Zinfandel tasting party

In May (yes I am a bit behind in the blogging) we had a Zinfandel tasting party.
Our friends, Bill and Kim, Michele and Beck and his parents came by.
The winner was by Rancho Zabago and the second place wine was by Gnarly Head.
I discovered that I actually like Zin. Never knew it.
I think our next party will either be for Pino Grigio or Rioja.

U.S. Blood and Guts!

For the last week and a half, I have been all-soccer, all the time. The World Cup is in full swing, and for the Italian team that means swinging elbows, as U.S. forward Brian McBride's face can attest.

After the first U.S. game vs. the Czech Republic, where our boys were shellac'ed 3-0 and looked to be on the way to an early exit, most everybody predicted that the Italians (who, let's face it, are pretty damn good at soccer) would crush us like Chianti grapes. Italian midfielder and resident pretty boy Totti was quoted as saying he was too busy getting his hair done to watch the U. S. Czech game. Well, since he was totally ineffectual and got subbed around minute 30, maybe next time he'll watch.

I've never seen the U.S. team show so much grit and determination, and the 1-1 tie with the pasta eaters leaves us in good shape to advance to the round of 16. If we can beat Ghana (we should) and Italy can beat the Czechs (they should) on Thursday, we're golden.

It hurts me to say it, but Go Italy!