So many stories to tell (including 1982 Grai Cabernet Sauvignon in Siena last night, thanks to my wonderfully generous friends Marina and Francesco) but now it’s time to take a little rest.

I’ve hunkered down in Montalcino where I’ll be spending the next few days.

Cold weather has only now arrived here: that’s Mt. Amiata covered in clouds in the photo above, taken this morning from Castelnuovo dell’Abate where I’m staying. It’s cooler and particularly windy here in the southern subzone of the appellation today. And it rained for about 15 minutes during lunch.

As my friends over at Il Poggione reported yesterday, it had seemed that the summer would never end in Montalcino.

I’ll see you day after tomorrow.

In the meantime, May your new year be filled with sweetness and may your names and those of your loved ones be inscribed in the Book of Life…