Wine Buzz: Tailgate Red by Mt. Nittany Vineyard & Winery

I'm sure picking a wine that is titled "Tailgate Red" is going to make some Californians roll in their graves, but to me, it's College Game Day and it's the first big game of the season for my team, Penn State!  "Let's go State!"

(http://onwardstate.com/2009/03/16/penn-state-in-the-big-east/#)

Therefore, I picked a wine close to home, Tailgate Red by Mt. Nittany Vineyard and Winery.  The winery is found a few miles outside of Happy Valley, home to the Penn State Nittany Lions.  It was the perfect place to stop, pick up some wine for the classy Saturday afternoon tailgate, and drink in celebration of the Nittany Lions, win OR lose!

Today's rivalry is a big one: the #1 Alabama vs. the #18 PSU.  Jo Pa is 4 wins out of 12 games played against Bama in his 44 years of head coach at PSU.  He lost all 4 games to the legendary Bear Bryant, but as Jo Pa puts it, "No one cares about what happened to Alabama and Penn State rivalries 100 years ago."

So let's grab a bottle of that Tailgate Red and celebrate for the up-and-coming game.  If you can't join in the actual tailgating festivities filled with lots of great football food, games to entertain kids of all ages, lots of loud chanting, and of course, sipping on that beverage of choice... grab a chair, gather around the TV and get all that food ready! (Please drink responsibly.)

Tailgate Red by Mt. Nittany Vineyard and Winery

Appearance (10 points possible): bright, brilliant red color (careful not to spill during Game Day festivities!) - 10 points

Aroma/Bouquet (20 points possible): fresh red berries  - 12 points

Taste (10 points possible): (best served chilled) slightly sweet, but not overly sweet for those dry-red lovers; nice acidity and light bodied to enjoy throughout a day filled with football  - 6 points

Balance (5 points possible): acid and sweetness nicely balanced, relatively thin, but enjoyable  - 3 points

Finish (5 points possible): Finish lingers slightly - 3 points 

Total Points: 84

Overall Thought: This wine serves a purpose for a fun time on College Game Day.  Drink up and enjoy!  (Remember to drink responsibly!) 

Food Pairings: pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, meatball sandwiches... Game Day food!

Cost: ~$10 to $12

Splurge Factor (out of 4): 1 - an enjoyable, classier wine for a tailgate than drinking wine from the box!

Where to buy: Mt. Nittany Winery (http://www.mtnittanywinery.com/) or at the Wine and Spirits Stores (http://www.mtnittanywinery.com/)