Ok, let's get this over with. Yes, I bought a bottle of wine just because there was a picture of a cute doggy on the label. But is that really so wrong? His name is Tanker and he looks like a truly excellent chap, plus proceeds from each bottle sold go to local animal shelters in CA. I can drink wine and help animals at the same time? That is practically my life's goal!

Imagine my pleasure when I opened it and found that I actually enjoyed the wine (a petite sirah ) to boot. At this point, I really cannot stand to write about wine with the typical descriptors; I feel like a fake, and a snobbish one at that. So for now let us say that this is a pretty heavy duty wine that would probably not be the best when paired with some delicate fish, for example. (I still scoff somewhat at appropriate food and wine pairings, but I'll save that for another time).

One gratifying thing was that I just discovered it written up in Food and Wine Magazine in the "50 Wines You Can Always Trust" article, as a best wine for big flavored foods, where it is described as having "oomph". There you go. I go into the wine shop and pick out a winner by sheer intuition!

This stuff will probably stain your teeth, but do it for Tanker!
The details: Pets Petite Sirah 2005, Vinum Cellars, Clarksburg, CA. About $15