Wine Tasting - Saturday April 2nd 2016

Weekly Wine Tasting
Saturday, April 2
with Doug Rankin of
Missing Link wine co.


Redentore Prosecco 2015 $19.99/215
Created to honor the Festa del Redentore, an extravagant festival featuring stunning fireworks and sumptuous gourmet feasts held in the romantic Venice lagoon every July, this Prosecco is pale straw in color and has a fine, persistent mousse, with aromas of apples and pears, along with sweet citrus fruit and some hints of jasmine. This is the perfect aperitif, ideal with light dishes such as pasta, fresh cheeses, and of course the perfect sparkle for any occasion.

Jigsaw Williamate Valley Pinot Noir 2014 $19.99/215
 The aromatic entry yields notes of blackcap raspberry and cacao, and the wine is a deep garnet hue in the glass. On the palate, lush flavors of black cherry and spice are interwoven with an elegant mineral vein. Fine, velveteen tannins and a hint of salted caramel give weight and fullness to a savory mid-palate. The wine finishes long and supple with flavors of sarsaparilla and sweet earth.


Tintero Rosso N.V $9.99/119.88
A fantastic everyday wine, quite refined and structured for its modest price, with bright fruit on the nose and palate; medium dryness with a hint of spice on the finish. A delightful mix of Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and a splash of Cabernet Franc skillfully blended into an affordable, crowd-pleasing red - great to bring to a party even if you don't know what's on the menu!

La Querce Seconda Chianti Classico 2011 $21.99/240
Made from organically grown grapes and hand harvested at very low yields of about 2.5 tons per hectare, the wine is left to ferment naturally in stainless steel before it is moved to 10-year-old, 2000 liter French oak tonneau. This painstaking treatment results in incredible depth of flavor, structure, and class. The nose is beautifully harmonious; complex with notes of red fruit, currant, plum, spice, light balsamic, and eucalyptus. The palate reconfirms these characters along with a remarkable structure of integrated tannins, acidity, and a long, well- balanced finish. Enjoy this wine with rustic Tuscan fare, game, firm Pecorino, or tomato based dishes.

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Hartford Flavor Company 
Wild Moon Liqueurs 

Birch     $21.99
The nose is greeted first by the heady aroma of a root beer float: full, creamy, and sweet, followed by images of springtime New England woods full of damp earth and fresh hints of spring.  Classic birch smoothness hits the tongue with a sweetness that is mellowed by a touch of spice.  Fiery amber soothes the throat in a manner reminiscent of a scotch stripped of its burn yet still retaining a touch of peat and a hint of vanilla.  The full bodied, rich taste ends with a sassafrass finish.

Chai Spice     $21.99
Pop the cork to the welcoming smell of holiday spice and tropical breezes. Warm gold envelops first the nose and then the taste buds. Cinnamon and spiced honey at the onset rounded by notes of ginger and exotic spices. Full bodied heat dissipates, leaving the delicate flavor of cardamom to demand another sip.
While all of our flavors are chock-full of revitalizing effects, few rival the extensive array of medicinal properties that come with Chai Spice tea.  While the term “chai tea” is redundant, as chai literally means tea in several languages, chai spice in all its unified glory will do your body good.  It is made up of a concoction of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, clove, and black pepper.  Each of these elements has their own unique curative properties.  Most commonly, they aid in digestion, boost the immune system, and provide cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Cranberry     $21.99
Bright aromas of hibiscus, unripened berries, and sour cherries greet the nose upon decorking. The flavor is at once tangy and sweet bearing resemblance to a cranberry juice cocktail while remaining true to the essence of the berry itself.  Conflicting images of winter holidays and summertime picnics collide as the liquid smoothly coats the mouth and warms the back of the throat, leaving floral notes and an energetic zing in its wake.

Cucumber     $21.99
Uncork and smell the gust of bright green ripeness and sun warmed cucumbers wafting from the bottle. Fresh and sweet aromas of honeydew and Japanese melon candy confront both tongue and nostril simultaneously at the first sip. The mouth-feel is one of diluted honey offering roundness to the clean flavor of cucumber that remains on the palate.

Lavender     $21.99
We’ve all heard of the soothing effects of the lavender aroma.  Its calming scent has been known to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.  Did you know it also helps improve balance in the elderly?

