Why my program is the best program ever

Honestly, can anyone imagine a better program? I spent this afternoon working on a presentation on herbal-based medicine, and this evening I went on a research project. By this I mean, specifically, that I went to a wine tasting. The Association of Montepulciano Wine Producers (or something like that) was having their 2008 Preview at a swanky hotel here in Bologna. I attended. For the sake of alimentary research, naturally. My primary notes:

1. Vin santo rocks.
2. Studying the History and Culture of Alimentation rocks.

That about sums it up.

If you’re wondering, though, I did actually treat it as a research project. I had a great time chatting it up with the wine producers. We talked about the presence of flavors such as cherry and blackberry, the oak barrels, how long the wine ages, the various grapes, and wine that is very “approachable” (What that means remains a mystery for me: If it's not approachable, how do you approach it?) Also the cheese was good.

And I have to go right now, because the pot on my stove is overflowing. On another alimentation note, I have discovered that boiling orange peels makes an awesome herbal tea. (Which is not actually a tea, as I have been corrected many times by Europeans, who prefer to call such non-tea teas “infusions.” But I continue to call them teas, probably because I’m testarda, stubborn.)