I am really loving this Cristalino Cava Brut champagne right now. What's your drink of choice?

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The dose makes the poison--Paracelsus (1493-1541) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus

I don't know. That's why I'm asking--Noclevername

Intelligence may not be clearly defined, but you know stupid when you see it--Noclevername

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge--Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Wine is too weak and too hifalutin. I prefer Col. James Beauregard Beam's corn squeezin's (Green Label, if you can find it) when I want some of the C2H5OH. For medicinal purposes always, you must understand.

And, while I would never, ever advocate depriving our goverment of revenue, the tax free kind of likker that comes in a Mason jar is an experience everyone should have.

-Richard

Have never had moonshine, although my ex had some. He said he didn't know that the glass of moonshine had made him drunk until he tried to stand up...and couldn't!

This wine I've had tonight is not weak--is very potent, lemme tell ya!

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The dose makes the poison--Paracelsus (1493-1541) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus

I don't know. That's why I'm asking--Noclevername

Intelligence may not be clearly defined, but you know stupid when you see it--Noclevername

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge--Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Reminds me of a situation just after buying a house in the Augusta, GA area.

It was a Sunday afternoon and I was returning from the Home Depot in Augusta. I stopped at a Smile gas station and was filling the tank of my Olds. A pickup truck with Arkansas plates pulled up on the other side of the island. The driver got out and ambled over to me. He asked "Is thar somewar 'round here ah kin buy some beer?" I replied that Sunday alcohol sales were prohibited. "How 'bout 'cross the state line?" Same deal over there, I replied. He looked around to see if there was anyone else nearby and then asked "Y'all know where ah kin git some shine?" I told him I had no idea, so he went back to his pickup truck, put about $3 of gas in the tank, and rumbled off in a cloud of smoke.

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I've found a couple good Texas wines from the Llano Estacado winery. My favorites are the Blush and Riesling.

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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

I like Conchay Toro Frontera Merlot, 2004.

Plus any decent Shiraz from Australia is always quite good.

There was a particular red wine that my girlfriend and I enjoyed last time we were in Arizona. I need to see if I have a record somewhere of what it was.

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A person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

Maybe he thought the gas station was one like where the last time I -- uh a friend of friend's friend -- bought some shine. There was a little gas station way up in the mountains. They had two pumps out front, plus a special pump for "super duper hi-test" off to the side. It was some really high grade gasoline, because the price was over $5 gallon even back around '87 or so. You went in, announced you wanted some of that super hi-test, put your money down, and then waited. It was important to leave your keys in the car. They pumped your gas, and if you had been properly vetted and everything looked right , you would find a number of Mason jars in your trunk equal to the number of gallons of "super hi-test" you bought.

Moonshining is a dying art. And to be serious, if you ever do decide you might like to try some, make sure you get from a "distiller" that knows what he's doing. Some try to restart the old family business that grandpa ran years ago, but don't know what they're doing. IOW, make sure it's Uncle Jed and not Jethro running the still.

And speaking of GA, BATF actually busted some shiners somewhere in GA and it made the local news. It was funny, they showed the guys doing the "perp walk" in overalls. And folks, make no mistake, that is about nothing by *tax money*, plus the established distillers, like the aforementioned Col. Beam, brother Jack Daniel, etc, etc don't like any upstart competition, which is money yet again.

Ah, YouTube. Here's Andy and the Darlings singing "Dooley":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6cGva0USk0


-Richard

If we're talking red varietals, I prefer Cabs, Pinots, and Zins in that order. For whites, I prefer Germans...Kerner, especially but alas, it's not often found here. So Riesling will have to do, I suppose. If it's botrytized, so much the better!

Of the widely available labels, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Beaulieu Vineyard are among my favorites. My favorite hole-in-the-wall so far, is Washington's Blackwood Canyon. The Wife® and I blundered upon the place during our honeymoon.

