In this part of the world, Friday night means high school football – and LOTS of it.  From the time  you’re in school, it becomes a part of your life.  Oh, there are those who want nothing to do with it, instead saying that they don’t like football or don’t have a reason to follow football, but in reality, football is king.  Brian still remembers as a high school freshman (back in the ‘dark ages’) the early dismissals for pep rallies.  Being new to Texas, he thought it was a chance to get home early, only to find out that the bus didn’t leave until the pep rally was over!  By the time Junior and Senior years came around, it was get to the pep rally early to get the best seats!  Along the way to the gym, he still remembers seeing the freshman heading for the buses!  And, while Fridays mean football around here, so do Saturdays and Sundays.

There are big games on tap for college football including Texas A & M against Louisiana State (Bring home a winner Scott and Kathryn); South Carolina at Florida; Arizona at UCLA; Texas State at San Jose State and a myriad of others.  And of course, Sundays bring the pros to the forefront where the Rams (the only game on in this house) host the Green Bay Packers .  .  .  and many others.  It’s a special time of the year when the sun goes down a little earlier and the time is ideal for enjoying another great pastime – baseball.  Now, you know we’ve blogged about the St. Louis Cardinals before, but when we get to October, baseball becomes a totally different game.  Who would have thought that the Detroit Tigers would sweep the weak-hitting New York Yankees in four games for the American League Championship?  At the same time, no one expected the Cardinals to even make the postseason let alone a three games to one lead in the National League Championship Series.  It’s part of what makes baseball such an amazing game–you really don’t know what’s going to happen.

So tonight we’re enjoying a 2010 Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay (a white in your honor Kathryn) from Mendocino County, California.  This inexpensive wine is a perfect way to wrap up the week and sit back to watch some championship baseball.  It’s nose is fruity with a tropical flare – lending some apricots and papaya notes.  On the taste, there is a juicy, lemon and grapefruit combination and the finish is crisp and clean.  Amazingly, we’ve enjoyed this white wine on a number of occasions and really enjoy the taste .  .  . as we aren’t your traditional Chardonnay lovers.  We’d prefer to skip the buttery madness of most Chards and go right to the fruit – typically fermented in stainless steel instead of oak barrels.  This wine will run for less than $12 a bottle and is on sale for $9-$11 depending on your favorite wine shop.

As you settle in for your Friday night white, you’ll want to try this unoaked (meaning it was aged in stainless barrels, not oak)  Chardonnay.  As we settle into our Friday night white, we’ll enjoy it watching the Cardinals battle the San Francisco Giants in Game 5 of the NLCS and unabashedly, we are hoping to see the Cardinals head back to the World Series for the second year in a row .  .  . (update–) but unfortunately we’ll be waiting until Game 6 on Sunday night from San Francisco.

Have a great evening and day tomorrow, and remember to enjoy your Friday night white (and reds) responsibly and please recycle whenever possible.