cat shepard

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. A lovely early morning after a night of wild lightning & thunder with a touch of rain. An early dermatologist appointment, then gym,Bindi walks, chores and pool time. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry happy to read your neighbors are helping. I wish I could ease your burden. Hopefully Lou will be home soon. Roy, hope you get a bit better every day. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hole you all have a great day! ************ 2021 Brother Miller Thankfulness Red wine This vintage of this red blend is only available through the Naked wine club. But other vintages may be available elsewhere. Consumers give this wine a very good review. Reasonably priced at $14.59. Distributor notes This unique blend of Pinot Noir and Barbera is flush with bright, juicy and feastworthy flavors like cherries, cranberries, fresh garden herbs and a sprinkle of spice. 5th-generation winemakers Nicholas and Marshall harvested grapes from the Paso Robles Highlands – where their family owns 2 of the most famous vineyards in California – to make a wine you’ll be thankful for all year long. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving – and anytime in between. Drink now or in 1-3 years. Food match It pairs with Thanksgiving turkey and other poultry dishes - even chicken tacos! - and is a perfect aperitif.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! The events of September 11th remain so vividly embedded in my mind and heart. Prayers for the victims, the first responders and all their families. Vanessa, thank you for keeping our lists. It is a bit more humid this morning. And Bindi decided she did not want to go for a walk, so she quickly took care of business and took us back into the house. Just gym, Bindi walks, chores & maybe some pool time. I made it into the pool for a quick dip last night, before the T-storms moved in. Prayers for all who need our support: especially Lou, Baby Murphy and their families. Hope you are feeling better Lou. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Granite Hill Cellars Pinot Grigio Widely available at very reasonable prices make this wine from Lodi easy to try. Consumers say it is good. And we all know that at this price if we don’t like it, we can use it to cook with. Online prices start at $10.99. Winemaker notes EXOTIC FLORAL AROMAS THAT STREAM INTO SOME SUBTLE GREEN APPLE AND CITRUS WITH A LIGHT SPICINESS. THE FINISH IS SMOOTH AND LASTING WITH SOME ENDING NOTES OF WHITE PEACHES. DELICIOUS AS AN APERITIF OR WHEN SERVED WITH MILD CHEESES, LIGHT FISH DISHES, SUCH AS SOLE, COD AND SHRIMP. CHICKEN MARSALA OR A SIMPLE BBQ WORKS WELL WITH THIS. VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY, SO ANY FRESH GREEN SALADS, BAKED POTATOES OR LIGHT SOUPS WORK VERY WELL.

@marshhawk Annie do you have a direct flight from the States in to Rome? If not, you will clear customs at the first stop in the EU. I have never flown directly in to Rome. I remember leaving from Rome was a pain, mostly because it was so unorganized. But that was 2006. Hope it has improved.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! The Universe was displaying its splendor this morning during Bindi & my pre-dawn walk. Venus is just so bright in the Eastern sky! Vanessa thank you for keeping up with us. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores & pool time - if I am lucky. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping Lou, you, Tana and your entire family in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ********** 2019 A to Z Pinot Gris A lovely, sippable wine for a hot summer day. A decent body and the critic is right about pear being the predominant flavor - really enjoyable. Widely available, with prices starting at $17.69. Note: the 2020 vintage shares similar excellent reviews, but the 2021 & 2022 do not. Perhaps they need to age a bit more. Winemaker Notes The A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris is refreshing and lithe on the palate. Aromas of Meyer lemon, lemon verbena, tangerine, apricot, peach, apple, pear, quince, melon and honeysuckle add a hint of sweetness to the air around it. The weight is impeccable with perfect balance and integration hitting all points of the palate. Incredibly versatile at the dinner table with flavors of golden apple, roasted coconut, citrus and pineapple appealing to the last splash in the glass. WE90 Wine Enthusiast This fruitpowered, gulpable wine is loaded with a pear flavor. The midpalate fills out further with yellow apple fruit, and the lightly creamy finish satisfies. It’s a fine everyday white wine. Editors’ Choice.

