I got a great Hanukkah present today from a colleague. An introduction to the fabulous free radio website Pandora. I feel like a kid in a candy store or as if I got a wealth of Hanukkah Gelt (chocolate covered coins).

I’m so excited and I am now working my way through the 1970s with Cat Stevens, the Eagles and other favorites. I’m sure everyone else has been listening to this for years but for me it is a great Novita’.

Another novita was the discovery of a great wine from Bolgheri in Tuscany from Podere Sapaio. These blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot and/or Cabernet Franc were just exquisite.

I was lucky enough to taste them yesterday with the owner Massimo Piccin at Maslow 6, lovely wine shop where I work once a week to get a feel for the retail end of the business.

I was thoroughly impressed with the two wines, Volpolo and Sapaio. The later has a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The former, has the same blend but without the Cabernet Franc. Both were well made expressions of the Bolgheri terroir which many people compare to Bordeaux but which Massimo said is somewhat warmer than Bordeaux. Also, the vineyards are basically at sea level so the fruit is a bit richer than in Bordeaux.

I had seen the bottles at the store for a few months but had never had the occasion to taste one. Now that I have, I know I will look for that wine in the future and will happily propose it to interested customers.