News about wine making and wine appreciation by our Deaf fellows and friends, news not about people
Editor: Rusty Wales, the vintner of Prince of Wales wines
Webmaster: Bobby Skedsmo, the creator of the Estate of Skedsmo wines
Wine Quotation:
"Whoever does not love wine, women, and song remains a fool his whole life long."
Johann Heinrich Voss
German poet and translator, 1751 - 1826
(the old popular saying, "wine, women and song" was originated in his poem)
Editor Rusty’s Rap: The Great Experiment
Some Deaf Grapevine readers sent me the video clip of opening a wine bottle without a corkscrew by using a shoe! I found it hard to believe even with the clear and visible show in those videos. As a wanna-be scientist, I decided to conduct the experiment myself...before I could declare its validity to my readers. I invited two people (Brenda and Merle)to assist in this experiment. The result: it works! The critical thing is that you have to have a shoe with a good sole base to absorb the shock when banging the bottle; otherwise, the glass bottle will crack open and create an ugly spill!
Wine Making:
Did you know that many bottles of wine on the shelf might not be 100% of its grape variety? For example, a label on your Merlot bottle may not be 100% Merlot grapes in it. All winemakers have agreed to keep the wine variety at least 75%, no less and then add other grape varieties to fill up a bottle . (In Napa Valley, they must keep 85% rule.) If the percentage is less than 75, then it will be referred to as red or white table wine.
"Meritage" is an example but it is a new art of wine making. Strict guidelines were established; at least two of the traditional Bordeaux grape varieties (i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Malbec) must be used to create this type of blend. One Meritage I am very much impressed with is Kirkland Signature (Costco) Rutherford Meritage from Napa Valley, California. It is fantastic! Try that one and I think you’ll like it!
New Item for Your Christmas List:
Have you ever wished you could bring wine discreetly to a place where bringing alcoholic beverages is forbidden/prohibited, such as football stadiums, city parks, no-alcohol parties, and other places? Try The Wine Rack, a canteen that you can wear as a bra and you can drink your wine through a tube from Wine Rack! Only $29.95! Visit its web site: www.after5catalogue.com
Then enter item number, 341-07001 in Search box. (It does not say whether it is for male or female, but it will make a person look big-chested when filled up with a jug of wine!)
Fun fact:
The first use of cork as a seal for wine bottles dates back to the late 17th century; the corkscrew is a different story. This corkscrew was invented later in the mid-1800’s. How in the world did those wine lovers open their wine before a corkscrew was invented? By their shoes?!
News in the Deaf Community:
On May 15, 2010, Wine Appreciation Workshop/Seafood Dinner was held outdoors Armstrong State Park in Santa Rosa, California. 37 people were in attendance and the host was very happy with the successful turnout.
On September 25, 2010, Wine Appreciation Workshop sponsored by Deaf Cultural Center in Kansas City was attended by over 90 people exceeding their expectation of 30. This event also featured the art auction to support Chuck Baird Family Foundation. It appeared very obvious that everyone who attended the workshop/art auction enjoyed the show immensely as exemplified by the photos below:
