Drink #6 Moscato
1.12.2012
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that moscato is a lady wine. If for nothing else because just about every lady I know, when hearing I was drinking moscato last night, cheered me on with a variation of “that’s my favorite wine!”
But I digress.
Every Thursday we have our friends Rochee & Dorianne over for dinner and terrible tv. So this Thursday seemed like a good night for my first drink of wine–Tuesday’s sangria notwithstanding.
To be honest, I usually make us all something really easy. Like takeout crock-pot easy. But this was my first drink of wine. So I felt it appropriate to actually make a real meal. Afters some googling, I settled on baked, stuffed chicken with potatoes and green beans. Solid white wine food.
And we actually sat at the dining room table. Fancy, I know.
So let me take a moment and say wine was the first drink so far that I wasn’t “nervous” about it. Let me try and explain if I can. Every drink so far I’ve been fairly anxious about it. There is this moment just before I take my first drink when I have all these simultaneous thoughts: what if I hate it? what if I have no opinion? what if I love it? what if I want to spit it out?, what if…
You get the point.
Just general anxiety I suppose. But it’s very real. I have no other explanation other than I know I’m trying something new and foreign and then choosing to divulge it for you later. Like studying for a test, maybe?
Yes. I know I’m the idiot ordering the test. Shut up.
However, for the wine I just didn’t feel nervous about it. Not really sure why, but I can say I was looking forward to this drink and didn’t feel any general apprehension. Who knows. Its a very adult experience, wine.
So, moscato wine. It was just as sweet as everyone said–almost too sweet, but not cloyingly. And then there was the tangy quality, it was nice but it took me off guard. Unlike the Bud Light, I’ll say that with every next sip I enjoyed it more and more. We went with Barefoot brand wine; it’s not quite 2buckchuck, but it’s close. And it’s a well known brand and pretty cheap. A good “starter” wine, I suppose.
It was tangy, crisp, sweet, slightly medicinal and more alcohol-y than I anticipated. Certainly fruity–grapes (duh) but maybe green apples too? The bottle mentioned peaches and apricots, but I tasted something very granny smith. The wine finished clean in a way that made me wish it didn’t. I enjoyed the hint of complexity.
I wasn’t in love but I was being slightly romanced. Oh, and it warmed my face and neck very quickly. That attribute was unexpected, but really pleasant.
So, one glass in and it was clear to me that I need to learn more about wine–professionally. For that matter I need to learn about beer too. Perhaps even mixed drinks as well. And where babies come from. I know this. I’m working on a few plans to become slightly educated but please let me know if you’d like to be involved or if you have any experiences, opportunities or resources to share.
That said, I’m not looking to turn this project into a book report of what I’ve learned and then jawing on about it. And I don’t need to learn too much and fear losing the lyrics to several favorite 80’s metal songs stored away.
[Do I build a sentence or two mentioning I was in a bunch of bands and know so, SO many 80’s hair metal band songs? Do mention I also know a slew of 90’s grunge band songs by heart? Eh, think more on this, I don’t want to invite any more scorn than necessary]
But it if was a choice like heterosexuality I’d make sure to exchange a knowledge of Stouts for my undeniable memory of MMMBop.
Alas.
So a toast to all the ladies who suggested and cheered on my first drink of moscato. It was mighty tasty if not just a tad too sweet for me.
“Nothing is too sweet for you, Ben!” I know, token imaginary lady in my head, I know.
Cheers, Ben
PS: New beer this weekend and then I’m on to a mixed drink or two. I’m up for any suggestions. Feel free to offer them up as you have them. Its appreciated.