text:
Lillies in Moonlight
- Wednesday, May 18, 2011
With gentleness Lilly couldn't have imagined, the mother answered each child. Yes, the lady was pretty, but no, she was far too busy to come home for lunch. This response was given with a wary eye across the top of Teddy's grubby face, but Lilly just smiled and winked.
It was enough that they thought she was pretty.
Lilly checked to be sure the silver lid was screwed on tight. Then, as the little family debated whether they should play on the swings or the slide, she reached inside baby John's pram and nestled the lavender bath salts within his blankets. She quickly closed the latches on her leather case and lifted it off the bench.
Before she could get away, however, the mother called out, "Hey! I told you I can't afford that."
Lilly waved a hand behind her, bangles clanking. "Forget it. You qualify for the free sample of the day."
"No, thanks.
I'm watching my figure."
Three blocks later Lilly sat down again—this time at a drugstore counter—and filled out a sales slip. She thought back to the nearly empty powder box on the washstand in her room at Mrs. Myrtle's Hotel for Women. She had a little more than three dollars in there—two of which were meant for next week's rent. A couple of big sales would make up the difference, but she'd need to find better hunting ground.
"Hey, lady." The man behind the counter wore a blue-and-whitestriped shirt and blue suspenders. His gray hair was thick and curly; the glasses on the bottom of his nose gave a kindly effect absent from his voice.
"This isn't your office. You going to order something?"
Lilly dug into her little beaded purse and pulled out a dime. "Two Coca-Colas." One for later tonight with the supper included in her two-dollar-a-week rent.
The man behind the counter popped the top off one of the bottles before swiping the dime across the polished wood. Lilly quietly unwrapped her sandwich, keeping it hidden on her lap as she tore off one bite at a time, chewing slowly and washing it down with sips of the cold, dark, fizzing soda.
Behind her the bell rang, and though she didn't know another soul in this part of town, Lilly spun on her stool to see who walked in. Two women, probably in their fifties, wearing identical gray dresses, white aprons, and ugly brown shoes.
"Afternoon, ladies." Now the man behind the counter lived up to his friendly visage.
"Afternoon, Ed."
"Two egg salads? Coffee?"
"Oh, it's payday," one of the women said. "Make it two chocolate sodas, right, Annie?"
"You read my mind," Annie said, and the two of them giggled as if it were truly funny.
"Sounds good," Lilly said. She imagined herself part of their conversation, but they responded with a dismissive glare. The few bites of sandwich sat heavy in her stomach, and she wished for just a minute she were sharing a sticky table with little June and Teddy.
Deciding these women weren't worthy of her smile, she drooped her face into an exaggerated pout and twirled back to her sandwich, giving the women a view of the back of her neck, imitating the pose she'd seen on the cover of the Vogue magazine on the newsstand in the corner.
She continued with her sandwich and soda and sales-ticket book, all the while listening to Annie and her friend. Apparently their mistresses were at a weekly country club luncheon, meaning somewhere within walking distance there was a neighborhood with money.
Lilly tore her sandwich into smaller and smaller pieces, making it last long enough for Annie and her friend to finish their egg salads and chocolate sodas. Ed was not fooled for a moment; he'd come close to catching her midbite several times, but every time he asked if she wanted to order something, Lilly smiled her brightest and said no, thank you, she was watching her figure.
At ten minutes to one, the maids slurped the last of their sodas and Bid Ed good-bye. Lilly swigged the last of her Coca-Cola—warm and flat by now—and carefully folded the square of wax paper to put back in her leather case. It would wrap tomorrow's sandwich.
"See ya, Ed." She gave a little salute, bangles clanking, and set the door's bell ringing.
With the women in gray about twenty paces ahead, Lilly straightened her shoulders, refreshed her grip on the case's handle, and took a determined step. Fortune could not be far away.
