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Thank you for today’s F R & D, Jacqui! @rafinmd Roy, thank you for the maps! Yesterday was such a weird weather day. Sunny all day, but by mid-afternoon the wind had strengthened enough to make it really brisk outside. It is already 40 here this morning, so hope we can avoid some wind here. Vanessa, thank you for posting our care & celebration lists. You have really added on to what Roy started for us. Praying that you get some permanent pain relief soon. Haircut, Bindi walks, chores and HIIT class will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry! Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* Vandal Gonzo Resistance 2019 This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a great many consumer fans, but it is a bit elusive in the states - at least in Florida. It sounds interesting. I do not believe I have encountered a wine fermented with oysters before. A few online distributors with prices starting at $27.99. Distributor notes Hand Harvested Sauvignon Blanc from two vineyards in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough. Whole bunch fermentation in original picking bins. Pressed off mid ferment and finished in old French barrels. Fermented with fresh New Zealand Bluff Oysters. 6 months aging on full yeast lees. Small batch pressed with oysters. Unfined and unfiltered.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is already 47 and the sun is has just risen. Looks like a gorgeous day. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of our lists. Praying that you soon find relief to your pain. My new garage door will arrive around 8, so I need to get my car out on the street. Then I can head to the gym, once I get the crew started. No clue what the day will bring. 🤞🏻 that Bindi won’t be too stressed by the day’s events. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those in debilitating pain & conditions. And ones grieving the loss of a loved one. Terry, thinking of you & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @RMLincoln Maureen- happy anniversary to you & DH! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******* 2020 Viognier Pride Mountain Even my decoder ring couldn’t help this morning. So I picked a Viognier (white wine)that is has lots of fans but might not be as easy to find as some. There are several online distributors with prices starting at $28.00. Distributor notes Abundantly exuberant, our 2020 Viognier expresses orange blossom, litchee, candied lemon peel and nectarine notes. On the palate, the texture is textbook for this grape, with a very lush and full mouthfeel balanced by lively acidity on the long finish. The essence of spring sunshine in a glass! The new canopy design combined with the glorious growing season has resulted in one of our best Viogniers ever. The viognier grapes were night-harvested in seven separate passes between September 8 and September 18, 2020. The juice was cold-settled in stainless steel vats for 48 hours and then racked to neutral French oak barrels (5 to 10 years old) for fermentation. The wine was bottled in early February to maximize the intensity of its fragrance and flavor.

I will be following Nancy & John! Happy trails! Those Ipswich clams look delicious! Ann

Happy New Year! May 2024 be great to all of us! Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Just 40 here, but the sun is already brightening the day. We have a bit of fog this morning. Vanessa, praying that 2024 brings you relief from your pain and long, restful nights of sleep. Thank you for keeping up with us. Gym, Bindi walks, longing for a piece of my Memére’s tourtiere - a traditional New Year’s meal on my Dad’s side. Not sure what else 8 will get up to today. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain or conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. May 2024 brief relief to all of you. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Especially those about to embark on amazing journeys. May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** Castello Bonomi 2016 CruPerdu Grande Annata Extra Brut White (Franciacorta) A bit elusive, this Italian sparkler just might be worth the hunt - and the price. Consumers and critics give it a superb - classic rating! I found a few online distributors that ship to me with online prices starting at $70. Wine Enthusiast - 97 CruPerdu is from an old reclaimed vineyard that shows its pedigree from the start with fresh citrus notes, orchard fruits, ginger, jasmine and intense minerality. The palate is firm and structured and shows the potential for a long life. Crushed stones give way to candied orange zest and fresh brioche with a touch of cream all balanced by stunning acidity.

