Fiona and I like to rent audio books from Cracker Barrel when we take road trips. It takes a little of the edge off a long drive. I was leaning toward the new Jimmy Buffett novel, Swine Not, but thought it might be a better read than listen. We each found a couple books that appealed to us as individuals, but one really seemed to be speaking to the both of us. Marley and Me had a picture of a yellow lab on the cover, and subtitled “life and love with the world’s worst dog,” there was no doubt left in our minds.

I wanted to prove this guy a farce, because I knew that Marley couldn’t possibly compete with Barney, our basset hound mix who was residing at the kennel while we were in Florida. On the way to Panama City, we laughed as author John Grogan read about the crazy times he spent with Marley. There were times when we had to pause the cd to reminisce Barney’s most memorable antics ourselves.

I think it was Tuesday night when it finally hit me…Marley was going to die before the end of the book. It’s well known that all dog stories involve loss. Either they run away and come back, or they die. Marley was never separated from John and Jenny, so therefore I knew that before the story ended, Marley would pass on. I focused my attentions back into my wine and dismissed the idea with a couple more glasses. We abused ourselves and the beach for the rest of the week, but Marley had left an effect on me. I missed Barney. It’s weird, because he usually just kinda sits there while I do my thing. He’s just Barney.

Of course I was right. Marley gets sick and old. The inevitable is coming. I’m trying not to sob out loud, but Fiona notices anyway. “Baby, he’s not even dead yet, why are you crying already?” I wiped my tears on my arm and tried to compose myself. “I-I-I’m just thinking about when Barney gets like this,” is all I can manage to get out. “I don’t want him to die.” Fiona takes my hand, trying not to laugh out loud at me. “Barney’s not going to die for a long time.” That only makes the tears run faster. “It’ll be even harder to lose him then.”

So, it’s Sunday afternoon and I can’t get Barney until 4:00. I’m finally home, and he’s not here. He’s always here, usually in my way, but today he’s not. Two and a half hours left.

If you love dogs and feel up to a good cry, get the book. Or, you can wait for the movie. It should be out soon, and stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.

This will be my third consecutive year to make the journey over to the Florida panhandle for a week of fun, sun and alcohol with the Boyd family. This year holds new surprises as we will continue to travel past Grayton Beach to Carillon, just north of Panama City. The new house is beach front and has an elevator and a built in wine fridge! I’m posting a few pictures from previous years to help build the excitement. I will try to post while away, but I cannot guarantee anything.

Congratulations to the Callaway family! Little Owen Wyatt J. Callaway was born In early May, to proud parents Jay and Evelyn. We visited baby and mom in Austin last weekend, and both are doing very well. Sorry we missed dad, but we’ll have plenty of interaction once fantasy football starts.

Celebrate the grape harvest in Texas August 15-17 and 22-24. Check out the Texas Hill Country Wineries web page for more details. Even if you’re not up to the self-guided tour next month, there are links and a map, along with write-ups for the individual wineries.

My first exposure to Lil Wayne coincided with moving to Houston. One of his aliases is Weezy F. Baby, very similar to the Weeze or Weezy that I get from my last name, Wiesehan. A month later, when our school started receiving New Orleans kids, I was immersed into Lil Wayne’s world. So, I was quite familiar with him when the song “Lollipop” hit the charts. He celebrated his album release party just down the road at Hush Nightclub, and Houston in general has embraced him and his music.

“Lollipop” has taken Wayne from the top of the rap scene to the top of the world. His album, The Carter III is at the top of the charts and has sold close to 2 million copies in just four weeks. “Lollipop” is the #1 single in airplay and #3 overall. Weezy F. Baby has plenty of reason to celebrate.

And what’s the best way to celebrate? Champagne! But not any old bottle will do when you’re Lil Wayne, it needs to be really special. Enter Halo Champagne, a joint venture with Milestone Brands and Voirin-Jumel Vineyards. Wayne’s Halo brand makes its first appearance in the video for “Lollipop,” and will be available to the public sometime in the fall.

There will be four varieties corked under the name Halo. Halo Brut, contains various flavors and a citrus finish, with hints of lemon cream and roasted hazelnut. Halo Brut Vintage features a classic, creamy consistency and a stronger mix of lemon blossoms and almonds. Halo Rose, a combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, offers an aroma of pomegranate, crushed raspberries, and mint. Finally, Halo Pinnacle is a fruity Chardonnay blend, capped off by hints of lime-tree flower and roasted hazelnuts.

Wayne’s French partner, Voirin-Jumel, is recognized as one of the finest makers of Chardonnay-based champagne. The company, based in the Grand Cru Village of Cramant in Northeast France, has been known traditionally for artisanal champagne making. An internet search prices their current products at about $50, so Halo will not come cheap.

