The German and I headed south - Mendocino-south to the northern coast of California for the annual family camping trip. Yes, sometimes I camp - Rocky Mountain High and the works.

So the German and I are headed to … well, Germany. And on this particular trip, I'm meeting the ex-wife. Why? Because the German became good friends with the prince who took her off his hands.

The universal truth is such that we're all looking for that perfect match. Whether you're a man, woman or lobster, life is about test-driving enough potentials to eventually find that perfect match. And, often, on our journey, we invoke the power of wine to help us reach just a little bit further. We drink in pursuit of Mr. Right - and we drink even more in pursuit of Mr. Right Now.

One of the blessings of this time of year is the chance it gives me to connect with you, my friends and family. I wish I could call you all personally, but really, who has that kind of time. I am so excited to tell you about my amazing life and all the wonderful things that have happened.

If Dr. No says The World is Not Enough and The Man with the Golden Gun, Goldfinger or Goldeneye didn't see A View to a Kill, which was really meant For Your Eyes Only ... well that's a lot of responsibility, let alone if you're going to Live and Let Die just to Die another Day, is the hassle really worth it?

On a recent horseback ride through vineyards in Zillah, Wash., apparently, we weren't the only ones tasting juice.

While navel gazing one afternoon, it occurred to me, that I've lived my life - both literally and figuratively - in the context of the game show Family Feud.

I'll take "Obscure Terms" for $100, Alex.

Well, it happened. This winter, the German popped the question, and we're tying the knot in May.

Why, when we order soup in any sort of line, do we panic? This happened to me recently. I walked into a soup place and immediately faced two lines. Is this one for soup or sandwiches? I didn't know, and they weren't marked. The pressure not to screw up was building.

It's a common yet tacit covenant that social lying is acceptable. We all do it, then wish we were better people. Why is it that one of life's most awkward moments is saying "no" to an unexpected invitation. Another baby shower, coffee with an ex, a family's wedding. The invites keep coming, and it's best to always have a canned excuse ready: a blend of precision, personal touch, conviction - and some truth.

Slice it, dice it - break-ups are tough. Whether you're the dumper or the dumpee - post break-up can feel bad - but it can also feel good. Call it an occasion, perhaps a celebration - and pour a glass of your favorite wine for a toast.

Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw had "The Russian." New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser cooked for "Mr. Latte." And I, a fledgling wine columnist, have "The German." He's quirky and eccentric - an avid wine collector, an authority on antique Meissen porcelain and a fervent German enthusiast (born in Switzerland to German parents).

My girlfriends and I were sitting in my dining room lamenting about how quickly summer has flown. Before we know it, one friend exclaimed to the other as she momentarily sat her wine glass down and inserted a big glob of Chubby Hubby, it will soon be time to queue up Netflix and pull out the reds. Seasons change, but accoutrements do not.

If men could understand one thing about women, it's how simple life could be: Give me my wine and give me my shoes and we could live happily ever after.

It was a brilliant day when Sinclair slipped off the ledge and fell out the window from two stories above the Earth.