Here’s the second installment of unravel’s newest recurring feature: Pairing News & Booze. The concept’s simple: We pick a trending news topic and ask a wine expert to pair it with the perfect adult grape juice. Our wine expert in this case is Jeremy Osment, general manager and owner of Selva, an upscale Peruvian eatery in downtown Sarasota.
Here we go …
FIRST, THE NEWS: The world awoke Friday to the stunning revelation that the United Kingdom had voted to leave the European Union.
More than 70 percent of registered British voters cast ballots Thursday on the Brexit referendum (Brexit = British + exit), with workers tallying the results throughout the night. By morning, it was confirmed that Brexit won by a 51.9 percent margin. Reasons cited for Brexit support include growing fears about unchecked immigration and a stagnant economy.
Chaos quickly ensued after results came in: Stocks plummeted; the value of the British Pound tanked; and Prime Minster David Cameron announced his pending resignation. It will take time for the UK to fully disconnect from the EU, but speculation already has run wild about the future of the British Isles and the EU in general.
No matter what happens, you deserve a drink.
NOW, THE BOOZE: Brexit pairs well with Achaval Ferrer Quimera Malbec.
Malbe
c was originally one of the six blending grapes in Bordeaux, the benchmark for all wine in the old world. But it was never bottled on its own in France, because the French felt for centuries it simply lacked the structure to hold its own.
What do the French know, right?
It wasn’t until the Argentinians started cultivating the grape and bottling its wine that Malbec became a household name. It is now one of the best-selling varietals in the United States and Europe.
It appears the Brits are taking a lesson from Malbec. They’re not content to be blended with any other grape. They want to stand on their own and let their character speak for itself. Sure, France might be miffed (along with the 27 other EU member states). But that their problem, right?
Well, we’ll see about that. But in the meantime, let’s all just drink wine and let bygones be bygones. Just watch out for purple teeth (we’re talking to you, Britain).
