Card Respect

I am twenty six years old and I mail cards. In a time when everyone has multiple email addresses, a Facebook profile, and a cell phone you can text to, it's easy to use one of these options to send a message. However, there is a far superior alternative you should consider (like you would "consider" filling your tank with gas if you wanted to drive it). It's the greeting card. Going forward, I invite you to join me in trying to show some card respect.

Definition of card respect: If someone mails you cards to recognize occasions in your life, it's polite to reciprocate with this (almost) ancient form of communication.

Of course a phone call, email, text, or Facebook wall post is better than nothing...however, if you exercise a little organizational and planning discipline, an on-time* hand written card will floor the recipient.

How you benefit:

 ~ Your grandma keeps the card on her mantle for 3 months (old people don't throw things away) and every time she looks at it she thinks of you and her heart is happy.

 ~ Your mom let's out a few tears of joy like she does after a Hallmark commercial because she's literally in one.

 ~ You will keep receiving cards from the people who send them (if they stop receiving cards all together, they will eventually stop sending them and we'll have made something else extinct**).

Over the years I've neglected to send a lot of cards. I'll be selfish with my time and then scramble the day of to make a phone call and send flowers or overnight a last minute gift online. I thought I was being a thoughtful daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. But the flowers die and a space is made in the closet for the rushed gift. If I had mailed a card that arrived on or before the birthday/holiday that would have been a true present. 

So give it a shot. Hand write a thoughtful note on a card to someone you care about and drop it in the mail. Let me know how it goes over.

*Intra-state delivery is usually 2 days or less and inter-state deliver can range from 3 to 7 days.

**If you think you are being green by using e-communication in this context, I'm sorry, but, I have to disagree. It's a greeting card. You're not mailing a Pottery Barn catalog weekly to every home in the United States :)

Sharing (My Voice)

Am I qualified to do this? To write this blog? To put my thoughts into words and want people to read them? To believe things that others will disagree with? Of course I am and you are too. You should start your own blog. I want to read it. 

This life is about being an active participant in humanity. I could have majored in psychology or anthropology, apprenticed for Paulo Cohelo, read every "new age" book out there, and spent years juicing up my resume so a publisher would pay me an advance to write a book one day. But, instead, I just sat down and started writing. Because I am human, and so are you. Share and help us.

Sharing A Voice

Am I qualified to do this? To write this blog? To want other people to read my words and ask them to listen to my thoughts? To believe things that others will disagree with? Of course I am and you are too. This life is about being an active participant in humanity. I could have majored in psychology or anthropology, apprenticed for Paulo Cohelo, read every "new age" book out there, juiced up my philosopher resume so a publisher would pay me an advance. But instead I just sat down and started writing. Because I am human, and so are you.

Budget Barbera

This $7 bottle of Barbera D'Alba (La Loggia) from Trader Joe's made for a killer wine picnic on the beach with my parents. A little charcuterie plate, a hard cheese or two, and some dried and fresh fruits. 

(Don't forget the red party cups.)

Routines

I struggle with the right balance of routines. While at times I think they can build discipline and foster steady improvement, I also fear the comfort zone they can create. In a perfect world I would try a new form of exercise every three months, buy assorted foods at the grocery store, and explore one of the many places I haven't been to in Southern California on the weekends. But going for walks and bike rides, eating cereal, apples, bell peppers, and shrimp cocktail, and spending every weekend going to my favorite spots in Corona Del Mar makes me happy. 

And that's great. 

But I look back to times in my life when I broke away from a routine or regimented lifestyle and recognize the extreme benefits that these deviations brought to my life. A few examples are transferring high schools my sophomore year, studying and working in London my junior year in college, barely breaking even every month during my first job at Deloitte Consulting in New York City, and leaving Michael and Las Vegas after two years to spend a month in Champagne and Burgundy discovering my passion for wine. Throughout these experiences I was challenged, humbled, inspired, exhausted, exhilarated, sad, and happy. I'm still getting to know Newport Beach and Orange County, but am aware it is going to be very easy to get into a comfortable routine here. I ask of my friends to help me when this happens. It's healthy to get your ass kicked every now and then.

This Makes Me Smile

At Home In The Vines

Born and raised in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, I didn't discover the wine history of my home state until I started studying wine two years ago. When I was back east last fall, my sister and I drove up to Hopkins Vineyard, set on the northern shore or Lake Waramaug, to see just what Litchfield had to offer. Our favorite was Hopkins' sparkling wine made in the methode champenoise. Great acidity, pinpoint bubbles, and mouthwatering granny smith apple and pear notes. Cheers!

