Call me lightweight but as much as I love wine I like to give myself alcohol-free nights too (let’s not talk about the daytime). They give me a chance to recharge ready to appreciate my next bottle of wine. But there’s one time where I always seem to break the pattern of “free nights” and that’s when I’m away on holidays. Strangely, the gap often seems to be filled with a beer or two. I do enjoy a good beer from time to time!
Last month I was away on the Gold Coast over the Valentines weekend, staying at Broadbeach. Call me an old romantic for taking my lovely better half away… but that’s probably not the truth. We were up there visiting friends and family and it just happened to fall over Valentines day. Of course though I had to do something special!
So as you can see, I got dressed up and we headed out to a bar for the arvo where we enjoyed a couple of romantic bevvies… I think I had some boutique Mexican beer called Corona or something. Really weird, I kept finding a lemon slice floating down in the bottle. I did wonder if they put that in there before bottling, like those ship thingies.
One of our readers commented on a blog post that I must love my fizzy wine because I keep writing about it. The weird thing is that I do like bubbles but only because that’s my wife’s favourite bevvie and what she wants she usually seems to get. See, I am romantic and I know how to hold a happy marriage! 😉
I did make a bit of a mistake on the bubbly while we were away, a rare mistake of course. My wife asked me to pick up a Champagne and I came back with some good old Aussie bubs, to my wife’s dismay. See, I’ve picked up a little bit of know on wine, and have copped onto the quality of the Aussie sparklings, so when I saw the price of an average non-vintage Champagne some automatic reaction moved my legs over to the Aussie stuff instead. I was no longer in control of my actions, and something had drowned out my wife’s request.
So I picked me up a bottle of 2007 Yarra Burn, a bubbly hailing from the Yarra Valley known for its sparkling friendly climate and soil. Chandon of French acclaim even has a sparkling winery there and the wines are made in the exact style as Champagne. At less than half the price of non-vintage Champagne how could I go wrong? And this was vintage… Vintage!
You should have seen my wife’s face when I walked in the door. She didn’t have to say a thing. But of course I did.
“What a score, I got this vintage bubbly for less than half the price they were charging for non vintage Champagne!” I was truly excited… still receiving a stare.
Then I got “but it’s not Champagne and we’re on holidays”.
I can’t say she fully got over it but this was a great bubbly and although she wouldn’t admit it, I’d like to think she loved it. So full of flavour, nice and creamy, and very moreish.
“But it’s not Champagne”
Now you know why Champagne is so expensive.
I tried to make it up to her another night with a Prosecco, as seen in the top image, along with a bit of yummy stuff to bring her around. A really good Prosecco too! Produced by Santa Margherita, it was springy and full of life with lots of apple-like flavours that danced about.
“You didn’t get Champagne again?”
Another night I tried to be different and bought us a lovely Jaraman Shiraz from Taylors. It’s full bodied with grippy tannins that carry loads of juicy fruit.
“Will you just pick up some bloody Champagne”
I must listen to my wife more. I don’t think I quite got the message.
Author: Conrad
Ah Champagne! It makes for bubbly stories. Yours is fun. Now my turn…
Many many years ago a guy who wanted to impress me drove through Paris to get “something you will love,” he said. It was very late and most shops were closed except a couple on the Champs Elysees. He parked half on the street half on the sidewalk, ran inside a store, and returned with a bottle of …Champagne.
I didn’t want to be mean and so I never told him that I didn’t really like Champagne. Our story was brief and shortly after I met the guy who is now my husband. Once in a while we drink Champagne because his family is from this area of France and because our American friends think it’s very chic to drink Champagne. But together we prefer other wines to Champagne.
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Thanks Evelyne for sharing your story. It’s the rep of Champagne that makes it so expensive. Cheers!
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“Now you know why Champagne is so expensive.”
Oh, now I know.
About the Corona, the main factory is at the next neighbourhood of where I live, its pretty big and theres some big chimneys of what its supposed to be water vapor.
They sold it to a belgium company last year for a bunch of millions.
Many years ago I went inside, there were industrial metallic pots cooking, other containers to let it settle and also the bottle packing. Later they put us in a living room with snacks and free beer, I dont really remember much, not that I was drunk, hopefully.
I had some dices and cups to play but give them away already.
