The Second Glass

As I enter into the latter half of my twenties, I find it increasingly necessary to have wine on hand to serve to unexpected guests. Although Massachusetts blue laws have indeed lightened up over the past few years, there is nothing worse than inviting a friend home after supper on a Sunday evening and finding no bottles, except the weekend recycling. Here are the four staples that no household should be without.

Bottle 1: Champagne

Not prosecco, not cava, not cremant. Champagne. There are a number of delightful sparklers out there but Champagne is still the best all-around. It’s fabulous as an aperitif or digestif, with food or on its own, and for drowning sorrows or toasting triumphs.

Bottle 2: White Burgundy.

As far as American wines are concerned I am certainly a member of the ABC club - Anything But Chardonnay. However this grape finds a thrilling expression in this region; flinty, chalky, creamy and citrus-y are all elements that spring to mind upon the first sip. Its green apple front make it terrific on its own, while the delightful acidity allows it to pair with a variety of foods, from chicken to cheese to Chinese, and back again. A perfect example of how to be all things to all people.

Bottle 3: Côtes Du Rhône, or Rhône style blend

This old-world blend offers the best of all possible worlds: the Syrah lends a spicy kick; the grenache a luscious fruity quality, and the mouvedre a tannic structure on which the other two elements rest. Regardless of the cépage these wines are consistently food friendly - with everything from spicy to sweet, white meat to red; or take-out to haute cuisine - and terrific as cocktail wine.

Bottle 4: California Cab

Everyone has their preferences and odd little quirks associated with drinking: The “Girl Drink Drunk, The “Knob Creek Neat” and of course the “Red Wine Snob.” When these guys ask for red wine, they want meaty, earthy powerful and robust; the kind of vino your rare porterhouse Steak would order for itself. A California Cab fulfills all of these requirements to a T and with its rich woodsy tones and black currant fruit is just the sort of drink to envelop you on a cold winter’s night. Fun, popular and consistent- like the friend who will drink anything you have on hand - she was just happy to be invited.