Over the years, I’ve mentioned the two groups of girlfriends that I met online while Hubby and I were planning our wedding.  These women come from all over North America, we all come from different background, and we all have very different career and life goals.  The frequency of our group emails ebbs and flows depending on how busy life gets and, with the arrival of babies, our yearly group get-togethers have morphed into seeing each other in smaller groups and more sporadically.  However, I never stop being amazed that almost 7 years later, I count these women among some of my closest friends.  One group even maintains a ritual of having an online holiday gift exchange.

The unopened Happy Bitch fortune

As I prepared to write this post about the group’s 2012 holiday gift exchange, which actually takes place in January after the holiday craziness has died down, I was struck by how technology has changed since we started this tradition.  When we first started doing the live, online get-togethers for the holidays and baby showers, it was impossible to do a group video chat for free.  So, we would find a time where all 8 of us could sign onto Google’s GChat.  We would type out details on the presents as we opened them, and when our turn was over, we would take and attach a picture of ourselves with our loot and upload it to the group chat.  It was clearly not an ideal way for us to spend time together, but it was the best we could do.  Thinking about it now makes me laugh.

The Happy Bitch Fortune, which is a quote about happiness from Keryl Pesce’s book

Then Google+ came along, and with it the introduction of Google Hangout.  Admittedly, I don’t use Google+ for much else besides Hangout, but it forever changed how I get-together with my girlfriends.  This year, on January 9th, after a full day of jury duty, I signed online to see the 7 faces of my fabulous friends, hear them laugh, and watch them open up their holiday gifts.  Those of us who weren’t pregnant  indulged in an adult beverage to help keep things festive, and I couldn’t resist opening my last bottle of Happy Bitch Rosé.

The Happy Bitch Rosé (website, amazon) is made in the Hudson Valley of New York with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.  On the nose, there were limes and very ripe strawberries with a hint raspberries and rhubarb.  On the mouth, there were limes, candied strawberries, and raspberries mixed with a hint of orange blossom.  The wine had a touch of sweetness, was lightly effervescent, and a bright acidity.

Happy Bitch Rosé

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely!  If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $11, Happy Bitch Rosé has an amazing quality-price ratio.  And, while this isn’t the first time that I’ve reviewed the Happy Bitch Rosé, I came away with the same impression as I did the last time I had it.  The wine is not complex and it’s not unusual, but it is enjoyable and very drinkable.  In fact, it is perfect for what it claims to be…a wine that “pairs will with girlfriends and great memories.”  And, I enjoyed it while doing exactly that.  Before I knew it, on that cold January evening, my girlfriends and I had spent a couple of hours talking and laughing online, oohing and ahhing over each other’s presents, and drinking and discussing our respective wines.  The only thing that would have made me a “Happier Bitch” was if my girlfriends and I had been able to do this in person.

Question of the Day (ok, I have two today):
1)  Do you have a particular drink that you enjoy during girl’s/guy’s night?
2) Do you have friends that you met online that have turned into “real life” friends?  I’d love to hear your story!

Price: $11
Purchased at Arlington Wine and Liquor
Overall: 4 Corks