The Second Glass

07 Gran Feudo Rosado, Bodegas Julián Chivite, 100% Garnacha, Navarra

SCENE: I am in the kitchen of the apartment I share with my boyfriend, the Mathematician. We are eating a lovely summery dinner I’ve prepared of poached salmon, patty pan squash and caprese salad.

ME: Want to help me taste the next bottle in my Toro wine experiment?

MATHEMATICIAN: Sure.

ME: Are you sure? I mean, I know you prefer whisky and you always make fun of me when I taste wine.

MATHEMATICIAN: No, I want to. I’m happy to help.

ME: Okay.

I twist off the cap, pour us two glasses, and we sit for a few silent moments, swirling the coral colored wine in our glasses.

ME: I’m getting some vanilla notes off the nose. And maybe some strawberries? I’m not sure, though — it’s too cold for me to tell right now.

MATHEMATICIAN: (Sipping) Hmm. I think it kind of burns rubber. It’s kind of like a swift kick to the balls.

ME: (Raising my eyebrows.) Oh, really? I think it’s lightly floral. The back of the bottle says it smells like rose petals and carnations. I get that. (Sipping.) It’s a little sweet, slightly fruit forward with an apple-y, crisp finish. I think it really compliments the richness of the salmon.

MATHEMATICIAN: Yes, yes. It’s totally not boring.

ME: Not boring…okay. Well, yeah, it’s kinda velvety on the palate at first, then it has this slightly tannic finish. Is that what you mean by “not boring.”

THE MATHEMATICIAN: I dont’ know. But I definitely think this wine is kind of flirty. Almost slutty, even. (Sips.) Yes, definitely slutty.

ME: Are you being serious right now? If you’re just teasing me I’m going to take it away from you and taste it later on by myself.

MATHEMATICIAN: Yes, I’m being serious. (Smiles at me ever so not-seriously over his glass and sips.) Seriously, I think this wine is a dichotomy of accessibility and sophistication.

ME: Huh. (I sip, suck a little air into my mouth over the liquid, and nod.) I agree.

THE MATHEMATICIAN: Like a Coney Island hot dog in a Burberry bun.

ME: Totally.