Fun for wine geeks......

Wine Spectator has a few fun games for wine geeks.

"What Am I Tasting?" http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Wine_Basics/Tasting_Game/0,1189,,00.html
The Jan 4th one is something I will likely never taste....

A deep, vinous style, with understated power and grace. The lemon verbena, toast and honey aromas and flavors are propelled by the well-integrated structure and fine bubbles. There's just a hint of greenness, marking its youthful impetuosity. Has great length.

It lets you guess varietal, country, age, appelation, then tells you what you got right, then gives you a step by step tutorial on how to figure it out. This particular wine was....

It's the Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Le Mesnil 1996, which was rated 95 points in our Dec. 31, 2007, issue. It retails for $350, and 840 cases were imported into the United States.


There's also also Name That Wine....where you match up wines with descriptions.
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Wine_Basics/Rating_Game/0,3909,,00.html

1) -->A balanced and fruity red, with hints of vanilla and chocolate. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Drink now. 300 cases made.
2) -->Crisp but straightforward, working the acid and citrus peel bitterness side of the flavor equation. Tangy finish. Drink now. 14,000 cases made.
3) -->Tight and firm, with a mix of cedary oak, dill, herb and dried cherry fruit that leaves you hoping for a little more flesh and depth. Drink now through 2010. 299 cases made.
4) -->Simple and light, with some citrus and mineral character. Flat. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 12,000 cases made.

Match 1-4 with the following wines....
A) -->2004 Enrico Pierazzuoli Carmignano Le Farnete Riserva
B) -->2004 Hugel Pinot Blanc Alsace Cuvée Les Amours
C) -->2005 Roessler Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict
D) -->2004 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Soave

Answers....
1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D (normally the answers aren't quite in order)

Anyway, fun...but I'm not very good. I managed to get 50% of each question right though, so I guess I can at least guess ok. ;)

Regifting rule #1- don't regift personalized items

Its hard to believe anyone would be this stupid and classless:

DEAR ABBY: I was married in November, and one of my co-workers, "Brooke," attended the ceremony. Her gift to me was a vase. When we opened the box, my husband and I discovered that the vase was engraved with Brooke's and her husband's names and their wedding date. Tucked inside the vase was a card from the couple who had given it to them for their wedding.
How should I handle this? Should I return the vase to her, or ignore it and give it to Goodwill? -- JENNIFER IN PORT ORCHARD, WASH.

Dear Abby's answer was great though....

DEAR JENNIFER: Neither. Remove the card, re-wrap the gift, and give it to Brooke on her next anniversary.