Terry, no words that can help make things better. Just hugs and prayers. Ann

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! It is another exquisite morning - 68 & dry! We had some wild T-storms yesterday afternoon. It got so dark, I had to turn a light on to eat my lunch. @cunnorl Charlene, hope all is well with you. My local weather guru talked about 60 mph winds & large damaging hail near you. Vanessa, thank you for sharing what is going on with each of us. Just Zumba, Bindi walks, chores and dinner at a friend’s for me today. Prayers for all who need our support. @Smitty34877 Terry, keeping Lou, Tana and your entire family & support team in my prayers. @rafinmd Roy, praying that your care is mild and you are back to normal quickly. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @marshhawk & @catmando Annie & Chuck Happy Anniversary! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Borgo Magredo Prosecco Extra Dry Prosecco is fun on its own, or added to a mixed drink to lighten it up. This Prosecco sounds lovely more than 6,000 consumers give it a very good - excellent rating. Widely available with online prices starting at $9.99. Distributor notes Prosecco is Italy’s most popular sparkling wine: light, refreshingly effervescent and well-priced. What’s not to like? Borgo Magredo Prosecco is made with 100% estate-owned glera grapes sourced from within the DOC area. Unlike champagne that acquires its effervescence through costly fermentation in bottle, Prosecco is made in pressurized tanks: this process not only allows to keep costs down but also helps keeping flavors fresh and lively, creamy and balanced with a delicate combination of acidity and fruit. Prosecco styles vary based on the amount of residual sugar and can range from brut (dry) to extra dry (which counter-intuitively means a little bit sweet). While this is by no means a sweet wine, that light touch of sweetness makes Borgo Magredo Prosecco Extra Dry especially pleasant to the taste, initially cool and soft on the palate with fine bubbles, then giving way to fruity traces of peach and pear flowers. While delicious on its own as an aperitif, Prosecco can also be served throughout the meal especially with seafood and shellfish, light salads, tempura and sushi. Blended with fruit puree it is the ideal base for delicious bellinis. Borgo Magredo Prosecco also comes in convenient 187ml bottles that are perfect for single servings or for pic-nics. Enjoy!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. Another lovely start to the day here. It is so pleasant to walk in the early morning hours. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of our lists! But I think you can take my “road trip” off the celebration list. It was only to the next town to hunt for their glass recycling drop box. 😎 Gym, Bindi walks, chores, more car shopping, then pool time - weather permitting. Much needed rain is predicted for this afternoon, but we all know how that goes. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877, Terry praying that Lou is doing better. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @Crazy For Cats, Jake great news about Mom! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Kudos Pinot Noir Willamette I used the 2020 vintage info, since that might be the easiest to find. Good to excellent consumer ratings and very good - excellent critic reviews, this Oregon PN is one I would like to try. I admit to not leaning towards PN rich in cherry flavors, but sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. Available from a decent number of distributors with prices starting at $18.99. Distributor Notes The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of a number of different vineyard sites from numerous AVAs. It consists of Dundee Hills, McMinnville, Chehalem Mts. and Willamette Valley fruit coming off more than seven different vineyard sites. All of which bring their own elements from the dirt they come from. Some bring richness and depth, others minerality and tannin structure. Red, blue and black fruit all blend together, a lengthy tinkering process spanning weeks to find the right combination of flavors that balance and mesh seamlessly into one converging blend. 91 Points | James Suckling Oregon Wine Report “Some florals and gently reductive aromas here that open up with some air in the glass. The red cherry-fruited palate really delivers attractive, typically pinot, cherry flavor in fleshy style. Drink now.”

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! The humidity is creeping back into our area, but we all knew the dry heat would not last. Hoping the heat advisory weather doesn’t return. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. I know I miss so much, but catch up - thanks to you! @StLouisCruisers Sandi & Dennis a belated Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many more! Zumba, Bindi walks, chores and more car shopping. Pool time - if I am lucky. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877, Terry, praying that Lou’s medical team finds the right path to a quick and permanent recovery. @Crazy For Cats Jake, happy to read that your Mom is doing well & her medical team identified the cause of her fall. Praying the pacemaker solves the problem. Get well & stay well everyone! ******** 2017 The Stump Jump GSM I have enjoyed this Australian GSM (red blend) at my local wine bar. Consumers love it and critics give it a very good - excellent review. It is fruity, but not sweet, with a medium body and a bit of spice in the finish. I am don’t remember identifying the cinnamon taste that the critic did, but I know it was pleasant. Available from a decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $10.99. Winemaker Notes This wine screams value. A rich ruby red appearance with a fragrant nose of raspberry, a hint of dark cherry and spice. Silky texture on the palate, but with a juicy fruit core that shows plum, red berries, and a savory finish. There are lovely soft tannins and some slight acidity. The fruit weight and silkyness means this wine can be enjoyed now, but it will keep developing over time. Blend: 46% Grenache, 42% Shiraz, 12% Mourvedre WE91 Wine Enthusiast Ripe, fleshy blueberries and raspberries drive this red blend without too much oak getting in the way. There's an underbelly of flowers, cinnamon and peppery spice. The tannins are typically muscular, while the fruit is juicy, silky and fresh. Best Buys