Today’s biggest wine news is that Spain is projected to overtake France as the world’s largest wine producer by 2015 unless they can turn things around. The AP article cited several reasons for the shift in power. One issue is that the French just aren’t drinking as much wine. The trend is seen in younger citizens and is contributed to the ban of wine advertising in French media. Another explanation appears to arise from increased marketing and innovative labeling and packaging from other distributers. The market has changed, and the French have failed to keep up with the new trends, relying on tradition and prestige to carry them through. Spain does have the larger wine-making area, so it’s understandable that they would produce more wine.

However, they have do have to sell that wine. Spain has worked really hard on marketing their wine as a country, with great success. However, the French are still divided into regions and have yet to come together to market their wines on a world wide scale. While regions like Bordeaux and Champagne are seeing record sales, the lesser known regions are hurting, and in many cases having to sell excess wine for use in disinfectants and gas additives. Eric Rosaz, director of France’s independent wine producers association, is doing what he can to prevent the Spanish takeover. He says plans are in place, but more needs to be done to improve the country’s “dynamism” in the wine market.

To break in the new vehicle, Fiona and I loaded up and drove to Austin for the 4th. It’s nice to get away once and awhile, even if it is only for a couple of days. We arrived on Thursday night to attend Wahoo’s semi-annual party. Wahoo’s has become a staple of our Austin trips since John and Gayna discovered it a couple years ago. It was wild to see a fish taco restaurant transform into a nightclub; complete with a DJ, dancing, and snow cones with flavored vodka. Annie stopped by to visit too.

We slept in and hit the pool on Friday before heading out to Dripping Springs to see the family. Mom and Elena drove a U-Haul up to Jennifer’s new place. It was great to see everyone. Even though I’m fully a Houstonian, I still miss the Valley from time to time. My nephew Waylon has gotten so big, and he’s into everything. He’ll be two in September, and I’m hoping there will be a party for him.

Saturday, we hit Isolation Station, home of the Scroggins. They were still celebrating the holiday, and we had a great time by the pool with the Reeds, Kelly’s sister Lisa. and Patty and her family. Kudos to Scroggins, who ironically was the “last man standing.” I really enjoy the hill country. It’s amazing how many stars you can see when you’re away from the city. I picked up a twelve pack of the new BudLight Lime, and it was really good. We saw a winery on the way home that we’ll have to add to our Texas wine tour.

Today’s Bordeaux 2008 boasts 100 Classic, Contemporary, Affordable Wines. Since I’ve begun taking my wine consumption more seriously lately, I’ve felt there is a gap separating the French from everyone else. To me, French wines just seem to be more–complete. By that I mean that after a few tastes, you can just sit back and enjoy. I really don’t try to dissect the flavors, because they work so well together. There’s this liquid harmony working that makes it so melodic. I’ve tasted many wines where the fruits seem to battle each other for position within the wine. There’s an internal discord, like the Beatles in the 70’s.

Since I seem to be lingering with the musical analogies, I’ll try to flesh out an example. If you get a chance, listen to the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over. Throughout the live album, the five core members are dead on with their harmonies, creating one huge voice with each individual represented. It’s truly amazing. French wines operate on that same level. There’s that feeling of, “Hey, this exactly the way things should be.”

I’m sticking my neck out a bit here, because not all French wines have that harmony. I tried one the other night (Tarus?) that was highly recommended by the guy at Specs. It wasn’t quite there. There was too much going on, and it didn’t go together. But the majority of the ones that have “it” are French in my book.

I’m going to print the list and try a few of these wines, and I invite you to join me. I’ve tried a few and seen several others around, but the names all mix together until I find something that really stands out. I’ve been searching for that undiscovered talent, but I find myself returning for what I consider the most harmonious of them all, Chateau de Cadillac. Also, if you’re looking for some vocal harmonies in your music, try Los Lonely Boys, a Texican Rock-n-Roll trio from San Angelo.

Fiona finally talked me into trading in the Altima. We are now the proud owners of a 2009 Nissan Murano with most of the bells and whistles. Since it is somewhat champagne in color, we decided to christen the vehicle Bubbles. To commemorate the new addition to the family, I purchased two bubbly wines; a Vouvray-Chateau Moncontour, and Principessa Perlante-from the Gavi Vineyards in Italy.

The general consensus seems to be that Zinfandel is the all-American, grill-friendly wine choice for the Independence Day weekend. Being the proud American that I am, I will forgo the tempting French wines calling my name and stick with the Red, White and Blue? I’ve tried a couple Zins, most with punderfully clever  names, but I’m not too terribly familiar with them. This is why I love my readers. They know more than I do about these things. Help! Any suggestions?