What Would Manning and Brady Drink?

So, the big game is just a few days away and, if you're like me, nothing washes down an occasion like the grape. It's not always easy to pick the "right" wine for a big event, so let's examine what the two star quarterbacks might be sipping were they enjoying the Super Bowl from home:

Eli Manning - while he looks like a mouth-breather and has an "ah, shucks" persona, Eli handles his high-profile gig with grace, and seems to come up big in the clutch.  He probably enjoys a wine that might not have a lot of sizzle on the outside, but can hang with the big boys when it comes to taste and complexity.  I'm thinking he likes the 2008 Buehler Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  It's not flashy, and somewhat unimposing at $35 a bottle, but boy is it good.  He's a simple man that enjoys a great, though unadorned, wine that plain delivers.

Tom Brady - what do you drink when you have three Super Bowl rings, are rich and good-looking, and have an uber-hot wife?  Something exotic.  And CRAZY expensive.  Penfolds Grange 2005 should do the trick.  It says: "I appreciate good stuff and I'm not afraid to cough up some serious coin for it...oh, and I'm not some stuffy and predictable Bordeaux drinker, either."  I can just see Mr. Brady sipping this in his UGGS, while lying on a bearskin rug and watching the game as Gisele feeds him figs dripping with honey.  Sheesh.  Aren't UGGS from Australia?  So is this wine!  Neat-O!

And for me? Funny you should ask.  Since the Black & Gold isn't playing, I'm not looking to pour liquid gold, though I must drink good juice.  I need something that I can actually find in a store (and in quantity), won't break the bank, is GOOD, and versatile enough to accompany a variety of artery-clogging gameday dishes.  Where do I look?  To an ol' favorite:  Bogle.

Yeah, it's practically everywhere, but it's not bland, ubiquitous, rotgut.  Far from it.  Practically every wine they make is really good year in and year out...and none of it crosses the 12-dolla threshold.  I'm going with the Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, but the Chard, Cab and Pinot ain't too shabby either.

Most importantly, enjoy the game with family, friends and good wine (we hate you Tom Brady).