In case you haven’t noticed, life is filled with “wow!” moments.

There’s nothing new in that sentence. However, perhaps we get so used to them, take them for granted. What about a sunset? Or a sunrise? What are your feelings when seeing your child or grandchild for the first time? Or that experience on a vacation, when the scenery literally made you stop and look? There are many times when “Wow!” is the only word that comes from our mouth or goes through our brain. Reminisce on that for a moment.

While you’re reflecting, pour yourself a glass of Chateau Ste Michelle Red Blend, and pay attention to the different flavors of the wine. It’s cherry taste comes from merlot, the vanilla taste from the Cabernet Sauvignon, and a hint of spice from the Syrah. It’s memorable.

I usually have a coffee chat with a good friend about twice a month. We meet about every other week, but this last week, we ran into each other on consecutive days! Wow! That deserves a glass of Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec. A hearty friendship mirrors the heartiness of the wine.

I enjoy heavy metal music. Our children turned me onto that musical genre years ago, and I’m always in the mood to listen to Metallica or Ghost. Unlike so much of the music today, these guys are real! So that calls for a glass of Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin — Grateful Dead Limited Edition. The wine is produced from very old vines that tend to look a bit ugly. The wine is always meant to be pretty, but it’s also bold and creative. Just like the band!

The temps have been all over the scale lately. One day it will be in the low 70s, and the next day it will be in the upper 90s. Whatever happened to the good old days when summer meant more temps in the 80s? Maybe I need to take a breath, and find someway to luxuriate. How about a glass of Ménage à Trois Lavish Merlot? You’ll find tastes of black plums with a touch of raspberry. Let the temps go where they will! I have my wine!

Now, back to “wow!” I was doing some cleaning, and found a stash of empty wine bottles. Who keeps empty wine bottles? The four wines mentioned here are a portion of that stash, and maybe that’s why they were kept. Each bottle brings back a memory to me ± of people, places and conversations. They are all “wow!” moments to me. However, it’s time to let them go. Now, I can fill the empty space with some full wine bottles!

I will always defend my interest and love of wine. I never take them for granted, nor a good friendship. I respect those old grape vines. They are stronger than I am. Wines share their beauty with me, and then the liquid is gone, but never forgotten. Maybe, that’s the ultimate sacrifice! Wow!

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

Cheers! .