Long ago they put a free drinkable water faucet for people just to take, specially since the neighbourhood behind it is very poor, but I think some people were reselling it and they removed it.
I dont think its supposed to have a lemon inside, I blame the bartender.
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😉
What town is that by the way AuAu?
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Its supposed to be a little secret at my blog, but I guess here I can tell: guadalajara, mexico; would not really recommend it.
I just had a laugh remembering what people used to say when they sold corona “it was the only famous successful thing we had!” hehe.
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I have always wondered where you were from AuAu. Don’t worry, it’s just a comment on another blog. 😉
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About the beer, the lemon are served from the bartender…..
I’m not a big fan of champagne, but one glass at special occations is okay. Everything famous are expensive, and France have had problems with the weather in the latest years, which did destroy a lot of grapes, then the rest become more expensive. Champagne is produced in the special area called Champagne, otherwise it is not allowed to call it champagne, only sparkling like the rest of the world.
Tell your wife, that real champagne is tough for the stomach, the other sparklings from more warm countries don’t have so much acid and a much better taste. And for you a much better price.
Irene
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Thank you Irene for a great rundown on sparklings and for helping solve the riddle of the lemon. Cheers! 😉
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Yummy… 😛
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Yes, indeed! 😛
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AuAu says: “I don’t think its supposed to have a lemon inside, I blame the bartender”. I lived in Albuquerque for quite a few years and have never NOT seen a Mexican put a lemon slice in their Corona!
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So it’s the done thing then. Cheers!
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Dude I am stuck at work… not cool man. Not cool at all!!!
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Man, I hope you didn’t miss beer-o’clock!
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Can beer-o’clock be at 5 am? 🙂
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The amount of times I’ve cracked the next beer at 5am!
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Good, at least I won’t face judgement from you. lol 😉
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Hahaha! You really should listen to the wifey more! Yeah, champagne is quite expensive and my family rarely buys it. My dad likes to look at them in the wine shop and nine times out of ten walks out with…a Jacobs Creek red. And speaking of lemons, I’ve had a few bottled fizzy drinks where they had a slice of lemon squashed down there. No idea what that’s for
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I try to listen Mabel, I really do! 😛
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Hahaha – it is very, very simple. Happy wife = happy life
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You always make me thirsty!
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I just re-read all that and made myself thirsty!
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Champagne has to be expensive cos of the way it’s made, but doesn’t mean you have to like paying for it!
Yarra Valley, Tasmania, and Adelaide Hills make awesome sparkling, do a blind tasting on your wife next time if she’s up for it, see if she can tell the difference!
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Cheers Mike. She says she can tell the difference everytime but I have my doubts. I think I might have to do as you suggest!
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Um, it’s supposed to be a LIME in the Corona. What is with this lemon nonsense?
Or is that regional? I’ve never seen it with lemon. I also always do lime with tequila.
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You usually get the choice over here, lemon or lime in your Corona. I do often have lime but decided on lemon this time. Mix it up a bit!
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I live in wine country but I haven’t the taste for the grape… Go figure… Maybe there is a hell?
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Each to their own. Thanks for dropping in on us!
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We buy champagne to drink on New Years’ and that’s it. Tradition, I suppose. Personally, I prefer the tradition where I drink the leftover champagne in mimosas!
Love Prosecco, totally prefer it — but it’s not champagne 😉
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Hello there! I love that almost apple-like freshness of Prosecco!
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🙂
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Just a couple of things… Valentine’s Day is overrated but it’s nice you’ve heard of it. 🙂 Now, the last person I said this to, well, Tragic Lady’s trying to keep dark clouds at bay so, wine is good for your blood and tolerance for alcohol varies anyway. I was raised with a glass of wine with dinner, diluted of course when I was a child, so my perspective on alcohol, hmmm… I think is a good perspective. It’s part of a good meal.
I’m not a beer drinker but it’s perfect for warm weather, which in the states is summertime. I like ales and since Italy, Belgian, however after drinking the goblet it’s served in I appreciated having the mountains to work it off.
There’s nothing like Prosecco. Traditionally for brunches Mimosas are served, champagne and orange juice, but Prosecco would work for that too.
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I think that’s the right way to grow up with alcohol. Very European approach and knocks out the taboo attraction.
