My Wine Cellar and a Thank You

Posted by danleone on May 18th, 2008 filed in my father, wine

(click on image to enlarge)

I know it is a little rough around the edges; most of what my dad builds is. Collecting wine, is quickly becoming an obsession. The room you see in the picture is actually part of the cantina that my dad built over 30 years ago. It was one of the first things he did when he bought this house.

This cantina would house no less than 25 gallons of homemade wine every year. As you know, last year my father was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease and has since stopped making wine. He lives upstairs from me and we cannot escape the gradual decline of his health. This collection is just one way that I have come up with to help me deal with the stresses in my life. My dad is an amazing man I honestly am not handling his disease well at all. I feel like I can fall apart at a moment’s notice. Luckily, I have my baby goats to remind me that I cannot shut down and crawl into a hole.

I confiscated a few shelves and have amassed a small collection of about 70 bottles. I am still in a very academic and discovery phase. I read other’s blogs religiously and devour their reviews. I then text message the wines to myself so that I have a mini-wishlist going at all times. I read about different varietals and wine-growing regions. I allow myself to be guided by what I am “supposed” to like first and then what I actually like as my taste buds develop.

I would be honored if you take a look at my collection, my hobby du jour. You can view a reasonably updated inventory by visiting my profile here on CellarTracker.

Let me know what some of your favorite wines are. I would love to hear your recommendations.

I have always considered blogging to be a very self-indulgent exercise and my recent pity party is proof of that. But I have also realized that my blogging world is as much about my relationships, very real and vital relationships that I have developed with all of you. When I wasn’t writing, many of you would still take the time to shoot me a brief email making sure all was well. I cannot begin to tell you how important that has been for me.

I think I am back on track. I have some real ideas for blog posts and I am aching to read your words again. Thanks to all of you, my dear friends.

Dan

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10 Responses to “My Wine Cellar and a Thank You”

  1. Prudence Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 5:49 am

    Wow, a wine cellar! I don’t really know anything about wines and would be glad to learn a bit. Hmmm, interesting hobby. Maybe I should try that.

    As for blogging, I, too, can’t believe the impact it had in my life. I mean, I just started blogging 3 years ago because I wanted a place to rant! And now, I got new friends because of blogging. And I’m looking forward to meeting more!

    Just hang in there. Will try to peek every now and then to check on you :-)

    Prudence’s last blog post..The Mist

  2. terri Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 7:00 am

    I am so excited to see that you are getting back to your blogging. I have missed your words!

    terri’s last blog post..Knee abrasions CAN be fun

  3. lilacspecs Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 7:40 am

    Hrm, I myself, enjoy a good German Riesling. My bf is much more of a wine officianado and he prefers reds, especially Spanish reds. I think his favorit is Rijoha, not sure if it’s spelled right though. Glad you’re feeling a bit better by the by. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of an emotional slump, but it’s good that your family is around to support you.

    lilacspecs’s last blog post..Can Belgians be Colourful?

  4. Deb (Missives From Suburbia) Says:
    May 20th, 2008 at 12:21 am

    HUGE wine drinkers here, and I’ll add to your list with gusto when I get a break. (Have 11 house guests arriving Friday for the weekend and Hubby is conveniently out of town all week.)

    But right off the top of my head you need Conundrum. It’s a staple in our collection, a simple white table wine that everyone loves and perfect for a night when you don’t want to think about wine, you simply want to enjoy it.

    Back with more soon.

    Deb (Missives From Suburbia)’s last blog post..The Weight of Air

  5. danleone Says:
    May 20th, 2008 at 5:57 am

    Deb…I eagerly await!

  6. Meg Says:
    May 20th, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Houghton’s White Burgundy – Australia.
    Nice white with peachy tones. oh yum! And Deb? Conundrum is a staple around my house too! Perfect for those events where you don’t want to think too much!!

  7. meleah rebeccah Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 am

    yeay! welcome back….glad to hear the funkiness has lifted! xxoo

    meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..D.A.R.E. – To Use Your Words (Or Not)

  8. Kristina Says:
    May 24th, 2008 at 2:15 am

    It is so great to hear your voice again.

    Well I happen to live in the middle of wine country. No, not California – Washington State wine country. There are some really great wines here – I see you have a Chateau Ste. Michelle wine on your list – I do like that winery but it is a really great big place and somehow I like the smaller wines better (more character). Although check out Northstar Winery in Walla Walla (owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle)

    Here are some favorite wineries to look out for (no accounting for actual taste here):
    - Abecela (roseburg, oregon)
    - El Ecole No. 41 (walla walla, WA)
    - Hedges (columbia valley, WA)
    - Del Rio Vineyards (Gold Hill, OR)
    - Troon Vineyard (Grants Pass, OR)
    - Basel Cellars (Walla Walla, WA)
    - Hogue Cellars (Columbia Valley, WA)
    - Wineglass Cellars (Columbia Valley, WA)

    Kristina’s last blog post..Obama on Hanford

  9. Fox Says:
    August 29th, 2008 at 8:17 am

    Hi Dan,

    I know I’m late to the party, but one of my favorite wines is from the Victor Hugo winery. It’s their 2005 Viognier. Actually, I like all of their wines. Their petit sirah is pretty tasty too. You can visit them at http://www.victorhugowinery.com. There is only one wine store I know of who carries their wines…it’s called Solera Wine Shop in Roslindale center.

    Ai migliori giorni!

    Fox’s last blog post..Proving my point….

  10. sleeping beauty Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

    I have always loved the idea of drinking wine. But every time I drink it, I can not swallow, ick. But still, I try and try, what is a good sweet one? What are the sweet ones “called”?

    BTW, nice cellar, a nice thing to brag & blog about :)

    sleeping beauty’s last blog post..How low can you go?

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