Colts Still Undefeated: 9-0

Yes, they won a classic game this past Sunday versus the cheatin' Pats and what a game. Colts getting spanked around like a newborn all night and then Belichick goes for the juggular by going on 4th down and 2 yards on the Colts 27 and they come up short. Peyton drives the Colts 29 yards on a miraculous catch by Reggie Wayne to pull out a 35-34 stunner. Truly amazing.

I will travel to Baltimore this Sunday to watch Peyton take on the Ravens and meet a good buddy and am sure it will be a great game. Since the Ravens are my 2nd favorite team I won't feel "too" bad but hope Peyton keeps the streak alive.

On a personal note, I plan on going to the Australian Open this year which will complete the last item on my "Bucket List" of attending every tennis grand slam. I have been to the French, Wimbledon, US (every year) and now the Australian. I've even been to the Italian Open which was probably one of the best tournaments I have attended but it doesn't count as a Grand Slam event. I plan on meeting Pam & Tom who are very good friends of mine from Albuquerque at the Open and take in dinner in Melbourne. I will also visit some of my Travian buddies from Oz and have another get-together/reunion where I will put a face with my alliance mates. It should be fun.

On the wine front, GaryV from WLTV has had some really good finds lately, especially some Pinot Blanco from Italy. I will be awaiting my Thanksgiving Secret Pak where GV reviews wine on T'giving in the comfort of our own homes. I'll take a laptop to the festivities and everyone will gather around to sniffy-sniff, taste and compare notes. I will also take two renditions of my infamous sweet potato casserole. Yum :)

That's about it for now. No political news to speak of. Playing tennis at least twice a week, sometimes three and playing quite well. The wrist is holding up due to exercises. and wearing my brace. Yippee!

Cheers!

Autumn Time

Well, the summer is over and it has been some time since I've written about anything here so I will try and sum up the past few months.

I had been away from tennis due to a torn ligament between the large bones in my hand and after MRIs, rest, ice, ibuprofen and I never got well until I went to physical therapy. I now know why I had tendonitis and wear a brace when I play so all is good on the tennis court.

One of the more exciting events this summer was to meet people who I had befriended on an internet war/strategy game from Australia. We had alliance members from Virginia and Maryland show up to our festive event at the chateau. One of our friends bought two bottles of '97 Dominus which was enjoyed by all. A very generous gift.

I also finally got to meet my (what we call "sitter") and needless to say, we got along very well. A real sweetheart. She brought along a friend and she visited a friend in Idaho and I believe they enjoyed the good ole USA. The final going away dinner was held at Raven Master's house in Ellicott City and I brought along a '95 Haut-Brion for the special occasion and it was quite an amazing bottle of wine. Smooth, complex and downright delicious. It could have held it's weight for another 15-20 years without any problem.

On the football front, the Colts are undefeated at this point at 6-0. Peyton is looking the best he has every played.

Tonight I'm cooking one of Rick Bayless's recipe of Grilled Lamb with Pasilla Peppers and Honey along with some mashed potatoes with bacon, fennel and grainy mustard and some almond green bean. I will match the lamb with the '01 Dead Arm Shiraz and a Barbera to mix things up.

That's about it. Playing tennis, cooking and working.

Cheers everyone,
Dom

Food and Wine

Well, it has been some time since I have posted anything worthwhile so I guess it's worth the effort at this time. What is going on in the wine world and within my own kitchen? First thing is my wrist has been killing me since I played tennis six weeks ago in the Cayman Islands on vacation. Yeeeeoowwwww! I have done all of the remedies, i.e. rest, anti-inflammatories, wore a brace for immobility, lotsa wine, I've done it all and still not 100%. I plan on hitting some balls tonight to see where I am. After hitting, I plan on preparing my infamous Red Snapper Verrazano on the grille paired with a nice Viognier or one of GV's Portuguese whites if it makes it to my office today. I had his recently reviewed '05 Chat Pibarnon Bandol last night and it was wonderful. 95 points? NO, but low 90s for sure.

