it is just grapejuice

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine.. . and those who don’t.As Ben Franklin said:In wine there is wisdom,in beer there is freedom,in water there is bacteria.In a number of carefully controlled trials,scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 litre of water each day, atthe end of the year we would have absorbed more than1 kilo of Escherichia coli,(E. coli) - bacteria  found in feces.In other words, we are consuming1 kilo of poop.However, we do NOT run that risk whendrinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whisky or other liquor), becausealcohol has to go through a purificationprocess of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.Remember:Water = Poop,        Wine = Health .Therefore, it’s better to drink wine and talk stupid,than to drink water and be full of shit.There is no need to thank me for this valuable information:I’m doing it as a public service

There was Terry Thiese, check out his Squawk Box on the Skurnik site…

http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/theise_squawk.html

What is Chelois?

Answer:  It is a Seibel French Hybrid planted in the northeastern United States.  It tends to overcrop but reponds well if vigor is controlled.  It is susceptible to winter freeze as well as berry splitting in wet harvest conditions. 

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2003/11/12/dining/20031112_TASTING_FEATURE.html

If you have a chance try a bottle of the Egly-Ouriet that just went on the list at Larkspur, 100 percent Pinot Meunier, delicate and delightful.

Go sit at the bar at Larkspur and try a glass of the Beaujolais Blanc, it’s not everyday you see a wine by the glass this cool.  Think out of the American Chardonnay box, it’s no Rombauer!  But then it’s built for food, not as a cocktail.

Check it out in the Times…

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/books/review/Stern-t.html?_r=1&ref=dining

Although I’m not a huge fan it sure makes for a good read!! 

Tasting Highlights: California Pinot Noir

16 new wines from some of the state’s established stars, including a classic-rated 2007 from the Santa Rita Hills

James Laube

Posted: Monday, December 22, 2008

Anyone who loves California Pinot Noir will be interested to read this week’s report on new Pinot Noirs from some of the names that led the 1990s California Pinot charge.

Some of these names are linked together: A.P. Vin’s Andrew Vingiello refers to Brian Loring as his mentor; P2 (”passion and perseverance”) owner and winemaker Mike Padrick also credits Brian and Kimberly Loring for his entry into the wine business. Both labels have used space at the Loring Wine Company’s winery to make their wines, and the Lorings have close ties with Adam and Diana Lee of Siduri.

There is overlap as well in the vineyards that these vintners purchase grapes from. Vingiello’s 2007 Turney Vineyard from Sta. Rita Hills and Loring’s 2007 Clos Pepe from the same appellation.

A.P. VIN Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Turner Vineyard 2007 Score: 95

—J.L.

LORING Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Clos Pepe Vineyard 2007 Score: 94

—J.L.

LORING Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Rancho La Viña Vineyard 2007 Score: 93

—J.L.

P2 WINE Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo County Aubaine Vineyard 2007 Score: 93

—J.L.

P2 WINE Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County Cargasacchi Jalama Vineyard 2007 Score: 92

—J.L.

A.P. VIN Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Clos Pepe Vineyard 2007 Score: 91

—J.L.

LORING Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Cargasacchi Vineyard 2007 Score: 91

—J.L.

LORING Pinot Noir Chalone Naylor Dry Hole Vineyard 2007 Score: 89

—J.L.

P2 WINE Pinot Noir Chalone Brosseau Vineyard 2007 Score: 89

—J.L.

A quote from todays pour which is about wine books…

“In comparing what they term brand-name wines and terroir wines, “WineWise” asks: “Is one better than the other? Is beer-battered deep-fried cod better than seared yellowfin tuna? No, they are different concepts, different approaches.”

To me, a more apt comparison would be of processed fast food to a homemade meal of carefully selected ingredients. They may both fill you up, but they won’t be equally nutritious.”

What is Caramany?

Caramany is an area in the Cotes du Roussillon, and the wines are designated Cotes du Roussillon-Villages.  It must contain at least three grape varieties with Carignan making up a maximum of 60 percent of the blend.  It also must be vinified by carbonic maceration. 

very informative site- you can even down load padcasts via itunes.  www. graperadio.com and, there is a great interview with the king of grower champagne- Terry Thiese.