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! It was a gorgeous 67 degrees this morning, when Bindi & I went out. Venus in the East & Jupiter almost directly above were bright in the sky - though Venus was showing off a bit more bling. Yesterday was another lovely day, so selfish me would like more of the same today. Vanessa thank you for being so diligent in keeping up with all of us. I need to get out in the yard while the weather is great. Bindi can come with me, though she does not help - at all! Tonight I am going out to dinner with friends and then I need to pick up the wine I ordered from my local wine bar at last month’s wine tasting. We might just need to enjoy a glass of wine while there. Prayers for all who need our support. @Crazy For Cats Jake, I am praying that your Mom improves and soon returns home. Difficult in the best circumstances, doubly so when you are not there. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @RMLincoln Bon Voyage, Maureen! Get well & stay well, please! *********** 2020 King Stag Pinot Noir I have tried this PN and though tasty, it is a bit too light for me. But it would be perfect for one of our intense heat advisory days, when you really want a red. Oddly enough the most informative distributor is in Australia, but you can pick up this wine at your local Publix. Online prices start at $18.79. Distributor notes A wonderful example of modern Californian Pinot Noir - soft, gentle and easy-going, with no trace of harsh tannins or alcohol burn... as many richer Californian styles can exhibit. This is all red fruit and silk, with just a hint of oak guiding things along. Look out for strawberry and plum and a generous texture. Great stuff. California is relegated to third largest state in terms of size by Texas and Alaska, but reigns supreme when it comes to wine production! Not only do they produce more than 90% of all wine made in the USA but they produce more than 30% more than all of Australia put together! This wine comes from the oversight of parent company Winery Exchange, created in 1999 with the sole purpose of finding great vineyards and turning them into modern, approachable wines that people around the world will love. Their portfolio of wines includes the King Stag label - classic Californian wines that balance fruit and elegance - but also has labels such as Foodies, FJ Serra and Arrow Creek. Winemaking is overseen by Juan Cerna, a native Californian with roots in the Salinas Valley. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology he found his passion for winemaking while working at various wineries across California, and is now seen as something of an expert in central Californian vineyards. PRIMARY FLAVORS CHERRY PLUM RASPBERRY FRESH SAGE HYACINTH VANILLA BEAN

Thanks Lenda I currently have a 2016 PriusV - Toyota’s discontinued hatchback. It is long enough to fit my kayak inside, so I need a SUV to replace it. And I really want a plug-in hybrid. I am not in love with the RAV4 version, though to be fair, I have not test driven one. Yet.

Thank you so much, Ray!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Happy Labor Day to all are hard working Dailyites! Today looks to be another spectacular day. Yesterday was magnificent. Mid 80s, low humidity and a great breeze. It made up for the fact that one of my garage door cables broke & I had to have it fixed on the Sunday of a holiday weekend. But I was lucky and it was not too expensive. So my car is no longer trapped. Vanessa, thank you for capturing and sharing our happenings! Gym, Bindi walks, chores, pool time - I need to hunker down and start seriously looking for a car. Do any of you have a plug-in hybrid? What do you like or dislike about it? Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! *********** 2021 Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Sauvignon Blanc I confess - I switched the vintage to a more recent one. The 2018 might still be great, but I would not want to gamble on white wine from that vintage - assuming I could still find it. And the great news is all released vintages of this Napa gem share the same great reviews. Available from a decent number of distributors with prices starting at $18.99. Winemaker Notes The 2021 Silverado Sauvignon Blanc is a bright and lively wine with aromas of citrus, honeydew melon and white floral notes. On the palate, flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and lime are present with a subtle minerality. A well-balanced, medium-bodied wine with crisp, refreshing finish. Blend: 94% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Semillon WE92 Wine Enthusiast A delicious blend of herbal and spicy flavors drives this medium-bodied wine as hints of coconut and toasted oak lead to tangy grapefruit, lime and white pepper flavors. It shows great balance, inviting complexity and a lingering finish. WW92 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2021 Silverado Vineyards Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc is one of Napa Valley's top white wines. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of savory spices, slightly pungent notes, and dried herbs. Serve it with a plate of the fishmonger's freshest raw oysters. (Tasted: April 5, 2023, San Francisco, CA)

Bon Voyage you two!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! The waning moon was so bright this morning Bindi and I could easily see our way on our walk - even though day is just starting to break here. Last night’s scallops were amazing. I still can’t believe Aldi’s flash frozen scallops could be so good. And so cheap! Vanessa, thank your for taking care of our lists! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores & a surprise birthday party for a neighbor who is turning 85! That will be a great way to end the day. Prayers for all who need our support! Cheers to all who are celebrating! @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda a belated anniversary to you & Steve! May you celebrate many more! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Dalliance 2012 Red Wine This California red blend comes from the Lake Country just North of Napa. It is available from a decent number of distributors for a reasonable price. Good - very good reviews from consumers & at least one reviewer. Online prices start at $9.99. Wine Enthusiast - 86 Full body, ripe grapy fruit flavors and a healthy pinch of spicy oak join with a smooth texture that is just slightly tannic. The feeling is mouthfilling, and the wine is dense enough with cherry and berry flavors to be satisfying. It's a blend of mostly Zinfandel and Syrah.

