To paraphrase MacArthur,

[dananne]

We have returned. We spent the 4-day weekend traveling all around Missouri. We went from KC up to St. Joseph, then across the state to Macon, then down through Columbia and Jeff City to Rolla, then back the other way across the state through Springfield to the Joplin area, and finally back to KC.

The only way the above relates to wine is that, while in Columbia, we went to a wine bar/restaurant for lunch. They sell wines in an attached shop, and we browsed to find something to drink during the Packers game (a topic that is off-topic for me for the near future). Anyway, and Wonders will perk up at this, we found the 2006 Lange Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) for $13.99. Yes, $13.99. At the winery, it runs something around $23. I have no idea why it was so cheap, but it drank wonderfully. Frankly, had I paid $30 for it, I'd have been happy at the QPR, so at the price we paid, I almost felt guilty. Quality-wise, it is so much better than any other Pinot that can be purchased at $14, it's like comparing Pintos and Porsches.

I don't think there is anyone on here from Missouri (perhaps Scoop in KC?), but if anyone is traveling in the Columbia area and wants the 411 on the wine bar, let me know.

I'll post more complete notes on recently downed wines once we've unpacked and settled back into our Atlanta routine, and for those of you who tried to ring us while we were away, I'll be in touch on the weekend.