Where Heaven and Corkscrews Meet

How in the world can it be 29 July 2011 already?  Was it really two years ago today Living Out of the Box was spewed forth into the blogosphere? Were the last two summers really spent prepping for fall and winter adventures in Italy and France?

Huh.

So how to celebrate this blog-o-versary ... ideas?  Anyone?

I'm still in the throes of reflecting fondly on the last week with my two favorite wine-drinking buddies whom I also had not seen in these last two years.  They came from the East (coast) bearing gifts of the bottled variety.

I had saved a gifted bottle of 2005 Il Carbonaione for the moment we would all be together again, as D is the true Sangiovese lover of the group.  They were also my first stateside friends to open a bottle of a first release Chianti Classico by that same winemaker, Juri Fiore - a wine made from grapes I'd actually picked during the 2009 Vendemmia (harvest).  You can read about that interesting time in the vineyards here.

The three wise men (bottles) who traveled from afar (in checked luggage) included J's gorgeous 2005 Meeker Merlot which we enjoyed our last night together over dark chocolate and almonds and after a lovely Chicken Saltimbocca dish prepared by our gourmand and chief egg-poacher, D.

The Dunham Cellars 2003 was our Sunday treat.  One of them.  First, after the ladies shuttled our egg-poacher off to get his praise (church) on with other worshiping friends, we celebrated a little girl time over fritatta and Chenin Blanc.  We both recognize the fact that whilst not being regular visitors to the house of God may not necessarily land us in Hell, the fact that we texted a picture of aforementioned fritatta and bottle of vino to worshiping friend during mass very well may.  That and the fact we texted him to give Jesus our best. 



Oh, we are ever cognizant of the fact that White Zinfandel is most likely served in Hell, paired with some American processed cheese food product.

Needless to say all was right with the world upon D's return Sunday afternoon and our souls were fed as sometimes only wine, cheese, and friends around the table can do.

As I gently placed nearly two full cases of empties in the dumpster this morning I can't help but reflect fondly of the one that blew us all away.

Maybe not one of the wise men but surely an angel - a purple one at that.  The wine that made us keep our noses in the glass and our mouths nearly silenced for most of the bottle - which says a lot for this bunch was another New World wonder that seemed to evolve in the glass in a way that made us wish we had a magnum so we could see what this wine would do over several more hours.

Maybe not a wine journey of some of the world's greatest bottles to some wine snobs.  But to three wine loving friends who bring their favorite finds together, who value each others' opinions, tastes, and know that these are THE friends with which we know to pull out THOSE bottles ... it's a slice of Heaven that we wouldn't trade for even a sip of the elusive Petrus.  These moments are priceless and not for sale, nor are they to be hoarded away in a dark cellar for that "someday" that may never come.

These last two years, just like that last two cases with my two friends have been treasures.  Maybe just recognizing when you have something beautiful in your life like this is all the celebration that needs to happen here today.

2 years ago, in a Wine Cellar far far away... and if all those bottles could talk since then.

That and a toast to G who just retired today after 22 years of honorable service.   To all of us!