Sparkling water

[hotwine]

I was at a loss to know where to put this.

In the last couple of years, I've really developed a taste, almost a need, for sparkling water. It was common in Europe years ago to see the locals drink the stuff with their meals, but I never thought that I would do the same. Yet now nothing else seems quite so refreshing, especially in the depths of summer, as an ice-cold bottle of European sparkling water. It's wonderful as a palate-cleanser, as an energy booster, as an all-around gulper when the mercury has roared past 100 enroute to hell. I favor the German water Gerolsteiner, but frequently order the Italian Pelligrino in a restarant, due to its wider availability.

Don't know how many of you have found that tonic for yourselves, but if you haven't, I sure heartily recommend it.