& @RMLincoln Maureen May your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health & cruises!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A cloudy start to the weekend, but I expect it to burn off. Lots to do today, I am hosting dinner tonight. Scallops, roasted veggies salad. Friends are bringing appetizers and dessert. And wine, of course. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Hitting the gym early, then back to clean & prep for this evening. Hoping we get some pool time in. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ********* 2019 Catena Cabernet Franc This Cabernet Franc from Argentina has a huge consumer fan base - 4+ stars out of 5 & I even found a couple of critics who give it 92 - 93. Available from a decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $18.94. Winemaker Notes This Cabernet Franc is sourced from the family´s historic vineyards in San Carlos. Here, the sandy-loam soils and mountainous climate yield a wine with concentrated ripe red berries, a touch of eucalyptus and black pepper, robust tannins and smooth lengthy finish. RP93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The incredible 2019 Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc is super elegant, fresh, varietal, nuanced and complex. A wine like this often costs more money than the price point of the appellation range, but it feels like a bargain anyway. This is an updated version of the 2018, with precision and symmetry. It's vibrant and lively, velvety and focused.

Thank you for our first September 2023 R & D, Rich! Mother Nature put on quite a show this morning. Makes the early morning walks so enjoyable. Just as we were starting out… By the time we reached the end of our street… Vanessa, thank you for sharing all our happenings. Last night’s view of the Super Blue moon never materialized. But my friends and I had a wonderful time at our local wine bar. Today I hit the gym, more Bindi walks, chores and dinner at a friend’s. That should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @Cruzin Terri Terri hope your new year is filled with laughter, love, great health and wonderful cruises! Get well & stay well everyone. **************** Hayes Ranch Chardonnay Widely available; consumers say it is good. I could not find any critic reviews. Online distributor prices start at $9.97. Distributor notes This Chardonnay comes from select vineyards in California. All the grapes are harvested at the optimum level of maturity. The grapes were gently pressed and fermented in a combination of new and used oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The fermentation was kept cold to ensure a slow process that retains the natural fruitiness of the grapes. Golden yellow in color, our Chardonnay invites you in with its vanilla and brown sugar aromatics. Hints of oak and cinnamon-kissed green apple flavors create a very smooth wine with a soft fruity finish.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Last night Bindi and I were treated to a hazy preview of the Super Blue Moon. Spectacular even through the haze, especially since I never expected to see anything but rain or clouds last night. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. My haircut was canceled yesterday, so I am hoping to be squeezed in today. Gym, Bindi walks, branch patrol and if conditions permit - gathering at the beachfront winery to howl at tonight’s moon. If not, then we will visit our favorite indoor wine bar. Prayers for all who need our support. @Sharon in AZ Prayers for your entire family & especially your Mom. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @Mr. Boston Your trip sounds amazing. Hope it is one for the memory books! Get well & stay well everyone. ************* 2017 Fratelli Antonio & Raimondo Langhe Nebbiolo Somewhat elusive; no critic reviews and only a small number of consumers have bothered to rate this wine. But the ones who did think it is good - very good. A few online distributors with prices starting at $12.99. Distributor Notes Founded in 1938 by the two Levis brothers, Antonio and Raimondo. Both were passionate about Nebbiolo, which led them to the Langhe region. The brothers' driving ambition was "quality at any cost" and they worked tirelessly to meet that goal. It was thought that their ambition to make quality wine was even more so due to the fact they were both hearing impaired and used their wine as a form of expression. In 2002, Raimondo died and because neither brother had any heirs, Antonio partnered with the esteemed Sartirano Family who has been making wine in the region since 1871. The Sartirano Family handles all aspects of the winemaking while still holding true to the Fratelli’s original ideals- producing honest, classically styled wines. Vines were planted in the mid-1980s. Farming is organic, harvesting is manual and sorting is rigorous. After destemming and crushing, fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks at moderate temperatures. Maceration on the skins for 8 days with daily pump-overs. Aged for 8 months in second hand barriques, lightly fined and minimally filtered. Red fruits, herbs, tobacco, and smoke with the perfect balance between tannins and acidity.

