Derek Rubio of Skyland Distributing hosts the May gathering of Asheville Wine Focus Group. Skyland represents some of our favorite brands here including Orin Swift (Prisoner) and Kindred. Derek understands that this is serious business so bring it!
Skyland FB page HERE.
Dear Betty:
Parade Magazine reports that your fountain of youth was fueld in part by your commitment to animal welfare.
Thank you for being there. And Happy 96th Birthday from your fans @MetroWines!
Your Shop Dog Bandit
News Release: Friday, January 5th, 2018
At UpCountry Brewing, we believe that craft beer and the outdoors go hand in hand. This is the basis of our Mission Statement – “To create memorable experiences while sharing our passion for craft beer and for getting outside with family and friends.”
UpCountry Brewing was founded in 2016 by John Cochran, a craft beer industry veteran since the mid 1990’s. While John has worked many beer related jobs in his 20+ years in brewing (including co-founding Terrapin Beer Company), he sees UpCountry as the culmination of all he has done so far. “It was in 2013 that my wife Irina and I purchased an old farmhouse in the Carolinas,” says John. “We’ve always enjoyed being outside, whether it’s hiking, fishing, boating, or skiing in the winter. This farm has become our home base for exploring the Carolinas, especially the Blue Ridge mountains. I see UpCountry Brewing as being an extension of that. It’s a way I can share my dual love for craft beer and for the Carolina outdoors with others.”
We are committed to being a local, Carolina only brewery. “UpCountry beers will not find their way outside of the Carolinas”, states John. “This allows us to put all our efforts into working with and supporting local causes in the Carolina communities where our beer is sold. And that starts right here at home in West Asheville.”
UpCountry Brewing loves our neighborhood and we are excited to be West Asheville’s community brewery. With a taproom that serves a wide variety of craft beer styles and provides a full food menu, a complete bar, live music and a large outdoor area for your daily shenanigans, UpCountry Brewing is a fantastic place to meet up with family and friends.
We are proud to be a kid friendly and pet friendly brewery. Come have a beer with us—we’ll see you soon! Cheers!
Follow Rustic Grape on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com
First, BRAVO and THANK YOU to our January Asheville Wine Focus Group! The group really GOT IT! They played wine shop owners for the night and they made decisions. In the end, the group almost unanimously liked one of the whites and one of the reds best of the four we tasted. The winners for the evening were a white blend from New Zealand called "Hunky Dory Tangle" and "Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon" from Paso Robles. Thanks to our astute group, you will see both on shelf @MetroWines!
The group of 10 was tough but fair. They were asked to say whether they liked the wine, whether we should we offer it in the shop, and what the bottle should cost. The group also offered their opinion on whether they liked it, thought others would like it, thought it best for a party, with food or alone. They also focused on the quality to price ratio. The group was working!
"Hunky Dory Tangle" is a blend of 10% Riesling, 55% Pinot Gris and 35% Gewurztraminer. The winery says the wine presents honeysuckle, jasmine, quince, lime and lemon on the nose with ripe apple, lychee and mandarin flavors on the palate. What the group liked about "Hunky Dory Tangle" is that it presented as a wine everyone could like. Whether you enjoy Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, you could find something to like in "Hunky Dory Tangle" served with or without food.
Broadside is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 14 months in neutral French and American Oak Barrels. The group found that this Cabernet was lighter and more complex than many of the Cabernets coming out of California which they thought to be too big and bold. Broadside, they said, would stand up to heavy flavors but at the same time would not overwhelm food and, could, unlike many other west coast Cabernets, be enjoyed without food.
