Gnarley

I live in Maryland. Growing up, whenever my parents wanted to buy beer or wine, they had to go to a liquor store. Alcohol could not be sold in grocery stores in my state. 

It still baffled me when I travel to a state that does sell alcohol in grocery stores. I don't quite know what to make of the awesome ability to purchase beer or wine along with your dinner groceries, without having to go to a different store.

Recently, I learned that not only can alcohol be sold in grocery stores in certain counties of Maryland, but it is available in a drugstore here in my county. I'm still baffled by this and need to investigate the actual Maryland beer and wine laws. In the meantime, a good friend gave me a bottle of one of her favorite wines from the local Rite Aid. That sounds cheesy, except a) I'm so taken with the fact that wine is available in a local drug store, and b) it's a really good wine! 

Gnarly Head merlot is quite good. It has a rich, almost chocolatey flavor without being sweet, and it's a full bodied wine that holds up well to foods with strong flavors. I enjoyed a glass alongside pizza with onions, mushrooms, and jalapeño peppers and this wine did just fine.