Wyndham Estate “Bin 535” Shiraz-Malbec Or how to seduce on the second date

Dating can be an expensive game — there are always questions surrounding who pays for what, and sometimes you just need a new outfit in order to feel good about all the witty anecdotes you’re about to share with your new beau. As someone who’s been dating off and on for nearly 12 years, I look forward to saving a buck or two.

            What better way to get to know the person you’ve just started seeing, than by entertaining chez vous? You can impress them with your culinary expertise, or feed them wine until you get to see them naked. Either way, you’re gonna spend way less than you would with the boring old dinner and a movie routine.

            There aren’t many boys who drink white wine, so I suggest going with a bottle of red, and since you don’t want to come across as too cheap (you are hosting this date after all), I’m going to point you in the direction of a slightly more expensive tipple. The Wyndham Estate Shiraz-Malbec comes in at a cool $16.99 if you pick it up at the BC Liquor Store, but it’s also available at a few cold beer and wine stores if you leave your wine selection to the last minute, although it will likely be a couple bucks more.

            You can rarely go wrong with an Australian Shiraz, and even though this is a blend, it still hits its mark. It’s dry and a little tart (possibly like the person you’re sharing it with), and it presents some tasty berry notes. If you’re trying to impress your new man further, serve this wine in tiny tumblers so as to avoid making him feel dainty with a long stemmed glass. Or if you want to feel like an Italian hipster. Or if you’re like me and you broke your last Riedel glass and have been reduced to using your IKEA cups for entertaining.

            Remember, these are only suggestions — you might like to keep it classy and only go on dates that cost money and take place outside your parents’ basement suite, in which case, maybe you would like him to pay $30+ for this wine at a restaurant. But if not, this wine pairs well with a cozy conversation, a box of Ritz, and a little bit of slow dancing to Dan Mangan.