Hi gg,

Not a bad job at all.

Mina, you know thoughts of retiring down that way get discussed here as well. 'Cept that retirement is just toooo far off in the future. I'd love to set up in Europe for a bit... collect a few wines (stored internally) and a few stories and then finish off down under and work my way through inventories there. I think I may need to retire early. :)

Check's in the mail, Ira!

ira, how about a Euro travelers check? ((a)) ((b))

Hey Budman,

I'll do you a favor and take 20E insteaf of $20. :)

Ira, I'll send ya' 20 Euro, so doesn't that put me at the head of the pack, given the exchange rate?

Our day trip to Bamberg today was great, but cut short due to a heavy thunderstorm (our Ferocious 4 lb. yorkie is very afraid of thunder).

Did manage to pick up some fresh pfifferlingen (they're in season now!)during the downpour at the farmer's market, so tomorrow morning it's mushroom omelets for all.

Yesterday I tried an inexpensive wine from Marlborough New Zealand, Nobile Sauvignon Blanc.

It was really good for the price, I guess I should seriously start looking at Australian and NZ wineries. I don't like Chas Shaw's, maybe someone could tell me what the attraction is.

Sea Urchin, the ATTRACTION? It's $2 a bottle! (or $3, apparently) There's a case of it in my basement just waiting for the next party.

Update to ms_go's post from Friday:
The filets were marvelous and grilled to perfection. The caprese salad was also stellar (with garden-fresh tomoato), as was the dark, rich zinfandel.

Right now, I'm at work...thinking about ms_go (ain't I a sweety?)

Oh, I see. Thanks Marilyn. For the price you like it better than others at the same price?

I don't think I've tasted much else in that price range :)) SeaUrchin. But yes, the Chardonnay is actually drinkable, as opposed to spit-out-able.

We generally drink Chardonnays in the $10-20 range but have recently found some nice bargains at Cost Plus World Market for under $10. Anybody tried Shale Ridge?

Just putting finishing touches on itinerary for Scotland trip on Sept. 2. Never been there, no one to see, nowhere special to go. My kind of trip.

Marilyn, I had heard such raves about ole Chucky Baby's wine that I tried one of each and just couldn't like the taste. I have tried some of the wine from Cost Plus and discovered the Chilean whites which I liked.

Anyway, I am going to a wine tasting group tonight so I will hopefully get a whole new "to try" list.

Trying to keep my daughter from wrestling my computer from me. Especially since she has her own. (Except SHE has to use dial up!)

I think what I am doing right now is chatting with SeaUrchin about white wines! And in between I am reading a CD manual on my new Olympus digital camera. Ach, the concentration required!

SeaUrchin, have you had the Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc from Chile? It's delicious. (Purchased at Cost Plus.)

Goofing off while I have some free time before my next client.
Now SeaUrchin and Marilyn have me looking forward to an after-work sherry.

To answer the question ... right now I'm in advanced panic mode trying to stitch up (belatedly, as always) arrangements for our upcoming three weeks in China, catching up with two resident daughters in Liaoning Province and seeing some other parts of the country. Anticipating a serious Peking Duck and some good street-stall snacks but not looking forward to shopping - as a haggler I'm a wimp.

Now I'm off to see the humourless visa lady at the splendiferous Chinese Embassy here in sunny Canberra (the fog just lifted). Italy will have to wait....

NeilOz, I hope you are able to check in with us during your travels. I do enjoy your postings.

Just finished talking to one of my sons on the phone, and now I am reading about what everyone else is doing around the world. Getting some good ideas for wines to try, and thinking how good Ira's dinner sounds:-) We ran to Panera for a quick soup and sandwich, as school has just started, and it's open house night at the high school where my husband is assistant principal. A busy time...

Sandy

Marilyn, hic, excuse me, are you still on line? I just got back from my wine tasting and have a good list. (I'll also have to try the one you suggested).

I loved Georges Gardet Brut Special a chigny les Roses;
Torraccia del Plantavigna Barbera d' Asti 1996;
and Joey's favorite, Andrea Picchioni Buttafuocco 1999, Bricco Riva Bianca, Oltrepo Pavese, Lombardia;
and one more Leopardi Dittajti Rosso Conero 1999.

So what I am doing right now is trying to recover from all the vino and from stuffing myself with really great antipasti and pizza.