Broadside says:
Broadside produces wines focused on purity and true varietal expression. Our winemaking favors a natural approach in that our wines are minimally handled to best express the grape, site, and vintage. The 2015 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a vintage marked by frost, wind, drought, and the resulting record low yields from our vineyards. So low, in fact, that we elected to use all of the fruit originally intended for our vineyard designate and Ephemera bottlings in this 2015 Paso Robles Cabernet. Low yields of flavorful fruit, produced a serious, concentrated, yet still elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh boysenberry, peppercorn, and sweet tobacco notes highlight ample fruit in the nose, complemented by subtle notes of toasty oak vanillin and cigar box. Cassis, green olive, and fresh berry acidity greet the palate with an underlying current of fine tannin, coalescing in a dry, persistent finish.
The Asheville Wine Focus Group meets the first Wednesday of every month. Seating is limited to 10. If you want to join us, call (828) 575-9525 as soon as possible! There is no charge. We value your opinion.
News Release: Thursday, January 4th, 2018
About: "Bird Bliss"
Please join us for The Opening Reception of "Bird Bliss" by local artist Lisa Casperson on Thursday, February 8th from 5 to 7pm @MetroWines.
"This is the third exhibition by Lisa Casperson @MetroWines," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "As her work is both engaging and affordable, Lisa is back by very popular demand."
Multi-media artist, Lisa Casperson, will display petite paintings @Metro Wines from Thursday February 8, through Sunday, February 12, 2018.
The pieces will revolve around the theme of birds, some of which belong to a series the artist is presently working on, "Birds of North Carolina." These are not Audubon style bird representations; Casperson has combined several techniques to produce very unusual likenesses of our North Carolina song birds.
"Smaller framed prints mean more affordable art, just in time for that perfect Valentine’s Day gift," says Lisa. "A bottle of wine, a unique piece of art. Who knows where that could lead?"
More about Lisa and her work here: www.playswellalone.com.
The Opening and Wine Tasting are on the house. Glasses of wine are $5 all evening.
Photos Attached. Photo Credit to Lisa Casperson
"Dream Bird"
"Little Bird Sings"
Heidi and Cataldo Perrone. Photo by Laura Pena
By Gina Trippi
Let them eat cake…but not with Brut! The first “wedding don’t” is not to serve a dry sparkling wine with a sweet cake. “If the cake is sweeter than the wine, the wine can take on a vinegar taste and the cake can taste metallic,” says John Kerr of The Asheville School of Wine.
With just a touch of sweetness, Kerr advises that Prosecco is a better choice as a partner to the toast and traditional wedding cake. London’s The Telegraph reports that 63 percent of British couples chose Prosecco, according to a 2015 survey, for the toast, with only eight percent toasting with traditional Champagne.
But if you intend to serve sparkling with dinner, don’t go sweet! Martha Stewart recommends, and so do we, Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Blue Label. “It’s light with a hint of citrus that works nicely with all foods,” says Todd Krafchin, senior director of facilities at Union Square Events in New York City. Sparkling wines made outside of Champagne, like Saint Hilaire, are well-made, value-minded alternatives.
Don’t let a venue tell you that you can only serve the wines they offer. True story: A bride comes into my shop tearfully saying she is having her wedding at an Asheville venue where you must pick your wedding wines from their list of rather unremarkable wines. It gets worse. The venue would not even let her taste the wines! She came to Metro Wines to buy bottles of the wines she chose so she could taste them before serving the wines to her guests!
A reasonable corkage fee for outside wines is fair. Businesses are, after all, in the business to make a profit. But to deny you the wines you prefer on your wedding day is nonsense. Cheap wine in a nice place is still cheap wine. Remember, the wine says something about you.
Don’t scrimp on the wines. The idea that the wines for your wedding are the item where you can save a few dollars is so yesterday. You don’t need to buy cheap wines to make your budget work. There are plenty of quality wines that you won’t find at the grocery at affordable prices. The wines you choose are part of the memories for you and your guests.
Don’t offer too many choices. Choices create confusion and, on occasion, irritation. If you offer, for example, two whites, one will inevitably be more popular than the other one. If the favorite runs out, guests often become disenchanted. Select one versatile white, red and rosé appropriate for your menu. “You don’t want to make it too complicated,” says Gillian Sciaretta, associate wine tasting coordinator at Wine Spectator.
