Do Bianchi has received so many “what they drank for Christmas” entries. Thank you so much to everyone who sent them in! Here are a few that didn’t make the cut-off before we “went to press.”

For Tom in Chicago, “the real wine treat came two nights after Christmas when I opted for a relaxing night at home with a humble meal and a truly special wine: 2000 Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca.” (Read Tom’s complete tasting notes at VinoWire.)

In San Diego, Robin and her date (I wonder who it could be?) poured some Gaja on New Year’s eve: “A 1988 Sperss which I bought off a client with a pristine cellar. Popped and poured. Fabulous nose from minute-one, not shut down at all. Dusty plum, juniper, wet earth. A little horsesweat in the mid-palate, but it integrated perfectly within 15 minutes. I checked it out this morning and James ‘Always Wrong’ Suckling gave it a 92. At least the guy’s consistent!”

Back in the Tri-State area, Tyler (aka Dr. Vino) pulled the cork on “1992 Montelena mmm, delicious!!”

Barbara and Luigi in Modena nonchalantly drank one of those life-changing wines: “And what about a Brunello di Montalcino Case Basse Soldera Riserva ’99 in the last day of the year? :)” (Luigi and I share a keen interest in Antonioni and Veneto poet Andrea Zanzotto.) That’s me with Gianfranco Soldera on his estate in September 2008 (before I lost the ‘stache!).

But it’s not all good. Just to keep a little yin in our yang, D wrote in from Florida where she and her husband spend the holidays every year with her in-laws: “For Christmas we drank some horrible California merlot and, like, Barefoot chardonnay. Not by choice. It’s FL, there are no good wines and these were selected by our Republican relatives. Oh, and a few days later, my inlaws served Boone’s Farm sangria flavor with dinner. No joke.” That’s D’s DIY cork-screw doormat above.

At Jaynes Gastropub in San Diego, the bubbles flowed freely on New Year’s Eve. That’s Erik (aka Benoit), showing off his sure and steady pour, magnum in hand.

And me and Tracie B back here in Austin? We opened a magnum Gaston Chiquet with friends to ring in the New Year.

Happy new year, everyone, everywhere! Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.