Good Day Watermelon

Good Day Watermelon is a watermelon-flavored bottle listed under both wine and soju, made in Massachusetts. Soju-style drinks of this kind are typically clear, lightly sweet and easy to drink, and the flavored versions lean on fruit more than on grain or alcohol heat. Expect a fresh, candy-leaning watermelon aroma and a soft, round palate with little or no tannin, since there is no oak or red-wine structure to speak of. Acidity is usually gentle in this style, so the sweetness and fruit come first, followed by a short, clean finish. The label doesn't give an ABV, so check the bottle for strength before you plan how much to pour. Serve it well chilled, around 4 to 8°C (40 to 46°F). Cold is where this style tastes best, because it keeps the sweetness crisp and the watermelon bright. It doesn't need decanting. Pour it straight from the fridge or over ice. For glassware, a small white-wine glass or a stemless tumbler works well, and a short glass with ice suits it if you want it to open up slowly as the ice melts. It also mixes easily. A splash of soda water or lemon-lime soda stretches it into a lighter spritz-style drink, and a squeeze of lime balances the sweetness. For food, bottles like this usually suit salty, spicy and fried dishes better than delicate ones. Korean fried chicken, grilled pork belly, spicy noodles, tteokbokki, dumplings and salty snacks such as chips or cured cheese are natural matches, since the cold fruit sweetness softens heat and richness. Fresh feta with cucumber or a prosciutto-and-melon plate echo the watermelon directly. This is a drink-now bottle. Flavored, fruit-driven drinks like this are made for freshness and don't improve with cellaring, so keep it cold and open it while the watermelon aroma is at its brightest. Once opened, reseal and refrigerate, and finish it within a few days to keep the flavor lively.