Game Day Antics: Women in Wine Describe their College Football Team…as a Grape Variety

Nothing makes me enjoy fall more than watching college football. Nothing. Picking apples from the orchard, carving jack o’lanterns, and eating sticky s’mores are OK, but there is something about rooting for your favorite team and celebrating a surprising win (or commiserating with others over a loss) that makes me want to, well, shake my pom-poms from yesteryear.

One recent afternoon, I enjoyed a lively email banter with one of my favorite wine industry colleagues, Dixie Huey, Proprietor, Trellis Growth Partners. Our topic was football – she went to Duke, I went to graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke’s arch-rival.  After chatting about the trials and tribulations of following a team through the good days and bad, we segued into describing our teams as wine grapes… And, like all conversations that digress long enough to create a project, we thought it would be an entertaining exercise for me to ask several female football fans in the wine industry (sorry, guys, not this time) to describe their favorite college team as a specific wine grape.

Trust me, this was not an easy task; I struggled with my choice. But each of these brilliant wine loving friends, all of whom chose southern schools, scored with their responses. Why, bless their little hearts!

I’d love to read your comments and, perhaps, the grape variety you select that describes your team. Following are our picks, just in time for a fun-filled weekend of college football, tailgating and wine. I’m already cheering!

Laura Booras, General Manager, Riverbench Vineyard and Winery – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“I think the wine for Carolina football would be Gamay from Beaujolais. Carolina has one of the oldest teams in the south (THE oldest collegiate team in the Carolinas, actually) and so has quite a history in the sport. While they haven’t consistently been an outstanding team, they have some solid players who have stood out in college ball history (my favorite of which is Julius Peppers). I think Gamay is similar. People have been making wine in Beaujolais for centuries, and while wines from that region don’t always rock our world, some really do. The wines aren’t over the top, and neither is UNC’s football team.”

Dixie Huey, Proprietor, Trellis Growth Partners – Duke University

“Hmm, Duke football was yawn worthy with a losing record when I was there from 1996-2000. When my mom was there in the 1960’s they were great and wild.  Now they are working their way back up and winning some games. So what wine is like that – a fabulous team historically, then a joke, and becoming great again?  Zinfandel (my years were its white zinfandel phase)?  Riesling which falls in and out of favor?  Syrah which can be bold and fabulous, overly everything and interesting depending? Now that I’m “thinking” out loud, I’d go with Syrah.  It’s still finding its identity, at least here in the United States.”

Amy Gross, CEO and Founder, VineSleuth/Wine4Me – University of Florida

“Looking for some strength, great body and a lot of spice? Look no further than the Florida Gator football team or a glass of gorgeous Shiraz. Both more than satisfy and take you on adventure for all your senses every time.

Some grapes (and football teams, even) wither in the heat, but not Shiraz or the Florida Gators. They THRIVE in the heat and pack a lot of punch. They both have staying power, and both bring a lot of kick whenever they are on the scene.

You can enjoy either at full force solo, or blended. There are so many outstanding blends that include Shiraz for its backbone and aging power. The University of Florida football team blends beautifully with the other sports, activities and academics there, too, creating its own notable blend with influences from and extending to the entire globe.

I’m so glad it’s Saturday. Pour me a Shiraz. Flip on the television to SportsCenter. It’s great to be a Florida Gator!”

 Alison Smith Marriott, Owner and Founder, Bon Vivant DC – University of Georgia

“For southerners, SEC college football is right up there with religion. Even folks who aren’t obsessed with the game have a team they pull for. Being married to a football fanatic means I either embrace the madness or give up most of my social life for the season.  I’m a Georgia fan and while I may not understand all the ins and outs of the game, one of the things I love about football in the south is the tailgates! You’re more likely to spot red chinos than a jersey on game day in Athens and you can’t swing a cat without being tangled up in a sea of pearls around the throat of a Junior Leaguer. Folks go all out catering fancy spreads and socializing before the game.

As a Georgia fan, I’d be remiss to pick anything but red wine for this pairing, which can be a bit tricky since football season in the south can be hot– hotter than, as they say, a billy goat in a pepper patch.

The natural pairing is Gamay– food friendly and best served slightly chilled, which wards off the oppressive heat while pairing excellently with a variety of gourmet tailgate fare. It’s elegant and refined without breaking the bank, which makes it perfect for large social gatherings. You can expect red fruit and earthy, mushroom notes on the palate of this light bodied red.”

Melanie Ofenloch, Wine Writer, Dallas Wine Chick – Auburn University

“The perfect wine to describe Auburn is Merlot.  It is subtle and gracious, yet can pack a punch.  It demonstrates an elegance with notes of berry and represents its terroir well. Auburn was Alabama’s first public land-grant university with a focus on agriculture.  Merlot is believed to be named after the local black bird (call Merlau) who liked eating the ripe grapes on the vine.  Auburn football fans also have a bird (the eagle) as the focus of our “War Eagle” rallying cry.”

 

Elizabeth Smith, Wine Writer, Traveling Wine Chick – University of Tennessee

“The University of Tennessee Volunteers (The Vols) have been playing football since 1891, celebrating 125 years of college football this season. The Vols are the tenth winningest college football team ever and the second winningest team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They have appeared in 51 bowl games, winning 28 of those games. They also have won 13 conference championships and six national titles. A sports pedigree like that calls for Zinfandel, known for its bold fruit flavors, peppery spice, moderate tannins, lively acidity, and often higher alcohol. It also doesn’t hurt that Zinfandel is perfect for football tailgating foods like barbecue, chili, cheese, meats, and pizza. (UT-K football facts: Wikipedia)”

Michelle Williams, Wine Writer, Rockin Red Blog, University of Texas

“My college football team is the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns. I am such a fan even my hair is burnt orange! The grape variety that describes my Longhorns is Merlot. Merlot is often seen as an underdog (like UT compared to Oklahoma University); yet without it the great Bordeaux wines of St. Emilion and Pomerol would not exist. It is an underappreciated grape, yet it is blended into some of Napa Valley’s best wines, as well as prominent in Super Tuscans because it blends beautifully with Sangiovese. Similarly, Texas has been underappreciated the last decade by the AP and Sports writers. Merlot is a grape deeply respected by winemakers yet underappreciated by consumers. Longhorn fans are true through thick and thin but the rest of college football fans doubt the Horns ability to rise from the ashes. Finally, Merlot, like UT, is making a strong comeback, winning over the public all over again with a new image (merlot), and a new coach (Charlie Strong). Hook Em’ Horns!”

And my choice? I selected the team of my undergraduate years, the University of Richmond, a small school in Virginia. After 127 years of football, we finally won our first FCS Championship game in 2008; it was the first Richmond team to hold a national NCAA title in any sport. What grape variety describes University of Richmond football, a team that has produced its fair share of pro football players, yet is one that has had plenty of ups, mostly averages, and a number of downs during the years? Pinotage, originating in South Africa, isn’t often on a wine lover’s radar, just as my team isn’t on the Top 25 list. An excellent Pinotage is interesting and thought-provoking. It can be found in a range of styles from light and fruit-forward to rich, dark, firm, and spicy and pairs unusually well with game day fare right off the grill. However, an average to poor Pinotage may be cringe-worthy and present aromas of spray paint or burnt rubber; it may need further aging or new strategies from the winemaker. I’ll continue to discover and appreciate the nuances of Pinotage, just as as I’ll be cheering for my Richmond Spiders, their records notwithstanding.

Cheers, y’all! ~ Cindy