I'm also a fan of our local and regional microbrews, such as those from the Alaskan Brewing Co. On the stronger side, I very much enjoy the single malts...the smokier and peatier, the better. The Lagavulin and Laphroaig are favorites.

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Brett
Peters Creek, Alaska

Where'd you get the idea you had a right to go through life unoffended?

California dreamin':

White: Charles Shaw 2005 Chardonnay $1.99
Red: 1958 BV Cabernet Sauvignon $839.99
Bubbly: Any Domaine Chandon $ (spendy)

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Holy crap, that's expensive wine! Must taste good then.

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The dose makes the poison--Paracelsus (1493-1541) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus

I don't know. That's why I'm asking--Noclevername

Intelligence may not be clearly defined, but you know stupid when you see it--Noclevername

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge--Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Yep! Tastes like the Earth itself---quick side story:
While captaining at Yosemite's fanciful Ahwahnee Hotel's dining room, had a customer turn down THREE bottles of BV Cab. He somewhat sheepishly accepted the fourth, after nearby tables began to take note. Astonished, I consulted our world-traveled Czechoslovakian Maitre De, who immediately explained it was an extremely "Erty" wine. Puzzled, I asked again, before realizing he was saying "earthy"! The entire Captain's table was eternally grateful after the doors closed, as we all enjoyed that customer's pretentiousness with our meals.

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I like the drier wines, myself. Wines that have too much sugar taste like cough syrup to me.

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The dose makes the poison--Paracelsus (1493-1541) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus

I don't know. That's why I'm asking--Noclevername

Intelligence may not be clearly defined, but you know stupid when you see it--Noclevername

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge--Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

I'm off to Sonoma in a week, so if anyone has a favorite restaurant or winery, I'd love to hear about it.

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At night the stars put on a show for free (Carole King)

If you'll have a car, try now for reservation$ at The French Laundry, and/or Domaine Chandon's Etoile restaurant, both in nearby Napa county's Yountville. While walking Sonoma's town square, look for a charming kitchen gadget store (can't remember their name) that offers a European vegetable-peeler that features a curved blade---dandiest kitchen tool ever!

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Mmmmm... Two-Buck-Chuck
Actually, I tried the Chardonnay last month and it really isn't that bad -- especially for the price (Three-buck-Chuck outside of CA). The merlot and cab. are good for cooking, but that's about it.

Being originally from Washington State, I am partial to their wines. Columbia Crest merlot is consistently very good, year in, year out (except 2002). My cellar has about 30% Washington State wines.

living in New Mexico, I've sampled several that the state has to offer. The New Mexico wine industry is getting better, but still has a ways to go. One that is good is 2005 Gruet Pinot Noir

My wife and I have visitied that winery, too. They had decent Merlots at the time. They also had some Chardonnay vinegar which was to 'die for'.

My all time fave, hands down: 1985 Chateau Gruaud Larose. I would love to taste some LaTour someday to see how it compares -- when I have an extra few hundred $$.

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I'd have to fo with Riesling from southern Slovakia as my favourite. My family originally comes from those parts but even appart from that it's a great tasting white wine.

As for red, I'd go with Spanish wine from La Rioja area, probably Logrono. I found myself wondering around there spring before last, just walking a bit in the country and I walked through the vineyards of Logrono, probably the most frustrating walk which winds around every $%#%^* bush. But the wine from there is one of the best I've ever had.

A fun fact, there's a place in the Rioja region called Irache, vineyard which has a wine fountain open to the public. It's supposed to be a refreshment for passing pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostella. You can drink from the fountain and even fill a bottle. It ran red wine when I was passing and considering it was free and a fountain it was really good!

Hmmm...the possibility of bird poo mixing in with my free cocktail would put me off a bit, I think.

__________________
The dose makes the poison--Paracelsus (1493-1541) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus

I don't know. That's why I'm asking--Noclevername

Intelligence may not be clearly defined, but you know stupid when you see it--Noclevername

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge--Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

I set my stew on fire with burgundy once.

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