I saw this wine at a local wine store and had to try it. The name is funny, the picture (a donkey, aka ass, with a bandage) is cute, and the price ($4.99 in Minnesota) can’t be beat.
I looked at the back of the bottle, too, to see what exactly I was buying. This wine comes from Argentina and is 50% Malbec and 50% Syrah. These are both grape varieties that I enjoy in wine, and Malbec is what I’d call a “signature” grape for Argentina, much like Shiraz for Australia, Zinfandel for California, and Carménère for Chile.
Since this is such a cheap wine, we weren’t sure what to expect.
The wine is fairly fruity, with some decent acidity and tannins, although neither the acid or tannins are excessive at all. Maggie commented on some peppery flavors. Like most red wines, a bottle-top aerator improves the flavor, and decanting would probably help, too. The result is a well-balanced wine with good flavor. I don’t think this is a wine that would age well, but you don’t buy a $5 bottle to cellar it!
Malbec and Syrah are both grapes that, in my opinion, will pair with a variety of foods. I think this blend would pair with beef quite well, including hamburgers and beef tacos.
Overall, this wine definitely exceeded our expectations. If you’re looking for an easy-drinking, budget-friendly red wine, you should definitely try the Broke Ass wine!