Rose     $21.99
The rose is the quintessential symbol of love, so why not love yourself and add a little rose to your cocktail?  In addition to its intense aroma and striking appearance, rose hips are known to have several health benefits when ingested.

Bourbon, It's a mood thing...

Talking with Bourbon drinkers about their favorite small batch sippers soon makes you realize that it is all about your mood.

Do you remember the Boston song "More than a feeling"? That is just what Bourbon feels like and it seems that most every aficionado we talk to is in agreement. Bourbon collectors can have a dozen or more different bottles in their collection (some have many dozens) and most agree that each has its own time and mood.

They are described by their appreciators as reflective, coy, poetic, masculine, or feminine, flirtatious, pretentious, even melancholy and most aficionados know what their evenings choice will be based on who it is that they are sipping with or maybe how work went today. While most have their "go to" bottle that is an old reliable and not as contemplative, it just isn't as simple as the vodka that is picked off the shelf without much thought. Even old reliable is usually considered before imbibing.

Tonight's Whiskey is a thoughtful process that considers many factors. Price, producer, rarity, and alcohol level run through the head of the person scanning their collection. A good friend, a great cigar, today's news or even just being in a bad mood will influence the choice. It is a personal decision and while different people will categorize them in their own way, most start with "Tonight feels like..."

 Having the opportunity to sit with an avid collector and taste through a number of things through the evening is a sure way to flip the switch and understand what all the rage is about. Tasting the same selections on different days that include changes in mood or weather have a profound effect on our perception and it is always interesting to listen to others opinions as we taste to see how they match our own assessments.

Recently our newest Eagle Rare Single Barrel showed up at the store and as each of us on staff re-tasted the selection we made months ago while going through samples sent to us by the distillery, we were reminded of just how much we liked it and why this was "The one". Standing there and sipping together started the conversation and suddenly the chatter was started. Many descriptors about different aromas and tastes were flying around. Maple, Brown sugar, Vanilla and Caramel started the conversation. Golden Raisin, Roasted coffee, Orange zest and candied Ginger were added and we were all impressed not only with how much dimension it showed but also its drinkability. With a seemingly endless finish, this gem just kept inviting you back for another taste. Soon, the inevitable mood characteristics came up. Friendly, feminine and flirtatious were agreed on as what it feels like to drink this particular selection.

There must be something to it because people that have added it to their collections have come back for more and almost everyone describes it in the same "happy" way. The barrel has only been here for a little more than a week and more than half of the 240 bottles is gone. This cheerful Whiskey will likely be sold out before September is over so if you'd like to add it to your collection or know a collector that is looking for the next great thing, act now.

Let's get this party started! Fun ideas...

Summer 2015 offers a great deal of party opportunities and with everyone trying to figure out a way to make their gathering stand out and be the hit of the summer, there is quite a bit of Googling, and swapping of ideas through social media. We thought it would be fun to share some of our own ideas on ways to kick your gathering into high gear.

Consider this:

Start your party off with bubbles!
Something as simple as inexpensive Cava or Prosecco can set the stage. You can also pour a California sparkler or slide all the way up to the top of the market with a vintage Champagne if you prefer and your wallet can handle it, but the point is that bubbles are fun! Sparkling wine is refreshing and it puts people in a celebratory mood. Use the first half hour to an hour of your party to meet and greet your guests as they arrive and toast a fun evening ahead. Put out some light snacks (sparkling wine pairs great with a broad spectrum of foods) and then have a couple of extra bottles on hand for those that want to stick with it throughout the party as others opt to put down this glass in exchange for the next offering.

Rosé is the way!
In recent years Rosé has become a "go to" summer wine. They are very in vogue and more and more people are jumping on board with this fast growing trend. Use it as an addition to you wine choices for your guests and offer a red, a white and a rosé. Our guess is that if your party like many in our area, you will see great deal of interest in the wine with the ethereal pink hue.
Here is an idea... A Rosé party! Pick up a dozen or more rosés from different producers and areas around the globe, throw in a sparkler or two and mix it up. No two bottles are the same, I try this one and you try that one, everyone just enjoys tasting something new with each glass that they enjoy. Pour small amounts in each glass and keep things exciting by offering different types of foods from cheeses and salads to seafood and selections from the grill. Have your caterer make a giant Paella as the centerpiece if you like and really take it to the next level. The point is that Rosé is both chic and simple. They evoke a sense of elegance and are a wonderful dinner wine but also the perfect accompaniment to a simple picnic.

