Yes

And then again, chocolate is probably best with coffee. But I still think a ... of chocolate; red icewine (yes - it does exist) will definitely go with most sweets - including chocolate. Unfortunately, no Cakebread...

Yes it is a ritual, and your menu doesn't sound all that different from mine. Ritualistic festivals can be enjoyable and renewing. What Oregon pinots are you drinking these days? Have found myself on an exploratory trek...

Yes, Zufrieden, France is certainly the home of CF and still, to my taste, too, the source of the best CF. I've only had a couple of CFs in the past from the Niagara area, and they were extremely disappointing. It sounds...

dmcker - Yes, I live in an early 20th Century "suburb" of Sacramento.

Kylewolf, in theory I guess I would need a permit, but as the work is inside I ... I hope nobody notices... Yes, plan is a trap-door with a staircase underneath. I am working with an architect who will work on a drawing....

Yes, have a similar group, most of whom are studying for one certification or another. My best tip (not rocket science, I admit) is to find a wine seller that you trust and who has a good selection. We'll give that...

From my experience I would say YES, a small percentage is. As someone involved in the wine trade I have had many wine producers ask me "Which year would you like the wine labelled? I can label it 2005 or 2006 for the...

I have never had Far Niente, Silver Oak yes. I'll do some investigating. dmcker, did you have a particular vintage in mind? I'm assuming you're talking about a bottle from the 90's? As for the handle, Hotei, Budai, Fat...

Which Cabernets? Chilean, South African? Australian? Italian? Or wat about English? (yes, some mad fool grows it in the UK - Beenleigh is the name to look out for)

I'll second the Far Niente. Great wines. But yes, the price is a little high...