What kind of wine goes with fried chicken?

My cousin Mark (far left) with his wife Suzy (middle left) came to visit Curt and me over the weekend.

They came in late Thursday night.

Friday Curt and I worked so M & S hung out in our neighborhood enjoying lunch, shopping and coffee. We took them to Sushiya for dinner Friday night. After that back to the house to relax and watch the Olympics.

Saturday Curt had to work because Macworld Expo was going on. So the rest of us had an easy morning and then headed to the city. We walked around Chinatown going into all of the fun stores and buying cheap crap. We headed to Stockton to get some steamed buns. After that to North Beach for lunch. We ate at Mona Lisa's. We sat outside and enjoyed good food and a bottle of wine. After that we headed back through Chinatown and did some more shopping. Eventually we ended up at the bar the Irish Bank, which is literally in an alley. Curt joined us there. After that we came back to our place, ordered a pizza, had some beer, watched the Olympics and were all in our jammies by 8:30. Yup, wild and crazy night.

Sunday late morning we headed to Napa after lounging and drinking our coffee ... We got to Bistro Don Giovanni for lunch a little before noon. I figured they would be busy. But they were packed. We were lucky we got there when we did without a reservation. We got a table right away. We had a delicious lunch. Suzy and I shared half a bottle of wine. After lunch we were off to the wineries for some tastings. We hit our regulars: first William Harrison, ZD Wines and lastly Andretti. We tasted some yummy wines at all the wineries. I bought one bottle. It was an amazing bottle--because I really don't need anymore wine right now. Mark and Suzy got wine at all three wineries. Glad they liked the wine and were able to take some home. (The four of us are pictured above at Andretti [our last stop].)

When we got home we hurried to Market Hall to get some cheese and fresh pasta for dinner.

This was a great weekend. We shared a lot of laughs. Man, the things that Mark and I remembered as kids had us cracking up. All four of us get along really well. Mark and Suzy are easy going and are into their lounging like Curt and I are. They were easy guests. And we welcome them back anytime, with or without the kids. I can't wait to visit them and see where they live and visit with the kids, too, hopefully this summer.

A: Zinfandel (Though I still think it could be sparkling wine.)