Program 661: Auld Lang Syne; Paris Sommelier; Gastro Obscura New Year's; Waters of Rome

Two Scottish friends explain the Scots-dialect lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne," and a Parisian sommelier shares his expert tips for selecting — and enjoying — French wines. Then an author with Atlas Obscura describes some of the unusual things people eat and drink to ring in the New Year in different parts of the world. And two experts on Roman history discuss the ornate fountains sprinkled around the Eternal City.

• Scottish tour guides Elizabeth Lister and Colin Mairs
• Oliver Magny, wine consultant and proprietor of Ô-Château wine bar in Paris.
• Cecily Wong, co-author of "Gastro Obscura" (Workman) 
• Rome-based tour guide/historian Francesca Caruso
• Gene Openshaw, co-author of "Rick Steves' Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces" (Avalon Travel)

• A number of outdoor events are scheduled in Edinburgh for this year's Hogmanay festival, which require covid passports and registration to attend.
• Liz Lister provides custom walking tours and transportation transfers in Edinburgh, and co-hosts the Scottish Blethers podcast.
• Colin Mairs offers a seasonal ten-day whisky-themed tour of Scotland.  He also guides tours in New Zealand and Australia.
• Olivier Magny operates the Paris wine bar, Ô-Château.
• Olivier demonstrates wine tasting technique in a short You Tube video.
• Terroir-France lists more than 100 terroir designations in France on its website.
• Cecily Wong co-authored the Gastro Obscura guide from Atlas Obscura.  
• Francesca Caruso's website includes her contact information.
• Wikipedia has a list, with photos, of major fountains in Rome.
• Gene Openshaw co-authored "Europe's 100 Top Masterpieces" with Rick.