Many of us enjoy wine. Most of us whom enjoy wine, do not think about consuming wine at the ball park.
Why? I have a couple theories…
Theory one – no one talks about having a chardonnay and a polish. You just don’t equate wine and encased meats, as a pair.
Theory two – there aren’t good wine options at the park, so it isn’t worth it. Let’s dive into this theory a bit more…
In my travels throughout the ballpark this summer, with Quernzy (Chorizy-E’s lady,) we discovered there were plenty of food and beverage stands that offered “wine”. Why the quotes? Let’s be real, on a hot summer day, or any day for that matter, I am not going to reach for Barefoot® Merlot. Ever.
The only spot that had a decent selection was the Xfinity bar (located directly behind Section 108). They had brands like Mark West® (fairly consistent Pinot Noir, inexpensive retail price,) Estancia® and Mirassou® – three varietals – as well as several other brands.
Why should we care about wine at the ballpark?
- More people are drinking wine than ever before. According to the Wine Institute, in 2000, the U.S. population consumed 568 million gallons of wine. In 2015, that number was up to 913 million gallons consumed.
- It’s a moneymaker! Restaurants and bars charge $10-$15 dollars per glass of wine. Since the ballpark charges $9 for a glass of wine at the Xfinity bar, think of all the sales they could have by selling better wine?
- With all the new gourmet food offerings, wine would be a great pairing with some of these foods.
Here are some inexpensive favorites I would like to put forth for consideration:
- Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viongier – Cool, crisp and very refreshing during the hot, summer baseball months.
- Laetitia Pinot Noir – Can drink it with anything! Yes, the polish would go nicely with this choice. It is a medium bodied red, so if you are wanting to switch from a white wine to a red, start here.
- Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon – as we head into the Sox final weeks and the weather is a little cooler, this delicious red will add a little warmth as you are huddled in the stands. And hey, if we make it to the post season next year, there are bound to be some cold games where a beer doesn’t seem as popular.
What are your favorite wine brands 108 fans? We’d love to hear from you!
Mrs. Beefloaf is an avid wine drinker, traveler, animal lover, business owner, wife and mom. You can follow Mrs. Beefloaf on Twitter @KRamos25