Now that the year is over and we have to write 2011 on our checks — something I can’t get used to — I thought I would take a few minuets and give you some of my highlights of 2010.  This is where I went, what I experienced and what I loved about 2010.

2010 was a busy year that marked a few milestones and life changing events that have made 2010 so memorable.  From the birth of my son, to our 5th year in our house, (that means only 25 more years to go on the mortgage…YAY!) to our visit to the Finger Lakes, to meeting so many wonderful people in my wine world.  There really is so much to mention.  It took me this long to do this but I was able to narrow it down to my “Top Ten List of Stuff I Did in 2010”:

10. Introducing you, my readers to Long Island Wines. It’s not as easy as it looks.  Tasting wine keeping notes, pairing it with meals then writing about it.  But I love it.  If someone reads my blog, other than me, and is inspired to buy a Long Island Wine or prepare a meal around a Long Island wine, then I did my job.  I never really consider this a job, it’s my hobby.  I just take the time, when I have time, to let you know what I am tasting and enjoying out in Long Island Wine Country.

9. Sharing my love for wine with my family and friends. There is no greater joy than offering someone wine and watching their eyes light up with joy and happiness when they have tasted something delicious.  I also get a kick of trying new wines out on people in hopes they expand their palate and try new wines.  That, after all is the reason I explore wine and the reason you should too.

8. Being President of the Medford Chamber of Commerce.  This occupies alot of my time and sometimes limits the amount of content I get up on this blog.  It takes me away from my blogging and sometimes away from my new family.  But my family at the Medford Chamber of Commerce makes it all rewarding.  We work well together striving to make the Medford Community the best it can be.  I have finished my first year as president and have another to go, but according my board, I was elected for life…we shall see.

7. Meeting new wine people.  Maybe we met in a tasting room and we chatted about wine, or at a vineyard walk and we talked about wine, or in a wine shop and I helped you with some wine — even thought I don’t work there, no matter how our paths crossed, I was glad we met and chatted.  Some of our conversations have inspired me, I hope that I have inspired you.

6. Attending the “Smackdown’s” at Roanoke Vineyards. Tasting wine blind is a rewarding challenge.  Tasting wine blind with others in a competition is a lot of fun but humbling.  To see where you palate is and how you taste blindly against far superior palates is a true test of ones wine knowledge, not to mention a riot.  Roanoke Vineyards is doing some wonderful things with their “Smackdown’s” and other blind tasting events.  I have found them educational and extremely helpful in my exploration of wine.  I look forward to more of these events and hope more vineyards and wineries offer similar events.

5. Working as a cellar hand at Raphael Vineyards.  I never got to put my experience on the blog, but it might just still get on there.  But this harvest season, I was able to sneak away and help Les Howard, Raphael’s new wine maker out in the cellar one day.  It was a lot of hard work, but at the same time exciting.  We were making some rose that day and it was, to this day the most rewarding experience I have had in my wine life.

4. Participating in Taste Live tastings. I have learned over the past year, that tasting alot of wines is the best way to improve your palate.  This year I was fortunate to take part in events sponsored by the Finger Lakes Wine Council, Kunde Estates, Wildman Wines, Three Stick Wine and the Virginia Wine Council.  The opportunity to taste wines, with wine makers and vineyard folk and other bloggers across the country on live via twitter is remarkable.  And extremely educational.  I hope to take part in more online tastings in the future.  I may have not been able to get posts up on these events, but I can assure you, you have helped me expand my palate.

3. Being a member of a tasting group. In the beginning of 2010 we had a great little group of guys that got together and tasted wines.  This was another part of my wine education that I learned from.  The summer came and we found it harder to make the time to meet.  Then Gabe came along and that hurt our opportunities, but in a good way.  I am happy to say that we are getting back together soon.  This is something I look forward to in 2011.

2. Visiting the Finger Lakes Region while participating in TasteCamp 2010. The best way to get to know wine is to taste wine, alot of it.  Mother’s day weekend, I was in the Finger Lakes and tasted more wine than I could keep up with.  I tasted so much wine, that by the last day, my tongue could not take another mouthful of Riesling.  IT was very happy to taste some Pinot Noir.  I grew to love Riesling, had some of the best Gewürztraminer and met some awesome wine enthusiasts.  Not to mention the region and the people who make up the region of the Finger Lakes.  Memories that will last forever.

1. Gabriel Noel. I really never thought anything could surpass the day Melissa and I got married at Shinn Estate Vineyards.  I was wrong.  The birth of our son Gabe on July 27, will be a day that I cherish in my heart forever.  I added another title to my protofiolo, Husband, blogger, funeral director…and now father.  He gave us a big scare in the beginning, but now, almost 6 months later, he is doing great and Mommy and Daddy could not be happier.  There is nothing more important in my life now that I am a father and we now have a family.  So if you find me posting less frequently, blame the cutie pie below.