Do you like our new wine down and chill format? We understand that you’re busy; you want to learn about wine then get down to drinking it! Got it. We’ll continue to offer affordable suggestions for music, wine, dinner and movies with a different wine down and chill theme each week. Our new format is a snappy combo of Listen – Learn – Wine – Dine – Watch. You can also follow me on Instagram for wine art and photography @WineDownAndChill. We’re here to help you sit back, wine down and chill. If you missed an article, fret not! You can find every article here.
Theme: 8, 24, 37 – just keep going
You’re probably thinking that I have confused my Monday Motivation column with my wine down and chill column. Not so! With the unexpected passing of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others, along with the spread of coronavirus, the world has had a tough week. That’s what inspired today’s wine down and chill theme. No matter how many times that you fall down, get beaten down or how many battles you’re fighting, you have to keep going.
Listen: the 37 Train
Given our theme is around the number 37 (yes, we did 2 last week but don’t worry, we’re not going to a numbers theme every week), you’d guess that all the songs on our playlist would have the number 37 in their titles or lyrics. Since “37” isn’t common in songs, we could expand our theme to include all songs with a number in their title. That leads me to one of my faves, “38 Years Old,” by the Tragically Hip. Plus the tremendous guitar effort in “’39” by Queen which talks about “brave souls” and ties into our theme.
However, we’re going to have to recommend a wine down and chill playlist by the mega-band, Train, here because they’re associated with our wine suggestion and a special cause.
Learn: fun facts about Cab
This wine down and chill column isn’t long enough to list 37 facts and stats about Cabernet Sauvignon, so I’m only going to highlight the most interesting ones here. It is:
- the most planted grape in the world
- Napa’s #1 planted grape
- wildly popular in China (who knew?!)
- a half-sibling of Merlot
- consumed by twice as many Americans over the age of 50 than under the age of 29
- just pulling ahead of Chardonnay in terms of annual revenues
- expected to be the leading wine sold in the USA in terms of volume in 2020
- emerging as America’s favorite varietal
- considered a “tongue fat scraper” given how the tannins affect your dining experience
- #CabernetDay became official in 2010 and is celebrated annually Thursday before Labor Day Weekend
Wine: California 37
I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “another Cabernet Sauvignon,” but I’m asking you to hear me out. This one is special. Proceeds go to Family House which is a charitable housing program geared towards helping terminally- and chronically-ill children. A big wine down and chill cheers to Pat Monahan and Train for their support of this wonderful cause offering children and families with the emotional and lodging help they need. The band is behind Save Me San Francisco Wine Company which has earned more than 100 medals for its wines.
Priced at $10 per bottle, your money goes a long way. As expected, this California Cabernet Sauvignon offers all the black cherries and dark berry bold fruit notes balanced with vanilla that characterize wines produced in this region. Notes of cedar and tobacco make this one stand out to be slightly different. The wine earned a Gold Medal for its 2014 vintage.
Dine: 37 minute steak
Wine down and chill fans that like their sushi or beef on the medium rare side are likely aghast at the thought of a 37 minute steak. Admittedly, I was a skeptic, too but this recipe has rave reviews. The point of this backyard BBQ chef is to go from gathering up the ingredients to dining on a pan-seared, garlic-laced porterhouse steak within 37 minutes. Given our movie selection, grab some take-out sushi if that suits you more.
For a little fun, check out these 37 wacky ways to prepare food, like roasting a whole chicken inside a watermelon! Or, if eating better is one of your 2020 goals, then check out these 37 healthy food ideas.
Watch: 37 Seconds
Although the trailer for the movie, 37 Seconds, clocks in at 0:38 seconds and the the film is 118 minutes long, it’s there to challenge our thinking and offer a new perspective. Makiko Watanabe stars as Yuma, a Japanese girl afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, who is conflicted between her dreams of becoming a manga artist and her obligations to her family. The message inspires us to chase our dreams despite the things that hold us back.
It’s the weekend. Time to wine down and chill. Cheers!
The cool image by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay reminded me of a monster hit song by Train, “Drops of Jupiter,” which is also the name of one of their other award-winning wines.