Don’t overbuy, but don’t underbuy. The general rule for a wedding is a bottle per person. This might sound like a lot of wine, but your event will likely extend for hours and some will consume more than others. “There’s nothing worse than running out of wine,” says Nicholas Jackson, Sotheby’s wine buyer.
Don’t just select wines that you like. The wines should pair well with the menus.
Finally, don’t forget this day is about you! If you avoid the wedding wine don’ts, you will have served your guests well. Stash an exceptional bottle somewhere for the two of you!
Gina Trippi is the co-owner of Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Committed to the community, Metro Wines offers big shop selection with small shop service. Gina can be reached atgina@metrowinesasheville.com or 828.575.9525. To learn more about wines for the big day, visit Metro Wines’ Facebook page dedicated to weddings at Ashevilleweddingwines.
Link to Laurel of Asheville for more great stories HERE!
Mike Tiano of Haw River Wine Man will host in March.
AN ORGANICALLY GROWN COMPANY, IMPORTING,
DISTRIBUTING AND DEMOCRATIZING WINE SINCE 1995.
Beginning in 1995 with six wines from Puglia, Haw River Wine Man has quietly compiled an Italian wine portfolio that stands out in North Carolina and South Carolina for Quality, Price and Selection. With a firm belief that wine is an every day beverage, and not the exclusive domain of the wealthy and privileged, the company strives to bring the consumer the best values possible by sourcing wine direct from the producer. Our portfolio has slowly grown from the original six wines to now include partnerships with around thirty estates in Italy. Beginning in 2006, we began our collaboration with Rosenthal Wine Merchant, one of the most respected importers of wines from France and Italy to North Carolina. Our expansion into Europe continued in 2012 with the inclusion of the fantastic wines of Spain from De Maison Selections and Andre Tamers.
~A Valentine’s Day Special Food & Wine Event~
February 14th, 2018
6:30-9:00PM
Limited seating available
Cocktail and Appetizer
Tart Trinity
House made pastry filled with sun-dried cherries, Brussels and herb goat cheese
NV Langlois Chateau Cremant de Loire Rose, France
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First Course
Butternut Squash Soup
2016 Foris Pinot Gris, Rogue Valley, Oregon
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Second Course
Duck, Apple, Fennel & Beet Salad
Tossed with a honey lemon vinaigrette, topped with a local herbed goat cheese
2015 Maison J. Drouhin Bourgogne Pinot Noir, France
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Third Course
Ribeye Plate
Served with tri colored fingerling potatoes, seared garlic roasted asparagus & finished with truffle oil.
2013 DeLormier Barrel Select Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA
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Dessert
Red Velvet Cake
Served with Coffee & Tea
$65 per person (tax included)
Gratuities not included
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Limited seating: please call The Princess Anne Hotel at 828.258.0986 for reservations
301 E. Chestnut Street Asheville, N.C.
About Princess Anne Hotel: Travelers looking for an accommodation experience that provides the charm of a bed and breakfast with the privacy of a hotel need look no further than the Princess Anne Hotel in Asheville, NC.. This historic Asheville inn promises to provide you with more than a place to lay your head. From our complimentary afternoon wine & hor d’oeuvres hour, to the full cooked breakfast in the morning, you’ll see that we do things differently. Our friendly staff takes hospitality to the next level. The Princess Anne Hotel is a gem that might turn Asheville into an annual escape for you and your family.
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| This story is from The MetroWines
"It's Always Something File" Toasting The New Year in a Glass or a Cup? “A sorbet may be sold under the name champagne sorbet if it has, as one of its essential characteristics, a taste attributable primarily to champagne. If that is the case, that product name does not take undue advantage of the protected designation of origin ‘Champagne’,” it said in its judgment. ** Meanwhile: This is REAL Champagne ** Wine Spectator Top 100 Appearance straw gold & light bubbles. |
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What's going on wine-wise up there, down there, over there?
