It’s the holidays. You want wine. You don’t want to have to think about it. That’s what The Other is for.
It’s a red blend from Lodi (mostly cabernet sauvignon and merlot with a splash of syrah) and yes, I can see the wine snobs shuddering. That’s their problem. The Other ($14, purchased, available at Goody Goody, Whole Foods, Centennial, and Central Market) is a fine value, it’s well made, and it has never let me down. Look for black fruit, but in a sensible, this tastes good sort of way. Serve this wine with red meat, as an aperitif for people who want a glass of red wine when they come to visit, or in front of the fire when you’re worn out from holiday fun.
It’s true that most people who pick up The Other for the first time do so because of the label, which is the back of a naked woman. But the wine is consistent, and that doesn’t happen often enough with less expensive labels. And, sadly, it’s not $10 any more, which it was when I started drinking it. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t enjoy it.
