Goodbye, 2020!
As we wrap up this bump of a year, let’s have a little celebratory wine or apple juice (depending on your audience) to celebrate this HUGE accomplishment.
WE MADE IT!
Maybe, watch Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen giggle during the NYE broadcast as a toast to moving on, because that pretty much equals perfection or a train wreck, either way, it’s a celebration.
As I look back and reflect on 2020, it seems we lived a lifetime in just 365 days.
I want to start with saying, I pray you and your family are healthy.
I don’t know about you, but I look forward to taking a flight again without a mask, and not worrying that the person next to me is carrying a deadly virus. Also, drinking wine in a bar and walking around the city without the worry of bumping someone, or standing too close, because it won’t matter…someday (sigh).
Let’s not get depressed here, snap out of it! Let’s move on and remember, we have lots to be thankful for. For starters, my kids are thankful for sleeping in, doing school in PJ’s (who can tell), gym (I mean, you tube videos?), and the endless snack time during school. Apparently, they aren’t concerned about the quarantine 15!
The wine world wasn’t untouched by 2020. Burgundy saw its earliest harvest, which isn’t the best news. Champagne, had one of the lowest yielding harvests this century, and California and Oregon had fires- AGAIN.
The ‘glass fire’ reeked some serious damage in Northern California, not only destroying vineyards and wineries (Burgess Cellars, Chateau Boswell, Meadowood restaurant, Cain winery & vineyard, Newton, the edges of Failla), but wineries were also unable to use grapes that survived, due to “smoke taint” (Euclid’s, Howell Mountain grapes sadly got lost to “smoke taint”.)
Quick Study: “Smoke taint” is most damaging during harvest, which is when this fire started. Grape skins are thinner, more swollen, juicy and prone to the film of smoke attacking the volatile phenolic compounds in the grape. Most of the flavor of wine comes from the phenolic parts of the grape, which is why “smoke taint” is a big issue. “Smoke taint”, cannot wash off grapes and the ‘taint’ becomes prevalent during fermentation. Basically, you don’t want this flavor. Can you imagine taking care of a vine for 365 days, to see it lost to “smoke taint”?
No? Me either. Just add this to the list of 2020 statistics. I can’t imagine how any winemaker goes on. But, they do!
The wine world had its own “Me too” movement when an article published by the New York Times accused, The Court of Master of Sommeliers of sexual harassment. This led to Geoff Kruth being put on leave at Guild Somm following an external investigation. Chris Tanghe is now the interim executive director. On a personal note, I have met Chris, and I think he is a perfect fit for the job! Congrats! Thank you for all the women who stepped forward with their stories! Bravo.
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/dining/drinks/court-of-master-sommeliers-sexual-harassment-wine.html
Personally, this year started out with such promise. I was moving on from 2019 with cancer treatment underway, already grateful for my family and friends that surround me. I was taking every kids activity “AKA” my job as an uber driver in stride, taking time to listen to my kids complain, laugh, gossip, and enjoying the endless trips around town. My Life was being “well lived”.
January started off with a bang, which seems like ten years ago now. After a million years (slight exaggeration) of studying with the WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust), I was finally receiving my diploma at Guild Hall in London. Jeff, my hubby, came along with me, and we decided on a short trip to Douro Valley along the way. Not a bad idea, right?
Portugal exceeded my expectations. What a stunning country, with both Porto and Douro Valley outshining each other. I can’t wait to go back. In fact, I was planning a little trip with friends in October, which got sidelined by this pesky virus. Portugal, has much more to offer than Port, although, my love affair for tawny port continues. The country is worth searching out for wine, both red and white. Let me know where else I should visit when travel is OK again.
Receiving diploma from Steven Spurrier at the WSET ceremony in London!
London was a quick tour also, where I was not only handed by diploma by Steven Spurrier, but got a tour of Berry Brothers & Rudd, got to see my friend Amanda (of around the world in 80 harvests)https://aroundtheworldin80harvests.com, got upgraded at the hotel due to some random diplomat taking hostage of the elevator, and saw my hubbys 105-year-old Grandmother. Phew. I hold on to every one of these memories, because it was the last time life was “normal”.
Upgrade at the Savoy. (long story)
Enjoying dinner with my friend Amanda of 80 harvests!
My kids, like many across the country abruptly ended school, and went to “home learning”, I would call it remote, but our district was caught without a plan, and there was no “online” learning, just assignments given, and lots of tears. Our daily life revolved around the Cuomo briefing, and news from friends and family on how they were surviving. My kids middle and elementary school graduation came and went without fanfare, all in the midst of the east coast struggling with the pandemic. Friends of mine who are doctors and nurses, got the brunt of the virus, and are my personal hero’s. Thank You!
When we all emerged from our cocoons a few months later, hopeful for the best, we used words like, “bleach”, “wipes”, “social distancing”, “pods” “6 feet”, and “mask-up” like pros, and slowly life seemed to be almost normal again.
Now, we find ourselves closing this year out with a nervous anxiousness of what lies ahead. Will the clock tick over to 2021, and we suddenly find ourselves back to normal or will this speedbump in the world continue to be a hurdle in 2021? Will we continue to be well versed on Netflix and Hulu?
In the wine world, I look forward to; traveling again, meeting up with Amanda Barnes, the new wine store in town, Grape Collective, the new rose Prosecco, tasting new Burgundys, a visit to Oregon (again), a visit to Napa to see Mike of Euclid and go oak barrrell tasting and basically just exploring new wine.
I am personally thankful that this year I could spend more time with my family and friends. Enjoy, slow down, think, be mindful, read, laugh, cook, bake and of course, drink good wine. As we close out this year, I hope I can carry over the JOY I found in keeping things simple. I have so much to be thankful for, and I don’t ever want to forget that.