Story by Dillon Davis
Asheville Citizen Times
USA TODAY NETWORK
ASHEVILLE — For the second year in a row, Asheville is able to raise a glass to being the top U.S. city for beer drinkers.
Financial advice website SmartAsset said this month Asheville finished in the top two cities for the third year in a row, calling it "a beer lover's paradise." It takes home the top spot ahead of other sudsy cities, including Portland, Maine; Duluth, Minnesota; and Cincinnati.
"The biggest draw to Asheville is the city’s plentiful breweries," SmartAsset said in the post. It also notes that given Asheville's population compared to other larger cities on the list, it has the most breweries per person.
Data from SmartAsset shows Asheville has 25 microbreweries, giving the city 28.1 breweries per 100,000 residents — about 11,000 more residents than was measured in the most recent U.S. Census data for the city.
The site also takes into account bars per 100,000 residents, average Yelp scores of local breweries and the average cost of a pint of beer to develop a composite score. Data was studied from 300 cities and collected via the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 1-Year American Community Survey and several other beer-centric data outlets.
Other cities rounding out the top 10 include Austin, Texas; Missoula, Montana; Portland, Oregon; Denver; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Seattle. The only other North Carolina city to crack the top 25 is Wilmington, which checks in at No. 19, just above New Orleans.
Asheville has been a popular target in recent years for lists by national and regional. media outlets, ranging from travel and tourism to restaurants and other hospitality items.
Earlier this month, Forbes placed Asheville on its list of the 15 Coolest Places to Go in 2018. It was the only U.S. city to land on the list.
Photo by David Stubbs for New York Times
Kara Pollard, 33, is executive director of Dog is My Co-Pilot, an animal rescue operation in Jackson Wyoming.
Dog Is My CoPilot is a catchy name, but what does your outfit do?
We fly animals — 80 percent dogs and 20 percent cats — from about 20 source shelters, where they are in danger of being euthanized because of lack of space, to some 62 receiving animal rescue organizations where these animals are more likely to be adopted. According to the A.S.P.C.A., approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized each year.
We work with groups in 15 American states from Louisiana west.
Entire Story here.
WOW. What a story. Thank you Kara.
I need a smile. I got one.
Bandit
From Our Weekly Newsletter:
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NYT Florence Fabricant Pick |
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Treasure Hunter is Back!
"MIC DROP" Only 460 Cases Anywhere! Treasure Hunter Says:
"This space is normally reserved for whimsical description, poor humor, buzzword jargon, and hopefully an honest attempt to bring some imagery and description of a wine. Not today. This wine needs no comment other than it is remarkable. If you understand what Walla Walla is capable of, buy as much of this as you can afford. This wine is black and blue and dense and deep." |
Hear Ye. Hear Ye!
When you shop locally, your money stays in your community. Your dollars go to support merchants who have invested in the community, who hire employees and pay taxes, engage local services and other local merchants, and contribute to local charities. Your local brick and mortar merchant is also THERE. In person. In your town. With a phone number and someone who answers the phone!
When you shop online, you lose that personal contact and service, risk damage to and delay of your mechandise as well as, well, THIS:
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Claim ID: 10075845 PIN: 155882
Notice of Class Action Settlement
Cannon v. Ashburn Corporation, Civil Action No. 16-1452 (RMB)(AMD) United States District Court for the District of New Jersey A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Defendant Ashburn Corporation, d/b/a “Wines ‘Til Sold Out” and d/b/a WTSO.com (hereinafter WTSO). What is this case about?
