The exhilarating chill of early autumn days enhances the enjoyment of outdoor activities such as sporting events and fall festivals.
And let's not forget tailgating parties.
Convenience and value are key when buying beverages for fun and successful tailgates. First, convenience, because minimizing cleanup and trash removal relieves one potential headache before and after the event. Second, value, because it is no fun breaking the bank merely to please a large group of thirsty revelers. Beer and soft drinks are the conventional choices for tailgating, but there also are plenty of good wine options.
Beverage Wines
So-called "beverage wines" generally have less than 9 percent alcohol, so they are perfect for quaffing with fare such as hot dogs, kielbasa and burgers. Beverage wines usually are fairly sweet and soft, so they appeal to a wide range of tastes. They also complement spicy foods and are relatively inexpensive. Try the following:
Elmo Pio, Oltrepo' Pavese Moscato, Italy (6603, $5.99): Moscato is Italy's favorite light-hearted party wine. This example has 7 percent alcohol and fruity aromas of peaches and apples followed by fruity, sweet flavors of ripe peaches and apricots. The wine also features a joyous, light bubbly texture that adds to the fun. Highly recommended.
Arbor Mist, Blackberry Merlot (5925, on sale, $4.99): This is the quintessential "beverage" wine: Six percent alcohol, plenty of fruity aromas, sweet berry favorites and soft texture. Recommended.
"Bag in a Box" Wines
Increasingly popular "bag in a box" wines are another excellent option for tailgating. These wines are literally served from a cardboard box that has a handle for easy toting. The box usually contains 3 or 5 liters of wine in an airtight pouch. They are easy to chill, and a retractable plastic spout allows single-serving pours with no fuss or muss.
The price is right, and disposal is a snap — no glass bottles to break. If you have leftover wine, it will be preserved for several weeks by the airtight pouch. Try the following:
Franzia, White Zinfandel "Vintner Select," California (6709, 3 liters, $9.99): Franzia pioneered box wines in America with the debut in 1978 of the "Winetap" and its slogan, "Fresh to the last glass." These wines are consistently well made. This pink-colored white zinfandel will please a gathering with fruity berry aromas and flavors followed by a soft , off-dry finish. This is a versatile choice — it will go with just about any tailgate food or snack. Very refreshing. Recommended.
2000 Sheila's Shiraz, Vin de Pays de l'Herault, France (6496, 5 liters, $19.99) : This is a fruity red with light spicy aromas of plums and black pepper followed by flavors of plum and black cherries. The wine's moderate tannins and good balance make it an excellent choice with grilled steaks, burgers and barbecue. Highly recommended.
Big Bottles
Large 1.5-liter bottles of wine conveniently contain twice as much as a standard 750-milliliter bottle. That means fewer bottles to open. The following selections are good values:
2001 Luna di Luna, Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio, Venezie, Italy (8975, $17.99 for 1.5 liters): This tasty white wine has light, crisp flavors of apples and lemons in a soft, fruity but dry finish. It is very crisp and refreshing. Try it with pasta salads or chicken with herbs. Recommended.
2001 Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais, France (8871, on sale: $13.99 for 1.5 liters): This simple but very pleasant red is a favorite bistro wine in France. It has a light red color, light fruity aromas of blueberries and cherries, and lively, fruity flavors of blueberries in a fruity but dry finish. Quite tasty. Highly recommended.
