Like many busy families Friday night is pizza night in my house.
There is a slight pause in the craziness; the week is done but Saturday it begins anew. Starting with soccer and I'm pretty sure at least one of my three kids has a birthday party to go to from now until the 4th of July. But on Friday nights, we all get a break, including the cook; my wife.
The challenge with pizza night is getting the right wine. And I don't mean that in the "red wine goes with steak and white wine goes with fish" kind of a way. I mean it in the "do I really want to open a bottle of 2006 Breggo Pinot Noir Donnelly Creek Vineyard to go with pizza"?! Sure, but not on pizza night. Yet, I still want to drink something great.
So to the wine fridge I go; California Chardonnay? - nope, really want a red, Rhone? - not in the mood, Breggo Pinot - too expensive! And then BINGO there is the answer: Argentinean Malbec!! I LOVE Argentinean Malbec and it's perfect with pizza. So I select 2008 Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard (92 RP) at just $17.95 per bottle. Did I say perfect? Well I meant it! It was just lovely; easy drinking, smooth and complex with some nice spiciness that went perfectly with a slice of the local pie as well. And when some friends stopped by we popped another bottle, guilt free, and Friday night was on a role.
Some fun facts about Finca Decero - it means "from scratch" in Spanish and Paul Hobbs is their consultant. And therein is the secret to this wine I think. Paul is practically a legend in California and already makes a great Malbec in Argentina at Vina Cobos. So if he's willing to work with someone, I KNOW the wine will be good. He wouldn't have his name associated with a producer if he wasn't sure they could make great wine!