Today's Beer News

There's a lot going on in the beer world. Some of it's funny, the last item significant.  
Old Ex-Commie Calls American Beer Filthy Water
The Czech president says nobody has better beer than the Czechs, but had to call out American beer because he still hates capitalist warmongers.   
X-Rated Beer from Austria  
There's actually a town called Fücking in Austria. Also, in German "hell" means "light" as in a lighter beer. So some marketing genius has a new beer called Fücking Hell.
What Lines People Up in Wine County?  
A new release from Silver Oak? No. It's the annual two-week availability of a triple IPA called Pliny the Younger from the Russian River Brewery.
American Craft Beer Bigger than Budweiser 
In 2013 more barrels of craft beer were shipped than barrels of Bud. Budweiser has been in a slow, steady decline for over 25 years. Craft beer, of course, is in a huge growth phase.

Article #237 on "What wine for Thanksgiving"

If you do a Google search on "Thanksgiving dinner wines" you'll find lots of people telling you what to drink with your turkey. Often though it's something like, "Get to 2013 Spier Chenin Blanc from South Africa."  Huh? Now I have to run all over looking for this specific wine? No thanks. Besides, a wine that's available in the 'burbs of New York City isn't necessarily going to be found in St. Paul.

If you want a successful meal note some of the characteristics mentioned below and do your Internet research or go to your knowledgeable wine shop person.

Tasting Wine. Well, You Don't Actually Taste It

In truth, you don't taste much of anything. This is correct for any beverage or food.

Your tongue is not very sophisticated when it comes to picking up the nuances of what you eat or drink. It basically perceives sweet, salty, bitter, and sour; each on a different part of the tongue.

Also, your mouth picks up what is called mouthfeel. This would be body, or viscosity (is the liquid thick or thin), the temperature, and any burning or heat (as from alcohol). A higher acid wine may seem thin. One with some residual sugar, even a little bit, seems fuller-bodied (thick).

Nat'l Zinfandel Day--Nov 19th

YES! An official holiday for the best wine variety on the planet! This "holiday" has been going on for several years. I can't believe this is the first I've heard about it.

Visiting Wine Country in the Winter

What's it like to visit the Sonoma/Napa area in the winter? And how does it differ from summer travel to Northern California?

Wine for World Diabetes Day

November 14 is World Diabetes Day. I assume it's a diabetes awareness day rather than a day to drink twelve Mountain Dews and give yourself diabetes. It's a serious disease as the American Diabetes Association says over 9% of the population has it.

Per a study done in the UK and published in the Journal of Nutrition consuming lots of flavonoids found in foods such as chocolate, tea, berries, and wine may help prevent type 2 diabetes. Flavonoids are plant pigments and act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are claimed to help with everything from asthma to hemorrhoids. Since flavonoids come from pigment you want to consume colorful foods (like red wine).

Don't forget the dark chocolate and red wine tonight. I know I won't!

Thanksgiving Weekend in Sonoma County

It's a long weekend and you have family visiting (or are visiting family). Let's get out of the house and do a little wine tasting! You aren't the first one to think of this.

Wines for Veterans Day

There are wines for every occasion, even for veterans and honoring vets.

Image from valorwinery.com

Valor Winery
A veteran-run winery out of Livermore, CA. And they have a brewery now.
A news article about them.

Honor Winery
Part of the proceeds from the sale of their wines goes to families of fallen or wounded soldiers. Wines are $49 and up and are distributed in several states.

Sustainable Agriculture in Sonoma County

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission has decided all Sonoma County grapes will be grown sustainably within five years. With over 60,000 acres of grapevines this is an ambitious project. The majority of the vineyards are under 100 acres with nearly half less than 40 acres so there is lots of coordination and info sharing to be done.

What Your Beer Choice Says About You

Having just published What Your Wine Choice Says About You I'm thinking beer deserves equal time. Because, you know, beer is getting just as uppity as wine these days.

What Your Wine Choice Says About You

You are what you drink. You can use this handy guide to either find out what kind of person you are already or find what to drink so you can become the person you want to be. You're welcome!

The Five Basic Wine Myths

There are lots of misconceptions about wine, but here are the basic ones everyone should know about.

Wine is better if it's aged