Archive for the ‘Oddities’ Category
Your Tax Dollars at Work
July 20th, 2010 by Tom Johnson
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) writes to the White House demanding that it serve only American wine at state dinners, a policy that has been in place for 35 years. The letter further asks that wines from New York be served, which they already are, regularly.
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The Guys Down In Marketing Think Wine the Texture of Snot Might Not Sell
June 29th, 2010 by Tom Johnson
Mango wine. They’re still working out some of the details. ‘Unlike grapes, which gave birth to wines, mango juice is very thick and therefore, requires to be treated before being put to use for brewing wine…The process of fermentation is not very tough as mango contains huge quantity of sugar, which is the basic source [...]
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The Coming Sommelier Appocalypse
June 23rd, 2010 by Tom Johnson
The Naples Tomato, a restaurant grand enough to have its own website, advances the technology of wine by introducing an iPad app designed to replace sommeliers. Visitors to the restaurant who ask for wine advice, the article notes, will not be “pressured, misled, or upsold” by some snootypants with a silver cup hanging around his [...]
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Menu From the Past
June 16th, 2010 by Tom Johnson
I’m reading The Devil in the White City, which everyone else read about 10 years ago, and I came across the dinner menu for the architects of the 1893 Columbian Exposition: Oysters A glass of two of Montrachet Consume of green turtle Amontillado Broiled Shad a la Marechel Cucumbers and Potatoes a la Duchesse Filet [...]
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I’m Torn. This is Either Horrible or Brilliant. What Do You Think?
February 11th, 2010 by Tom Johnson
Bottles of wine dipped in chocolate. Technorati Tags: Valentine’s Day
Tags: Valentine's Day
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Suddenly, Chaptalization Doesn’t Seem So Artificial, Does It?
January 12th, 2010 by Tom Johnson
Controversial British researcher David Nutt is developing an alcohol substitute that will help control drunkenness and prevent hangovers. The synthetic alcohol, being developed from chemicals related to Valium, works like alcohol on nerves in the brain that provide a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation. But unlike alcohol its does not affect other parts of the [...]
Tags: Regulation
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Evidence, If Any Were Needed, That I’m Going to the Wrong Wine Tastings
December 30th, 2009 by Tom Johnson
According to this UPI report: It’s not unusual for people to get drunk at wine tastings and vomit in the shrubbery, shed their clothes and shout and run about, said Tomi Arbogast, director of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. Hat tip: Drinks Are on Me Technorati Tags: Wine Tourism
Tags: Wine Tourism
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These People Clearly Have No Idea Who They’re Dealing With
December 30th, 2009 by Tom Johnson
Today, I got an email offering to sell me a 1500 ml bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle for $37,000.
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The Best Thing to Come Out of Canada Since Last Winter’s Ice Storm, Which Killed Dozens and Left Millions Without Heat or Electricity
December 10th, 2009 by Tom Johnson
A large birch tree can produce up to 15 liters of sap a day during the period between the Spring thaw and budding. Birch sap is 2% sugar and can be boiled-down into a syrup that is not unlike maple syrup, and that enthusiasts insist is dandy on waffles or pancakes. It is occasionally made [...]
Tags: Canada
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