of my ‘go to’ wines on a day like today.  Sort of a ‘turn up the heat’ kind of wine without feeling any ‘alcohol’ heat – if you know what I mean.  I love this little South African baby!

So that’s it, Game Day Fans!  A couple of great red blended babies to start your day.  If you don’t drink ’em all today, you can save them for the Super Bowl. 

And lastly, my suggestion to you all…pick the Pack, baby – cuz it WILL be us going to the Super Bowl in February NOT those sorry ass Bears! 

Happy Bear Roastin’ Packer Fans.  May the best Midwestern team win.  GO Pack GO!!!