Last week, I had one of those days where a light lunch and working a little late combine to make you walk through the front door resisting the temptation to eat the mail in your hand. I opened the fridge with no intention of cooking, just planning to eat the first thing I could find.
The fridge was pretty bare. I had some ground beef planned for a pasta, so I slapped together a hamburger, hit it with little salt and pepper, tossed it in a frying pan and rummaged the fridge for something to put on it.
There was a small handful of mildly floppy arugula, no idea how that escaped the salad two days ago. And a small square of gorgonzola dolce, all that remained from Saturday night's cheese plate. In the cupboard, there was one english muffin left in the sleeve. I popped it in the toaster.
After flipping the burger and coating the slightly burned top with slices of gorgonzola, I pulled out a wine glass. Jeff and Keith had met to taste the upcoming releases of 2007 Estate Merlot and Cab, and I snagged the leftover bottles to taste at home. I knew I should taste them before eating, but I was too hungry. I just poured a glass of the cab and hovered over the skillet.
Five minutes later, still standing at the counter, I put the burger on the plain muffin, pressed a handful of arugula into the molten gorgonzola, added the muffin top and took a bite.
Now I know I was starving. But that was the best hamburger I have ever tasted. Melted gorgonzola dolce is insanely hedonistic, and with the smoky burned edges of the burger, and the little peppery kick of the arugula to break up the richness, the combination was to die for. After about three bites I took a breath and a sip of cab.
Now I know I am biased. But honestly, my first thought was that is the best cab we've ever made. It was plush and juicy and rich and well, just delicious. I finished the burger and the glass of wine way too fast, but with deep appreciation of every bite and sip.
The 2007 vintage has been getting all kinds of buzz from people in the media and trade who taste a lot more wine than I do, and more critically, I imagine. I do enjoy formal tastings, totally focused on the subtleties and character of each wine and attempting to capture your impressions into words. But there is nothing like giving yourself over to the simple pleasure of enjoying great flavors, and no wine alone is ever as good as when enjoyed with food. Even a burger.