Txakolina (pronounced Chocolie) steals the show!
This is a great addition or centerpiece to your summer party and just like the previous suggestions adds a sense of fun. For those that have never heard of this wine, it is "The" wine of Spain's San Sebastian area and it is served in virtually every Tapas bar across the region. Low in alcohol with bright acidity and a perfect pairing with so many foods, this one will get everyone's attention! Why? Just look at how it is served (see picture). The traditional pouring method is to hold the wine glass down low and pour it from way up high to force air into the wine and put a mousse on top which wakes the wine up and keeps everyone ooohing and ahhing while they watch. You will need a designated "pourer" for this one to keep the spillage to a minimum but once you get the hang of it (very easy) the party will quickly move to the realm of memorable.

Signature cocktail to seal the deal!
With so many mixologists out there mixing things up in our local bars and restaurants, there are ideas everywhere. Try adding a "Blueberry smash" or maybe a "Cucumber Lemonade" to the drinks menu. These eye-popping drinks are leaving the Kir Royale of yesteryear in the rearview mirror. Go to your local Farmer's Market and see what is in season then Google recipes on your phone while you consider what local ingredients to will make your party stand out from the rest. Need some other cool ideas? Every Saturday for the rest of the summer we will be adding a signature cocktail tasting to our weekend from 4-7pm at the store. Let us help you to find the next great thing.

It is summer 2015 people, let's have some fun!

Bubbles, A Spicey mixer, & 2 Craft Spirits. Tastings begin at 1PM

2 Tastings 1-4pm

Featuring:  

Joseph Rebecco
Joseph's Virgin Mary mix . . . $8.99 32oz
Owner and "concotor" Joseph Rebecco joins us to taste his legendary and locally made Bloody Mary mix. His dream, decades in the making is coming true. Joseph describes himself as a temporarily unemployed bartender after he politely refused to share his recipe with the owner of the establishment where he worked. Now, self employed, he shares his infamous concoction with you. Perfect for Mother's day brunch!

 


Matthieu Luneau
Besserat de Bellefon Champagne 

Brut NV . . . $39.99
The color is a pure, bright straw yellow with copper glints. The delicate, lingering froth forms a fine creamy ring. Open on the nose. The first expression is of floral aromas and notes of dried flowers. The aromatic range reveals fruitier fragrances such as white peach and Mirabelle plum. Notes of hazelnut and praline develop at the finish.The attack is fresh and strong, then the wine reveals its full roundness, structure and smoothness. Notes of fresh fruit, apricot, pineapple and vineyard peach. The long, racy finish promises a bright future for this elegant, classy wine. 

Blanc de Blanc NV . . . $45.99The color is a supremely pure, bright yellow. The froth is composed of light bubbles which leave a moderate ring.The nose is intense, with fresh citrus notes blending harmoniously with floral notes (honeysuckle and acacia) and toasted aromas. A structured and ample mouthfeel. The minerality of Chardonnay blends superbly with the hints of dried fruit (apricot) and honeyed notes. The finish is fresh, lingering and light.

Brut Rose NV . . . $49.99
The color is pink with salmon glints. Fine, light bubbles form a creamy ring of froth.The nose is generous, intense and sophisticated and strongly marked by summer berry fruits (wild strawberries). It evokes an impression of jelly, redcurrant and almond. Notes of linden and hawthorn. The attack is tangy, with good volume in the mouth. There are again notes of summer berry fruits (blackberry and black currants). The finish is generous and delicately spicy.

Vintage 2002 . . . $59.99
It is deep yellow in color with golden glints. It produces delicate, abundant bubbles.A highly expressive nose. Its complexity springs from its notes of ripe fruit (pear, quince) and fruit jelly. The range of grilled and toasted fragrances appears next, giving way to notes of menthol and spices (ginger, cinnamon and anise). The attack demonstrates great generosity, with remarkable power and richness. The finish is fruity (with a predominance of yellow-fleshed fruit such as Mirabelle plums), generous and lingering.


2 more Tastings 4-7pm

Featuring:

Michael Judge
Greenhook Ginsmiths . . . $33.99 
Straight from Greenpoint Brooklynn comes a unique and delicious craft Gin made from New York Wheat, Tuscan Jumiper, Coriander, Chamomile, Elderflower, Citrus, Thai Blue Ginger, Ceylon Cinnamon, Orris Rott, and Elderberry. Wonderfully crafted and perhaps better presented by Michael himself. If you haven't met him yet, it is a treat!