Excerpted from Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman. Copyright 2011 by Allison Pittman. Excerpted by permission of multnomah Books, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Recently on First Chapters
Editors' Picks
Have something to say about this article? Leave your comment via Facebook below!
Listen to Your Favorite Pastors
Add Crosswalk.com content to your siteBrowse available content


text:
It's not the breathtaking mountains, the quirky culture or the gorgeous sunsets that members of Barenaked Ladies and Guster are looking forward to when they visit Utah — it's delving into some internationally acclaimed mole.
"I'm feeling almost as good about this album as I am about getting back to Salt Lake City and to the Red Iguana," said Ed Robertson of BNL.
—Guster and Ben Folds Five.
When » Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where » Usana Amphitheater, 5125 S. 6400 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets » Available at Smith'sTix, $22.50-$62.50
|Join the Discussion
|Post a Comment
Tracks from his band's latest effort, "Grinning Streak," will be part of the mix of songs from a three-band performance at USANA Amphitheater on June 20, joining Guster and Ben Folds Five, who are back together and performing for the first time since 2000.
For the newest album, Robertson tried a new writing approach. The Canada native traveled to Tennessee to "work with some Nashville cats" and write songs with some of his friends, including Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra and Zack Maloy of the Nixons.
"It was great to go down there and really push the craft of writing," he said.
The four band members got together in the studio to record one or two tracks, but the feeling was so good, they just kept going.
That's a change from the mood in recording their previous album, "All in Good Time," the first album they created after the tumultuous departure of co-founder Steven Page.
"That was just about getting back on our feet and dusting ourselves off and 'we can still do this,' and it resulted in some of the best reviews of our career," Robertson said. "Three years later and hundreds of shows as a four-piece band later, we're confident and settled in place. We're not in the same throes of upheaval and turmoil. I think we still made a great record, but it was a difficult time. This time, we went in firing on all cylinders."
BNL has always been known for its whimsical lyrics and engaging improvisation, but Robertson points to the introspection and the sentiment of his songs.
"I think the humor has always been an intrinsic part of how we relate to each other and to the crowd, but there's always been a deep, emotional center to the band," he said. "It's all about entertainment, about the audience going on a roller-coaster ride. I want people to leave there saying that they saw a unique performance, that the band was connected to the place they were in, and that it's not going to be the same thing in a different town the next night."
Part of keeping that experience fresh was teaming up with some bands to create a strong bill for an outdoor show.
Ryan Miller, lead singer of Guster, is looking forward to playing to passionate Utah fans.
"When we've played at In the Venue, people are stoked and people are excited. The shows are very high-energy in Salt Lake City. I don't know if that's the case for every band, or if that's the venue, so I'll be curious to see how this plays out," he said of his band's first performance at USANA Amphitheater.
He said at this stage in the band members' lives, touring is a treat.
"We really enjoy touring at this point, but we've scaled back quite a bit," he said. "We have families and mortgages and wives, and now that's all part of the equation — knowing we're not going to be back two more times this year."
He tells fans to expect a greatest-hits kind of set, one that will please the die-hard fans but maybe draw in some Ben Folds Five and BNL fans who may not have heard of the band that's been making music for two decades.
He's excited to return to a state that feels increasingly homey.
"We've spent a lot of time there, and it doesn't feel strange anymore," he said. "And I'm excited to dig deep into the Mexican food scene there."
Twitter: @sheena5427
Copyright 2014 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"BounceU is conveniently located in the heart of Chesterfield Valley.
• Ta...
At BounceU of Chesterfield/West County, we specialize in perfect party ideas. With our amazing inflatable
structures, unbeatable customer service, and clean, climate-controlled environment,
all you really have to do is show up and take pictures. Throwing a private
party here couldn't be easier - just give us a call, choose one of our popular
packages, and let us take care of the food, the cleanup, and everything else.
