It seems that Americans cannot get enough soulless wine from those great big wine tanks that pop up in California like a Whack-A-Mole nightmare. But, if there ever was a more appropriate food and wine pairing opportunity than 7-Eleven cuisine and their own wine, I can’t think of one.
7-Eleven recently announced that it is getting into the value wine business, and will release two low-priced proprietary wines in the United States and Japan. The wines are sold under the Yosemite Road label, a chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon from California, and will retail for about $3.99.
Following are some thoughts on enhancing your convenience store wine experience:
1. There is a noticeable lack of seating available for 7-Eleven wine enthusiasts. On our last visit, our only option was a seat at the curb just outside the entry door. (Note: Non smokers – if you are going for outdoor seating, make sure you stay within 10 feet of the door to avoid secondary smoke.) Our curb site was close to a Mercedes S400 – which added both an upscale dimension to our dining experience as well as making us feel like we were in own private Weinstube.
2. Before claiming your curbside wine spot, make sure you sample the music selections emanating from any parked cars. Celine Dion singing AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” may diminish enjoyment of your wine and food choices. Always sit near a car playing music you enjoy and don’t expect to hear the entire tune.
3. There are many food options at 7-Eleven. Negotiating your way around the menu and matching wine selections can be daunting. The ¼ Pound Big Bite is always a reliable choice, and the Yosemite Chardonnay might be the way to go here. But, how long has your Big Bite been on the rotating grill? A half hour? 3 hours? Maybe since 8:00 am? Just like your wine – age matters! The longer your hot dog has been “roasting” the more you should consider a full bodied, fruit driven wine selection. Here is where the Cabernet can really enhance your Big Bite. It will make your dog pop – bringing out all its porky nuance and giving your dog a bite to back up its bark. Always consult your server/checkout person to make sure your Big Bite is at its peak of flavor.
4. Both the Chicken Tenders and the Go-Go Taquitos call for a full bodied white – the Chardonnay is the way to go here for most wine drinkers, but a more daring selection would be Wild Irish Rose Wild Fruit. Wild Irish Rose with any menu choice is sure to light a fire of drunken rage in your soul.
5. In the mood for something special? The frozen Banquet Salisbury Steak has that “je ne sais quoi” that always makes for a memorable meal. The Yosemite Cabernet seems to be the obvious choice, but it may overwhelm the meatiness of the hydrolyzed beef flavoring. We recommend MD 20/20 Blue Raspberry. It’s blue! Ask your 7-Eleven microwave technician for assistance to ensure optimum Salisbury flavor.
6. With so many wine pairing options we recommend you always ask for advice from your 7-Eleven Sommelier/Checker. And don’t forget to ask for your free Big Gulp decanter/spit bucket!