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Exactly so
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Corona ads (tv/print) feature limed bottles … maybe they’ve just convinced us North Americans that it’s an integral part of the experience. 🙂
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You usually get the choice of lemon or lime in your Corona down this way. I was just in the mood for lemon.
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when I reread MY comment it sounded a little judgemental … apologies.
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Didn’t pick up on that atb all. Cheers!
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There’s never a bad time for bubbles. Proseco, cava, sparkling; breakfast, lunch, dinner!
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You’re onto it Peter! 😉
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Yes, Corona here is always served with a lime (like Blue Moon beer is always served with an orange wedge). Corona’s competitor is Dos Equis, which features the ads for the World’s Most Interesting Man. I prefer my fizziness in a Coke; Champagne always makes my tummy hurt.
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Yeah, Champagne can be quite acidic hence why the good stuff lasts.
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I’ll lend you my gf, who prefers we purchase Prosecco due to the superior cost-benefit aspect to it. Minimum visit duration is six months, deposit required.
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lol… deposit.
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” I must listen to my wife more.” On that sentence alone there’d probably be fewer wars. Home ones and international ones.
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Yep, but we never learn. 😛
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I love your post! I go through more “dry” periods than I’d like these days, but I’ve had to accept the fact that the things in life don’t always allow for a daily bottle of something great (although many jobs, including mine, would lead many to drink something even not-so-great on a very regular basis – but I digress…). I took a little time out for green beer this week (it’s a rule, you have to do it). I’d have to say that I’m in my bubbly phase right now, too. As for the “real” Champagne, well, I’ve had some wonderful offerings, and found a few French bubblies that don’t technically qualify as Champagne, but are just wonderful (like Willm NV Brut Prestige Crémant d’Alsace). I enjoy cavas and proseccos, but also found some nice California bubbly (like J Cuvee 20). All fabulously prices, I might add. On a personal note, you can have a technically fabulous, highly rated bottle of real deal Champagne and enjoy it, but the finest bottle of bubbly – any bubbly – is the one shared with those you love, and the moment makes the bottle. Sante!
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Hi Connie! I think all good wine is to be shared. It’s like group love!!
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Did you see our post about LAMB MACS
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I have now. Your posts and my reader haven’t seemed to have collided of late. Caught up now.
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Sorry, too much wine due to not being able to chew (see post). As I was saying, did you see our post about LAMB MACS, We figure in Oz you may be looking for lamb sun shades or personal parasols!!!
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lol, yes lamb sunshades! Have you seen my lamb tie? http://thewinewankers.com.au/2013/09/10/what-goes-on-tour/ I do hope your TMJ sorts itself out soon!
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I have only recently been introduced to champagne although I have enjoyed sparkling my whole adult life.
I really cant justify the cost of the french stuff and lately have preferred to walk away with a chilled bottle of Janz over much of the other stuff.
However, I wont say no when the sister inlaw opens the Verve
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Sounds like you totally understand! 😉
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Thanks for the like. Looks like you enjoy life to the fullest. Encourages me. Meghan
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Hi Meghan. I’d say it’s moreso that my writing focus is on living life to the fullest. In otherwords, it’s that small aspect of our lives that we describe… the fun bits. Cheers!
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I’m quite the stubborn old coot, so I can’t criticize anyone on either side of this equation for sticking to his/her ‘plan’. The only fault that would’ve been truly blameworthy would be if you two hadn’t taken advantage of whatever good sips were available at the moment, something I suspect neither of you is foolish enough to do no matter what Plan A was on the occasion. 😉
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Yes, I agree and in the end we still had fun together. It wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t get the message and my wife wasn’t overly fussed either.
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I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! This is a pay it forward thing where winners write about other blogs they enjoy. The award is intended to be an honor, not a burden, so if you do not have time, no worries! Just bask in the knowledge that you’re pretty cool in my eyes. To see the nice stuff I wrote about you Wankers, go to http://linnetmoss.com/2014/03/24/linnets-nominees-for-the-versatile-blogger-award/
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Thank you so much Linnet… it’s an honour, especially considering the calibre of the other nominees, bloggers I also follow.
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I would have enjoyed all of your picks, but I’m not your wife. Happy wife, happy life. You did buy champagne in the end, right???
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Ummmmmm…
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Personally, I love our Washington State champagne – and yes I’m calling it champagne. It has bubbles. It’s champagne. To me. Champagne is a region, I know. I even sort of understand their desire to keep it exclusive (and thus expensive) but I think calling it ‘sparkling wine’ is lame sounding. We need a better word, Conrad!
