A nightly tradition, sunset glass. Doña Paula Estate Malbec, 2013
I’ve always liked the line in the original Manchuian Candidate:
Raymond Shaw: My dear girl, have you ever noticed that the human race is divided into two distinct and irreconcilable groups: those that walk into rooms and automatically turn television sets on, and those that walk into rooms and automatically turn them off. The trouble is that they end up marrying each other.
It is true, I am the latter, and the former Mrs Barbarian is the … well, former. It was merely one of our irreconcilable differences but was an important one to remember. We began living in separate places several years ago, and I found a place with a great view to the west, an array of snow-covered mountains laid out before me. In summer I sit out on the deck with a glass every night and soak in the sunset. When winter comes, I maintain the tradition, but from within the house sitting in a comfy chair. No TV, just the best that nature can offer.
Tonight I am enjoying an Argentine Malbec. Specifically a Doña Paula 2013. I recall paying about $10 a bottle for it about a year ago. I acquired three and this is the first I’ve opened. I think I’ll let the other two rest in the cellar for a few years as this one is quite tannic, even after being open for quite a long time. I have some lamb chops thawing that would make a nice complement to this one, since I tend to get a heavy hand with the Rosemary & Garlic crusting.
As I have said here recently, I’ve really learned the lesson of cellaring. I have also learned that the key to successful cellaring is having more wine on hand than you can possibly drink. Now that I’m alone, that is a pretty easy thing to do.
It also helps to live in a cold climate and have a cool basement that stays around 55°F all year round. Another nice benefit of my home in the mountains.
That’s another issue that tends to split human personality types; are you a mountain person or a beach person. Not as irreconcilably divisive as TV on or off, but certainly an easy camp to split people into. Your beach house is unlikely to be a great place to cellar wine however.
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