Gee golly Gewurtztraminer-I have been pouring some fantastic wines at some fun and diverse functions over the past two weeks. Thought I'd share some more of the faves:

Smoked Salmon, Horseradish Cheese, pristine view of Lake Michigan:

Le Piece sous Les Bras, France-Lush, divine, multi layered white wine. Combo of Viognier, Chardonnay and Roussanne.

Was dynamite with the appetizer above. But NOT as fabulous as the view, but then again, can anything surpass a perfect sunset on a warm summer evening over Lake Michigan? Well....

Gull Landing, Pentwater Michigan-(Independently owned restaurant, great deck, music, people, wine, food. Go!)

What we ate: Fresh peel 'n eat shrimp, whitefish baked with quattro formaggio, lightly battered quick fried perch, whole wheat penne marinara. SO fresh the fish-so unmussed with flavors, even with the pasta. The owner and her staff do a 4 star evening at a comfy, place that is completely casual and SO affordably priced. Divine dine.

What we drank: 2008 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ; 2005 Mark West Pinot Noir, Sonoma County California

Two refreshing, balanced with nice acidity wines that are PERFECT with food. Gull Landing has an OUTSTANDING wine list-and SO affordable. Many organic and unique varietals that are terrific with the simple yet fresh and complex menu. A gem!!

Don't tell anyone but my mom turned 70 two weeks ago and last week we threw her a BIG party at Boondockers in Logansport.

Or rather, my fabulous brother Jeff threw the party-sent the invites, did the decorations, made sure the menu was in place, got the DJ-I just showed up and poured wine. And danced. There was LOTS of dancing at this party. And lots of happy drinkers-and the food was terrific too. Finger foods, gourmet hot dog bar, and a gorgeous and tasty cupcake tower for dessert. I didn't even THINK about pairing wine with the food. Just brought some great party juice. Lots of empty bottles and smiling faces. Must have worked.

Cannella Peach Bellini, Italy--374 ml bottles make for perfect one and half glass dose of prosecco (sparkling wine) with white peach nectar. Imported from Italy, these little bottles make for BIG flavor and BIGGER smiles.

Vinum CNW Chenin Blanc, California-dry white with plenty of tart, refreshing citrus flavors. Was perfect with the shrimp cocktail. Oops-I paired a wine with food....

Madison Vineyards Black Dog, Indiana-a sweet red that has more bark than bite. EZ drinker-was perfect companion for the hot dogs with a smack of BBQ sauce. Oops-did it again.

What You Love The Most-Book signing by Carol Faenzi, Irvington-If you haven't read "The Stonecutter's Aria" then shame on you. Local author Carol Faenzi unveiled her latest history/fiction novel on Sunday in Irvington on the lawn of the Benton House.

From the diaries, photographs and taped memories of the Hollingsworth/Kirk/Wilson/Benton families that first arrived in the US in the 1700's and settled in the Indianapolis area, Faenzi weaves an enchanting and hard to put down book of tales of the families as they grew up in Indy. Those memories resound today in modern day Indy as well. Read this one and give a copy to your relatives for the holidays.

What they ate: MBP catering-does it again! Mary Jane Poe's culinary catering biz is just as good now as it was when she started a decade ago.

What they drank:

Tiamo Pinot Grigio, Italy-soft, off dry white with lovely nose and flavors of d'anjou pear, fuji apple.

2008 Fairvalley Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa-tangy dry white with aromas and flavors of green pepper and white grapefruit, pink grapefruit.

Corsendank Farmhouse Ale, Belgium-a bottle of joy. Rich yet light this brewed in the spring craft beer wants to be consumed in the summer while fresh apple, yeasty, qualities of this quaffer are FRESH.

Sedara, Nero D Avola, Sicily-big bold rich lush dry red. THIS is Italy.

Castlerock Pinot Noir, Mendocino, California-earthy, yet smooth medium bodied red with nice aromas of wild strawberry, cherry and spice.

Cristalino Brut Rose, Spain-this juicy dry pink cava ROCKS! Wild strawberry, raspberry aromas and flavors with teeny tiny bottles and crisp refreshing taste.