Last Week In Wine….Because I Didn’t Get Chance To Post Yesterday…
August 15, 2011
Car that Runs on Wine and Cheese Showcased at Eco-Rally
Wine, cheese, chocolate and human sewage are just a few of the eccentric alternative fuels showcased at the Eco-Rally.
The specialized Lotus Exige (pictured) is capable of running on an ethanol fuel that is made from wine, or whey, which is also a byproduct of the cheese or chocolate-making process. It was one of several new cars showcased last week at an eco-rally sponsored in part by the Prince of Wales’s environmental initiative. The car will also still run on conventional gasoline (just in case you’re out of fuel and still miles away from wine country), as well as methanol, a fuel that can be made by extracting CO2 directly from the atmosphere– potentially the ultimate carbon neutral fuel. The car is capable of reaching 60mph in less than four seconds, which makes it among the quickest road-legal cars in the world.
Click here for the full article.
My Thoughts
Ahh, yes, I can picture it now! Pulling into a winery, walking into the tasting room, throwing your car keys in the general direction of the bartender, and shouting “Fill ‘er up with Pinot!”
Who Founded Landmark Vineyards?
Last week’s sale of Landmark Vineyards has unearthed a bitter dispute over who actually founded the prestigious Sonoma Valley winery.
Even the White House is involved, however inadvertently, in the long-running imbroglio.
“These are pretty deep, old wounds,” said Bill Mabry, 58, who has long been credited as founder of the winery along with his family.
Mike and Mary Colhoun, who sold the winery last week , claim the winery was founded by Mike’s mother, Damaris Deere Ford.
“The winery was founded in 1974 by Damaris Deere Ford, great-great granddaughter of John Deere,” according to a press release issued Wednesday announcing the sale.
The Obama administration used similar language to describe the winery’s origins last December when First Lady Michelle Obama selected Landmark’s Chardonnay to be served at the White House holiday party, in part, because of its historic connection to John Deere.
But there is another presidential perspective on Landmark’s history. Ronald Reagan, who served Landmark Chardonnay at the White House when he was president, credited the Mabry family.
“We’ve got photos of President Reagan thanking the Mabrys for their delicious wine,” said Steve Lehmann, president of the Windsor Historical Society.
Click here for the full article.
My Thoughts
Scandal at Landmark! This is all very interesting. I would really like to know the truth. Mike Colhoun is a good guy, and I’d like to get this full-side of the story. I’ll send him an email, and see if I can get an official response. Stay tuned.
A Toast To Vegan Wine!
A vegan walks into a bar, gets a glass of the house red and says, "Barkeep, there’s fish bladder, pig hoof, egg and milk in my wine."
Um, it’s not a joke. Though you think wine equals grapes equals vegan, it may not be so. Winemakers use isinglass (refined sturgeon bladder) to filter out grape seeds and skins, gelatin (pig or sometimes cow hoof), casein (milk protein), and egg whites are often used in traditional wine filtration.
"It’s never clear and I feel people need to know," says Cheryl Durzy, vice president of Clos LaChance Winery. That’s why they’re producing The Vegan Vine. "We’re committed to being only vegan all the time."
Certification is hard work which starts with passing a 290-point test. Then it’s a matter of maintaining eco-friendly practices, from using organic sprays to sustainable water — better for the land, but more work for the winemakers.
Click here for the full article.
My Thoughts
It’s true that it’s a little-known-secret that most wines indeed don’t comply with vegetarian / vegan guidelines, so labeling could certainly stand to be improved. On the other-hand, a little information isn’t always a good thing. The label “Contains Sulfites” already creates enough confusion amongst wine drinkers, with most people attributing their “red wine headache” to the addition of sulfites to their wine. I can only imagine what they’ll say about “Contains Sturgeon Bladder and Cow Hoof”!
Plane Makes Emergency Landing at Korbel Winery
A small plane that made an emergency landing Monday night in Russian River wine country remained parked alongside River Road Tuesday morning, waiting to be hauled away.
The pilot landed on River Road near Rio Nido and Korbel Champagne Cellars shortly after 7:15 p.m.
Officers were sent to the site to direct traffic around the small plane. The craft was pulled onto an access roar just off of the west county thoroughfare and buttoned up for the night. The plane was expected to be dismantled and moved. No further information was available on the pilot or what forced the landing.
Click here for the full article.
My Thoughts
The pilot was thirsty. Give the guy a break.
AC/DC Launches Wine Range
They’ve sold more than 200 million albums worldwide and now rock band AC/DC is moving into the wine industry.
The group has teamed up with Australian winery Warburn Estate to release a range of AC/DC wines in national retailer Woolworths this week.
The range includes wines named after its greatest hits including Back in Black Shiraz, Highway to Hell Cabernet, and You Shook Me All Night Long Moscato, according to Australian Associated Press.
My Thoughts
What, the bloody-hell? Although, I kind of bummed that Woolworths closed in the U.K.! I’m about t-minus 2 hours before I board a plan to the Mother-Land for 10 days. I would have picked up a bottle and reviewed it!
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