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Refrigerated, Pool, TV

I want to start a movement to preserve all western motels built in the 50’s. They require protection as cultural historical monuments. It must have been a design that worked, because each motel is a perfect replica of the other. The main ingredient was ...

 
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New, Interesting and Cool

Here is my prediction. Spain, Chile and Italy are out. This summer, the new hot grape is Verdehlo. Verdehlo is a Portuguese grape recently planted in California. It is so new that there are very few wine writers, winemakers, sommeliers, wine bar owners or ...

 
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"Squirrel!"

If I look in the mirror, I see the old man in the movie “Up”. My neighbors and especially their children treat me that way. When I unlock my gates and walk outside to get my mail, they nervously wave. The children peek at me from behind their mothers' ...

 
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Change

The wine bloggers continue to advance the idea that wines selling for over $50.00 are dead. Full disclosure requires that I tell you that I don’t have a wine in that price point. But, I have lived through three wine depressions and three housing slumps. I ...

 
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The Seven Faces of New World Pinot Noir

Want to try a fun blind tasting? Pick Pinot Noir from these seven locations. You don’t need to rank them. You and your friends will have more fun developing your identification skills. But, remember that the riper we winemakers pick, the more all Pinot ...

 
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Tech Talk

Nina has asked me to write something scientific about wine. I remind her that I went to Fresno State and find discussions about nonenzymic autoxidative phenolic browning beyond boring. Or, if grape growing interests you try enjoying a discussion of ...

 
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The Wine Road

Do you remember the old cartoons where a sheep dog and coyote are battling all day until it is time to punch the time clock and go home? As they leave, another sheep dog and coyote are punching in. “Good night Fred.” “Good night Ralph.” Then the whole ...

 
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If It's Tuesday It Must Be Belgium

I am just not one of those guys. You know, like in the movie Six Days and Six Nights. The actress asks, “You’re one of those guys aren’t you? You know, the kind that can build a shopping mall with a flashlight and a screwdriver?” The dialogue goes ...

 
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Why Don’t They Just Drink My Wine?

I haven’t been in the most fun of moods. The woman I was with, in an attempt to cheer me up shot me with the wrapper from her straw. This made me wonder if kids still have spitball fights. I looked around to see it there was anyone I wanted to hit. We ...

 
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Fans of Row Eleven at Firehouse Sacramento!

Enjoying a lovely Spring day at Firehouse Sacramento with Row Eleven Pinot Noir!