As the Holiday Season ends

Well as the holiday season comes to an end it is time once again to start thinking about getting our wine study group gathered together. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will have something new to tell you we learned as a group. I have tried to hold your interest these last several weeks on topics I have found interesting for myself. As time goes by I find myself yearning for a ride to Boardman to the wine & beer store I so love to stock up on some beers and wines. New Year's Eve I spent with a friend celebrating German's New Year at a quaint neighboring town just outside of Zelienople, PA. The name of the town is Harmony, it is not very large at all. They celebrated the German New Years which was at 6PM our time. So early in the afternoon we set out for a very nice ride on the country back roads. The weather that particular day was extremely warm and lovely for Pittsburgh weather. After browsing several of the shops in town (one in particular will be selling my recently published book and some of my hand made purses, perfumes and soaps) we went to The Harmony Inn Restaurant where we sat outdoors in the "beer garden" and enjoyed a beer next to the outdoor fireplace. It was such a beautiful day! People were everywhere in the streets congregating, children running and having fun. I got a bratwurst sandwich and we sat in the car (since we had prime parking) and ate & drank while we watched the ball drop @ 6pm and said "Happy New Year"! We returned home after 7pm and opened a bottle of Lindeman's Framboise Lambic (raspberry).Long before hops were common in most beers, various fruits and vegetables were used to season beers. The acidity of Lambic beers blends perfectly with raspberries. Magnificent aroma, delicate palate of rasp.berries with undertones of fruity acidity; elegant, sparkling clean taste. Style—Raspberry Lambic. Color—Rose.
Serving Suggestions

Chocolate desserts (especially chocolate decadence), fresh raspberries, ice cream with a raspberry demi-glaze sauce, créme caramel, baked Alaska, Olympia oysters, caviar. Serve in flute-shaped Lambic glasses at 45 degrees.
If you love berries you really need to try a Lambic...it was a pleasing change from wine, but wine is my ultimate favorite. But for a German New Year....I could not think of any other way to end the evening but with a favorite someone, a fire in the fireplace and a relaxing drink as we reminisced about 2010 & talked of hopes for 2011.
Cheers!