It is Tuesday and when the doors of Costco flew (okay, they were probably slowly cranked opened by a grumpy employee) open, we were there. 

Well, technically, not at the exact moment, but we got there soon enough.

Once inside, it was, as always...you can go your own way.

When you only need a few items, what is the best thing to do at Costco?

Personally, I linger around in the wine department. Because, why not, right?

Of course, if you linger and act too weird I suppose they could call security on you, but I like to take chances.

First, I grabbed two very inexpensive bottles of Prosecco, because, why not, right?

Let me interject a tidbit that has been mentioned in prior posts in various sections on this website.

The Dabbler likes to shop solo. Like Lobo...I need no one...I walk alone...in wine sections.

Let me say, I was not totally Lobo-strolling on this random Tuesday, so things clicked along at a rapid pace.

My Costco partner (to be fair, I was the invited guest), is a speed-shopper. I am not, yet we continue to torture each other inside retail outlets with semi-regularity.

Without blinking (who had time?) I grabbed one bottle of Trapiche. This is an inexpensive Argentine Malbec, and I have not had this varietal in a few months, and for $8.59 a bottle, why not? Right?

See, I am even writing this fast. You are panting, aren't you?

Oh, the Malbec?

The description claims it is colored purple with plum, black cherry and black pepper. Also, soft and spicy.

That last one sounds odd. Is spicy soft? I don't think so.

The Dabbler will dabble in this, but I am skeptical about the quality. It is worrisome that the first thing on the description mentions that it is purple. I mean, isn't it always sort of that color?

If you have had Trapiche, let me hear from you -- you could save me some time and trouble and I could pass this bottle on to some soft and spicy Malbec lover.

​The Dabbler is back...

Summer is here...wait, I was going to use that as an excuse for not posting to The Dabbler, but on second thought...it is always summer here. 

The truth is, it does stay green, lush and spectacularly beautiful in So-Flo every month of the year, but summer is summer, even in South Florida.

HOT!

What that means for The Dabbler is simple. I am trolling around the aisles of Total Wine (a store I enjoy, but not without occasional irritations) for lighter libations that are meant to be served chilled.

My problem is that I do not care for many white wines. So, the other evening, we whipped up a pitcher of red Sangria, complete with delicious slices of fruit. 

The base was an inexpensive Syrah purchased at Trader Joe's. Not costly, but the wine stands alone, very nicely. 

My partner in dabbling did an excellent job of conjuring up this magical fruit-liquid-combo.

One problem?

There is not a proven way to make a small amount of Sangria, and there is no proven way two dabblers can drink a large amount. We can not.

Enjoying the cool and flavorful wine drink, we (and when I say "we" I mean my dabbling partner) began searching for recipes for white wine Sangria. 

A few years ago we had a recipe, but it has slipped into the giant abyss of lost recipes (don't sit there and act like you don't have one). That is unfortunate because it was easy and very, very delicious.

Now, all the recipes we find are complicated, with loads of ingredients. Way too much for a simple glass of chilled goodness.

The search continues, but if you have a favorite recipe, send it and we will give you full credit in The Dabbler.

Oh, one amusing thing about searching for recipes of an alcoholic nature. Some sites will immediately stop your entry, flash a huge message on the screen requesting proof that you are the legal drinking age.
Yeah, that system is just perfection.

Salud!