Hello wine lovers and happy wine Wednesday!  I feel a bit lucky to have January 1st be a Wednesday and what a way to start the year than to be able to write a post to you all and say thank you for your contributions, comments and feedback.

2013 was quite a year for me.  I successfully completed my WSET Level 3 Advanced and became a paid and published wine writer…something that I have, quite honestly, always wanted to be.  I attended my first wine blogging conference and met some truly incredible people.  In July I was able to travel to the Champagne region of France where I toured the big Champagne houses and again met some wine lovers from all around the world.  Finally, I went up to the Okanagan wine festival in October and had a chance to meet and interview four remarkable wine makers.  Truly a ‘dreamy’ kind of year for me and my love affair with wine.  I am not at all sure how I can possibly top that kind of year!!!

December 31st is my Mom’s birthday and I took her out for a three-hour lunch at the Arms Reach Bistro in Deep Cove.  It was nice to spend some time together and connect over a nice bottle of B.C. Sparkling Brut – Blue Mountain Gold Label…nice and crisp and delicious.

David and Mackenzie went to their first production of the Nutcracker together ( with compliments of Sylvia Talbot ) and it was a wonderful way for two of my most favourite people to spend time together.

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David and I rang in the New Year with Pol Roger‘s stunning champagne.  It ranks very high on my list of favourite bottles of non-vintage bubbly – delicious.

Next week, I start my French Wine Scholar program in which I need 75% just to pass.  Wish me luck – I am still a bit overwhelmed at the knowledge I am going to need but I feel confident that I can and will succeed…I guess it is one of my resolutions to have the initials F.W.S after my name this year – let’s see what happens.

Thank you again for following my wine journey with me.

May 2014 bring you health, happiness and love (with a few amazing bottles of wine thrown in there for good measure!)…

Enjoy!

XO
C