So, here is my thought process: I haven’t worked out in several weeks, so I decided to hit the gym last night. “Why not take a class to get back in the saddle?” I thought. Not only did I take one class, I took two- back-to-back, even. First, it was Zumba class, which is a cross between Salsa, belly dance, aerobics and hip-hop. The instructor acted like she took a bump or three before class: forgetting steps, spewing jibberish, generally thumping around like a crazed mule. The middle-aged Betties all laughed and thought it was a great time, but it was mostly just a bunch of arrhythmic geriatric gyration from my vantage point. [Hang with me, this story is going somewhere- just building more sympathy.] I followed that dog and pony show up with a yoga class. I haven’t taken yoga in, well, nearly a decade, so I thought “Hey, why not start up again now?”. Half-way through class I try to strike some pose no regular-jointed person should be invited to strike, and… Yikes! I catch a glance of myself in the mirror, and nearly pass out in disgust.

Fast forward to today: sore…as…hell. My triceps are on fire, I can barely manage to turn my head, and I need a spotter to use the powder room [thanks, Sue!]. After all this, I figure I deserve a night off. Voila! I find myself at a liquor store.

My husband and I are obsessed with watching the Trailer Park Boys. Yeah, I know we are late to this bandwagon, but if you haven’t seen it, find it ASAP. The character “Julian” is habitually drinking rum and cokes and I’ve been hankering for one. I like to add lime and make a Cuba Libre for a ‘classier’ touch. While perusing the aisles, I pick up a tried and true Italian IGT friend, and then I spot this sale: 2 for $10, Radio Boca Tempranillo. So, naturally, I picked up four.

Tempranillo is a Spanish wine and this one is from Radio Boca made by what the wine label says, “Danes, Spains, Americanes, and one plain jane”.This one even has a screw top: lazy man’s wine, just twist and pour!I slowly, painfully poured a glass and took a sip. Not bad.This little ditty goes down smooth: no strong tannins here, even the finish is brief. It is a simple wine that won’t offend.

Tempranillo is typically dark ruby red in color, and often has a berry fruit flavor with a smoky kind of finish. My sexy dinner of eggs and bacon actually went quite well with it (and not just because I enjoyed the fact that I was drinking wine with breakfast). The smokiness really emerged with the bacon I was chomping away on, but it certainly did not overpower. You could enjoy it in Winter (perhaps with some bacon and eggs) or bring it to a Summer BBQ, as it will go well with grilled meats.

At only $5, buy a case. Unless the land-lady is up your ass for rent this month, get a couple. As I continue sipping and pouring, pouring and sipping, I notice I can move with a little more ease now. This is palatable, wallet-friendly, and temporarily takes away bodily pain from overdoing it at the gym. Thus, I deem this the January skank bottle of the month.