Nasty Asti.

Well, it really wasn't that nasty, I just like the rhyme, but it wasn't particularly praiseworthy.  For a 2009, this Castelvero Barbera D'Asti had no nose to speak of and it just tasted old.  Shame really because Thud had cooked a wonderful bucatini dish (Neopolitan, I know) and the wine fell quite short.  Oh well.  But dinner was a fun event anyway because an old, school friend came to visit me and it's always fun to meet up with Mr. Ray.
The weather continued to be difficult yesterday and only cleared up just before sunset, which turned out to be stunning.  It was cold and extremely windy with a constant drizzle, so the entire family decided to go out for ice cream.  Tough us English.