Later on November 18th...
Today I begin with purpose to report on the underlying theme for this column...tasty, beautiful, and revered grapes, made into the most intoxicating beverage in the world...wine.

First, I would like to comment on the 2004 Chateneauf du Pape, a vintage worth the praise of perhaps a century, but without question the last 20 years (reference Cecile Giannagelli, owner, President and CEO of finewine.com.

Secondly, I would like to comment on a supple, satisfying and seductive wine from the Green Valley region of Sonoma County. Orogeny (greek, oro -mountain and -geny - birth). I can easily conclude that this little bottle of "Papa Pinot"is worthy of praise, but should definitely enjoyed at home in lou of the restaurant mark-up. Pinot has been a favorite of mine since the beginning of my wine education beginning in 2001 as a young broker at Edward Jones. Typically, a few times a week, we would be courted by mutual fund and annuity wholesalers on the "latest and greatest" in the investment world at the asset management level. While past performance is overrated, the history, character and philosophy of the managers at the helm of millions and billions of dollars is a wealth of information...but I digress.

Orogeny at first smell is a grand representative of the climate and viticultural area, from where it is grown in the Green Valley. A small subappelation next to the larger and more well known Russian River Valley, this bottling shows excellent promise for enjoyable drinking pleasures. A perfect compliment in my opinion, would be to share this wine with friends and high-level, intellectual discussion. Floral aromas are faintly present, but more promiment even than the berries on the nose is the earth. I have great admiration for wines that represent the earth from which it was grown...from soil, to vine; from grape to glass. Hand picked in the early morning, destemmed, fermented in (5) ton open containers with a cold soak and the pressing of skins (3) times daily, this wonderful wine shows promise for cellaring if you wish. With notes of cinnamon, spice, a touch of vanilla, and thyme from 100% french oak, this gem is lucious and would compliment lamb perfectly.

Saturday, November 18th, 5 years, 5 months and 18 hours...
A series of unfortunate events has led me to publish this post today. I remember vividly sitting with John Hughes; my best friend in the whole world, outside of the Tombstone Cafe in Frostburg, Maryland, discussing one of the most important decisions in life...marriage. We spoke at length about the goals and alignment of my future wife and myself. I believe his sister Amie joined us later, but I cannot completely confirm this little detail. However, our discussion clearly led to a contadiction in life goals. At the time, I was a psychology graduate and Sarah was a soon-to-be biochemistry grad from Western Maryland College, now McDaniel (which is a whole other story). I wanted a life of travel and secrecy...I had aspirations of becoming a profiler for the FBI and she a physician assistant, a stable position with a good salary and plenty of opportunity as America's population is continually deteriorating in a downward spiral of medical conditions. In other words, I sought a life of adventure, spontaneity and uncertainty...my future partner in crime, the exact opposite. Differences in personality and personal perceived success make for interesting life experiences, but alignment and the potential for success is disguised in those same differences, and young love. Today I am supposed to be on a plane to Barcelona for Thanksgiving vacation with my wife of the aforementioned timeframe to today's post; however, I sit in Barley and Hops, my favorite local establishment writing to the world in solitude, and suprisingly; contentment.

Friday, November 3rd...
Today I am catching up...as I haven't written in a week or two, so on to catching up...
I have several prospects for 2007
-starting on my journey to becoming a sommelier, and hopefully a Master of Wine
-attending Stern School of Business at NYU
-attending wine school at UCDavis...the other respected school is in Dijon, France (I don't speak French)
-attending Genetic Counseling School (top pick, JHU, secondary, UCIrvine)
-Building a winery in either Walla Walla, WA, or Mendoza, Argentina...what to pick...two growing seasons perhaps.
Eventually, I would like to build wine communities. Permanent residents and visitors, ofcourse. The end to my means...a Flying Enologist with big dreams.

I have lofty goals, but who doesn't...and America is the place that everyone in the world dreams of living to establish and realize their own dreams and goals. Many people would classify the American as purchasing a home. Luckily, I have already done that just recently, I am closing on November 9th.

I attended a wine festival recently in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, with the main attraction being hot air baloons. Saturday was a success, however, Sunday was not suitable. It looked as though the morning fog would lift, and they would be able to get off the ground, but no dice...I instead took in some great Virginia wines, took a ride in a monster truck through the farm and had my first experience with a segway, what an awesome tecnological spectacle, and a fun ride yet to boot. An older gentleman purchased it simply to provide others with pleasure of the experience, but I found it pleasing on a much higher plane.

Yesterday, I finished an exam on the basics of metabolism, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and ionic bonds. The time limit was not conducive for finishing, but I have great respect for my professor, a wonderful person from Sierra Leone, Africa. I just found out last night that his wife is a math professor and his daughter is an NBA cheerleader...it would be interesting to meet her...

But I digress. The prior Thursday, October 26th, I tasted some of the best wine at least from the last 20 years, and perhaps a century from the Chateneauf du Pape region of France. My favorite was one from the Mount Olivet vineyard. The region has been shunned for some time but has recently been highlighted in the Wine Spectator as an up and coming region. Well, no up and coming...it was spectacular!...and while not yet formally rated, the current vintage release from 2004 shows a continuity of quality acroos the board that is truly something to be tresured.

My true focus for this blog is to highlight and/or properly represent my journey thru the aforementioned goals...a tough task, and certainly some less than proper posts along the way, but fortunately, I have found a solace in my affinity to enjoy writing this column for all to see and enjoy. So live it up, as I embrace life on the edge, because otherwise, your chances of realizing your dreams are slim if you compomise current circumstances in lou of following your dreams...

I pray that I may inspire others to live life with no regrets...

Signing off, the Maryland wine guy, budding sommelier, future real estate mogul via wine communites, and hopefully someday, a wine mogul and respected consultant worldwide in the business as a flying enologist. Enjoy the ride!