It’s My Birthday

61 years ago on July 22nd, my Mom gave birthday to a healthy 8 lb girl who loved to eat. I’m not kidding, from a young age, I loved to eat. The proof is in the pudding, or should I say the fat rolls

At 10 months old and weighing in at a whopping 36 pounds, my family doctor put me on my first diet. You can’t make this shit up.

In 1981, a shy young girl walked into a radio station to start a 2-week internship. 42 years later, I’m still in the business. I started out as an announcer and in 1990 started in the sales division.

Even though I work behind the scenes now, I’ve been known to help out with voicing every once in a while.

My love of wine is enhanced by my love of travel. I have been blessed to meet people from all over the globe in my travels. From Hawaii to Italy, from Aruba to France, travelling is a big adventure for me. I have also travelled across Canada twice, from St. John’s Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, and every where in between.

Also part of the adventure was becoming a Certified Sommelier in 2017. That journey started with my love of wine and wanting to learn more.

When I moved to Halifax 11 years ago, it was also a great way to meet new people, who like me, loved wine. Through my love of wine and doing wine tastings, I have met some amazing people.

Since it’s my birthday, I’m going to share my favorite treat wines.

A friend of my friend Angie, received a bottle of this wine from his son for his birthday. They wanted my opinion. I told him it was the best wine I’ve ever had from Napa Valley. I think it’s my overall favorite. My brother-in-law Craig bought a bottle when he was up in March, and WOW! Complex, full-bodied, hints of woodsmoke, I absolutely loved this wine. When you could get it here, it was about $75 a bottle. Worth every penny. This is the winery that won for best Cabernet Sauvignon in the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris.

My friends Shane & Ken had me over for dinner and introduced me to a couple of great wines. They have excellent taste in wine.

In addition to the Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel, I got to try this beauty.

The Austin Hope Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon by the Hope Family Wines, was a surprise treat. I love wines from Paso Robles, I think that part of California makes a great wine. Owner and winemaker Austin Hope says “The goal is simple: to make wines that express everything Paso Robles has to offer, with its pastoral beauty, perfect soils, maritime climate and limitless possibility.” It’s a treat at $75 a bottle here in Halifax, but so good.

And last but not least, again compliments of my brother-in-law Craig, Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel, which my Mom and I enjoyed Mother’s Day weekend, when she was up visiting.

I love Zinfandel. And Caymus makes one of the best.

Chuck Wagner, and his two children Jenny and Charlie are busy with many brands they are responsible for, including Conondrum and Mer Soleil. This full-bodied Zinfandel has been given ratings from 93-Points to 95 Points. Zinfandel, called the perfect wine for BBQ, won’t disappoint.

Although I am going through Cancer treatments, I find myself very grateful. I have a wonderful family, the most amazing friends, and my work family is just that, family. My last chemo pills for this round will be taken tomorrow. I have booked a trip home to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, leaving on August 3rd. I get a break from all treatments for a few weeks. Then there is more testing to see next steps. I’m looking forward to the break, and I’m looking forward to having an ice cream in this heat. The neuropathy makes it impossible to have ice cream while on chemo. I’m feeling great, and I’m very optimistic for the future.

Thank you everyone for reading. Till next week, Cheers

Darlene