“Wine brings to light the hidden secrets of the soul, gives being to our hopes, bids the coward flight, drives dull care away, and teaches new means for the accomplishment of our wishes.” — Horace

Our daughter and her husband celebrate their love at a beach in Hawaii.

“Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.” — Anonymous.

How true this is! Wine has been center stage in almost all the events of my life.  Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon  was poured for Marla when I tried to impress her with my somewhat limited cooking skills on early dates. I paid $4.95 a bottle for it which was a big lift on my small salary at the time. Through the years wine has played a wonderful role in celebrations, with friends, and in travels throughout the world.

The juice of the noblest grape is poured at all our family gatherings. The clan gathers at Vail’s Game Creek Club.

Our introduction to the world of Champagne began many years ago. Our friend Pierre Sainz and his family own “Andre Clouet”  Champagne in the town of Bouzy, France. He is pouring some of their fabulous rose Champagne, my favorite! He took us down to their ancient 17th century wine cellar under their home. Their son, Jean-Francois, has now taken over the reigns and travels the world to promote his family’s Champagne house.

“Ah,,,,Champagne!”

Some have said there should always be Champagne and ….dancing girls at a wedding!

There is nothing like some nice wine to get the conversation energized at client events. Top photo is with Wesco Fabric interior designer clients at La Fontelina Beach Club in Capri. Bottom shot is at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel in Bali.

One of my favorite enjoyments on European cycling tours is a fabulous dinner after a long and hard day riding! While riding in Umbria I treated my good friend Philippe for dinner at Ristorante Le Melograne at Hotel Tre Vaselle in Torgiano. It was my turn as he is always treating me! “Hey, that’s MY dessert!” I still remember the wine we enjoyed: 2005 Rubesco Vigna Monticchio from Lungarotti. “Yumm!”

Philippe and Kathy always serve Champagne and a red wine from the Ardeche region like a Cornas or a Saint-Joseph when we visit Paris. Marla is very happy as you can tell!

Wine surprises are everywhere.  One year while staying on Phuket Island in Thailand, we had dinner with Vicomte & Vicomtesse Vignial at their son’s restaurant. We have stayed at the Vignial’s Chateau de la Flocelliere in the French Vendee region on a few occasions and hosted a client trip there as well. 

Irene Turner and Ron Welsh served Marla and I an incredible Pinot Noir on a visit last year in Sonoma County.

There is nothing better than drinking Champagne in the vineyard of “Andre Clouet”. I was very close to just setting up a tent and camping out in their vineyard…with a few bottles of course!

I do not know anyone more hospitable or more nice than our good friend Alex and her husband Chris. We met Alex and her brother Jean-Francois when she was just 12 years old while on holiday in Cannes. Later she worked for us at Wesco Fabrics in Denver for a year and Marla introduced her to her husband Chris. Alex and Chris have hosted fabulous dinners for my entire family over the years on visits to the Bay area.  Of course Champagne is always served from her family’s company, Andre Clouet. She is surprising Marla with a birthday cake. Alex sells products to wine producers in Sonoma County.

Years ago Marla and I sold vintage posters in our Denver Wesco Fabrics’ showroom. It was always exciting to find great posters at the Marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen in the outskirts of Paris. Marla and I are taking a lunch break before plunging back into the myriad of shops in the market.

Speaking of vintage posters we used to sell the 1922 “Veuve Amiot” by Cappiello when we could find them. While driving through Saumur France we dropped by their headquarters and picked up a few bottles. It was wonderful to see they were still in business!

Lunch at the iconic La Tour D’Argent is without a doubt one of the finest dining experiences ever! Claiming to date back to the 16th century, this restaurant was a favorite of king and emperors over the years. It was here that France’s King Henri III apparently used a fork for the first time in the 1500s, forever changing the way the French (and Dick Gentry) eat. Their wine cellar boasts at least 350,000 bottles with over 14,000 selections! After reading through the voluminous 400 page wine list we settled for a modest bottle from the up-and-coming Languedoc region. Amazing experience in every way and I highly recommend it! Lunch is the best value.

Marla gave me an assignment many years ago. She said I should create something very romantic for our showroom window using Wesco Fabrics’ most exotic fabrics. This was the final result and I think it would be perfect for a special over-the-top romantic evening. I placed a magnum of “Perrier- Jouet Belle Epoque Champagne next to the table to add to the table design.

An alfresco evening of new cycling friends, local Tuscan cuisine, and fine wines.

Most travelers to Marrakech bring home memories of exploring the souks, enchanting accommodations in riads, and great regional cuisine. I concur with all of this and I will add the discovery of Moroccan wines! We totally loved this evening at Riad Kniza , the beautiful tangine dinner,…and surprisingly nice Moroccan wine.

A special wine for a special birthday. Of course all birthdays are special!

While at a wine tasting in magical Montalcino I found magnums and double magnums of all my VERY favorite Tuscan wines. There was “Masseto” (Something I will have with a winning lottery ticket at over $600 for a regular size bottle.), “Ornellaia”, “Solaia” ( one of my very favorites!) and a “Sassicaia.” All dream Super Tuscan wines!

Our girls and their “Grammy” loved chatting, laughing, sharing stories about the family, and raising a glass to life!

Vail Colorado’s “Sweet Basil” is our favorite luncheon spot for a long delicious lunch with a great wine.

“Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget his toil.” — Lord Byron

Life so far has been an incredible RED, WHITE,…and ROSE adventure!