Nothing is better than smoked aged gouda on crackers and a light italian valpolicella on a fall night. So good!

Happy birthday, Rod!

Label: Carmen Reserve
Country: Chile
Grape: Merlot
Year: 2002
Price: 21.50 NSLC
Date enjoyed: Sept. 15, 2006
Thoughts: We used it to top up our Chilean merlot that we're brewing downstairs for Christmas. It's an *extremely* dry, full-bodied merlot. It's quite oaky with a lot of cassis and maybe pear? on the palate. I'd say it's more of a dessert wine, although we had it with poutine. A bit too rich (although take note: st. hubert's poutine gravy is the best outside of quebec, and vegan so your veggie friends can enjoy, too!) in my opinion, but something that would really work with steaks or stronger cheeses. Mmmm... stronger cheeses....

So Rod and I bottled our Fall Beer last night. It's a brown ale -- any suggestions for a name? -- and tastes pretty good for a flat, warm, not-finished beer. Very nutty.

Seriously, any name suggestions?