Kyle Cannon, Lewis Lyons, and Dianne Lyons (collectively the “Plaintiffs” in this case) allege that because certain wines were not sold anywhere at the purported “Original Price,” the discount advertised by WTSO was not real, and consumers were not buying wines at a discount. The Plaintiffs further allege that WTSO offered wines that were available elsewhere but that the stated “Original Price” of some of these wines was higher than the price set by the winery itself, resulting in a greater advertised discount than would have existed had Defendant used the winery’s price for such wines. WTSO maintains that the “Original Price” it advertised was the suggested retail price provided to it when it purchased the wine and was an accurate reflection of the value of the wine it sold. WTSO denies all liability of any kind associated with the claims alleged. WTSO further denies that class certification is appropriate for any purpose other than settlement. The Court has not decided who is right in this case. Who is included in the Class?
You are included in this class if you reside (or otherwise live) in the United States and purchased wine from WTSO.com at any point from March 15, 2010 to November 1, 2016 (“Class Period”). What may I receive from this settlement?
You will receive credits to purchase wine on WTSO.com based on wine purchased during the Class Period if you complete a Verification Form as described below, as follows: 1. For every bottle of wine listed on Exhibit A purchased during the Class Period for $12.99 or less, the Class Member will receive a credit of $1.75. 2. For every bottle of wine listed on Exhibit A purchased during the Class Period for $13.00-$18.99, the Class Member will receive a credit of $2.00. 3. For every bottle of wine listed on Exhibit A purchased during the Class Period for $19.00 or greater, the Class Member will receive a credit of $2.25. 4. For every bottle of wine listed on Exhibit B purchased during the Class Period for $19.99 or less, the Class Member will receive a credit of $0.50. 5. For every bottle of wine listed on Exhibit B purchased during the Class Period for $20.00 or greater, the Class Member will receive a credit of $0.75. 6. For every bottle of wine not listed on Exhibit A or B purchased during the Class Period, the Class Member will receive a credit of $0.20. You will not receive a credit for any bottle of wine for which you received a refund. Credits will be good for one year from the date you receive an email with a code for your Credits. Credits will be applied against purchases of any wine the first time it is offered on WTSO.com (with limited exceptions), and on certain other identified wines offered on WTSO.com, at the rate of $2.00 off per bottle, or for the full or remaining credit amount if less than $2.00. WTSO will identify on its website which wines are eligible for credit use. Has WTSO made changes to its advertising?
After the lawsuit was filed, on or about November 2, 2016, Defendant replaced the advertising term “Original Price” with the term “Comparable Price” on the WTSO.com website and included a definition of “Comparable Price” to mean “the price at which the same or a similar wine with the same primary grape varietal and appellation or sub-appellation has been offered for sale to consumers directly by a producing winery or through retailers.” What are my options?
1. Remain in the Class and Receive a Credit You do not have to do anything to remain in the Class. However, if you wish to receive a credit as described above, you must complete the Verification Form. If you received more than one Notice at different email addresses, you must complete the Verification Form for each email address that the Notice was sent to in order to obtain all of your Credits. If the settlement is approved by the Court and you have completed the Verification Form(s), you will receive a unique non-transferable code that you may use on the WTSO.com website to access your Credits. The Verification Form for each email address at which you received a Notice must be completed and submitted no later than April 19, 2018 in order to obtain all of your Credits. If you do not complete a Verification Form for any email address at which you received a Notice, you will not obtain the Credits for purchases made under that email address. You will receive the Code and be able to use it 40 days after the Settlement is final. If you remain in the Class, you release and give up your right to file a lawsuit against WTSO and its related agents and entities relating to WTSO’s selling, marketing and advertising of wine during the Class Period. The precise terms of the release are set forth in the Settlement Agreement. Unless you exclude yourself from this Settlement, as described below, you will release your claims whether or not you submit a Verification Form and receive a credit. 