In keeping with a Do Bianchi tradition born last year, here are notes and images from friends from both sides of the Atlantic on what they ate and drank over the holiday season. Thanks to everyone for reading and clicking Do Bianchi this year! I’m looking forward to 2009 and grabbing life by the “longhorns.” Happy new year!
Dan (aka Jean-Luc Retard) writes that “Puro was a big hit in Scotland,” where he spent the holiday with Kate’s family. “I think I’m the only Jew who received a kilt for Xmas.” See y’all in Paris, man!
In Erbusco (Franciacorta), Giovanni drank my new favorite Franciacorta, Camossi rosé disgorged in October 2007. Giovanni is ALL ABOUT disgorgement.
Writing from Bergamo, Franco gave me a case of Nebbiolo envy. What would Freud say? Note: those are both magnums. Franco, we sure had an interesting 2008, didn’t we? What a ride! Long live Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, my friend! Un abbraccio…
“If I still have that mag of 61 Latour or 66 Lynch Bages,” chimes in David from Los Angeles. “I will photo and poo poo as I still don’t get it. I try, but I don’t get it.” David, I know, I still don’t get it either! I miss you, dude…
“My 83 year old mother faded fast post Prosecco,” wrote Ron from San Diego. “We went on to a Biondi Santi we had been holding since 98. Merry Happy.”
In Philadelphia, McDuff and family enjoyed some Champagne by Bereche, “a roaring fire, a couple of fun movies, take-out from one of my favorite spots and a single bottle to enjoy with it all.”
Biondivino in San Francisco uncorked some obligatory Paolo Bea.
“Two bottles of cheery Chidaine rosé bubbly” paired well with Howard’s menorah in the Hollywood Hills.
In Milan, Alessandro drank a wine that I love, 2001 Brunello di Montalcino by Il Paradiso di Manfredi, a wine that my friends the Marcucci brothers turned me on to.
In the borough of Brooklyn, 1999 Billiot was the wine BrooklynGuy and BrooklynLady “opened as an aperitif with friends before Christmas dinner, the night before our daughter [BrooklynBabyGirl2] was born.” Congratulations BrooklynPeople! And, Neil, thanks for all the support and the friendship this year. It meant a lot.
Jayne and Jon had a Christmas feast of “Carnitas and tomatillo à la Jayne” at their San Diego restaurant. Guys, what can I say? Thanks for helping the Jar get his groove back on in 2008. I’ll never forget this amazing year we spent together. You are the best…
Alfonso weighed in from Dallas, with something special from our home state: “We had our last bottle of 1986 Hanzell Pinot Noir… the color and the aromas and the flavors were a marriage of all the best things one would look for in a classic California red wine.”
Alfonso, what can I say? I simply cannot thank you enough for everything you did for me in 2008. You were our Galeotto and “he that wrote it” too… I love ya, man…
Among other good stuff we opened this holiday season in Austin, Tracie B and I paired a Donnafugata 2006 Ben Ryé with Mrs. B’s excellent homemade Chex mix… soooooo yummmy…
My dearest beautiful Tracie B, love of my life, what a wondrous year 2008 was. I guess that everything does happen for a reason…
Do Bianchi 
So what’s the food/wine pairing for the Fiesta Bowl? Go Longhorns, I detest Ohio State (I am a UW Madison Badger).
ah you guys are so sweet…Happy New Year
Nicely done, Jeremy. You’re a true romantic, and that’s a good thing in my book. Have a great New Year, my friend.
Buon anno Jeremy!
Looks like fun times around the world. Did you not get my photo? Anyway, good luck with the new chapter of your life in Texas!
And what about a Brunello di Montalcino Case Basse Soldera Riserva ’99 in the last day of the year? :)
happy new year, Jeremy!