Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving after alcohol consumption is never a good idea. There is a way to be responsible and enjoy something stronger than sparkling cider with your meals. Let’s talk about volume and proof. First, all alcohol is required to be labeled by the percentage of alcohol by volume (wine) or proof (vodka). Let me give you an example. If you drink one of those super- sized martinis it comes in a 2 ounce glass. Vodka is normally 80-90 proof. The alcohol percentage is always half the proof. Therefore, 80 proof is 40% alcohol and 100 proof is 50% alcohol. That means that a 2 ounce martini may be 50% alcohol! In contrast, if you drink a 5 ounce glass of red or white wine, it is normally never over 15 % alcohol by volume. That means if you drink two martini (4 ounces) you could drink ½ bottle of wine with the same result!

Now the question becomes, would you rather enjoy and sip several glasses of wine with a meal or do a single martini? Drinking a martini with Italian food or a good steak is not the perfect match. As for me, give me a few glasses of good wine with friends and a delicious meal and I’m a happy guy!

Know that the amount of alcohol each person can imbibe to reach the breathalyzer limit varies by weight, metabolism, food consumed and other factors such as the laws in your State.

A.C.

Do women Drink Wine?

Beginning in the 1980’s and galloping into the twentieth century the wine market in the United has exploded. The “European Drink” has slowly transposed itself into an everyday part of American life. As with most change the American women has led the way. The Gallop poll shows that 55% of wine purchases in the United States are made by females. Now, hold on Mr. Macho with that thinking that they are buying for you. Women buy and drink what they purchase says the Adams Media poll. Ok but they drink white sweet wine right? Wrong again! Women are drinking over 50% red and those numbers are increasing.

Industry insiders believe that the more health conscious female has increased red wine sales and consumption dramatically. Many believe that females are just plain more experimental and adapt to the numerous blends now being bottled in artistic packaging. I think as long as you drink good wine responsibly it really doesn’t matter.  There is nothing like sharing a good meal with a friend, spouse or date to make for an enjoyable memory.

A.C.

HOW THICK IS YOUR SKIN

Don’t expect to see those big juicy grapes you buy at your local grocer if you go to watch a vineyard harvest its vines. Most of wine making calls for very small thick skinned little berries. In most cases the thicker the skin on the grape the more concentrated and dense the wine is when pressed. The interior of the grape is mostly water and will only serve to dilute the wine. In many hot climates like Italy, France and Spain irrigation of grapes is against the law. Grape vines manage to survive because of their remarkable roots that may burrow 30 feet or more deep into the earth in search of water and nutrients. The taste they have is often a result of the minerals that the roots find deep in the earth and show up after fermentation giving each wine a distinct taste. Many of the wines in California are grown without the help of irrigation which has led to the surge in recognition of the quality of the wines of our AOC’s.

This weeks wine special is a prime example of thick skin and big taste. Dry farming in Tuscany of Chianti means no water for grapes that evolve with very dense skins producing earthy yet elegant, complex wine. When the wine is classified as Classico it is Tuscany’s very best Sangiovese. Chianti is considered one of the wine world’s most versatile quaffs lending it self to both hearty and delicate dishes.

A.C.

Will wildfire smoke affect California grapes and give us the bacon vintage of 2008?

Several weeks ago we drove to Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties in Northern California and then back through Santa Barbara County to visit with the vineyards we distribute. Smoke filled our nostrils and when staying overnight we woke up to Sonoma snow (ash) covering our car. “This is the worst wildfire smoke we have ever seen” commented Vance Sharp of Sharp Cellars, Sonoma. “It’s drifting down from over 1000 fires blazing and smoldering throughout some of the most pristine wilderness and populated areas in the North and Central Coast. So the question is, “Do grapes and smoke mix?”

There is no doubt that the many of the growers in Northern California were already fighting hard to overcome the bitter late frost that claimed extensive vines when the fire broke out. Some say the berries were too young to be affected by the ash and smoke and some say berries exposed to prolonged smoke and ash could smell and taste like bacon. At this point no one knows the effect for sure but my bet is on the growers and the vintners. This industry produces hardy self reliant people. They face everything nature can throw at them year after year to make some of the finest wine in the world. I still think the only bacon will come with my luncheon BLT as I sip fine wine from our great winemakers in California!

As we left the vineyards of Napa to head south we came close to the fires near Santa Barbara and smoke filled the air in Foxen Canyon. With no rain in sight, we lifted a glass of Syrah and put in an extra prayer for everyone facing this long and difficult summer.

A.C.

Welcome to the Crush Me Press Blog

Tune in this coming week and each week after for the historic launch of The Wine Seller TV. Unlike programming now available on TV, we sell wine. No wine rap or travelogue, we sell hard to find wine gems direct to our consumers.

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Day	Date	Time
Monday	May 12th	9:00pm to 9:30pm (PST)
Wednesday	May 14th	9:00pm to 10:00pm (PST)
Thursday	May 15th	9:00pm to 10:00pm (PST)
Friday	May 16th	9:00pm to 9:30pm (EST)