Wine and Basketball

Diaw to Pop during the offseason: “No worries pop only one glass of wine and daily workouts!” — IG

One of the first things we learn in wine classes is some ground rules for pairing food with wine. Whole books and entire careers have been dedicated to the craft — but you know what? I don’t really eat braised lamb all that often (Australian Shiraz), snack on foie gras (Sauternes), or drop $40 for a pepper-crusted medium-rare prime rib (Napa Cabernet) at some fancy steakhouse. Nope, I dig a steak-white rice-black bean-everything burrito at Chipotle, a McKinley pizza from Mountain Mike’s, or on the rare occasion I actually take the time at night, I’ll grill up some tri-tip on the porch hibachi.

Like I’ve lamented before about the colorful (groan-worthy) wine flavor descriptors, food pairing is another one of those hey-I’m-better-than-you things I can’t stand. Even on those awesome wine sites that list out the recipe — well, shit, you mean I gotta go to the store to pick up shallots, cous cous, and spice X that I’ll never use again? Cmon now.

Nope, I’ll eat whatever I can order on Door Dash, or whatever my buddy is going to pick up for the both of us from his way back from work, or the leftovers from either. But regardless, I’m still popping the cork on some wine, because I could use a glass or three tonight.

The perfect food pairing isn’t always available, but by the time I’m on glass two or three, the ideal situational pairing starts to reveal itself. And it’s not like I have to force the issue — alcohol has a wonderful way of giving you the utmost motivation in seeking out the thing you most want at that moment, whether it be food, entertainment, companionship, or more alcohol. And for me, wine just happens to be the best balance of flavor and buzz that it affords me the emotional capacity to seek out the emotional complement.

If it’s food — well, I always have a Costco pack of string cheese for my kid in the fridge. Companionship — I go on Facebook and start messaging friends from high school. More alcohol — just pop open another bottle if necessary.

But entertainment, ah. Perhaps the luck of having Steph Curry and the Warriors as the home team, my kickass trifecta of a big-ass TV from Black Friday Costco + Roku + Ballstreams, or fact that the NBA is freaking awesome now, but goddamn, there’s no better feeling than having that wine buzz and watching Curry pull another #stephgonnasteph or Westbrook being #bestbrook. Dude, Rondo had 20 assists tonight.

But hey, I guess what I’m trying to say is, those NBA games were going to be there whether I was watching or not. Porzingis was gonna take the spotlight from Melo again anyway, the Sixers were gonna lose again anyway, and Kawhi was gonna log another 9-cat gem again anyway, but I had to make the active decision to pour that wine and make the night that much better.

Don’t let the snobs get to you. Wine is awesome and goes with whatever you want it to go with.

Currently drinking — Terredora Dipaola Campania (Italian Aglianico from Costco)