Andrew Pite
Broken Shed Vodka . . . $31.99 

Andrew is showing off his New Zealand Vodka which is Gluten and Sugar-free. Made from perhaps the purest water on earth and free of any additives. Taste for yourself why local owner, Andrew Pite got involved with this Spirit from the other side of the world!

Wine Tasting 1-4pm & Kentuck Derby Mint Julep Tasting 2-5pm - Saturday , May 2

Your Host: 
Richard Zenick
Monsieur Touton Selection

Montaud Rosé 2014 . . . $10.99
A lovely peachy-orange colored blush which shows scents of ripe melons, citrus and ripe strawberries. The flavors are light and fruity with brisk acidity
L'opale St. Tropez Rosé 2014 . . . $12.99
A fresh, pleasant and most agreeable wine with good character. It has a pale pink color with gray highlights, a very delicate nose which hints of spring wild flowers. On the palate, this wine is gives off citrus like aromas reminiscent of freshly picked lemons.
Monsalaia Toscana Red 2010 . . . $11.99
Ruby red color tending to garnet with ageing. Aromas of Fruitiness with notes of cherries and white chocolate. On the palate great complexity, dry, warm with balsamic finish.
Pauillac 2010 . . . $29.99
The nose is distinguished by a bouquet of blackcurrant, violet, vanilla and cinnamon. In the palate, the tannins appear mature and melted, revealing a strong and affirmed structure, a surprising suppleness, perfect harmony and long persistency. The wine is seductive when young without prejudicing its longevity. Enjoy now and up to 20 years.

 Mint Julep Tasting

Featuring:
Woodford Reserve Bourbon  $31.99 750ml
Woodford Reserve isn’t manufactured, it’s crafted in small batches. This artisanal process allows us to craft it at all five sources of bourbon flavor giving it its distinct taste and crisp, clean finish.

Recipe:

2 oz Woodford Reserve® bourbon whiskey
1 oz water
1 tspor cube white sugar
4 fresh mint sprig

Muddle 3 mint sprigs, sugar and water in bottom of Julep cup or highball glass and fill with crushed ice. Fill with bourbon, stir. Dust 4th mint sprig with powdered sugar for garnish. Serve with straw.

Are You Summer Ready?

By Billy Sanchez

It is time we gladly say farewell to the copious amounts of snow and ice.  As the sun begins to melt winter’s frigid breath, we welcome new beginnings and fresh starts.  Now, no longer confined and housebound, we are free to relish life.  

This is how I picture my release into summer. 
 

The beach is my heavenly escape.  I plunge my toes beneath the sand, allowing each toasty grain to analyze me as it absorbs me like a second skin.  A glowing sun hangs lazily atop an endless sea of blue sky.  My skin is alive with the warming touch of the sun’s golden fingers.  My nose soaks up the salty breath of the ocean, rejuvenating my body from the inside as I recognize it as the scent of pure freedom.  The sparkling and foamy waves crash out an infectious melody of fizzing bubbles.  I cling to its hypnotic song like a helpless child dependent on its mother.  A few seconds pass, but feel like an eternity of subliminal bliss, I begin to realize I am missing something.  That something is an enormously crucial element, what should I be drinking?  So I must ask you, are you summer ready?  

             

   No matter how you celebrate summer, that flawless drink will enhance any environment.  Renzo and I have relentlessly tasted and rated beverages at work and on our free time for your future enjoyment, which ensures you see the best bottles on our shelves.  Sometimes trying eight up to twenty spirits in one sitting can be a palate-wrecking burden, but when a spirit attracts our attention, we are overjoyed and cannot contain our excitement.  We are proud to announce this year’s picks to set you up for a successful and tasty summer.  The following choices will make you summer ready. Cheers!   

Renzo and I have daily discussions about which coast makes the best IPA’s (stand by for a blind West vs East IPA tasting blog in the near future). Living in San Diego, I am a believer in West Coast hop usage for their beers.  Renzo obviously stands behind the East Coast breweries and their fine beers.  Maybe we can meet half way and agree, say the Mid-West?   First on the list is Stone’s Go To IPA.   

