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Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! A light rain falling this morning and cooler temps are heading my way. But nothing like up North! Vanessa praying that you find a path to relieve you from pain - soon! Thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Gym, Bindi walks, an airport run to pick up a friend returning from visiting her family for the Holiday, and the wrapping up the day celebrating the 2nd anniversary of my local wine bar opening. Hope the weather cooperates. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Terry, thinking of you & Tana. @dfish Debbie, praying that all goes smoothly tomorrow. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******* Natale Verga Nero d’Avola I used my secret decoder ring again. It is important to always keep it charged. Info on this red is a bit sparse, but consumers give it a good - very good review. It is certainly easy to find and priced to try. Online prices start at $7.99. Wine Enthusiast 88 Made entirely with organically farmed Nero d'Avola, this offers aromas of dark-skinned fruit and scorched earth. The easygoing palate offers fleshy black plum, clove and black pepper alongside pliant tannins. Drink soon. Note: This rating is for the 2017 vintage.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! My trip home yesterday was uneventful. A couple of slow downs on 95, but nothing compared to what the folk heading North were dealing with. A bit of a marine layer this morning. Hope it burns off. It is a balmy 63 here this morning. The last full moon of 2023 was spectacular! Bindi and I got to see it rise during yesterday’s evening walk. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with us. I was happy to read that you at least got to enjoy a little bit of the Holiday with your BFF! Praying that you find permanent pain relief soon. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks and tons of chores will keep me busy today. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ****** Perseverance Cabernet Sauvignon This Cab is budget friendly, and lots of consumers say it is very good. Easy to find with online prices starting at $9.99. Winemaker’s notes Rich and full with black cherry and black raspberry flavors followed by hints of exotic spices and baked plums. Nicely balanced with a firm backbone that finishes full and satisfying, with a touch of smoke at the end.

Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! Thank you for today’s FR& D, Jacqui! Santa did a great job this year & he and the reindeer deserve a long rest. I can see them now. Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to board in about 30 minutes. Enjoying my morning coffee.. What a treat to have a 10 minute commute to the airport rental car return. Yesterday was wonderful. My nephew has turned into quite the baker: cinnamon rolls, bagels, Yule log, cookies and two types of pizza! I never had homemade pizza before & it was amazing! Good thing I worked out yesterday! Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Praying that you find relief for your pain soon. Once I land in Jacksonville, I will go pick up Bindi and head home. Laundry, Bindi walks and chilling are in my future. A final salute to Christmas 2023… Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* 2019 Yalumba Barossa Grenache Ah, those brooding plums! Who knew they made great wine? And yes, @StLouisCruisers, Sandi - it is a red! Lots of consumer fans enjoy this wine. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $16.89. Winemaker Notes The fragrance abounds with brooding plum red fruits, dark cherries and perfumed berries. The palate is richly textured, fleshy, round and supple with a red juiciness that merges into velvety tannins to finish. A defined wine showing the richness and concentration of the vintage. Pair with lamb and fennel ragu with penne or avocado pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes and pine nuts. 92James Suckling This has attractive raspberries and a creamy, gently spicy edge. Smooth, creamy texture with concentrated raspberry-pastry flavors. Low yields, big flavors.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! It is already 45 here in Southern New Hampshire! Strange weather for New England in late December! Lots of fun at my niece’s yesterday! My 8 year old great niece still believes in Santa, so I am thrilled that I made the trip up. My niece’s SO’s Mom & Dad are divorced & both remarried and all get along well enough to all come and celebrate the holiday with their son/step son. Very special! Christmas tattoos- Cara on the far left is the tattoo artist. Vanessa, praying that you get to enjoy some of the holiday today with your BFF! Thank you for ensuring that we keep up with each other! I have already worked out and am sitting enjoying coffee #2 while looking out at a damp landscape. I had to switch to my phone, because my iPad lost its connection for some reason. Please excuse my typos. Heading to my nephew’s near Boston to celebrate the day. I will stay overnight with them. I will be 10 minutes from Logan for tomorrow’s early morning flight. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you, Terry!❤️ Cheers to everyone celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******* Cabaletto Rossi delle Venezie Tenute Fiorebelli This Italian red has lots of consumer fans who think it is very good - excellent and I found a few distributors. Online prices start at $13.99. Distributor notes A blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from low-yielding vineyards in Verona. Half of the Corvina grapes are left on the vine for longer, to concentrate the sugar and flavour. About 30% of the blend is aged for 12 months in American and French barriques. The nose shows complex aromas, reminiscent of prune, cherry and redcurrant; the palate is supple with a long finish.

