Today is my Dad’s birthday and I can’t resist posting these pictures. While Mom is the real wine drinker, yesterday she told me she bought a Vermentino with a nice label that she enjoyed which warmed my heart. Who knew she has been paying attention to all of my comments about wine throughout the years.

It was Dad though who made wine in the basement with Carmelo, a friend from Ragusa, Sicily when I was a kid and launched me on the travel road, literally and intellectually. He also bought a liquor store at one point and I remember we had many bottles of Chateau d’Yquem at home at one time. Those were the days. All of the family partakes on holidays though, including Dad who is very partial to sweet wines. Happy happy.