I Apologize

for the lack of posts recently. I have been home for an overdue visit to friends and family in New York and Connecticut, reading to try to improve on my writing, working on launching two new companies (that, unfortunately, have nothing to do with wine) before Feb '09, and finally attending to things that I've neglected over months when I've prioritized blogging, wine tasting, traveling, and mulling over life questions on long walks by the ocean. Bottom line is that not too much wine sipping and exploring is going on at the moment...I'm just happy if I can squeeze in a Leffe and a twenty minute walk around sunset time.

The purpose of this blog has always been to add value (wine knowledge, recommendations, philosophical exercises, etc.) to the lives of my readers through its content. I hope to resume posts in this nature in the next few weeks. Thanks for your patience. XO

Cafe Americain

I did not see ONE Starbucks in Nice/Cote D'Azur. Not during our cameos in Northern Italy or the Swiss Alps either. I loved this but can understand that some of my friends would be disappointed. Here's what I recommend to those who travel to Europe and are longing for 16 oz. of coffee:

1) Manage your expectations. Accept going in that coffee (and really everything) is not consumed in mass quantities.

2) Order a coffee called a cafe americain. It's a double shot of expresso served with a side of hot water. Barely bitter with rich cocoa notes. I know it doesn't seem like "much", but after you add a little water and cream/sugar, to your liking, I can almost guarantee you will enjoy the flavor and feel content with this size serving. (I was taken by surprise too as my usual order at Rose's Bakery is a medium Hawaiian Hazelnut coffee with two shots of espresso.)

Small v. Big

Everything in Europe feels small. I could have told anyone this since my first trip overseas when I was 10, but living life "small" again differs drastically from the memory.

Being present in the small life awakens your senses and sends a shock to your quantitative comfort zones. Streets, and therefore cars, are small. Objectively, I think I'm a small female and I barely fit in the showers. A glass of wine is 25cl (or 4oz) poured to the line. A cafe americain is a double espresso you can choose to add water too if you desire more volume at the expense of concentration.

I love this.

It forces me to slow down and enjoy. I passionately do not want to waste. I'm exponentially more satisfied. And, in most cases, the quality is higher than the larger, less expensive version that's easily accessible in the US. I appreciate the luxury of this access and infrastructure, but I'm going to try to exercise more discipline in the quantity to quality ratio in my life. But it is nice to have this choice (and the reawakened awareness to choose to do so).

Stoned Immaculate

A favorite Jim Morrison track and the theme of this post.

I recently tasted the best wines of my life. Also the oldest. This ultrasensory and wildly potent encounter was elating and overwhelming.

After the moment in time to feel the joy from these wines passed, the memory summons peaceful content. I'm craving nothing. No Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at the jacuzzi. Not even a splash of Dolcetto d'Alba while watching the sunset. 

In time, my appreciation for (and delight in) more simple, younger, primary wines will return. I just need to be patient. I'm sure most people who have an ultimate experience in their field of passion have a similar reaction.

What Is Content?

It's a homonym. This caught me off guard when I started this post because my intention was to consider the potential audience of this blog and what content I can feature that's inviting, current, and valuable.

Then I read the question the other way and that was thought provoking as well.

The content I strive for with this blog is simple. Short, well-written, thoughtful pieces on wine, lifestyle, respect, and self-improvement.

The last goal syncs with my answer to this question in the other context. "For me", (shout out to Randy Jackson!) there is an element of settling I associate with content. It's comfortable, like routines. And the self-improvement I strive for cannot be found here. But it's a nice place to hang out and catch your breath in.

I hope my content challenges our long term content.