2. Exclude Yourself from the Settlement If you do not wish to be included in the settlement, you have the right to opt out of the class. If you decide to opt out of the Class, you: (i) Will not receive any credits for the purchase of wine on WTSO.com; (ii) will not be bound by any orders or judgments entered in this Action; (iii) will not be entitled to relief under, or be affected by, this Settlement; (iv) will not gain any rights by virtue of this Settlement; and (v) will not be entitled to object to any aspect of this Settlement. To opt out of the Class, you must mail a letter clearly stating your desire to opt out to the Settlement Administrator by February 16, 2018. If you have opted out and wish to revoke your request for exclusion from the Class, you may do so by mailing a letter stating clearly the desire to revoke the previous request for exclusion to the Settlement Administrator before the opt out deadline at Cannon v. Ashburn Corporation d/b/a Wines ‘Til Sold Out Class Action Settlement, P.O. Box 404041, Louisville, KY 40233-4041. 3. Object to the Settlement If you wish to be part of the proposed Settlement but want to object to all or any part of the Settlement, you must do so by February 16, 2018. You must remain a member of the Class in order to object to any aspect of the proposed Settlement. Objections must be filed with the Court at: Clerk of the Court United States District Court for the District of New Jersey 4th & Cooper Streets Camden, NJ 08101 and mailed to the following:
Your written objection must include: Any objections must include (i) your full name and current address and telephone number; (ii) the identification of at least one wine purchased from WTSO.com; (iii) a description of all of your objections, the specific reasons for these objections, and any and all supporting papers, including, without limitation, all briefs, written evidence, and declarations; and (iv) your signature. The final approval hearing (the “Fairness Hearing”) will be on March 19, 2018 at 10:00a.m., at the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, 4th and Cooper Streets, Courtroom 3D. You do not have to go to Court or hire an attorney but you may if you want to, at your own cost. The Fairness Hearing is for the Court to decide (a) whether to approve the Settlement; (b) Class counsel’s requests for attorneys’ fees and expenses; and (c) the service award for the Class representatives in this case. If you wish to appear either personally or through counsel at the Fairness Hearing to present your objections to the Court orally you must include a written statement of intent to appear at the Fairness Hearing by February 16, 2018. Only if you specify in your objections that you intend to appear personally or through counsel at the Fairness Hearing will you have the right to present your objections orally at the Fairness Hearing. If you do not submit timely written objections you will not be permitted to present your objections at the Fairness Hearing. If you file objections but the Court approves the Settlement as proposed, you will still be eligible for your share of the settlement relief. Who are the attorneys representing the Class?
The Court has appointed the lawyers listed below to represent you and the Class (“Class counsel”):
You do not have to hire your own lawyer but you may if you want to, at your own cost. Will payments be made to Class Counsel or the Class Representatives?
The determination of an attorney fee award is made by the Court, which will determine a reasonable fee for the work done and the result obtained by Class counsel. Class counsel will ask the Court to award attorneys’ fees and expenses of no more than $1.7 million. Class counsel will also seek $2,500 for each Class Representative in recognition of their assistance in this litigation. Where can I get additional information?
THIS IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE SETTLEMENT. For more information regarding your rights and options, you can visit the Settlement website: www.winesettlement.com or contact the Settlement Administrator at: Cannon v. Ashburn Corporation d/b/a Wines ‘Til Sold Out Class Action Settlement P.O. Box 404041 Louisville, KY 40233-4041 You may also contact Class Counsel at the following address: Oren Giskan GISKAN SOLOTAROFF & ANDERSON LLP 217 Centre Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10013 |
WOW. Was she gorgeous.
Wall street Journal suggests that you write an OBIT for your passed friend.
Link to story, which may or may not work if you do not subscribe is here.
Just in case the link leaves you flat, here is a little content:
Almost 3,000 dog obituaries are posted on the website Doggy Heaven along with 20,000 photos and comments, said Steve Cencula, who created the site... Doggy Heaven allows visitors to post digital icons unde the pet's anme, including chew toys, steaks, baco and dog bones.
