Comment du Jour

Thanksgiving--Transatlantique

Le Vin est Bon!!

Thanksgiving is a classic American holiday. It celebrates Giving Thanks for a bountiful harvest and in the larger sense, counting our blessings.

Traditionally Turkey is served; and in our home the Turkey has almost always been accompanied by the Beaujolais Nouveau, the French "young wine" which usually appears in America the third Thursday in November. (This is equally a tradition in Tokyo, Japan too. I fondly and somewhat amusingly recall a Beaujolais Nouveau festival in Japan while visiting in the 1980's).

But anyway...

We have usually made the pilgrimage to Sherry Lehmann at either Madison or now Park Avenue, to first taste, and then purchase the New Wine. Many times we have had the pleasure of meeting Monsieur Franck Duboeuf, son of the owner of the premier producer. He would often "sign a bottle" or two of the vintage for my wife and daughter.

Naturally we have looked forward to the 2011 vintage--and yes, it was really an admirable "young wine," a perfect complement to the American turkey.

Bravo Beaujolais!

Comment du Jour

UN Global Rankings Show Royal Flush

Norway, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States are among the best places to live according to the Human Development Report 2011, the UN’s annual rankings of states based on health, wealth, education and gender rights.

Rounding out the top ten include New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Germany and Sweden.

Has anyone noticed something? Besides all the number crunching and statistics, many of the top ten countries are monarchies. Kingdom of Norway, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lichtestein, and Sweden. Four out of ten.

Now consider that Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are members of the British Commenwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.

The Kingdom of Denmark came in at number 16, while the Kingdom of Belgium is ranked at 18, and Spain at 23. The United Kingdom ranked number 28.

The now landmark Human Development Index sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is in its 21st year, this edition ranking 187 countries.

Comment du jour

Late Autumn in Vermont

It's now November--the Autumn leaves are falling and there's frost on the pumpkins. Despite being cooler and grayer, there are still extraordinary glimpses of color and light seen in the late afternoons.

Here are a few recent scenes from southern Vermont.