A Woodinville Wine tasting season start 2021

 Now that the weather has shifted into our lovely Northwest spring, wine tasting season is in full swing.  And one might ask what is the new wine tasting scene like?  Well, let’s visit a few lovely spots and go over that!  Today we are starting with Delille Cellars!  

     I am a wine club member at Delille so every spring season as I pick up my wine, I take time to do a tasting all by my lonesome so I can really focus on the wines and what they have to say.  

The director of wine making Jason Gorski is an acquaintance and distinguished winemaker in the area so I look forward with a child like vigilance to what he is releasing each year.  I have had the honor of interviewing him as well as working with him for bottling and have imminent respect for his dedication and of course his wine making abilities.

     To address the changs in testing deliveries, I believe Delille has made one of the best presentations!   Limiting personal interactions unless requested, they provide a full tasting upon seating complete with detailed notes of the wines and a scannable video link to the winemaker with more in-depth detail for those whom love that!  

     This seasons tasting begins with 2020 Rose’, 2018 Doyenne, 2018 Le Colosse (new kid on the block), 2018 D2,  2018 Minuit ( I bottled this) and ending with 2018 Chaleur Estate red.  

     Let me just start with Rose’s are very “moody” for me.  I have to be in the right mood for them.  Delille Rose’s are always delightful when I’m in the Rose’ mood!  

     Doyenne with is Sexy Syrah  ( thanks for coining the phrase up here David LeClaire) dominant profile backed with cab is delightful with it without food if you love reds.  I can drink red all summer long so for me this is always a win!  Balance today as it is tomorrow it grows smoother and smoother, this never disappoint’s!  

     Le Colosse.  The newbie, this was such a delight and surprise!  With its merlot dominant fruit, mixed with cab sauv, cab franc and petit Verdot it has a drink now approachability with a lay me down promise of greatness.  The greedy child in me wants to drink the bottle now but the wine freak in me whispers wait.... we shall see which wins!!!  

     D2.... what can one say about D2 that has not already been said.  As blends go, this has been a go to across the country for those whom know about it.  With is broad approachability and balance you can buy a case and literally enjoy a bottle a year and taste the subtitle yet definite changes in taste each year.  A literal you can’t lose wine if you love red over all.

     Minuit, which means midnight in French, eludes to the deep midnight color the wine presents.  The flavors however, with a Malbec dominant drive followed by cab sauv, deliver flavor, structure and a dry finish, making it a great companion for drinking alone or paring with foods!  Being a lover of Malbec it’s nice to see it featured in such a approachable way

     Finally there is Chaleur Estate red.  The quintessential Cab dominant blend backed with Merlot, cab franc and petit.  This gem is light and fruity on the nose, teasing you into drinking without though, you you want to think with you drink this!  It’s flavors play on the tongue the way “a midnight summers dream” plays with your minds.... taking you unexpected places you relish visiting.  Like juice you would expect from a satyrs as he plays his flute, this juice slips you away to a magical place with its ease and  approachability.  When you spend the money you are not disappointed!  

All in all, this tasting was an exquisite introduction to 2021.  Happy Tasting Ya'll and "Make everything Better because you were there!"

Thank You's are never beneath you

     As I was driving today, zooming away down the freeway, I got all caught up in my thoughts and realized at a semi last minute moment that I needed to get over a lane to exit.  I quickly signaled, adjusted my speed to squeeze in without being to obnoxious.  Out of habit I looked in my rear view mirror and waved a Thank you to the person behind me.  As I did this I realized that while they may not have been thrilled that I squeezed in, I hoped that my acknowledgment in some small way showed my appreciation.  And that got me thinking..... we don't say or show appreciation like we use to.   
     And we should.
     That got me thinking as to why.  Why do we feel that our words and actions should always be heard and noticed but not show consideration and appreciation for the ensuing hearing and receiving of said actions?  Little things like moving over a lane, opening a door, holding an elevator, asking ANYTHING.  Its as if the mere act of saying or acknowledging a thank you in some way is beneath peoples attention or inconsequential.  
     Do you remember to say Thank You for the little things as well as the big?  Do you see the value in doing so?
     In our culture of virtual interactions how do you think that is perceived?  
     So here is my challenge to you.  Take time to say Thank you for the big and little things.  Make it a part of you every day, and see how you can make life better for yourself and those around you!  

