wine without food

[johnny21220]

My girlfriend and I like to come home and relax with a nice glass, or two, of red wine. Most times, due to our schedules, we can't have a meal with our wine. We would love to find a $10-$20 bottle of red that can be enjoyed without a meal. Is it true that certain foods can bring out the "real" flavoe of a wine? I'd be willing to take suggestions on quick snack foods that may help us out in our situation. The input I have received through the wine board so far has been great! Thanks to anyone who can help. Also, Drew, I found a nive little place in Towson called Cranbrook liquors who have a great selection of good wines.

[Innkeeper]

Our favorite quaffer is mourvedre. It gives you almost all you would want in a red plus hints a game, leather, and stuff like that. We like Staley Russian River Valley. You can find other American Mourvedres at www.rhonerangers.org. From France look for Bandol and St Chinian. From Spain look for wines made from or mostly from Monastrell. If your folks in Towson are as good as you say they are, they should be able to help you find a good selection of these.

[Auburnwine]

IK, I am not sure that Mourvedre can honestly be considered a snack food! Oh, I missed the first part of the post (duh!).

I think that there are a boat-load of wines that go nicely by themselves, some not so obscure as a good Mourvedre. You might even be more likely to find a Mourvedre/Grenache/Shiraz blend which would be just as dandy.

In answer to your second question, some folks prefer to go with basics like bread if they are most intent on relishing the purity of the wine. I think that bread, cheese, coldcuts and fruit are a quick and tasty complement to wine. A key will be matching your cheese to your wine, and that is something you can explore on your own.

Also, something like simple quesadillas are a good option, as are hummus and pita.

[This message has been edited by Auburnwine (edited 11-13-2003).]