Tanqueray and wine

[Kerala]

Bruce Springsteen refers to Tanqueray and wine in the song Johnny 99, on the album Nebraska. I l heard the song when I was a young boy, before I had drunk either gin or wine. I've tried the combination, and it does indeed get you drunk. However, I can't work out why Ralph is drinking this mix. Tanqueray is a fairly premium gin in the UK. Ralph is an out of work auto plant worker in Mahwah. Was Tanqueray cheap in the USA in 1982? Was Ralph just a stylish guy? What kind of wine would an unemployed auto plant worker drink in Mahwah? Is that a good match with Tanqueray? For what it's worth, Tanqeray is my default gin, undoubtedly because of this song.

[heidih]

No that beautiful green bottle was NOT cheap - but kids do stuff... Also I think T was the password for gin. Not my experience but I am left coast. 

[gfweb]

Tanqueray was never cheap in US.

A Mahwah guy might drink a fortified wine eg Mad Dog 20/20.

But Springstein is largely FOS and fakes working class roots. Good music though