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No one that has drunk old wine wants new; for he says, "The old is nice."

~Luke 5:39

I would like to spend some time speaking of a hobby I have developed. I spent some time in Italy a while ago (not that I had to mention that, the only people that read this blog were there with me) and developed a taste for the fruit of the vine. During my travels I tasted wine from many different regions in Italy, Umbria, Abbruzzo, Montepulciano, and the famous Chianti. In fact I took a fantastic trip with some friends via taxi through the heart of Chianti in search of vineyards and the perfect glass. Due to a few too many glasses the night prior, we struggled through the winding roads of Chianti, at least until we found a cafe for a panini and a capuccino. On that trip we discovered a quaint vineyard, Panzanello. It was here where I tasted what I still consider the best glass of wine I have ever tasted. The Panzanello Chianti Classico Reserva 2001. I bought a bottle and a bottle of the Chianti Classico 2002. I opened the '02 the night I asked Abbey to be my wife. Upon tasting this wine, my memories were confirmed. This wine was absolutely exquisite. I am saving the '01 for our one year anniversary. It will join the other bottles I have accrued over the past two years until that date. The stars being: two The Chocolate Block 2003, one Constant 2001 cabernet sauvignon, one Girard 2003 petite syrah, and of course Panzanello Chianti Classico Reserva 2001. I don't know when I will drink these bottles, perhaps I will wait for the perfect occasion for the corking of the Constant (which holds the highest dollar value at $80.00/bottle) or one day grab it on my way out the door to a fast food restaurant as Paul Giamatti discovered to be the perfect place for his vintage bottle, a 1961 Cheval Blanc, in Sideways.
Whenever these bottle find there way onto my palate, I am sure they will be splendid. Besides the financial repercussions of the hobby, I can't think of more enjoyable way to pass the time than sipping on delicious bottle of red.