Wherein I Buy Myself a Birthday Present
OK, honesty compels me to admit that I've already bought myself one thing (because it was on sale at The 'Zon), a cordless Dremel tool. I did not pay that much. But I was casting about for something else as a pure indulgence and what should appear in my in box but another communique from the Wall Street Journal Wine folks. To wit: the "Summer Rosé and Bubbly Case." With shipping and tax it works out to a shade under $14 per bottle and the wines I've gotten so far have been really good so far (and superb in one [half]case). These look really good for a hot summer evening on the deck:

French Fizz: Roche Lacour is a Champagne-quality favorite from the historic sparkling wine town of Limoux. Joyful PS is a gently sparkling Syrah rosé from Provence.

Italian Pink: High in the mountains of northern Italy, a gentle pressing of Pinot Grigio (a light red grape) gives a raspberry-scented rosé. You’ll enjoy two top finds.

Looks like it could be a pleasant summer. Come on over. We'll drink a bottle of rosé and talk of the world.