@ger_77 Gerry, may your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health and a cruise or two!

How wonderful, Dixie! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Sarah! May your new year be filled with love, laughter & great health! PS - Love the picture!

Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate! Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It was a decent 32 here this morning! Last year when I was here, it was 10 with a horrific wind chill. My travels yesterday were fairly smooth. It was a nice day to travel. I forgot how early it gets dark here. Even though I arrived at the hotel around 4:30 it was dark. 😱 Had a fun meal with my niece. Made some cookies. Had a bit of wine. 😎 I am glad I made the trip. She has been working remotely for two years and she is starting to believe the lack of interaction with her colleagues is detrimental to her emotional health. So we discussed some options that might help. Then I returned to the hotel & crashed. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. I pray that you are able to enjoy some of the festivities with your BFF & find permanent relief to your pain. I already visited the fitness center to work off some of my Holiday cheer & am sitting enjoying my second cup of coffee looking out over a snowless landscape. Last year at least we had a dusting of snow. The festivities start around noon at my nieces, but I am heading over to help after I shower. I get to meet her SO’s clan! Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those who are suffering from debilitating pain and conditions & those grieving a loss of a loved one. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******** The Wonderland Project 2013 The White Queen Chardonnay A fun name for a wine! Most distributors are sold out of the 2013 vintage, but if you find a later vintage, it might be worth trying. Especially if it is a free taste. I have enjoyed a few Chardonnays, but I usually steer towards other whites. Ifyouare lucky enough to find this, a bottle will cost around $20.99. Distributor notes The Wonderland Project’s tasting notes describe “unctuous notes of honey, spiced peach, nougat, marzipan, burnt sugar and lemon cream.” I didn’t get all that, but I did experience the honey and peach notes, and maybe a little marzipan. The weight of the wine is what makes it a real treat. It’s nice and full without making you feel like you need to drink it with a fork, unlike some other huge and oaky California Chardonnays. The wine was fermented in stainless steel, then aged for seven months in 1/3 new French Oak, 1/3 neutral French Oak and 1/3 stainless steel. This proves to be a winning combination in both mouthfeel and finish.

Sandi Thank goodness your DGD was not hurt. Still a super scary experience with some post event trauma. Let’s hope the holiday gatherings help make her feel more at ease. And she should definite alert the apartment complex too. They can set up low/no cost options - such as volunteer escorts from the parking areas.

Thank you for keeping us straight, Rich!

Thank you for sharing all the great info!

Thank you for sharing your trip with us!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is a bit cloudy here this morning, but a balmy 57 degrees. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! Praying that you get to enjoy at least some of the Holidays and that permanent pain relief happens soon. Leaving for the airport around 8:30 this morning. Stopping in Saint Augustine to pick up a friend who just happens to be on the same flight! Flight lands in Boston around 3:30 🤞🏻. Dinner with my niece & her SO. Then back to the hotel to settle in. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @kochleffel Happy Birthday, Paul! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* 2019 Selección de Fincas Ribera del Duero I used my trusty decoder ring again this morning. 😎 This Tempranillo from Spain sounds lovely.p & it is priced to try. Lots of consumer fans. I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $14.99. Winemaker Notes Wine made with grapes from our vineyards in Villalba del Duero, Burgos. High purple layer. Nose with many notes of black fruits softened by the floral aromas that are punctuated by a touch of mineral from the soil, which is intermingled with the vanilla coming from their brief stay in the barrel. At the palate it is smoothed with a noble tannin which provides a long and persistent after taste. Made with 100% Tempranillo.Perfect pairing with all kinds of fatty meats and game in the form of roasts, stews, in addition to the different cheeses in the area. 91James Suckling A ripe red with primary berry and grapey character, as well as some plums and chocolate. Medium to full body. Juicy finish.