For Cate, if I could, I would post her beautiful turquoise collar and coat from The Sunburst Project operated by The Greyhound Alliance in Chicago to honor her courage and other greyhounds whose racing careers have ended making them of little value to the racing industry. Me and Cate, and since 2011 6,000 other greyhounds, have found HOME through The Sunburst Project. Until racing ends, there are a LOT of us out there. Help The Greyhond Alliance Sunburst project if you can.
This link works and you can see my family listed: RIGHT HERE!
Your Shop Dog Bandit
You support a free press? The First Amendment?
OPPOSE AG-GAG
READ ABOUT THE TRAVESTY AND WHAT THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND IS DOING ABOUT IT HERE.
Abuse an Animal, GO to Jail!
My friend, Stephen Wells, Executive Director of Animal Legal Defense Fund posted the horror story below.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Goes on everyday. Help if you can.
You Shop Dog and Activist, Bandit
Don’t let Bella’s death be in vain.
Bella, an 11 year-old Shepherd mix, was strangled with a zip-tie, shoved into a garbage bag, and beaten with a shovel. Her skull was fractured, and she died as a result of her injuries. Her abuser received just 4 months in county jail.
It’s jaw dropping…
But I am sad to say this situation is not unique — and the issue stems from the state laws that are in place to “protect” animals. I think we can both agree that Bella was not adequately protected by the law, nor did she receive the justice she deserved.
DONATE HERE.
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Couch Potato Wine
2016 Trentadue Old Patch Red Lot # 44 "The 2016 Old Patch Red blend#44 is predominately Zin blended with Petite Sirah and Carignane resulting in very fruity yet complex and full bodied Rhone- like style wine. The wine has dark red color with intense black cherry aromas, blueberries and cherry cola as an immediate impression. With aeration nuances of ripe plums, vanilla and cocoa are showing with slight dose of oak and toast. On the mouth the wine is fresh and juicy with youthful brightness, finishing long and fruity. This is a wine that will drink well with variety of foods but it is also very enjoyable on its own. Our 2016 OPR Lot# 44 is delicious now but it will reward your patience with 2-5 years of aging. Cheers!"
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| 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc
Fairly deep, attractive garnet. Relatively subdued nose of red fruits Numerous prizes have been won by this wine:
$12.99 |
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| Vinegar-ed and Fermented Cmpatible ROTIE GRENACHE BLANC Lemon meringue and nectarine jump out of the glass. On the palate, cantaloupe and bright acidity. |
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| Domaine Galevan Cotes du Rhone 2014 "Paroles de Femme" (Julia Child Recipe Appropriate!) A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% cinsualt and 10% Carignan, this wine has a concentrted nose of black fruits, wild berries, and spices including pepper and laurel. The palate is lively, silky with a beautiful persistence of fruits. Certified Organic. $14.99 |
After a period of reflection and grief over the loss of my friend, Cate, I am motivated by Cate's constant concerns for animal welfare and my own commitment to speak out where I can. This post in New York Times (The T Edwards' Fantasy Gift Guide) is way over the line. Humor at the expense of killing animals is completely unexceptable and, to be honest New York Times, juvenile and declass. Witness:
Haute Window Dressing
For the person who has it all, except for a set of plush and ropy
mink drapes (and a PETA membership): a set of $52,500 plush and
ropy mink drapes, designed by Rick Owens. They can flank a
window frame, divide a room into two distinct spaces, hang as a
tapestry/objet d’art — or just replace some hippie doorway beads. —
DAVID FARBER AND HILARY MOSS
How many minks will be killed for this pathetic "look at me" travesty. Is that what it takes for you, mink drapes guy, to feel like a big deal? To impress your friends? Yourself? better you invest that $52,000 in therapy as soon as possible.
After years of sitting on the sidelines, for which I apologize, I'm back. Bring it.
Bandit
(note: It's hard for me to look tough. Boyish good looks. But, remember when your mother said "it's the quiet ones you have to watch"? Yeah, it's like that.)
