For the past few years as my knowledge and appreciation for wine grew I was still under the personal impression that I did not take wine too seriously. I just happened to love what I did for a living and was lucky enough to thoroughly enjoy the "products" that I sold. That impression was shattered just about a year ago!

I was at an annual family gathering at my wife's uncle's house; lovely people, great food and I had brought some fantastic wine. I was, especially, looking forward to a Rose' champagne that I brought. I have always preferred the taste of Rose's over white (although I'd drink '96 Salon Clos Mesnil any time!) and I find they look very festive as well; just the perfect thing to start a nice holiday meal. And that's when it happened. I was in charge of opening the bottles and my wife in charge of pouring, so I wasn't in the room as the table was set and the champagne was being poured. As I came in I was horrified to see my gorgeous (tasting and looking) Rose' champagne sitting in red tinted glasses! It looked like the glasses were filled with soda water as the red tint completely washed out the delicate salmon color of the champagne.

It was then I realized I had crossed a very definitive line. My appreciation had turned into a minor obsession. A Rose' champagne in a red glass! I found it difficult to enjoy the toast. Not only did the wine not look right it seemed to taste different because of that difference in appearance. In fact, right after the toast I quietly excused myself from the table and got a properly clear champagne flute and made the transfer. Ahhhh... crisis averted. Also, I purposely left the bottle in the kitchen so that if anyone asked for a refill I slipped into the other room and switched their glasses too. My pink, beautiful Rose' in a red glass?? I don't think so!!

This year it's the Ruinart Rose Brut (92 ST) in half bottles ($29.95 per) which is fantastic and the color is right too. You can have as much as you want but you have to promise to serve it in at least a clear glass or, preferably, in a proper clear champagne flute (also available $39.90 per set of two!).

Eat, drink and be merry because it's the holidays!