Coronavirus Wine Survival Kit

This week, things got real when the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the coronavirus (Covid-19 to be exact) a pandemic. It’s the first time the WHO has called an outbreak a pandemic since the H1N1 “swine flu” in 2009. All I know is Mr. Covid has the world in complete disarray right now.

It’s been a domino effect since Mr. Covid arrived. Public events are now being canceled, travel restrictions enforced, extended spring breaks, working from home is now encouraged, and officials are constantly reminding us to wash our hands like we’re back in kindergarten. Hugs and handshakes have been replaced with elbow bumps and air waves. Even the ‘Wakanda Forever’ greeting has made a comeback and my personal favorite the namaste gesture. When in actuality people just need to ‘nama-stay’ themselves at home if they feel sick.

The phrase self-quarantine has become this safety word. In fact, many people have started preparing in the event they will have to protect seclude themselves from others. It’s beyond ridiculous. Stores have put limits on the numbers of gloves and hand sanitizers people can purchase and apparently toilet paper is at an all time low. Toilet paper, really people?!

With all the hoopla, you’d think that our Lord and Savior was about to make an appearance!

Queue Prince’s 1999. All this craziness is making me want a drink. My friend asked me if I had enough food to get through a month. All I could think was ‘No, but I should probably make sure my wine supply is good though.’ Like I always say, wine makes everything better and right now it wouldn’t hurt to take some of the edge off. That’s why I put together a survival kit to help you sip your way through all the emotions as we get through this pandemic.

6 Emotional Stages of Covid-19 + Wine Pairings

1. Anxiety: While the coronavirus may not be new to health officials, it’s new to us common folks. ‘Oh, it’s just the flu on steroids.Oh, black people can’t catch it.’ That’s what THEY said. There’s so much information and (sadly) rumors floating around that people’s nerves are on 100. You just want to stand in the mirror and yell ‘Covid-19’ three times and wish this thing away like Beetlejuice.

   
   Speaking of Beetlejuice, Brown Estate’s 2018 Betelguese Sauvignon Blanc ($28) is the perfect wine to add to the survival kit to help calm your anxiety. It’s light-bodied with tropical/citrus fruit notes and has a subtle hint of acidity. 

   

2.  Fear: I’ve never seen the world shut down like this before. NBA games suspended? Disneyland closed? I mean…the way that Mr. Covid is moving, you can’t help but wonder what’s next. Plus, it doesn’t help when the president gets on national television sounding like a bot as he attempts to reassure the American people that everything is perfect. Like sir are YOU okay? Because you definitely don’t sound like it.

   
   The news and all the hysteria may have you feeling a little fearful, so add The Prisoner Red Blend ($49) to our survival kit. By the way things are going, I’m sure you may be starting to feel a little captive. This Napa Valley red blend is a mix of all good things: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. It has flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla with a smooth finish.

   

3. Frustration: Raise a glass if Mr. Covid put a halt on your travel plans.

   
   I’m still salty about my Italy trip, but at least it’s postponed. Shout out to everyone who is missing their European vacay right now. And to make matters worse now local events are being canceled. No South by Southwest®, No Coachella. Mr. Covid don’t want ya’ll going nowhere!

   All your plans being thrown out the window? Try this 2017 Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon ($17) from Paso Robles. It is full of fruit flavors like blackberry and red cherry with a hint of oak. If you’re not a fan of super dry reds, then you’ll appreciate this Cab because the tannins are light and it has a beautiful long finish.

   

4. Anger: Aside from Mr. Covid limiting our activities, he’s also messing up people’s money! People have lost money canceling trips and even worse trying to get back into the U.S. after having to abruptly end their overseas fun. The stock market is plummeting. I’ve heard of people losing money on their 401K. Mr. Covid take your course, but what you’re not about to do is mess up my money!

   
   We’re going to need a big bold red to get through this emotion. The 2016 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon ($52) is full-bodied and layered with dark blackberry and black cherry flavors on the front end. As you navigate through the wine, you’ll get hints of oak, chocolate and a little spice. This Cab is packed with powerful tannins and has a nice acidic finish.

   

5. Chillin: Unless you’ve been directly impacted by the coronavirus it’s business as usual. All you can do is live your life and not let this pandemic get the best of you. But, on the flip side you have a group of people who are super ‘faithed’ up and are living by that ‘God’s got me’ mentality and are out here completely unphased by Mr. Covid. I particularly love the people who are still traveling internationally, but secretly dreading that return into the U.S.

   
   The Nice Sauvignon Blanc ($22) will either match your unbothered mood or get you there. I dunno, but it tastes like caannndddyyyyy. **Queue Cameo** But, not in a bad way. There’s no grassiness like in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Just tropical citrus flavors like tangerine, melon, and pineapple.

   

6. Mama we made it. Lastly, I’m adding a celebratory bottle to the survival kit because when Mr. Covid decides to take his pandemic self and kick rocks, we’re all going to need to pop a bottle (or two). 

Let’s add some bubbly to the survival kit to commemorate when we’re finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Prosecco ($13) is complex. Intense on the nose, yet has a pleasant tangy and mineral finish.

These are just a couple of wines to add to your coronavirus survival kit. While everyone is stocking up on food (have you seen HEB lately???) and other necessities, don’t forget to make sure you have enough wine. Believe me, it will come in handy as we continue to work through all the roller coaster of emotions that Mr. Covid has left us with.

In all seriousness, the coronavirus is no joke and neither is the anxiety that people are feeling. I hope this post brings a little light during a cloudy time. Until next time…glasses up!