Harvest is coming!!!!

Hello again dear friends,

Well another week has gone by and I am only 10 months and 2 days from my return to Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Destiny Ridge Vineyards, and my sanity. Life here in the African desert is just creeping by at a snails pace. But enough of that. I first want to tell you all about my 2nd and 3rd tries at Egyptian wine. Well, number 2 had an interesting start. My husband and I went to a very nice Italian restaurant on the Nile river last week. I couldn't wait for the wine list. It took me 30 minutes to make a decision, but I came up with a 2007 Cape Bay, Merlot. I guess the Egyptians don't barrel their wines too much. They should definitly consdier it. Anyhow, the wine came in a dirty spotted glass. Then they brought me another glass and just poured my wine into the new glass and wiped the spill with their fingers. I almost got sick. But wine is alcohol and alcohol kills germs so I tell my self, forge ahead. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised about the nose. Full of cherry, it even felt heavy in the nose. Then I looked at the color. kind of reminded me of Rasberry Ice Crystal Light. I let that pass and took a sip. No way! Not again. vinegar!!!! I swear, its a pattern here. I asked the waiter if I could see the bottle. That was a major ordeal. then when he brought me a new, uncorked bottle, I asked, what happened to the one you poured me? Do you know what he said??? That bottle was old and that was the last glass. OK, note to self. NO MORE WINE OUT! Good grief.

So on to wine #3. Now I have to say, after the previous two, I was being a bit pessimistic. but to my surprise, the 2006 bottle of Shahrazade, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend was quite remarkable. Especially once we made sangria out of it! Ok, to be honest, it was nice and mellow. If you like that. It's very young. So hard to tell what it could be. the Egyptians seem to prefer a sweeter, lighter style to their wine. I had high hopes for this particular bottle because supposedly it is bottled and produced here in Cairo, but under the "supervision" of Christophe Olivier, from the Bordeax region in France. I guess they still have to produce a wine that will be consumed locally, though. It wasn't bad. But at 12.5% alcohol, it just doesn't have the full body and bite that those rich Washington cab's carry. Call me crazy, but I like it a little hotter. Anyhow, I enjoyed my glass and then quickly turned it over to my husband who in turn made the most fabulous Sangria out of it. We smuggled into the club and drank it all day. You can see the picture attatched. We were feeling no pain.

The Sharazade Winery is an estate winery. their vineyard is not too far from where I live on the Cairo/Alexandria Rd. It's called Karm el Nada. I think it might be a good choice for a day trip. I'll let you know how that goes.

Other than that, all is well here in the middle of nowhere. but you have to love technology.

Everyday, my family packs up our beach bags and computers and we head down to the "club"/pool. They have wireless now, so I can get tan and work at the same time. This really is living.

So long for now, I'll check in again soon. I just love hearing from all of you and I look forward to getting some updates on the vineyard from our dear winemaker, Jarrod, very soon. By the way, I hear the new 2006 Merlot is out of this freaking world!! Yahoo, can't wait to get me some of that!