Weighted With Gold

I'm wearing ashcloth and ashes and will have to eat humble pie. I've missed my brother's fiftieth birthday! It will not be cheep to make up for this slackness. I reckon, it could work with some bottles of pretty good wine.

Last Thursday, at the confirmation dinner of a niece of mine, I could serve wine from Hans Bosch in Boltshausen (I was the waiter). My great grandmother had been an offspring of this Bosch family and Hans Bosch's grandfather was my father's godfather. This makes Bosch's wines kind of family wines for us.

Although, these wines are connected with my family, they are not the best choice for this purpose. It has to be something really special. However, I prefer a Swiss provenance. My brother is a Swiss farmer and one should honor one's soil.

Luckily, Gatín is a wine specialist and could recommend me a wine from the Bündner Herrschaft by Annatina Pelizzatti from Jenins. But, you should not halloo till you're out of the wood. This wine was sold out everywhere. A small wine shop in Zürich sold 1500 bottles within a few days. People seem to weight Annatina Pelizzatti's wines with gold.

Fortunately, Gatín is not only a wine specialist, but also a man with excellent connections. He could find another wine specialist, who is willing to sell me:

• 3 bottles of Jeninser Pinot noir Barrique, 2002
• 3 bottles of Sorso 2003, Annatina Pelizzatti, Jenins.

Annatina Pelizzatti is a member of the Artisanes of Vines and Wines. Artisanes are skilled female manual workers or craftswomen. Truly, Gatín made the right choice.