Merry Christmas!

The big day has arrived and Santa's been and gone for another year - he always starts in New Zealand then takes off to continue his deliveries in other parts of the world.

The most amazing vinous gift I received this year was a bottle each of Buller's Rare Tokay and Rare Muscat, which should be fabulous with the cake or as a blood warming tipple to aid the big after-meal nap - although if we don't open them, they are not gong to suffer. It might be better to wait until our 'Mid Winter Christmas' feast in the middle of next year.

As our family lunch with all the trimmings was held on Sunday and we are not driving anywhere today, we are going to pig out on sea food with Alaskan crab, Pacific Rose prawns and New Zealand scallops taking a starring role. I've some fresh asparagus for an interlude course. Then then duck confit with new potatoes, baby beetroot and Neil's fresh salad greens from the garden. Dessert is all fresh fruit, mainly pineapple, watermelon and strawberries which will be laced with tangelo and Thai basil.

No doubt there will be a delicious Pinot Noir and a mind blowing Chardonnay to accompany lunch (still not chosen) and I've a red bubbles to try with the Duck confit. But I'm most looking forward to opening a very special late harvest Gewurztraminer from Fromm Wineries in Marlborough.

Mere Kirihimete as they say in New Zealand Maori. That's Merry Christmas to you and you and you and yes, to you.

Cheers,
Sue

[David M. Bueker]

No fair, you got your presents first!!!

But seriously,Merry Chrsitmas! I'm making a Christmas Eve stew right now with some Nicolas Potel Volnay Vieilles Vignes.

Merry (belated) Christmas to you and Neil too Sue, The big day is still a night away here, but the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. I have a 6lb beef rib roast ready to go along with about 5 pounds of pork loin, tomorrow morning I will fire up my grill and get her warmed to about 370F and set the meat(s) to roasting. about an hour later I will put 5 big baking potatoes to cooking on the grill, and try to time them to all get done at the same time. I hope Santa was good to both of you, and that he also left you happy and healthy to start the new year.

No fair, you got your presents first!!!

Well, not quite, David, here in Sweden the tradition is to open the presents already on Christmas Eve!

But seriously,Merry Christmas! I'm making a Christmas Eve stew right now with some Nicolas Potel Volnay Vieilles Vignes.

You are making a stew with Potel Volnay Vieilles Vignes in it! Now that must be a fine stew!

No doubt there will be a delicious Pinot Noir

Let us hear about the Pinot, Sue!

Merry Christmas, all of you!
Anders

Merry Christmas Sue,

Only our kids have enjoyed their Christmas Eve gifts so far. Our tradition is to let the kids open 1 gift early and the rest on Christmas morning. We will have a nice dinner of shrimp and special mixed hors de oeuvres. I am pairing it with 2004 riesling kabinett - Gunderloch.

For Christmas dinner - herb roasted leg of lamb with a 2000 bordeaux.

Your Christmas feast sounds absolutely scrumptious.

[David M. Bueker]

But seriously,Merry Christmas! I'm making a Christmas Eve stew right now with some Nicolas Potel Volnay Vieilles Vignes.

You are making a stew with Potel Volnay Vieilles Vignes in it! Now that must be a fine stew!

It was either that or use my mother-in-law's "Burgundy Cooking Wine" (what the recipe she asked me to make called for). I chose a noble sacrifice.

Merry Christmas, all. My sister, her husband, and my brother just left. While I can't claim that my pasta with roast chicken and tomato sauce was anything gourmet, a good time was had by all. One of the local rural valleys lines their roadsides with candles, so we went and ldrove the luminaria route (my Subaru has permanent day time driving lights though, so we couldn't dim the headlights). My basenji even stopped snarking at my sister's more "aggressive" lab puppy, so (absent double accidents from her puppies-oh well, that's what a carpet shampooer is for!) it was very nice!

It was either that or use my mother-in-law's "Burgundy Cooking Wine" (what the recipe she asked me to make called for). I chose a noble sacrifice.

A noble sacrifice indeed, David! I hope at least some of the wine found its way into your glass too!

And which even nobler Burgundy did you have to match the stew then?

Merry Christmas,
Anders

[David M. Bueker]

It was either that or use my mother-in-law's "Burgundy Cooking Wine" (what the recipe she asked me to make called for). I chose a noble sacrifice.

A noble sacrifice indeed, David! I hope at least some of the wine found its way into your glass too!

And which even nobler Burgundy did you have to match the stew then?

Merry Christmas,
Anders

Much of the Volnay reached my glass. That's what I drank with the meal.