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Let’s talk!

What do you like to talk about?

Of course, the answer to that question is as numerous as the number of people to whom you ask the question.

Maybe you like to talk about the weather (we Minnesotans like that topic), the sports scene (Go Twins!), fishing (it’ll happen one of these days), food (now there’s a subject on which we all can agree) or…what the heck, you name the subject.

Even for those among us who believe they don’t like to talk, they’ll talk when presented with their favorite subject. I’ve found chatting to be the perfect icebreaker.

Now, please understand that my chatting with you doesn’t mean I want to be your BFF! Usually, I’m acknowledging you and one never knows what riches they’ll find in a new conversation nor the person you find in that conversation. For example…

Over the years, I’ve realized there are two types of personalities within the same person — the person at work and the person sitting in the coffee shop. Guess where I enjoy doing my talking?

When sitting in one’s work environment of course, one should be a professional. To me, the issue is that periodically the professional gets in the way of the person’s personality — I like to talk to the person and that’s why I prefer the coffee shop.

Additionally, I think the preference goes both ways — at least for some of us. People relax a bit over coffee or tea. It’s while chatting over a cup of coffee or tea that we find commonalities that can build our relationships and build our professional dreams. Imagine what sharing a glass of wine brings forth!

However, before we start to talk about conversing and wine, allow me to interject a fact. It’s known that about 60 percent of wine drinkers are women. Either that means women are wiser than men or we men aren’t paying attention to where the wine is flowing. Let’s talk about wine for a bit…

As I’ve journeyed along this path of wine interest I possess, it’s been fun to taste many wines but, even more than the tasting is the talking that goes with the wine experience. One of the first Chenin Blancs I tasted was Barton & Guestier’s Vouvray. It’s a semi-sweet wine with marvelous floral aromas and peachy flavors. I never get tired of talking about this wine’s outstanding refreshing finish. For a soft wine, it’s a topic for discussion.

No matter how good a white wine may taste, it’s the reds that keep chatting to me. It’s as if there’s a voice in my head that very simply yells: “It’s Red Time!” Since I’m such an obedient soul, I look for a red to drink and Carnivor’s Cabernet Sauvignon (CA) never fails me. This beautiful dry red is full bodied with tastes of blackberry and coffee with a hint of oak that leads to a luscious finish. It never stops talking to me.

Staying with California wines I enjoy Smoking Loon’s Pinot Grigio. It’s a medium tasting Pinot Grigio that still presents wonderful lime/lemon flavors and then ends with a crisp finish. It’s an easy drinking wine that perfect for pairing with fish or a nice chicken dish.

Recently the wines of Spain have been enjoying a comeback because so many of them are outstanding and people are talking about them. Of all the Spanish wines, I like a Tempranillo and Sangre de Toro’s Tempranillo is a great way to start a conversation.

This is a medium-bodied dry red wine that has great cherry tastes. As dry as the wine is, you’d think the finish would be fast but it surprises you by having a long soft finish. It’s a pleasure to taste and when presented to your dinner group, it will generate a bunch of appreciative talking.

Now the day is done and you’re by yourself. There’s been enough chatting for one day and, if you’re anything like me, you want quiet and something that will soothe your soul. And, here it is…

Dow’s Fine Tawny Porto will bring your day to the perfect ending. Rather than launch you into another conversation, this port will just settle you for the night. This Portuguese wine has been around for a couple of hundred years and it has a soothing nutty flavor with a bit of spice to keep you relaxed. It’s as if the wine is saying: “Time to stop talking, just taste me and then go to bed.”

Yea, I’m probably getting known for meeting people in the various coffee shops around town and I’ll be the first to admit it. But, I’ve discovered so many interesting people over a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a cup of tea that it’s one habit I’ll not change.

The experience is just too darn fun, interesting, informative and always filled with laughs.

Next week, let’s see what the weekend brings.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!

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