Anyone who has read much Hemingway knows old Ernie spent a fair amount of time across the pond, pimping for a variety of publications before writing all his tomes about ex-pats in various states of depression (and before he came back to the states, lived in the Keys, and blew his brains out).

That being said, I came across this quote from the old dog, which I thought appropriate to share:

“In Europe we thought of wine as something as healthy and normal as food and also a great giver of happiness and well being and delight. Drinking wine was not a snobbism nor a sign of sophistication nor a cult; it was as natural as eating and to me as necessary.”

Amen. A big believer in wine, though not much on punctuation.

Anyway, speaking of wine, Thursday’s tasting was a hit. Jeremy always does a great job, and, well, he is just fun to have around. In fact, we would keep him here full time, maybe in a little monkey cage so our customers could poke him with sticks……No, really, you don’t know Jeremy…he would actually enjoy that sort of thing.

Friday brought us gale force winds and driving rain, though not the snow rumored to be heading our way…which was just fine with me. I grew up in snow, and have shoveled more than my share. In fact, one of my common lines to other northerners who ask what brought me here is “you don’t have to shovel sunshine.”

Regardless, a few brave souls ignored the weather for tapas and wine, so the day was not a total write-off.

We began stocking up on our holiday wine (as much for our homes as the shop!), and I am happy to say my humble abode is better stocked than it has been in a long time (since, in fact, we opened the shop, and I surrendered my wine fridge for the greater good). I have Tin Barn Syrah (beautiful, rich Syrah full of dark fruit), BenMarco Expressivo (HUGE Malbec blend – the last time someone else ordered some they left it in the shop too long, and we drank three bottles…because, like potato chips, you can’t have just one!), Seghesio Zinfandel (excellent Sonoma winemakers, and this signature Zin is a nice blend of spice and fruit, with great balance and a long finish), Bishop’s Peak Pinot Noir (a Cali Pinot, which is unusual for me, but I really liked it when I tasted it…and drank one the other night with some fried scallops with a sun dried red pepper sauce…yum!), and, last but not least, Four Vines Loco Red (a Tempranillo from Paso Robles that is crazy good). Joel added some Raymond Reserve Merlot to his collection, and who knows what we may pick up over the next day or two…

I have also ordered my first Cabernet juice from California, and will begin making wine in the next week. I am looking for a French oak barrel, and, hopefully about a year from now, the first 2 Wine Guys wine will be in the bottle. “Wrecking Ball” Cab is the preliminary name, and it will likely be about 18 months before anyone gets to taste it.

We will close early Christmas Eve (3 p.m., so if you are thinking last minute gifts, get here early!), and will be closed Christmas Day. Saturday night we will have live music, and Sunday I have a new brunch item I am going to lay on you (haven’t made it yet, but it sounded delicious!). Next week, we will stay open until Midnight on New Year’s Eve, and feature a Champagne tasting. You will be able to see the fireworks from our deck, so make plans now to ring in the New Year at The Bistro. Then, for obvious reasons, we will be closed New Year’s Day.