It’s always interesting to notice how things come together.

Many of us enjoy a good old PB&J, right? In case you don’t recognize those letters, they stand for peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Of course, you would retort, everyone knows what PB&J stands for, dumbo!

And to press on, everyone enjoys a nice piece of apple pie with ice cream, correct? Or, how about a plate of buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup with scrambled eggs and sausage? There are so many food items that tastefully pair together, but don’t forget to look around you, too! Notice all of life’s opportunities for paring and you will be amazed. For example…

At a recent family gathering, I was reminded how wine, whiskey and music are excellent pairings. For the come together, I had requested a bottle of chardonnay and a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. I wasn’t disappointed! I had also requested a family night cap, and was not disappointed there, either. And then came the music!

Our son is a member of a heavy rock band. He plays lead guitar in the band and is surrounded by other amazing musicians and a spectacular singer. More later…

The gathering kicked off with a birthday party, and later that night some of us adults sat around and raised a glass of whiskey to us.

The days flew by with playing catch with a football, swinging a granddaughter back and forth for awhile, taking walks to neighborhood parks, watching our 4-and-a-half year-old granddaughter score her first soccer goal, eating delicious foods, and many times, just hanging out together. Everything came together so nicely.

The two wines awaiting me were an Educated Guess Chardonnay from California and a bottle of Cataclysm Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley of Washington.

The chardonnay was filled with a light buttery taste paired with some soft citrus flavors. Make an educated guess about which of your favorite foods would pair with this very pleasing wine.

The cabernet sauvignon is grown in Washington’s Columbia Valley, which was formed by massive geographic cataclysms way back when. From those historic cataclysmic moments came the terrior to grow this noticeably minerally tasting wine with dark cherry flavors. A joy to sip!

The group came together to attend our son’s band performance at a local community block party. The band’s performance was outstanding, and it’s so mice to see him play. Watching the children and adults dancing together in front of the band was amazing. Of course, during the performance, I was gifted a glass of October Fest beer. What can go wrong in that setting?

Again that night, the family gathered for a touch of Basil Hayden Toast Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It was one of many memorable moments during our time together.

So, yes! Wine, whiskey and music go well together — especially with the right people around you.

May you find your perfect pairings in life.