I am back. And I decided to bring back my broken arse and beat up body. Plus I was barely able to drink any wine. But I did manage to sneak in a lovely Alsatian riesling. It was so beautiful after getting my butt handed to me. What the heck is RJ talking about?
     This weekend was the 2019 Pan brazilian jiu jitsu tournament. One of the biggest on the planet and me and my oversized ego thought I would go and lay the smack down. Oh contraire mon frere. The smack was laid down on me. I didn't tap (submit) but I did get beaten on points. And this is good because my match was filmed (and was shown on flowgrappling.com-still on if you want to see the madness). 
     I've watched this stupid match like thirty times and each time I get more and more upset. How did I miss that! Oh my god, why didn't I do this! I need a drink, ASAP! Jiu jitsu is like learning about wine in that you never ever known everything and when you're wrong it humbles you like very little else on the planet. Jiu jitsu humbles you physically and wine humbles you mentally - both humble you spiritually.
     So I originally thought I was fighting on Thursday and Friday before I was gonna take off to Paso for a little vino break but no! The schedule changed and I was to fight on Friday and was unable to change, blah, blah, blah. Live and learn and adapt on the fly. I was in Irvine so I though I would then cruise to Temecula witch is not that far but I made zero reservations with anyone and I would just be looking for people. I could kick myself in the butt.
     Anyway this is where I tell you guys I'm starting a podcast with a dissection of my jiu jitsu performance and which wines to drink as I'm getting my butt kicked, er grappled. I'll post again in a couple days with all the relative links and all that good jazz. Good to be back though. And right now I'm eyeballing a Cab Franc that's calling my name. Take care.

     I am sorry that I haven't posted in a bit. That has been because we have just moved locations and I am terrible at juggling more than a few things at once. So if you've never been to our brick and mortar shop now is the time to come. It's just like having your very own wine cellar/cave/tasting room if you don't have one. We have couches!
     So the new year is shaping up and it has to because I ate far too much during the holidays and I am paying for it now. I am signed up to fight at the Pans jiu jitsu tournament in California coming up the in the next couple of weeks so if you are in the Los Angeles area come and watch me fight! I'll be in the old man (Masters 4) division fighting at middle weight (180 lbs with gi). I so very much wanted to fight at light weight but I am weak. So weak that I succumb to cheesecake and croissants and pancakes and chocolate. Just sugar in general. And of course I had to pair with late harvest and desert  wines for just the occasion. If you are able please leave comments so I will be less likely to cheat so I can fight at light weight (167 lbs I think) the next tournament.
     The rest of the upcoming year will find Patti and I roaming the land for local delicacies and their ultimate pairings in wine. Last year Patti judged a local cold weather varietal wine competition and inspired me to do the same. We will be checking out what each region can bring about in food and match them with their appropriate vinos. The restaurant NOMA in Copenhagen, Denmark put their stamp on food by focusing on their specific foods from their region (think terroir) and in doing so earned two Michelin stars and has won best restaurant in the world a couple times I think. I would love to drink with the madman owner chef anywhere, anytime. I'll bring the wine. Looking at you Rene Redzepi! I'll be fighting in tournaments all over the US. Chicago, Texas, Florida and hopefully learn some moves on the mat and then recover while eating and drinking in the area. If anybody has any recommendations let me know. If you are a confidant foodie please let me in on your secret hole in the wall places. Gotta go, I'm nursing a sore back from jiu jitsu sparring yesterday and it's too early even for me to crack open a bottle. But I am daydreaming about this lovely Rufina Sangio I sampled yesterday. Take care, OSSS!