Wonder Woman ~ Some Savvy Thoughts to Remember

     With the already HUGE success of this movie, there is already so much talk of the Women empowering qualities of what it stands for and How women feel about them selves.  The timing could not be more perfect.  And So, without using the word “But”, I will say this….. DON’T MISS THE OVER ALL POINT!  But I jump ahead a bit, so let me explain.

     Those of us who grew up in the 70’s and early 80’s remember all the wonder woman shows, JLA cartoons, and so so many comic books that took us on adventures of compassion, fighting for what we believe in, actual greek history, and yes learning how to believe in our selves and finding our strengths.  But let’s not forget what she stood for as a entity.  

     Truth, to which the lasso allowed her to get from people.  Strength, which she used to protect and help ALL people.  Beauty, which shined from the inside not just her outward appearance.  Compassion, Empathy, Fierceness, Conviction and Wisdom, all of which shows us the necessity of balance to be effective.  She led and empowered troops to fight, she protected and shielded innocents from harm, she drove and pursued for the truth and she learned and applied that wisdom in her decisions.  She shows us there are no short cuts, only drive, determination, knowledge, understanding, compassion and fortitude.  

     So, back to my point.  If we want to find our inner Wonder Woman, we must strive to be greater than ourselves, greater than our angers, greater than our fears and learn to embrace and extend ourselves to all around us.  In a word, stop the exclusions and start inclusion.  The over all point, embrace all around us who love and unite us. 

     One simple reminder however, remember to identify the evil in the world and recognize, it is rarely as we believe it should appear.  Be wise, educate yourself and always have Love in your heart.  The hate will twist you and change you.  You must stay true to you.  

As always, just my thoughts.  “Remember, make everything better because you are here”

Have A Socially Savvy Week, Month and Year!

Socially Savvy Attitude Adjustment

  It's the middle of May 2017, and reading through Social Media, speaking with people and watching people interact, I find my brain screaming "We need a Social Attitude Adjustment"!  
We as people have moved to tearing down, degrading, assuming the worst and over all despising people because they don't believe what we believe, see things the way we see them or bow down to their way of thinking.  If your not a bully then your bullied.  If your not someones kind of right, your wrong.  If you have a different view, thought or intention then you are the enemy.  WE NEED TO STOP!
     We need to Adjust our Attitude and here is why....

     From a practical point of view.  Nothing is gained by assuming the worst in peoples intentions.  You may from time to time avoid an issue, but most people don't have malicious intentions, so when you assume they do you create a drama that flares like a sun burst!  Recognizing bad intentions and steering away from them is always wise, but assuming the negative without actually knowing hurts everyone.

     From a relationship point of view.  If your intention is to never have relationships with people then by all means assuming people are trying to hurt or degrade you will make sure no one stays within a mile radius of you.  If you WANT relationships with other humane beings you have to remember that how they communicate, what they feel, their life path to date, loves and passions all come thru when they feel intensely about something.  Assuming that, while the presentation and be intense, the thoughts are with the hope of understand and communications ideas, thoughts, opinions and feelings so they are able to grow in the relationship.  ( did you mind just explode?)

     From a Social point of view.  This one is kind of easy.  Socially, everything is very much at the surface, so assuming that people have the best of intentions instead of the worst simply allows you to be the kind loving person you are ( or want to be), and so will be perceived that way.  If you allow others to change that in you then it reflects on YOU.  You control how you perceive and interact with people, don't let them control you.  

     And finally from a personal health point of view.... this might be the most important one to consider.  Physical, mental and spiritual health are all tied to how you allow people to treat you, but more importantly how YOU treat people and receive what people send your way.  The Blunt truth is that the more you insist on seeing the good in people and their intentions, the healthier it is for you.  If others intentions are ill intended then simply moving away from those people is probably the best option, because seriously, how many times has full on confrontation's really gained anyone anything other than an ulcer, heart attack or stress!!!

