I had a great time last night swilling wine. 1995 was a great vintage. We drank wines from France, California, and Spain. My favorite wine of the entire night we drank after most of the people had left. Michael invited some people down into his cellar to select two more wines to consume. One of them was a 1995 Gigondas. I have one bottle of that wine left, and I may drink it next week when I have Michael and Cindy over for her birthday.
I had been looking forward to this tasting, not just for the wines, but for seeing Tom Burns again. Tom is a specialist in Roman history who teaches at Emory University. He has been on the History Channel a few times. I wanted to discuss a few things with him.
I asked him if he had seen any of the HBO series, Rome. He had watched one episode and had turned it off in disgust.
He has read the Colleen McCullouch Masters of Rome series and he agreed with me on how well she had researched her history. He liked the series as much as I.
We talked about the late empire and he informed me that he had written a book covering that period. I found it on Amazon and will order it soon. It is on my wish list so Cindy may get it for me for my birthday.
Another guy at the party and I discussed restaurants. It turns out he had eaten at the Palace Cafe in Nawlins, and had eaten the crab cheesecake that I am gonna attempt to make this weekend.
I slept in this morning, for obvious reasons. We killed about 26 bottles of wine. There were about 24 people there and the women didn't drink as much as the men, so the men wound up drinking more than a bottle each. This was spread out over six hours. I live close by so I didn't have any problems getting home.
Nothing to rant about and I haven't seen this week's episode of Rome yet. I'll watch it tonight and see what else they screw up.
Posted by denny at October 10, 2005 08:27 PMDenny,
McCullogh's Rome series was great, up until the last couple of Caesar novels. Lord, I wish she'd do some late Empire stuff.
Let me know what the title of your friend's book is, it sounds like it needs to go on my must read list. Gibbon is OK, but I can only handle 50 pages or so at a time - it's better than Ambien, in some respects.
Glad you had a good time at the tasting - although I've got to admit, Red Wine gives me the worst hangover of anything I've ever imbibed.
Donnie
Posted by: Donnie on October 10, 2005 09:08 PMOff the subject, but...
Some of you said I was an "idiot" for mentioning the ex-Cubs factor dooming the Braves. Braves cruising, up 6-1 in the 8th, and Bobby Cox brings in ex-Cub Kyle Farnsworth. He gives up a grand slam in the 8th inning and solo homer in the 9th tying the game 6-6, and Houston went on to win 7-6, Braves season over. FYI, I also said the Cardinals would sweep the Padres. It'll be White Sox vs. Cardinals in the World Series, and the STL Cardinals win in 7 games, a great way to end the old Busch Stadium and christen the new one (even though game 7 will be played in U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago).
Totally off topic, but you were linked by Mike Adams. Thought you might get a kick out of it.
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/mikeadams/2005/10/10/170815.html
Posted by: mt on October 10, 2005 10:16 PMWine tasting...stimulating conversation ... I think I miss civilization ...
Speaking of ordering books from Amazon. I've been buying "used." Great bargains. All books have been new or nearly new condition.
Posted by: vicki on October 10, 2005 11:19 PMRob - We had the television on with the sound off. We saw the trainwreck unfold.
Posted by: Denny on October 10, 2005 11:34 PMWine. Rome. Great minds...
One of these days I'm going to have to write about some of the Serious-Ass Winy Dinners I used to go to in Houston, back in the day. You would've appreciated them.
Posted by: Elisson on October 10, 2005 11:58 PMSounds like a fun night.
You don't need to rant any more, now that you have your Autorantic Virtual Moonbat, it can do all of that for you.
Posted by: W.T.F on October 11, 2005 11:26 AMDid you get my comment?
It was nice and yet you totally ignored it??
Is there a problem?
I have been reading your blog every day for over a year now and just wanted you to know that I really appreciate your humor and insight.
Cheers, Polly
Posted by: Polly Esterhaer on October 12, 2005 05:56 PMPolly - Sorry. What comment was that? I don't see it on this thread. Was it on another?
Posted by: Denny on October 12, 2005 06:51 PMIt was in this thread.... sheesh... maybe I didnt hit the submit button properly on the first comment??
Anyways... no worries... all I said was that I have been a fan of your blog for over a year now but have just "lurked"..... I thought perhaps it was time to let you know how much I enjoy your comments and all your funny cartoons etc etc.
And I also totally agree with you about the "Rome" series.....I have read a lot about history and ancient civilizations.... and it was not accurate at all.
Cheers!! from a Canadian Fan!!
Polly :)
Posted by: Polly Esterhaer on October 12, 2005 11:34 PM