Chin, Chin

I rose my glass to MLK over the weekend at the Russian River Wine Road Winter Festival. Say that five times after a few glasses. $25 got you access to about 50 vineyards. We went to six with Sidirui, Bella and Ridge the highlights. Sidirui, in a working warehouse nestled in an industrial park, opened up what seemed like their entire line up from their various vineyards...Santa Lucia Garys', Santa Rita, Close Pepe, Van der Kamp (my fav), Keefer Ranch, etc. All classic California Pinot Noirs. Clearly, Sidirui puts their money into the wine and not a fancy smancy tasting room.

On the other end of the spectrum, the tasting room/space at Ridge is trendy and chic (not as good as a Lynmar or Duckhorn) but what made that experience was the college footballer who allowed us to taste wine not on the festival list...Monte Bella Santa Cruz, Lytton Estate, etc. For me, he gained additional cred by admitting the Coors Lite in the back had his name on it.

The Zin at Bella is one of my recent favorites and their tasting cave has this great vibe to it...unassuming, chill, positive vibe. I joined their wine club. So there!

I feel I haven't fully recovered from my flu over the holidays in terms of weight or strength. I felt like I got it as a result of not touching the sauce for a week before going home. Last time I do that!

Federer is unstoppable this year and should win the Grand Slam if he can master the clay. If he does that, he will tie Pistol Pete with 14 majors. Roger IS the best tennis player...period.

The match up of Roddick and Connors is classic and I hope a successful one. Connors looks like a wise stallion ready to teach the youth the errors of its ways. It has the makings of "road warrior" Gilbert and "come back kid" Agassi . A die hard 'skers fan, Andy was on the sidelines at the CU game in Lincoln over the Thanksgiving Break and it appeared enjoying himself while the Hus whipped some buffalo butt.

Great Teutonic meal at Suppenkucken with Matt and Jenna last Friday. Good times. I hadn't had Koenig Pilsner, Jaegersnitzel, and Spatzle in many moons. Great atmosphere and food and a restaurant I'll keep in my rotation when I get a hunkering for the fatherland.