     Adjust Your attitude and you will find that you have a "Socially Savvy Attitude" that will draw people to you not repel them from you.

     As I always say, "Make Everything better Because You were there!"

Socially Savvy 7 Day Challenge ~ Making A Positive Dent

 We wake up each day with a boat load of things to get done, people to see, relationships to start, build and even end,  and most of the time we end the day realizing we have been running crazy and the day was a blur.  It seems that only when strong emotions are triggered do we stop to take notice and usually those strong emotions are negative.  Someone has irritated us, mistreated us or through their lack of awareness let us slip thru the cracks.  This poses a problem if we are to create a more positive culture.  We have to become aware.  But how do we do that?  How do we change our "Status Quo"

            Think about this for a moment.  All the businesses…. restaurants, lounges, department stores, repair shops,  construction companies, postal services………. All the business associates, mechanics, grocery clerks, sales associates, wait staff, garbage men and customer service people that make our lives easier and nicer on a day to day or visit to visit basis.  How often do you let them know you appreciate what they do?  Do you just expect it to be fab every time?  Now what if you stopped and said something positive "Every" time?  Think about it.

            We all need that positive reinforcement that what we are doing is making a difference in someone’s lives so someone needs to be the catalyst for this……will it be you?  Take time over the next 7 days to look the people in the eye that serve you and say “thank you”.  Follow up with a Review on Google or Yelp, a customer service letter or comments to their manager.  If you received a swag bag at an event,  goto the event Host's page and thank them!  Hyperlink your favorite swag sponsor's and thank them too!  Best is to commit it to digital or physical writting's so they can see it over and over again, to remind them that what they do makes a difference, and so that others may know what their strength are as well.  

            1 week to focus on the positive…… I wonder what will become of it…….
     And Don't forget to #Apositivedent

#SociallySavvyLB

“Communicate Don’t Opinionate ~ LB Dutchess”

     It amazes me these days just how intolerant and misguided we have become as a country.  I say country because while the rest of the world is not necessarily all that much better than us, they don't seem to be wallowing in the murky depths of misunderstanding that we seem to be.  

     Let me explain.  

     Because of social media, text and blogging (not to mention normal face to face interactions) we as a country say ALOT.  I mean ALOT!  We voice our opinions more times in a day that most people eat in a week in the rest of the world and we make one critical mistake...... We think we are communicating.  WRONG MISTERRRRRR!  We are "Opininating".  Yes, that is correct "Opinionating" and yes I made that up.  What is "Opininating" you might ask, well here is my definition ~ speaking, writing or otherwise relaying information about a view or judgment we have formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge without thought of if the information is being received.  

     We as a society "Opinionate" ALOT.  Now this is where I will lose some of you because this is where you get really confused and think your communicating.  

     Define Communication ~ 1. the imparting or exchanging of information or news. 2. means of connection between people or places.  

     Here is the kicker ~ in order to TRULY communicate, the other person has to HEAR you!  

A~HA!  I got you!  A large percentage of us forget to actually pay attention and see if the people we are "Opinionating" to can actually "hear us" and create connumication!  

    Think of it like this, It's like that static on the old black and white TV's when the channels used to go off the air and when poltergeist comes thru your TV!  And it has the same effect too..... all we want to do is turn it off or run screaming from it!  How is that communicating???  

     SO!  When you go to share information or views take a moment to look at why and how you are going about it.  Are you insulting people?  Are you intolerant?  Are you yelling or gesturing like a crazy person?  Can people even get a word in edge wise or respond to your "post" without a national disaster?  Think about it.  IF you want to be heard, you must first learn to listen and second learn to communicate, and THAT requires you to be able to do more that just state your opinions ("Opinionating")

    So, in a nutshell ~ Be Savvy and Communicate.  

     Till next time ~ Make everything better because you are here!

Today is the Day