Pizza and Nebbiolo d'Alba

Had a nice dinner at Pizzeria Ortica (Costa Mesa, California) on Friday. If you're looking for a great value Piedmont wine, give Poderi Colla's 2006 Nebbiolo d'Alba a try. I made this choice from the wine list which was on the shorter side and after being informed they were out of the Dolcetto d'Alba I initially ordered (usually my go-to wine when I'm selecting for palates keen on silky, fruit-forward, dense New World reds and want to introduce them to an Old World option). The bottle was listed for about $60 (a nice price point relative to the $120 Pio Cesare 2004 Barberesco) and we decanted the wine while enjoying a glass of Franciacorta with our appetizers. After having a chance to breathe, the Nebbiolo held up nicely to the food and we had plenty of cheeses, olive oil, and cured meats to help soften some of the (still young) tannin. Overall, this a well balanced wine with excellent concentration that needs a little more time in the bottle. The quality of the producer came across to everyone at the table and those trying their first Nebbiolo appreciated the dynamism the wine added to our fresh and thoughtful antipasti and pizze. The honey gelato and chocolate sorbetto cannot go unmentioned. Vino. Pizze. Dolci. Perfecto.

New AVA

Effective April 29, 2009, TTB established the 868 square-mile "Haw River Valley" American viticultural area in Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Guilford, Orange, and Rockingham Counties in north-central North Carolina.

An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

Profile Picture

My father told me that this picture was too grainy and looked like it was taken in a dimly lit holding cell. Quite the opposite...just setting up for my wine class at the Wine Lab in Newport Beach. The tasting bar and retail shop has warm lighting and the intimacy of a private wine cellar. I love teaching there.

Emeritus: To Earn By Service

Last night was the first time I've had Emeritus. It's a more masculine pinot than the Poppy. The 2006 Estate Bottle Russian River Valley pinot is a nicely concentrated wine with refreshing acidity. It clocks in a little high in alcohol (14+%) but that blows off and the rich fruit notes of black cherry and ripe raspberries step into the spotlight. This well balanced wine has the autumnal backdrop I am always looking for in a good pinot. Integrated, subtle New World pinots can be hard to come across.  You can tell Emeritus is made with the Burgundian appreciation of terrior and a graceful style in mind. Well done. 

Here is some info from their website:

The Emeritus Team farms the vineyards to exacting standards with only one goal: To produce a Pinot Noir of great distinction, a wine that reflects its vineyard heritage and embodies the spirit of the people who put the best of themselves into their work—a noble wine.

EMERITUS. (ē–mer´–i–tus), Latin, past participle of ēmerērī,to earn by service. The Emeritus Team has embarked on a quest for the quintessential Pinot—a new direction in California Pinot Noir.

The Higher Road

I dream of the day the media reflects its attention on positive core human values like love, trust, respect, and charity. By turning the focus away from greed, dishonesty, fame, and wealth, attention will lose it's correllation to these negative behaviors. Until then, we will continue to artificially stimulate our minds and misguide powerful human energies. We are not destined to live depressed, uninspired lives. We have learned too many lessons as a species to let this happen. 

As hard as it is sometimes in our existing "connected, informed, and up-to-the-minute" world, try to take a deep breath and grasp onto a morsel of peace. Plant a flower. Savor a piece of fresh fruit. Go for a walk and smile at a stranger you pass. Pick up a piece of litter. Think about the taste of clean, cold water. Hug someone you care about. Snail mail a card. Tune into the sound and smell of sautéed garlic . Clean and polish your glass before you pour your wine (ok, that's me being a cork dork). Light a candle. Call someone who you know needs a listener. If the people and events we attend to are inspiring or fulfilling, we will lead happier lives. The end (of the higher road).

Brooklyn Go Hard

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7lqcw_jayz-brooklyn-go-hard-video-2dopebo_music

Pretty Pinot

I enjoyed a glass of this lovely wine last night at dinner with friends. Started the night with Aria cava which was also tasty.

I Love Barolos

My main men...

Silvio Grasso, Bartolo Mascarello, Marcello and Bruno Ceretto, Aldo and Giacomo Conterno, Luciano Sandrone, Bruno Giacosa

CNBC

This station is best watched on mute. I agree with Jon Stewart that 17 hours of live business television is too much. It would be more beneficial to replay content-rich programs than listen to their reporters and traders make speculations by the minute. Yes, the business world moves fast but if there was that much to gain, with low risk, on an ultra micro level we'd all be day traders. (Maybe I'm missing something and day traders are cashing in in the long run. No one ever gets wiped out playing that game...or you never hear about it.)