Well, I thought I hit the submit button at 10 this morning, but have no clue what happened to that post. It was before my second cup of coffee. 🤔 I am also going to try posting pics again. ***************** Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Vanessa thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying you find relief to your pain soon. Just a routine Sunday, though I may start to put Christmas decorations away. Already did two Bindi walks, spent an hour at the gym, and visited Aldi. Prayers for all who need our support. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry! Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* 2019 The Stump Jump Australian white blend This is a great white blend. Medium bodied, lots of interesting fruit flavors, it doesn’t just rely on citrus flavors. Easy to find with online prices starting at $8.99 (on sale). Distributor notes d'Arenberg The Stump Jump White Blend is a refreshing and mouth-watering wine that is perfect for warm weather occasions. It is a blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Marsanne grape varietals, which makes it a complex and unique flavor profile. The wine has a straw yellow color with green tinges and a fragrant bouquet of lime, citrus, and tropical fruits. On the palate, it is crisp, clean and lively, displaying citrus and tropical fruit flavors, along with a note of minerality. The finish is long-lasting and refreshing. This wine pairs well with fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, and light salads. It is an ideal choice for casual entertaining or a relaxing day on the patio.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is nippy for Florida this morning. Just 39 here when Bindi & I headed out - but at least yesterday’s strong winds were gone! The sun is rising, so hopefully that will help. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us! Praying that you soon have a firm path towards pain relief. Gym, Bindi walks, meal prep & other chores will keep me busy. We will definitely eat inside this evening. I have teed up Bottleshock for us to watch - none of my wine loving friends have ever seen it! Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain or conditions that prevent them from fully enjoying life, and those grieving a loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @RMLincoln Maureen congratulations on closing on the condo! One less worry. May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** Stone Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Another lovely sounding New Zealand SB. I used the 2022 vintage info, since that should be the easiest to find. Lots of distributors and priced to try. Online prices start at $11.99. Distributor notes New Zealand is renowned for many things, foremost environment and the relationship between the people, the land and our wines. Toi Toi takes its cue from these relationships creating wines with flavor, body, and character that are perfect for every occasion. Toi Toi wines are "Inspired by Nature". Region: Marlborough Winery: Toi Toi Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Vintage: 2022 Tasting Notes: Pale straw green hues and sublime aromas of gooseberry, citrus, dried herbs, and hints of passionfruit. The palate is fruit-driven with delightful herbal and citrus flavors.

@dfish Debbie, thrilled to read all went well. Hope those meds do the trick!

Sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. Let’s hope you get back to normal soon.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is starting to cool down here again! Last night’s anniversary party was fun. It was still warm enough that the band hired for the occasion could set up outside. And the morning’s rain cleared out and left us with a beautiful sunset & evening. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Praying that you start down your path of permanent pain relief soon. Gym, Bindi walks, getting ready for having my friends over for dinner tomorrow. I suspect it will be too nippy to sit out on the deck and eat. It is supposed to get down to 39 tomorrow. 😎 For those of you driving to Florida… Prayers for all who need our support! @dfish Debbie hoping today’s surgery goes smoothly & your recovery is swift. Extra prayers for those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you Terry & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* Meleto Borgaio Rosso di Toscana This Italian red sounds interesting. I would love a taste. Easy to find and priced to try. Online prices start at $13.99. Wine Enthusiast 88 This friendly red has aromas and flavors of ripe raspberry, juicy blueberry and spice. Pliant tannins offer gentle support. Drink now.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! A light rain falling this morning and cooler temps are heading my way. But nothing like up North! Vanessa praying that you find a path to relieve you from pain - soon! Thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Gym, Bindi walks, an airport run to pick up a friend returning from visiting her family for the Holiday, and the wrapping up the day celebrating the 2nd anniversary of my local wine bar opening. Hope the weather cooperates. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Terry, thinking of you & Tana. @dfish Debbie, praying that all goes smoothly tomorrow. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******* Natale Verga Nero d’Avola I used my secret decoder ring again. It is important to always keep it charged. Info on this red is a bit sparse, but consumers give it a good - very good review. It is certainly easy to find and priced to try. Online prices start at $7.99. Wine Enthusiast 88 Made entirely with organically farmed Nero d'Avola, this offers aromas of dark-skinned fruit and scorched earth. The easygoing palate offers fleshy black plum, clove and black pepper alongside pliant tannins. Drink soon. Note: This rating is for the 2017 vintage.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! My trip home yesterday was uneventful. A couple of slow downs on 95, but nothing compared to what the folk heading North were dealing with. A bit of a marine layer this morning. Hope it burns off. It is a balmy 63 here this morning. The last full moon of 2023 was spectacular! Bindi and I got to see it rise during yesterday’s evening walk. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with us. I was happy to read that you at least got to enjoy a little bit of the Holiday with your BFF! Praying that you find permanent pain relief soon. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks and tons of chores will keep me busy today. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ****** Perseverance Cabernet Sauvignon This Cab is budget friendly, and lots of consumers say it is very good. Easy to find with online prices starting at $9.99. Winemaker’s notes Rich and full with black cherry and black raspberry flavors followed by hints of exotic spices and baked plums. Nicely balanced with a firm backbone that finishes full and satisfying, with a touch of smoke at the end.

Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! Thank you for today’s FR& D, Jacqui! Santa did a great job this year & he and the reindeer deserve a long rest. I can see them now. Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to board in about 30 minutes. Enjoying my morning coffee.. What a treat to have a 10 minute commute to the airport rental car return. Yesterday was wonderful. My nephew has turned into quite the baker: cinnamon rolls, bagels, Yule log, cookies and two types of pizza! I never had homemade pizza before & it was amazing! Good thing I worked out yesterday! Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Praying that you find relief for your pain soon. Once I land in Jacksonville, I will go pick up Bindi and head home. Laundry, Bindi walks and chilling are in my future. A final salute to Christmas 2023… Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* 2019 Yalumba Barossa Grenache Ah, those brooding plums! Who knew they made great wine? And yes, @StLouisCruisers, Sandi - it is a red! Lots of consumer fans enjoy this wine. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $16.89. Winemaker Notes The fragrance abounds with brooding plum red fruits, dark cherries and perfumed berries. The palate is richly textured, fleshy, round and supple with a red juiciness that merges into velvety tannins to finish. A defined wine showing the richness and concentration of the vintage. Pair with lamb and fennel ragu with penne or avocado pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes and pine nuts. 92James Suckling This has attractive raspberries and a creamy, gently spicy edge. Smooth, creamy texture with concentrated raspberry-pastry flavors. Low yields, big flavors.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! It is already 45 here in Southern New Hampshire! Strange weather for New England in late December! Lots of fun at my niece’s yesterday! My 8 year old great niece still believes in Santa, so I am thrilled that I made the trip up. My niece’s SO’s Mom & Dad are divorced & both remarried and all get along well enough to all come and celebrate the holiday with their son/step son. Very special! Christmas tattoos- Cara on the far left is the tattoo artist. Vanessa, praying that you get to enjoy some of the holiday today with your BFF! Thank you for ensuring that we keep up with each other! I have already worked out and am sitting enjoying coffee #2 while looking out at a damp landscape. I had to switch to my phone, because my iPad lost its connection for some reason. Please excuse my typos. Heading to my nephew’s near Boston to celebrate the day. I will stay overnight with them. I will be 10 minutes from Logan for tomorrow’s early morning flight. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you, Terry!❤️ Cheers to everyone celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******* Cabaletto Rossi delle Venezie Tenute Fiorebelli This Italian red has lots of consumer fans who think it is very good - excellent and I found a few distributors. Online prices start at $13.99. Distributor notes A blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from low-yielding vineyards in Verona. Half of the Corvina grapes are left on the vine for longer, to concentrate the sugar and flavour. About 30% of the blend is aged for 12 months in American and French barriques. The nose shows complex aromas, reminiscent of prune, cherry and redcurrant; the palate is supple with a long finish.

@ger_77 Gerry, may your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health and a cruise or two!

How wonderful, Dixie! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Sarah! May your new year be filled with love, laughter & great health! PS - Love the picture!

Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate! Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It was a decent 32 here this morning! Last year when I was here, it was 10 with a horrific wind chill. My travels yesterday were fairly smooth. It was a nice day to travel. I forgot how early it gets dark here. Even though I arrived at the hotel around 4:30 it was dark. 😱 Had a fun meal with my niece. Made some cookies. Had a bit of wine. 😎 I am glad I made the trip. She has been working remotely for two years and she is starting to believe the lack of interaction with her colleagues is detrimental to her emotional health. So we discussed some options that might help. Then I returned to the hotel & crashed. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. I pray that you are able to enjoy some of the festivities with your BFF & find permanent relief to your pain. I already visited the fitness center to work off some of my Holiday cheer & am sitting enjoying my second cup of coffee looking out over a snowless landscape. Last year at least we had a dusting of snow. The festivities start around noon at my nieces, but I am heading over to help after I shower. I get to meet her SO’s clan! Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those who are suffering from debilitating pain and conditions & those grieving a loss of a loved one. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******** The Wonderland Project 2013 The White Queen Chardonnay A fun name for a wine! Most distributors are sold out of the 2013 vintage, but if you find a later vintage, it might be worth trying. Especially if it is a free taste. I have enjoyed a few Chardonnays, but I usually steer towards other whites. Ifyouare lucky enough to find this, a bottle will cost around $20.99. Distributor notes The Wonderland Project’s tasting notes describe “unctuous notes of honey, spiced peach, nougat, marzipan, burnt sugar and lemon cream.” I didn’t get all that, but I did experience the honey and peach notes, and maybe a little marzipan. The weight of the wine is what makes it a real treat. It’s nice and full without making you feel like you need to drink it with a fork, unlike some other huge and oaky California Chardonnays. The wine was fermented in stainless steel, then aged for seven months in 1/3 new French Oak, 1/3 neutral French Oak and 1/3 stainless steel. This proves to be a winning combination in both mouthfeel and finish.

Sandi Thank goodness your DGD was not hurt. Still a super scary experience with some post event trauma. Let’s hope the holiday gatherings help make her feel more at ease. And she should definite alert the apartment complex too. They can set up low/no cost options - such as volunteer escorts from the parking areas.

Thank you for keeping us straight, Rich!

Thank you for sharing all the great info!

Thank you for sharing your trip with us!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is a bit cloudy here this morning, but a balmy 57 degrees. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! Praying that you get to enjoy at least some of the Holidays and that permanent pain relief happens soon. Leaving for the airport around 8:30 this morning. Stopping in Saint Augustine to pick up a friend who just happens to be on the same flight! Flight lands in Boston around 3:30 🤞🏻. Dinner with my niece & her SO. Then back to the hotel to settle in. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @kochleffel Happy Birthday, Paul! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* 2019 Selección de Fincas Ribera del Duero I used my trusty decoder ring again this morning. 😎 This Tempranillo from Spain sounds lovely.p & it is priced to try. Lots of consumer fans. I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $14.99. Winemaker Notes Wine made with grapes from our vineyards in Villalba del Duero, Burgos. High purple layer. Nose with many notes of black fruits softened by the floral aromas that are punctuated by a touch of mineral from the soil, which is intermingled with the vanilla coming from their brief stay in the barrel. At the palate it is smoothed with a noble tannin which provides a long and persistent after taste. Made with 100% Tempranillo.Perfect pairing with all kinds of fatty meats and game in the form of roasts, stews, in addition to the different cheeses in the area. 91James Suckling A ripe red with primary berry and grapey character, as well as some plums and chocolate. Medium to full body. Juicy finish.

@smitty34877 Terry, I will be spending Christmas Eve with the clan in Windham, NH at my niece’s. I bet we will be close. Glad you made it safely. I will have socks in my carry on to put on when I land at Logan tomorrow. 😎

Just WOW, Rich! I knew you had some amazing cruises ahead of you - but what a visual this is! Have a wonderful time. Bon Voyage!