I am flabbergasted. There I was in the tasting room at Chateau Montelena. I happened to turn to my left and who was standing there but Franco. I had a strange feeling once we parted company in Italy that I would run into him again. Well, better sooner than later. It seems that Franco hit the lottery (for how much he will not say) in France and decided to come to America. He had decided, as had I, to tour the Napa Region. After a short bring-each-other-up-to-date session, we agreed to pool our resources and tour together. Why not, since he had purchased a 2011 Lincoln SUV? Whattasetofwheels!!

Let’s do something different this issue and talk about wine barrels. I have visited hundreds of wineries in my travels and never paid much attention to the ever-present wine barrels. I guess that I took them for granted as something to contain wine while it aged. Shame on me!

A neighbor knocks on your front door. He states that he must go to Sonoma, California on business for 10 days and that he really does not want to go alone. He states that, if you accompany him, it is a trip with all expenses paid and no conditions attached. Believe me when I say that this neighbor just became your new best friend. Fantasy? Of course it is. However Sonoma, and many other wine regions in California, present to the visitor many opportunities for fantasy, including sensational scenery, manicured wineries, quiet and peaceful surroundings and very talented and pleasant people. At the heart of all this is some pretty terrific wine.