It’s been a long week. I don’t ask for much. Well, on second thought, let’s not get into that. This isn’t about me. Er, well, maybe it is. But that’s beside the point. The point is… when a man returns home on a Friday afternoon after a hard week’s work, the absolute last thing he wants to hear is, “Honey, you remember I have bunco tonight, right?”

While my face was saying, “yes, dear”, my thoughts resembled one of those emphatic “*%#&@!” Twisted Oak wine labels.  I headed straight for the wine cellar. The kids were clamoring for grilled cheese and Dora the Explorer soup. I had to think fast.

Determined to make the most of my predicament, I thought, “why not grilled cheese and soup?” The kids were happy with their selection so I rummaged around in the fridge and pantry and found some crusty sourdough bread, extra sharp cheddar cheese, and some spicy lentil bean soup. The wine I chose to accompany my throw- together bachelor meal was a Napa Valley 2004 Miner Stagecoach Vineyard Merlot ($35).

This wine was dark ruby in color with fantastic aromas of raspberries and cherries with a hint of cedar. The flavors were more of the same with a terrifically round and soft mouthfeel but just enough tannins to sustain a long and rewarding finish. The wine paired perfectly with the cheese and thickness of the soup, cutting right through both. An outstanding Merlot.

In the end, not a bad way to spend an evening. The kids are happy, I’m happy, and… oh yeah, I’ve got to get the kitchen cleaned up before the wife gets home. Later!