When you walk into a restaurant and ask what kind of wine they have, if you hear “we have both kinds - Red and White”, it is time to order a club soda. Over the years we have found this answer usually means old jugs of bar wine that have probably not been opened in a while. We have heard this line on many occasions especially in Mexican restaurants. I guess these places are geared up for the tequila and Corona drinkers of the world not the wine type of crowd. Over the years Angus and I have gone to some great Mexican restaurants with food that puts a little tear in your eye it is so good. But when it comes to drinks - “I’ll have a club soda please”.
Just a couple of months ago we took our wine trail adventures to the extreme. We crossed the U.S. Mexico border for some authentic Mexican food. We park the car on the U.S. side and walked through customs (I think that’s what it was, the agent on the Mexican side was just happy to see us - “come on over Welcome Welcome my American Friends”.
Crossing into Mexico was easy. Running the gauntlet of merchants on the street wanting to sell you anything and everything, made the venture more interesting. “Hey Meeester, Hey Ladeeee, you buy my Cheeep junk?” I thought there was sales pressure in stores back home, they have nothing on these guys. One of the master salesmen was so smooth and worked me over so well that I am now the proud owner of a small clay pot made in Mexico. I thought this would quiet down the situation. It did… with him. But I noticed everyone else eyeing up the very American looking Trixie and realized, hey she buys stuff. It was like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.
We found a restaurant but knew the likelihood of good wine (or water) was non existent so about once a year we have a sacrificial beer. We ordered Tecate which I never heard of. Not being a beer drinker, I guess it tasted OK - how’s that for a review. “It was OK” The food was excellent - I guess when in Mexico, order the enchiladas.
On our way back to customs, Angus was determined to buy a bottle of tequila. He walked into a store and the person behind the counter was eying him up probably thinking “Hmmm.. how much of a tourist is this person?” He asked for a bottle of Tequila and they said it was $15. He looked at the bottle and said I would like one with the worm in it. Ah, a mega tourist! the price just went up to $20. Angus always had the best negotiating skills.
It was time to walk back across the border and pick up the car. We got to the U.S. customs and things were a little different. “How long were you there” the agent said with a bit of a scowl. Angus said “Ahh?? A few hours to look around.” I wasn’t sure we would ever see our families again at this point. Angus looked a little worried. The agent then asked “did you buy anything while in Mexico?” Angus just blurted out “Tequila and pot” being so nervous he forgot the “A” as in Tequila and A Mexican pot, pottery, clay jar come on Angus get it together. I have seen Midnight Express - I want to see my family again! The agent just looked at him, then he looked at me. I think both of us looked like the ultimate panicked tourists. Again he scowled and just mumbled “go ahead”.
Huh?
After driving back to the Phoenix area, we arrived at the hotel by early evening. Still a little cranked up over today’s travels we walked across the street to a little Mexican restaurant. We asked the server what kind of wine they have and she said proudly, “we have both kinds - Red and White” After an adventure like today, Angus and I looked at each other and at the same time said “We’ll have the Red“
Peace, Love and Good Wine for All
Trixie