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I agree Laura, we do need a better word! I’ve thought about this before, but the word alludes me.
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You guys need to go on holiday to Reims or Epernay. Then you can drink all the local cru as much as you want, for a reasonable price (40 Euro Krug anyone?)
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40 Euro Krug… we’re there!
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If you have the time Conrad, your input was requested by a couple people in this thread. 🙂
http://aopinionatedman.com/2014/03/24/the-daily-opinion-wine/
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OK mate. Missed that one. Will have a look soon. 🙂
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Years ago at some casino in Holland (are they called casinos there?) we won a bottle of really expensive Champagne. Everyone was going nuts and raving about how great it was going to be; it wasn’t. I thought it tasted like I was sucking on a copper penny. – Fast forward to last weekend; the husband and I go to a little restaurant under a bridge called The Boat Shed. We bought a $12 bottle of local wine (Washington state here in the U.S.) and it was absolutely beautiful!
Proof that just because something is hyped doesn’t mean it’s worth the money. Sometimes perfection is found locally …. and sometimes it comes in a bottle of Corona … just like the little boat thingies. 😉 Cheers!
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Right there is exactly the issue… it’s a brand name!
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The only kind of wine I am passionate about is beer.
But your blog is always fun and I thank you once again for perusing my poetry.
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I fairly passionate about that one too. 😉
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I think you are too creative and she wants the same old ‘guaranteed’ flavor of champagne! You are fun to read and hope to be better at keeping up with you! I have only two hours a day or less at the library! Alas! But it allows me to be ‘free’ of technology, (except the phone and television! Ha ha!) Smiles, Robin
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I like that… I’m too creative! 😛
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Many husbands I know seem to say that to themselves. 🙂 It sounds like she likes it one way will you like to experiment. There is nothing wrong with either.
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I do like to try different things. Cheers!
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First of all: this post made me laugh out loud several times :), I love a good, citric, sparkling wine. I’m not a huge fan of the yeasty stuff. This past Valentine’s Day, my love brought home a bottle of R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne. Have you tried it? It’s relatively inexpensive and was oh so refreshing…a little too refreshing! I’m almost embarrassed to admit this next one but I’m a sucker for Barefoot sparkling Pinot Grigio. It sells for around $9 or $10 per bottle and is crisp and acidic with just a hint of sweetness and smallish bubbles. I’ll take a Corona too though. I think I just like booze!
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No, I haven’t tried that Champagne so thanks for the tip!
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Not a novice but also not an expert. In my previous role as a restaurant manager, I was very fortunate to help select and create the wine list. Being inundated with free samples is always a plus! I’ve studied and completed the “Windows On The World” course book and was offered the chance to have my former company pay for my sommelier certification. The hitch was that they would only pay if I passed. Not willing to pay out of pocket if I failed, I let go of the opportunity…for now. At the moment, I just enjoy wine, whether it’s D.O.C.G, Premier Cru or out of a Black Label box. I never thought I’d say it but I like boxed wines. There’s no risk of corkage and the packaging allows the producers to offer a good product at a fraction of the cost of those winemakers who pay for glass bottles and natural corks. Synthetic corks and boxed wines are the wave of the future because they just make sense financially.
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Wifey is always right….
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Of course! 😉
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🙂
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Oooh Prosecco…your description above made me crave a well-balanced, not too sweet Prosecco along with petit delights. It is one of my favorites! I actually prefer it to some champagnes. Mmmmm lovely.
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Yeah, me too!
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I do enjoy a little “bubbly”… but pretty flexible on where my bubbles come from. Like you, I know more about wine. Going forward, just remember the American saying – “Happy wife, happy life”. Teehee!
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I know, I know. You’d think I would have learned by now. 🙂
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Hahahaha! Yes, you guys tend to not get the message quite often. But we love you for it anyway. I had to laugh when you mentioned having Coronas and kept finding lemon slices in the bottle! I live in Texas so we have alot of Mexican ‘cervezas’ here and that’s very common to include a citrus wedge. Try it with lime next time. Much better with limes! Tecate with lime is good too, although I’m a fan of the lighter Corona. Fun stuff!
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Hey there! Cheers for the tip on limes. 😉
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