Idalia definitely gave us a miss. We still have a few hours left of wind & strong gusts, but we have not had much rain. And do not expect much more. And we have had hours of hazy sun. Lots of small branches down, and Bindi & I rescued a bunch of recycle bins that the wind gusts blew into the street. They would have made an excellent & challenging obstacle course. Truly blessed.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Though I question “Touch a Heart Tuesday”. Idalia’s outer rain bands have given Bindi and I great opportunities to get out and stay fairly dry. It is fascinating to watch the bands swirl in the sky - a privilege that can only be enjoyed by those untouched by the storm’s power. Vanessa, thank you for staying on top of what is going on. If my hairdresser still has power, I am getting a much needed haircut this morning. If not, I will not be venturing out at all in a vehicle. Bindi & I will diligently watch for good opportunities to get out without getting soaked. We shall see how we do. Praying the folk on the Gulf Coast stay safe. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles - Austin Hope Vintner Once again I could not find any critic reviews of this Cab, but more than 2,500 consumers gave it an average of 3.9 stars. Although most distributors offer it for approximately $20, I found one online distributor offering it for as low as $12.00 + shipping. Distributor Notes Austin Hope grew up working alongside his father, inheriting his love and respect for the region. He led the family’s move into winemaking in 1995, and further exploration of Paso began. In 2000, Austin created the Austin Hope label, making very small productions of Rhône varietals. These wines are produced from vines grown at the family’s estate property, where soils and climate have similarities with Rhône Valley vineyards. They remain small yet extraordinary productions. Each bottling holds onto a unique intensity and softness, expressing a special side of Paso. Today, Austin is showcasing an even greater sweep of the Paso region and expressing a similar richness with a recently released Cabernet Sauvignon. The source of the wine is far-reaching within the appellation - a most discerning group of vineyards located on gently sloping hillsides and hidden pockets across the domain, providing dimension to the Cabernet varietal. The wine has a bold structure of lush, velvety tannins and an unmistakable elegance. It is dark, ripe and eminently enjoyable.

One of my next door neighbors was told by a County Official that his property - at 35 feet above sea level was the highest elevation in our subdivision. Wait until I tell him it is a mere foothill.

At 42 feet above sea level - you live on one of Florida’s mountains. 😜

I just saw the post from @RedneckBob Do we have any Dailyites in the Big Bend area? Officials are really concerned about Idalia, because no major hurricane has ever made landfall near Apalachee Bay before. Sigh.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Last night the almost full Blue moon looked fuzzy & out of focus. Perhaps high level fog, or a very thin cloud cover. It was so dark this morning, Bindi did not want to go out. She is getting picky. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! I have a doctor’s appointment- time for my hearing check up. Then Bindi walks, gym, chores should keep me busy. Most likely no pool time today. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 hoping that Lou and Tana have good days from now on. Please take care of yourself, too, Terry. @cruising sister praying for baby Murphy, her family and her medical team. I can not begin to imagine how difficult this time has been for her parents. Please get well & stay well everyone! ********** Silver Moki Sauvignon Blanc A widely available New Zealand white wine! The stars & planets have aligned! I could not find any critic reviews. But who cares?Consumers think this is an excellent Sauvignon Blanc - more than 5,000 people give it 4 out of 5 stars! And with a price that makes it easy to try. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $11.99. Distributor Notes Silver moki pronounced (mow-key) is named after the moki a superb table fish found in the waters off the scenic coastline of New Zealand. This amazing value wine is a wonderfully refreshing and crisp sauvignon blanc with a hint of gooseberry and tropical fruit flavors. Quite delicious!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Though there were some massive clouds off the coast, it is possible they are part of a marine layer. We are expecting rain from Idalia, and right now the maximum gusts predicted for my area are 40 mph - we deal with that frequently. So we expect yard waste cleanup. And how appropriate that this Saturday morning is our monthly beach cleanup! If only people paid as much attention to their trash as they do to their devices. The County just North of me puts out these helpful comparisons. Hoping everyone to the West & Northwest stay safe. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of our lists. Gym, Bindi walks, chores & pool time - could be my last pool time for a few days. You only have to worry, if it talks back. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Perseverance Chardonnay A white wine on Red Wine Day - oh the irony! Well you can find this wine almost anywhere for a very reasonable price that makes it very easy to try. I could not find any critic reviews, but consumers think it is very good. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $9.98. Distributor notes A fine example of an easy-drinking style of Chardonnay from California. It is nice and smooth, with notes of banana, melon and papaya topped off with flavors of toasty oak. Drink with fruit and cheese platters, or fondue.