it's not a party

... until someone throws up.

Yes, that's right. Saturday was our first-ever Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon release weekend. (The new vintage -- the 03 SLD -- is a wine to cellar. Lots of spice and tannins.) This was a big event for us -- the first time we've thrown a big party for the release of this Cab. (We always celebrate the Reserves, but until now, never the SLD.) I ended up working a 12-hour day, which is why I'm at home in my pajamas right now.

Anyway, on Saturday afternoon, we had a fancy barbecue (beef, lamb and veggie burgers with all the trimmings, including at least five types of cheese, applewood smoked bacon and fancy sauces) for everyone -- consumers, trade, media, etc. And then in the evening, we had a multi-course dinner with library wines (92 and 87 SLD Cabs -- so yummy!) just for trade and media.

And after the dinner, someone barfed in the parking lot.

I guess that's how you know it was a good party, right?

I might have to reconsider religion

We had a hot date last night. In Chickenland, this can only mean an evening at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

We saw Cheap Trick (headline entertainers -- free with fair admission!), played a carnival game (I won), shared a deep-fried Twinkie on a stick (it sounds gross, but this creation is pure genius, trust me), touched a Kenyan sand boa at the reptile exhibit (this also sounds gross but it wasn't) and admired the 4-H swine (which were so cute that I now feel guilty about my barbecue obsession).

But the best part was the community competitions. I love the weirdness of the contest categories, like the table-setting competition, for example. (And of course, a first-place ribbon went to the Fourth of July-themed table. Chickenlandians are apparently very patriotic.) There's also the scrapbooking competition, the "best collection" competition (one entry was a glass case full of cat figurines -- love it) and numerous art competitions, from ceramics to watercolor to photography.

And since this year's fair theme is "Grape Expectations," some of the artwork incorporated wine-related images and items.

Like corks. Arranged by 5-year-olds to represent specific scenes, such as "Camping" and "Car Racing."

Or, say, "Jesus and His Followers."

Which makes perfect sense. Because that's exactly what I think of when I open a bottle of wine: "Hallelujah -- I am saved!"

let me count the ways

On Sunday, we had it crusted in panko and fried. On Tuesday, he made it with daal. On Wednesday, I sliced it thin, rolled it up in a wrapper and turned it into lumpia. Last night, we put it on the grill.

This is what happens when the squash plants in your garden are very, very productive.

summer sipper

It's been hot here. The cats are shedding like crazy. And I find myself in the basement/garage, digging through our wine collection in search of something white and refreshing.

Drink of choice: Domaine de Bel Air 2004 Pouilly Fumé. It's a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. Lots of pear and green apple on the nose. In the mouth, good minerality, good acidity and a nice tart apple finish. Yum.

good hiding place

This morning I found a spider's egg sack tucked into my driver's side mirror. I like spiders. I left it there. And then I ran my errands, which included a car wash.

And the egg sack survived.

Well done, Mama Spider, well done.