Any new recipes? A friend just sent me a Mushroom Soup recipe that I need to try. Still awaiting the zucchini blossoms to come in season which should happen pretty soon. I plan on going to the Eastern Market this weekend to see if I can find some there or tomorrow in McLean.

That's about it. The G Man is going to be a Dad soon. The Vayniacs are awaiting with baited breath for the little, I'm betting, girl.

Cheers!

New Wines

Let's see, Wall Street is tanking though the Democratic de-stimulus bill was passed so the best thing to do in these times is either jump off a cliff or drink some good wine. My choice is for the latter and the latest find is a nice red blend called Clayhouse Adobe Red. Inexpensive (less than $15) yet quite enjoyable.

Tomorrow, Friday the 27th, I'm driving down to Washington & Lee to watch Randy's teams play some great tennis. I will spend the night Friday, watch some tennis and return Saturday evening. Since it will be indoors (low 40s temp) it will be alot of fun.

Not much else is going on for now except not one of my label designs for the Vayniac cab made the Top 5. I was pretty bummed about it since the ones that made the cut were, in my opinion, childish and immature but hey, I've been in this business all my life so what would I know?

Cheers!

Football Is Over . . .

. . . thank goodness though the Squealers won. Hatin' life right now. It was a poorly played game with a predictable though somewhat exciting ending. Looking forward to the Washington Capitals this season and hopefully Spring will be here soon so I can start playing tennis.

Not much else is going on in the world other than the poor economy and lack thereof of any cabinet appointee being able to pay their own income taxes! Is anyone vetting these people before they are nominated? And Obama was going to bring "respect" to the WH? You are not starting off so well my friend.

In my other life, i.e. Travian, we are getting close to end game plus I will be dualing on the restart with a very nice lady from Australia. It should be a lot of fun plus I'll get a little bit more sleep not having to worry about being attacked!

It's cold outside, hate it, though I tried to grille a few nights ago with little success.

One final note: I have ten entries in the Vayniac Cab wine label sweepstakes. I don't plan on winning though I hope to make a good showing. Gary will choose the finalists at the end of the February and then it will go to the Vayniac Nation to vote.

Inauguration Overload

Well, it's been some time since my last post so I need to catch up on a few things. One, the inauguration was yesterday and there were masses of people descending upon our fine city and thankfully that only happens every four years. Thank goodness it is finally over. But since this area is sooo "blue" there were even more of them this time. Needless to say, I'm one of the few who was not excited so I'll leave it at that and get onto more fun topics like wine and football.

Gary V reviewed some Canadian wines tonight which looked promising though the problem will be trying to procur any of them anytime soon. But, I will try.

The Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 1 in Tampa Bay between the Pittsburgh Stealers and the Arizona Carnals and again, I could care less (a debacle of a season for the NFL with bogus calls by the refs, unfair scheduling, etc) though it will be a typcial "David vs Goliath" contest. This time Goliath (Stealers) will slay the over-achieving, lucky Cards. Sorry. They don't belong there and this will confirm their mediocre record and not being able to win out of their own state. Yes, they beat Carolina but Carolina (Delhomme specifically) beat the Panthers. Final prediction: Steelers 37 Cards 10 and they get their 10 pts in garbage time.

That's about it. Hatin' life. Dow below 8k, lowest drop on any inauguration in history (what . . . no Obama splurge?) a boring SB to look forward to but I always have Gary V to enlighten and lift up my spirits. Thank goodness for that. Oh yes, the wine label contest for the Vayniac Cab? Alot of good entries so my work is cut out for me. Good luck to all.

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Last night we celebrated New Year 2009 by attending VOLT restaurant in Frederick, MD with our friends Bruce & Mary. We were not overly impressed with the portions and the ambiance though the food was well presented by the roboton staff. The wine pairing for the first three courses (white) were right on but the Zin paired with the lamb was disjointed, hot and awkward.

Though we enjoyed ourselves with our company, I do not believe we will be making the trip back to VOLT. We are not into the nouveau cuisine. Our friend, Bruce, on the way home had to stop at McDonald's since he was still hungry. We should have joined him.

Here's to 2009 and a Colts Super Bowl victory. They are playing the Chargers this weekend in the first round of the playoffs.

GO COLTS!