In a perfect world, CNBC could educate viewers on macroeconomics and the relationship the "bigger picture" has to their daily (micro) reporting. We live an a world of instant gratification and quick fixes, so, at a time like this, patience is a true virtue. By calling attention to the fundamentals (a CNBC favorite word) of business cycles, this network could have a more calming "voice" and boost consumer confidence. Instead, CNBC can keep the day traders from getting wiped out like the rest of us and continue aggravating the long-term investors who have just lost 50% of their net worth. So, CNBC, how are you going to incentivize reinvestment in this hyper volatile stock market and global economy? I pose the question because in the past the media played a larger role than the balance sheets - and that's everyone's fault. TV is more fun than homework and we all had a lot of fun for awhile there. Hopefully, I'll want to turn the sound back on soon.

More Wine Networking and Education Websites

http://www.mastersommeliers.org/

http://www.windowswineschool.com/

https://www.internationalsommelier.com/

http://www.guildsomm.com/

http://www.bacchussociety.com/

Past Recs (vol. 1)

Here are some wines I like (both price and producer!). Remember that people working in wineshops can make the best recommendations when you give them information about what wines you enjoy and how much you want to spend.

*****

Values by varietal (type of grape):

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Meyer Vineyards

Napa Valley

Dark rich and plush this cab is tightly focused with a long intense finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Mantra

Alexander Valley

The Wine Exchange of Sonoma for $25

Grenache:

Outpost

Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

2005

Boasts deep garnet color with elements of espresso, roast chocolate blackberries, and smoky oak.

Shiraz:

St. Hallett

Barossa (Australia)

FAITH

2005

Beautiful ruby, concentrated color.  Drinks well young – powerful fruit notes of cherry and blackberry, supple tannins and silky texture. Tasted more cab like than shiraz to me – not too spicy or peppery with lots of dark fruit, hint of vanilla. Would buy again at $22 and serve to guests.

Whole Foods for $25

Sauvignon Blanc and Un-oaked Chardonnay:

Kim Crawford: out of New Zealand. Her wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel and always taste fresh, with tropical and citrus notes. Perfect everyday white and very well distributed. Save a few bucks and try Picton Bay's sauv blanc from Trader Joe's.

Pinot Noir:

Ramsay

North Coast, California

2006

13%

Outstanding value from legendary Napa winemaker Kent Rasmussen – blend of red fruit from the north coast counties (Pauli property in Mendocino and the Rasmussen Estate plot in Napa Carneros). Vibrant black cherry and raspberries with notes of black truffle and vanilla. Contact The Wine Exchange of Sonoma – could be worth buying 1/2 case or case to have at house if you’re partial to Pinot. 800-938-1794 email Dan Noreen at wineexsonoma@vom.com

Pinot Noir:

DRYSTONE

Berridge Vineyard Estates

Central Otago, New Zealand

2003

14%

Nice little "value" pinot. And some Trader Joe's have Castle Rock Mendocino County pinot for $10. Very pretty - rose water, raspberries, strawberries, slightly autumnal.

Pinot Noir:

Sineann

Covey ridge vineyard

Willamette Valley, Oregon

2007

14.6%

Bob and Marilyn Senko's vineyard

Richly concentrated for a pinot. Notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, spicy (baking) aromatics and sweet black fruits. Smoothe for its high alcohol content. 

Whole Foods for $46

Petit Syrah:

Guenoc

Lake County

2005

13.5%

Guenoc Valley winery is a 35 mile estate that straddles Napa and Lake Counties.

Silky, inky, dense petit syrah. Another great wine from Trader Joe's in the $11-15 price range.

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Liberty School

Paso Robles

2005

Personally think it’s the best value cab I’ve bought. I like Robert Hall to which is also a cab out of Paso and at a similar price point. 

Whole Foods for $17 and Trader Joe's for $12.

Zinfandel:

Peachy Canyon Winery

“Incredible Red”

Paso Robles

2006

“Incredible Red” is a great Zinfandel for everyday enjoyment.  Excellent with a variety of foods from peppered steak to pasta.

Trader Joe’s for $12

Merlot:

Hall

Napa Valley

14.5%

2004

Soft but engaging merlot. Not sure its worth the Napa price premium, but that's just me caring less about brand and more about TASTE.

Pinot Gris:

Sineann

Oregon

2007

13%

The closest New World pinot gris I've taste to Alsace (my weakness). In Peter Sineann's humble words: "It would be great to be able to take credit for how this wine turned out. In the winery we are meticulously selective, press lightly and then keep our hands off. That's about as far as we go. All the other wonderful qualities of this wine, the elevating aromatics, the broad, rich palate, the long, lingering finish come out of the vineyards."

Wine Lab in Newport Beach for $17

Wine Events in (almost) Every City

http://www.localwineevents.com/be_notified.php

Champagne Website

http://www.champagneguide.net