Well, I can hardly believe it, but we made it to the weekend! Friday after work is as good a time as any to enjoy a cocktail, so I figure you and I can have a drink together on Fridays and we’ll have our own little happy hour. You’re good with that, right? Ok, I have my glass, so you go get yours and we’ll unwind! Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Wheee! Also, if there are other food bloggers who have a cocktail party on Fridays, please take my little suarée as a compliment and an homage. I promise I’m not trying to be a copycat or anything, it’s just FRIDAY! Let’s celebrate kicking this week’s butt and clink glasses and say things like “YOU’RE AWESOME!” “No, YOU’RE AWESOME!” “Let’s ALWAYS do this on Fridays, WE ARE SO FREAKING FUN!!”
As an introduction to the booze talk, I’d like to say I am not any kind of a snob. Not a wine snob, beer snob, liquor snob, cocktail snob, no snobbery present at this location. I like wine, and have been known to have a glass of wine with a nice meal out, but if it comes down to just what I like, I lean toward crisp, semi-sweet, white and pink girly cocktail hour type wines. If I can get away with it, I will choose something fresh and spicy to eat on a night out so I can pair it with a nice white wine and look like I know what the hell I’m doing. I am also a fan of the box ‘o’ wine, because it lets me have a glass of this or a glass of that and not worry about wasting the rest of the bottle if I don’t have a glass for a couple days.
I am also sort of a foofy beer drinker. God bless those of you who can sip a creamy, perfectly-drawn Guinness, or love to have one of those malty hoppy craft lagers with your burger or wings. I don’t like them when they’re too bitter. I like nice pale ales or fruit beers, and Lambic is like nectar of the gods.
Brown liquors do a job on me, and I haven’t been in the shot-drinking demographic for about 20 years, so a refreshing or fruity cold cocktail is right up my alley. Maybe with mint. It could be pink, even.
However, lets do this: I’ll try stuff if you guys suggest it. I’m not making any guarantees (because the funny person suggesting Absinthe over a sugar cube exists, and you and I know that, and I just know my own limits). Ok? I’ll be open minded if you don’t try to poison me.
DOWN TO BUSINESS.
Today’s libation of choice is the refreshing, crisp and delicious Fünf Riesling. Fünf means “five” in German, I’ve learned, and that was the original reason I picked up a bottle. I figured that meant it’s 5:00 somewhere, and that was way too fun for me. Fünf wines are also made by the wine magicians that are responsible for Relax Riesling in the blue bottle, which is also a favorite. Plus, “Fünf Riesling” is just dang fun to say.
The bottle describes it as, “a juicy, mouthwatering, easy to get along with wine. The refreshing fruit flavors complement a wide range of foods …” Blah blah. I agree with the juicy, mouthwatering part though! This is a semi-sweet Riesling with almost a citrusy flavor. It has a nice tang, and it doesn’t leave my mouth covered in sugar. I would also call it a little bit flowery, but in the very best possible way. I’ve had it with some spicy and salty snacks, and it’s great. Chilled, please.
It is 9.0% alcohol, so not as boozy as a big strong red or a dry dry white, but it’s also REALLY easy to drink so if you’re looking to get a snoot full, a couple glasses will have you in your happy place.
I live in Oklahoma where wine is considered liquor, and anything alcoholic that is not 3.2% special Oklahoma beer (not kidding) is marked up and then taxed to hell. I can pick up a bottle of Fünf for about $10, but everything I have read says the rest of the country can find it at about a $7 price point. It’s a hell of a bargain for something easy drinkin’, great for sharing, and really tasty.
Find Fünf near you at wine-searcher.com!
I’m not on the payroll, I just think the wine-searcher app and website are super handy dandy.
*CLINK* You’re awesome! YOU are!
Wine posts are awesome!
I haven’t had a good Riesling in awhile so I’m definitely going to try this one out – it’s one of the few sweet wines I actually like.
Thanks, Natasha! I can get down with a nice red, especially if it’s one of the ones you’re making at home! Natasha is my next door neighbor (see: smoked pork butt) and not only is she a fantastic cook, she’s been making her own (delicious) wines!
I have not tried that one, although, I have tried their Riesling. Very good glass on a hot, humid day! I will look for this bottle thanks to your blog! Tonight I am enjoying a homemade Borolo. Dry, oaky and not sweet but delicious none the less. Sláinte, happy Friday!