The Wine Knows

This evening, I was grilling tri tips and Peruvian purple potatoes grown in Eltopia, Wash. This called for a robust red wine, so I went to the cellar and picked out a Fidelitas Wines 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley.

In the old days - say, a year ago - my wife would have questioned my sanity about opening an expensive bottle of wine for a dinner that was not much more than standard fare. I remember bringing out Reininger Syrah or Kettle Valley Cab and eliciting a gasp from Melissa: "Is this meal Reininger/Kettle Valley worthy?!?"

Tonight, I was pulling the cork on the Fidelitas and casually said, "I hope you don't mind that we're drinking a $40 bottle of wine."

She replied drolly, "Well, it isn't getting any cheaper sitting in the cellar."

Motherhood, I think, has softened her tannins.