Happy National Wine Day all you wine lovers! Wine is a substance that seems to make the world go round (if you’re 21 and over). With that said, where can you get some good wine in Boise on National Wine Day? In case you don’t know, here’s my top 5!
Bodovino:
If you’re over 21 and haven’t been to Bodovino, what have you been doing with your life? Bodovino is a wonderful place where you get to put as much money as you want/can on your personal Bodovino card, and then you sample as many wine’s as you would like! Your sample size is 3 oz, 5 oz, and 8 oz, so you can really decide which wines you enjoy and which wines you want to be drinking.
Asiago’s:
The first time I went to Asiago’s I was somewhat surprised to find they had an alcohol list that only had wine. After this pleasant surprise, I’ve been excited to go back to Asiago’s. What could be better than good Italian food paired with some great wine? For a college student’s budget, it definitely isn’t the cheapest, but simultaneously the prices are not outrageous. For a nicer dinner with a wider range of wines, Asiago’s is a great choice.
Boise Co-op Wine Shop:
I personally love wine shops, and Boise Co-op’s Wine Shop is a great place to go. They categorize wine’s by regions and grape, so finding what you want hopefully wouldn’t be that difficult. The selection is good for whichever wines you might be looking for, and across the street is the Boise Co-op, where you can get a delicious burrito to go with your wine.
Bar Gernika:
First brought up to me by my dad who saw this restaurant on Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives, they not only have delicious Basque food, but wonderful Spanish wines. Recently, I had the fortune to pair my lamb grinder with a wonderful red Spanish wine, and they went together fabulously. If you get a chance to go, make sure you try their Croquetas and their wines.
Basque Market:
Just a few doors down from Bar Gernika (and on the opposite side of the street) this market isn’t just for wine. Filled with different kitchen items on sale, they feature a wine of the month and also offer tastings (and cooking classes). All of their wines are Basque-related and you can find some wonderful bottles at affordable prices. Also, watch out for their weekly Paella on the Patio and Paella Dinner.
These places give great selections of wine, and you can really vary your choices in each location. If you can’t get to any of these locations though, don’t fret! My top 5 go-to wines can be found at almost any grocery store and can be drank on any occasion.
Pinot Noir:
Following in my father’s footsteps, I enjoy a good Pinot Noir. I find a Pinot a great wine if you’re just drinking at the end of a long work day or if you want to pair it with a casual dinner. This wine doesn’t sit as heavily as some other wines, which is why I prefer to drink a Pinot when I just want to have a casual glass. Pinot’s also range in price, so you will be able to find a pinot in a cheaper price point as well as a more expensive price point.
Cabernet Sauvignon:
While I definitely love a good Cab, I tend to enjoy drinking this top contender when I have food to go with it. In an opposing view, I do know people who would prefer to drink a Cabernet Sauvignon to unwind from a long day over a Pinot Noir. A Cab tends to be a little bit heavier in your mouth, which is why Cab’s pair well with steak, but sometimes a heavier wine is exactly what is needed. If you want something a little different from a Cab, I would go with a Syrah. My most memorable wine tasting experience has been with a Cabernet Sauvignon followed by a Syrah; but you will probably face similar pricing with either.
Red Blend:
Honestly I thought about going with Merlot or a pink wine (and even Champagne) but I decided to go with a red blend because I keep on seeing them. Even on my fancy Valentine’s Day dinner, one of the top three wines our waiter recommended was a blend. What most attracts me to the red blend is not only the different combinations of grapes you can get, but also the price. I’ve seen very cheap (and good) bottles as well as expensive bottles of a red blend. Don’t discourage a red blend; the people who makes these wine’s know what they’re doing.
Riesling:
Definitely a nice, sweet, German wine that I love to drink. Maybe it’s just because my dad has acquired quite a few bottles at home so I’ve been able to get my hands on a few different producers, but I enjoy their sweetness. If you aren’t a fan of sweet, then this may not be the wine for you. If you do like sweet, then i feel this is a wine that rarely disappoints. This wine ranges in price point as well, but to get the best Riesling for your price, it might be a good idea to talk to one of the store employees and see what they have to say about the bottle. Since this is a sweet wine, I would want to make sure I don’t get something too sweet.
Chardonnay:
Whenever I think about a Chardonnay, I think of myself sitting by a pool during summer sipping on a cold glass of Chardonnay. Definitely one to top the white wine list, Chardonnay has the fruity flavors and aromas to go along with the higher acidity that is found in this wine. Not to mention that since Chardonnay has become so popular, you can find a wide range of different bottles along with a wide range of different prices.
Happy Drinking, Collegiettes!