@smitty34877 Terry, I will be spending Christmas Eve with the clan in Windham, NH at my niece’s. I bet we will be close. Glad you made it safely. I will have socks in my carry on to put on when I land at Logan tomorrow. 😎

Just WOW, Rich! I knew you had some amazing cruises ahead of you - but what a visual this is! Have a wonderful time. Bon Voyage!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Rich, thank you for making sure it continues in your absence. A cloudy 57 degree morning greeted Bindi and me this morning. Not sure what the day will turn out like. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of our lists. I pray that you get relief for your pain - soon. Bless your BFF for taking care of the holiday feasts! Gym, Bindi walks, chores, dropping Bindi off & packing for my whirlwind visit to New England. Spending the Holiday with my nephew & niece and their families. I do not believe there will be a white Christmas this year. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Terry safe travels today. Thinking of you, Tana and your families. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* Sinello Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva 2019 After using my secret decoder ring to correct the wine’s name, I chose the 2019 vintage info for this somewhat elusive Italian red wine.It is the only one I found available. It has lots of consumer fans. I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $21.99. Distributor notes Montepulciano 100% ALCOHOL CONTENT 13.5% Harvested at the beginning of October. Removal of grape stalks and long soaking with “delestages” and repassing of must over the grape dregs in small capacity stainless steel containers with automatic control of the temperature of maceration and fermentation. Aged from 12 to 15 months in Slavonian barriques and refined in bottles for three months before being placed on the market. TASTING NOTES Intense bright ruby red with violet hues. Fragrant and fruity, persistent and intense with clear notes of spices, liquorice and vanilla. Balanced, full, warm and an embracing good body, it expresses itself with a good intensity and pleasant persistent lingering taste. FOOD PAIRING Dishes with red meats, game and aged cheeses. 
 It’s also ideal for pleasant meditations.

@Seasick Sailor Joy, glad you are feeling better. Hope that is the end of whatever it was! @grapau27 Graham, the table setting is lovely & festive. Pauline has an excellent eye! @Haljo1935 Elizabeth, have a wonderful cruise.

I appreciate all the factual information you have provided. It will come in handy when I cruise on the Escape in February.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is already 54 here! Looks to be a stellar day in the neighborhood- even if the wind is still around. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Thrilled to read that you will be able to see the doctor most likely to help you - praying that he can fit you in sooner. I wish the neurosurgeon you saw Tuesday could advocate for an emergency procedure. Zumba, Bindi walks, putting out the luminaries in our cul de sac, packing Bindi’s bag for Paradise, and normal chores will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those dealing with debilitating pain & conditions, and grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you Terry & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** Sobon Estate Zinfandel Hillside 2020 Another wine priced to try. I used the 2020 vintage info, since that is ready to enjoy. Consumers give it a very good - excellent rating. I would love to try it. Easy to find with online prices starting at $10.00. Distributor notes This rich, sustainably produced wine hails from Amador County, California, where Zinfandel truly shines. Nicely concentrated, with flavors of blackberry, chocolate covered cherry, and a kiss of oak. Not for the faint of palate, this is plush and powerful.

Sorry to read this, Dixie! Does this justify lots of ice cream?

@superoma Thank you Eva!

Welcome to the Daily! I appreciate Jacqui, too!

Jacqui, thank you for taking over the Editor-in-Chief position, while Rich tours the world! Safe travels Rich. Hope you have a fantastic journey! A wee bit warmer this morning, though the breeze still lingers. My nose is actually cold from my early morning walk with Bindi. Vanessa, praying that you are able to see the doctor who can help you. Thank you for keeping up with us. Mani ~ pedi, Bindi walks, chores, HIIT and some packing of Bindi treats in individual bags for her stay in Paradise. This tree is made up of hundreds of pink Flamingos! Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions, and grieving losses of loved ones. Terry & Tana thinking of you! Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** Outnumbered Sauvignon Blanc In honor of Jacqui taking over the helm - we have a white wine! Consumers love this New Zealand wine. And it has a decent number of distributors. Online prices start at $11.99. Distributor notes This vibrant, aromatic wine has flavours of gooseberry and limes, with a lively finish. We love to drink it with seafood and pasta dishes and delicious summer salads. Product Detail South Island: Marlborough ABV12.5% Taste: grass, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, melon, citrus, mineral and flint

@JazzyV Vanessa, I am thrilled that the neurosurgeon believes there is a positive course of action. Praying that you can connect with the doctor who performs the recommended procedure.