Stone Go To IPA $10.99 a 6 pack

Stone did a great job with this session IPA and it is clearly reflected by the name.  This new release (March 2014) has 4.5% alcohol and 65 IBU’s and will be a big hit at BBQ’s and beach drinking.  The nose brings many floral notes mixed with big fruit a spritz of lime, which is Renzo’s favorite part to this beer.  The body is refreshing to the point your taste buds ask for more, which is unlike Stone and their philosophy of big and in your face.  They clearly showed restraint with the hops, and we see it is a perfect day drinker.  My favorite part was the finish, which is mellow and elegantly lingers.  It lacks an over the top big resin and hoppy finish, super subdued and clean.  

Lambrucha by Vanderg & DeWulf 750ml $11.99

For those who are unable to visit the beach this summer, here is a beer that has beach components to jump-start your summer senses.  This spectacular beer blends the marriages of two yeast strains, Kombucha and Lambic. The nose brings fresh cut jalapeño rind, rosemary, and beach mist. Your palate feels refreshed with crisp tartness and sour components of lemon zest, and Cedar. It finishes with a subtle spicy bite.

Previously, this had been my Beer Pick of the Week, so I naturally had to revisit it.  Like an old friend, I was not let down and it once again showed amazingly.  I found a perfect cheese for pairing, which allowed the best flavor profiles of the beer and cheese to be highlighted and not restrained. Comté is a firm, raw cow’s milk from the Jura Mountains of France.  The Comté carried by Fairfield Cheese Company is aged by the affineur, Marcel Petite.  Traditionally this alpine style cheese is sold aged under a year, but this particular wheel is a special reserve that has been aged out 2 years.  The small batch of wheels lucky enough to be chosen undergo continual testing to make sure that they will further develop, like wine; cheese can often have a flavor peak.  Descriptive notes:  nutty, brothy, creamy, savory with the protein crystals.  Walk next door and pick this Comté to set up your own pairing. 

Fortaleza Blanco $48.99

Throw all other tequila experiences from your memory and try this gem. The artisanship shimmers from within and outside the bottle. Packaged in a masterfully contoured and textured hand blown glass bottles with a Pina as the bottle topper.  Attention to detail oozes out of every facet.  As soon as you touch and handle this bottle, you feel a part of something special.  It hails from the lowlands of Tequila country, and spends its whole life on the estate.  The 7-8 year old blue agave is harvested and cooked in meter thick brick ovens for 36 hours.  Once the agave is ready, it moves onto the mill and crushing portion of its journey, where it is washed with the pure spring mountain runoff from the Volcan de Tequila (Tequila’s very own volcano).  The remaining agave fibers are fermented for 5 days in small wooden vats.  This leads to a minor dry wood taste on the palette. The nose is chock full of lightly salted fruit, mainly pear, apricots and dried pineapple.  It flows down ultra-smooth and leaves no bitter aftertaste.  The finish is silky smooth with hints of pepper and no harsh alcohol punch.  This great sipper blows other Blanco’s out of the water.   If you are using it as a mixer, your margarita will reach a new rung of deliciousness.  Especially with margarita season begging to enter the rotation, Fortaleza has impeccable timing.

Zafra 21yr Rum $48.99

My friend who works at a high-end wine and liquor store in Los Angeles sent me this bottle.  As soon as he tasted it, he sent me a text, followed by a phone call, and finally a box with a bottle of Zafra was at my door 2 days later.  I opened up the bottle for Renzo, Patrick, and I and we fully understood why my friend loved the rum.  We were floored by its overall flavor that we looked up the distributor to place an order for Harry’s shelves.  This spearheads the main reason why Renzo and I drink.  The feeling we get when friends and strangers can come together to share any type of alcoholic beverage.  We are beyond ecstatic to include this to our summer list.  This rum is the sole representation from Panama within the store. Upfront, the nose is nutty and caramelly.  Once it opens up, vanilla makes a light appearance.  On the tongue, you experience chocolate, cocoa powder, and fine brown sugar.  Once you are finished, your confused taste buds ask you, was that rum or was that a bourbon?  That is what we love about this bottle, it is deeply three-dimensional. Paired with smoked Gouda, the rum backbone is coaxed out and comes through with sugar and coffee.   The desert side is uncovered with their Black Lava Cashews, where it travels to a sweet, desert dimension of Amaretto.  Our advice, take this bottle home for one week and come back in and tell us what you think.  We have pairings that will give your bottle diversity and legs for the long run.

