the friday feed: spicy sauvy b

I don’t follow platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, Snapchat, or YouTube Shorts, so I’m usually out of the loop when it comes to trends and viral content. As the younger generations say, “OK, Boomer.”

Last weekend, after Owen’s birthday party, after the sweet grandchildren had been fed, bathed, and tucked into bed, the parents and grandparents had a chance to relax after the whirlwind of kid commotion. Andrew, Patrick, and Todd each poured a glass of Scotch to toast Owen turning four years old. Jennifer and I opted for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Then Jen asked Andrew, “Do we have any frozen jalapeños?”

What an odd request.

According to social media, and confirmed by my son and daughter-in-law, Sauvignon Blanc with frozen jalapeño slices is one of this summer’s trendy drinks. Hello, Spicy Sauvy B.

Well, alrighty then. I’m always willing to try something once. I was pleasantly surprised, but I also wanted to know why it worked.

Research time.

One of Sauvignon Blanc’s defining characteristics is its herbaceous flavor profile. Think freshly cut grass, along with notes of green pepper, basil, and tarragon. The frozen jalapeños don’t introduce a completely new flavor profile as much as they enhance the qualities already present in the wine.

The initial peppery aroma was strong and overshadowed the wine’s grapefruity notes. With the first sip, the jalapeño flavor was noticeable but subtle. A few sips later, a slight warmth appeared, and surprisingly, it worked. The longer the jalapeños sat in the wine, the spicier it became, but it never crossed the line into being too hot to enjoy.

Verdict: I’d drink it again, occasionally. One glass was enjoyable, but if I were reaching for a second, I’d go back to Sauvignon Blanc without the jalapeños.