I spend most Wednesday nights with my best friend, Jenny. Both fresh off a workout, she whips up a salad or pasta and I bring the wine. With the yo-yo heat wave, I’ve been sticking to interesting, minerally whites that do well with all kinds of foods and cost less than $15.

But last night, with the sun significantly milder, I decided to bring a red, something soft enough to work if we went with salad, but hearty enough to stand up to a red pasta sauce. I went with a 2005 Friday Monkey Shiraz. I know what you’re thinking — South Eastern Australian Shiraz would squash a salad with its near 16 percent alcohol, right? Not this one.

The wine, which retails for about $8, was quite balanced, with light tannins, blackberry aromas and flavors and a spicy, American oak finish. We decanted the wine and drank it over three episodes of “Mad Men.” This morning, Emmy nominations were announced, and “Mad Men” walked away with a whopping 16. I think Friday Monkey deserves at least that many accolades.

Check out their other selections, including a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-Merlot blend, by visiting the store locater on their web site.