Downeast Cider 4 pack $8.59 

I cringe every time someone suggests drinking cider, be it male or female, but this was a pleasant and an eye opening surprise, regardless of your gender, you will agree.  The cider is unfiltered, raw, and is gluten free.  Coming in at 5% alcohol, it is crisp, refreshing, and light; this will quench your parched tongue. Not overly dry nor sweet, it is super balanced.  Being in cans, it begs to join you to the beach. 

Special Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur tasting 4-7pm

Your host tonight is Marian Cherrone and she is pouring a great new find for us here at Harry's. The timing is perfect for the holidays. One taste of this and you will be a believer too! Lots of these type of thing come through our doors but there aren't many that are show stoppers and to a person this was one of those products for us. Over Ice cream, with Peppermint Schnapps, Amaretto or by itself. Yum...

Chopin Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur is a unique combination of exceptional Polish tastes: Poland's finest chocolate and Chopin Vodka, the world's finest single ingredient vodka. This masterfully blended creamy liqueur can be enjoyed neat, on ice, with coffee or over ice cream! 36 Proof
$24.99 750ml

Special Tasting 4pm-7pm Minsk Vodka

Elena Shulman is here to introduce our customers to Minsk vodka. Some of you will recognize Kristina (right) who is part of the Harry's Alumni and still makes the occasional appearence to help out on a busy day. Today she just stopped in to say hi to her buddies still on staff.


For tonights tasting we are offering special pricing on this "perfect for the holiday party" Vodka.
Reg. $29.99 1.75ltr
tonight $26.99 1.75ltr

It has been a good find for us. good taste and good quality. More here

Stop by to try it!

Jefferson 18yr Bourbon tasting 4-7pm "Van Winkle" Connection...

Kris Lawther is here to taste our customers on Jefferson Distillery's Presidential select. This is a limited release Bourbon from the distillery that crosses paths with Pappy Van Winkle. Before the iconic Stitzel-Weller aka Pappy Van Winkle Distillery closed its doors in 1991, Jefferson was able to select a number of barrels from Pappy and has been aging the in their own barrel room. At 17 years, Jefferson decided to bottle their first limited release of this amazing Bourbon and put the "Presidenttial Select" label on it. Now the second release is here and has started to get some well deserved buzz in the whiskey world.

We were able to taste this amazing bottle a few months ago at a trade tasting here in Ct that the master distiller himself attended. Before we left the room that day it was certain that we would be showing this bottle on our anniversary weekend. As it stands today, Harry's owns every bottle that is available in the state and it has been going out of here in a hurry.

The more research people do on this and the better they understand its connection to Pappy and the more they want it. We will get some Pappy in the coming weeks but the wait list is so long at this point that we really aren't sure how long it will be before everyone on the list gets some. This is a great way to get your hands on some of this hard to find whiskey and it makes a great gift.

If you are in the neighborhood stop in for a taste. If you are not in the neighborhood, find a way to get here!

-Cheers

Jefferson Presidential 18yr $89.99 750ml

QR Code but this time you can win something

I've been talking about these QR Codes for the better part of the summer and this week we came across this one in a case of Mionetto Sergio that came in. One of our guys has an iphone with the reader on it so I asked him to scan it to see what it could tell us. He did and it took him to a site where they are running a contest where the winners get these Prizes: One (1) Illy Espresso machine. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $400. One (1) OXO Kitchen Set. ARV: $99.99. One (1) OXO Barware Set. ARV: $99.99. One (1) OXO Wine Sleeve. ARV: $24.99. One (1) OXO Wine Rack. ARV: $19.99. Twenty-five (5) Wine Stoppers. ARV: $6.99 each.
The contest ends August 31, 2011. Drawing is on September 15th.

Just putting it out there, we aren't getting anything out of it and although I like the Sergio Prosecco, I don't have anything to do with the contest. It only takes a couple of minutes if you feel like getting in it. These QR codes are popping up everywhere I guess it is time to upgrade my old cellphone and join the modern age. Funny, it wasn't so long ago that I got my first cellphone and now it seems like if you don't upgrade about every 6 months or so you fall behind pretty quickly. Hard to believe how fast technology is moving now.

-Patrick