Not to brag, but today is one of those days that makes one glad to live in Houston… While the weather can be unbearably hot and muggy in summer, when you get a sunny December day that offers 60 degrees with big, bright blue skies and not a single cloud, you’re grateful.

And you head directly out to a patio for a drink. (I just saw a fat but frisky orange cat chase a squirrel across my backyard patio, both of them narrowly avoiding a divebombing bluejay – it’s practically spring out there!)

In such a case, a bottle like the El Portillo 2008 Rosé Malbec Mendoza ($11) comes in handy. With slightly off-dry strawberry and peach flesh aromas and flavors that linger softly on the fresh finish. (I feel a bowl of popcorn coming on…) Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.