Friday Wine Jokes

Starting the weekend off right.

How to properly enjoy a bottle of wine.
Open it ahead of time to allow the wine to breathe. If it appears that it's not breathing properly then give it mouth-to-mouth.

You say you have problems?
It's scientifically proven there are no problems four glasses of wine can't solve.

Add "Drink wine" to your to-do list for today.
That way by the end of the day you'll feel you've accomplished something.

Wine improves with age.
Just like your dancing improves with wine.

Yesterday I told my wife that I was like a fine wine.
Today I find myself locked in the cellar.

Everything happens for a Riesling.

California's Climate and Agriculture

California has weather in extremes. Most of the state has a cool-to-cold wet-to-snowy winter and a warm-to-hot dry summer. It's really a two season climate. Premium wine grapes require a warm, sunny growing season, but with a cooling influence as coastal California gets from the Pacific Ocean.

Most of the state went from the driest period in its recorded history to the wettest year ever. The swing from almost nothing to too much is phenomenal. If you look back to find the state's wettest seasons the top ones are all in the last 25 years. The three driest years for snowpack in the mountains have all been in the last 40 years. Of course, we haven't been recording the weather for too long in climate terms. However, according to NOAA this was the worst drought since the 1500s.

Don't Like Crowds? Head to West County

Summertime weekends, Saturday afternoons especially, are busy times at many winery tasting rooms in Sonoma County. Like to avoid some of the crowds? The short answer is to get as far away from the main arteries, Highway 101 and Highway 12, as possible. One area is what the locals call West County.

What About Lodi?

  Pronounced low-die as in "Stuck in Lodi Again" by John Fogerty. Most wine shoppers have run across Lodi on wine labels at some point. Lodi is a Central Valley town about 80 miles from the Pacific and 35 miles south of Sacramento. This inland area of the state is known for farming, but not for quality wines. So what's the deal with Lodi?
  

Twenty Wines Under $20 from Sonoma County

A recent article from Wine Enthusiast magazine talks about several nice Sonoma County wines that cost twenty bucks or less. It takes a bit of searching to find quality wines under $20.

Most of their wines are under $20

Bargain Wines from Sonoma by Wine Enthusiast

I've certainly not tried all of them, but have had several. I've had different wines from others on the list and know their quality so I believe this is a pretty good group. I'll add that if you're looking for Sauvignon Blanc or rosé you can find quite a few more bargains of excellent quality. Often you can find red blends, Merlot, plus the occasional Cabernet or Zinfandel for under $20, too.

Wine Advice for the Young 'uns

You know how old people think they know everything because they've been around so long and have life experiences? You know how the younger ones think they know everything for no apparent reason? I don't know why it's this way. Following is wine advice for young folks from someone probably older than you and has maybe made a few wine-related mistakes.

Buying an Inexpensive Bottle of Wine

Shopping the under $15 area of a wine shop can have about the same odds as a roulette table. As prices go down the chance of getting a crappy wine increase. Some tips on how to buy:
  

Your Wine Collection

Even if you don't have what you'd call a wine collection, but just a few bottles you're saving for awhile this can apply. Wine is perishable. You could even call it a bit fragile.

Another Fermented Beverage for Sonoma County

And this one is non-alcoholic! It appears Sonoma County won't be known just for wine, beer, cider (and probably cannabis).

Price of California Cabernet Grapes

The part of wine production that varies most is the cost of the grapes. This is also the single biggest expense in a bottle of wine. Some grape varieties are more expensive to purchase (like Cabernet) and some are relatively cheap. Looking at Cabernet Sauvignon the price of the fruit varies widely across the state.

Eating Cheaply in Sonoma County

When you visit you've got your travel expenses, accommodations, and all that wonderful wine you're taking home. You also have to eat. Sonoma County has many excellent restaurants and part of the trip is experiencing some of the fabulous food offered. Visitors from most parts of the country will find Sonoma County restaurant prices higher than they're used to. What can you do to cut this cost and still eat better than Denny's? (My gawd, don't come all the way here and eat Denny's).

What to Drink This Summer

As the warm weather approaches your taste in wine may change. It's natural to find yourself wanting something lighter and refreshing. Does this mean you're putting away the Cabernet until October? No, but probably drinking fewer big reds.

As the weather warms wine consumers generally look for wines that are more refreshing, crisp, and fruity. In white wines look for higher acidity, in reds look for higher acidity and lower tannins.