Yesterday afternoon, after my daughters’ dance classes, I popped into the BCLDB and purchased a bottle of Sebastiani Chardonnay.  It is $19.99 and I wanted to compare it to one of my favourites’ Château St. Jean Chardonnay which is the same price point and both are from Sonoma Country, California.

I got home, chilled it down and did my tasting.  In the glass, it is a stunning medium gold colour.  The aromas are full of Golden Delicious apple, pear, butter and vanilla.  On the palate, the flavours really come alive.  There is a nice, toasty oak flavour along with butter, vanilla and the fruits move into the tropical fruit profile with mango and pineapple along with the apple and pear notes.

This is a very good Chardonnay for the price point.  I will now buy it as often as I do the Château St. Jean to keep my tasting wheel full.  This is a quality wine with a nice, rounded profile and a lingering finish.  Amazing value for $19.99 + tax.

Then, I went onto Facebook while I was sipping away, and read the devastating news about Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip…there has never been a songwriter that has moved me more.  I have listened to Gord Downie’s lyrics for 30 years.  I know them all.  I did my final exam assignment in a Canadian Poetry class at U.B.C. stating that Gord Downie IS the poet of Canada and produced a 3,000 word essay supporting my thesis.  I received an A+.  Sad is only the beginning of how I feel.  I LOVE that they are touring this summer with dates released today.  Mr. Downie is a man of Courage.

So, if I may, I have written down the lyrics to Wheat Kings for you to read…moving, powerful, eloquent and Canadian – just like Gord Downie.

Sundown in the Paris of the prairies
Wheat kings have all treasures buried
And all you hear are the rusty breezes
Pushing around the weathervane Jesus

In his Zippo lighter he sees the killer’s face
Maybe it’s someone standing in a killer’s place
Twenty years for nothing, well, that’s nothing new
Besides, no one’s interested in something you didn’t do

Wheat kings and pretty things
Let’s just see what the morning brings

There’s a dream he dreams where the high school’s dead and stark
It’s a museum and we’re all locked up in it after dark
Where the walls are lined all yellow, grey and sinister
Hung with pictures of our parents’ prime ministers

Wheat kings and pretty things
Wait and see what tomorrow brings

Late breaking story on the CBC
A nation whispers, “We always knew that he’d go free”
They add, “You can’t be fond of living in the past
‘Cause if you are then there’s no way that you’re going to last”

Wheat kings and pretty things
Let’s just see what tomorrow brings
Wheat kings and pretty things
Oh that’s what tomorrow brings

XO
C