BounceU of Chesterfield/West County - Where Kids' Birthday Parties Are Non-Stop Fun
Kids flip for our unbelievably cool bounce stadiums (imagine the ultimate children's
playground experience in a safe, indoor setting), but they also can't get enough
of the games, the food, and sharing the spotlight with family and friends. You'll
love the looks on their faces when they walk in, and nothing beats leaving with
the feeling that your big day has been a truly special event. It's no wonder we're
one of Missouri's favorite party places for kids!
Experience the Private Party of a Lifetime at BounceU of Chesterfield/West County
Incredible kids' birthday parties are only the beginning at BounceU. From Programs and classes, to fundraisers and team parties, we're
excited to host just about any group that wants to get its bounce on. And if you
just can't wait until your next BounceU party, contact us and reserve a spot at
one of our famously fun Open Bounce sessions!
"Our party was a wonderful success and having Jess (Curly) and Garrett (Carrot) guiding us, made it even more enjoyable. They had the biggest, warmest smiles on their faces, helped deal with lots of personalities, and exuded great enthusiasm throughout the whole party. From the very beginning upon entering the main area, we were pleasantly greeted and well-taken care of until the end of the party. This was a special birthday celebration held at BounceU. We received excellent customer service from the entire team at BounceU. To Jess and Garrett, Thank you for caring and making it so cool for the kids. Also, taking care of the small details, such as writing down the gift list, was so helpful!! Those small things were much appreciated. "
– Suzi and D'Marco Farr, St. Charles, MO
"As a parent, I loved the entertainment provided for the children. From the time my Birthday boy walked in the door and was greeted with a digital message about his party with his name printed on it. The excitement began! We had the cosmic bounce package and everyone including the parents had a blast. Everything was well organized and timed perfectly so the kids don't get bored. It's a great place for a party! "
– Seena and Sekhar Dharmarajan, St. Louis, MO
"The staff was wonderful! They worked with the parents very well and seem to understand what we wanted from the party event. They handled many situations well and seemed to care about my feelings and were very informative. Me and my husband were very impressed and we have rented many places for Birthday parties over the years. This was the best one yet! "
– Kim Muraczewski, O'Fallon, MO
About BounceU |  Press & Awards |  Employment |  Franchise Info |  Site Map |  Privacy Policy |  Terms


text:
|Product Type: Lab stool; Industrial/Shop stool
|Frame Material Details: Steel
|Seat Material Details: Polyester
|Number of Casters: 5
|Assembly Required: Yes
|Product Warranty: Limited lifetime
|Removable Casters: Yes
|Lacey Act Compliant: Yes
|Tools Needed: Screwdriver
|Base Finish: Black
|GSA Approved: No
|ANSI BIFMA Compliant: Yes
|Hardware Finish: Black
|Upholstery Material: Polyester/Polyester blend
|ASTM Compliant: Yes
|Cushion or Upholstery Fill Material: Foam
|Cal 133 Certified: Yes
|CARB Compliant: Yes
|CPSIA or CPSC Compliant: Yes
|Frame Material: Metal; Plastic
|CSA Certified: Yes
|Seat Material: Fabric; Wood
|Number of Items Included: 1
|Stain Resistant: Yes
|Swivel: Yes
|Base Type: Legs
|Felt Foot Pads: No
|Ergonomic: Yes
|Casters: Yes
|Adjustable Height Stool: Yes
|Arms: No
|Upholstered: Yes
|Storage Space Included: No
|Backed: No
|Weight Capacity: 250 Pounds
|Commercial Use: Yes
|Country of Manufacture: Taiwan, Province of China
|Footring (Not Included Drafting Kit): No
|Footring (Included Drafting Kit): Yes
Questions & Answers
OFM Height Adjustable Drafting Stool with Casters
Works Perfectly
Accounts Payable from New Orleans, LA– Verified Buyer
No problems. Being used by several people in office of different heights of course - adjustable handle exactly what we needed and works perfectly. No complaints from anyone. Easy to assemble.
Drafting kit really unnecessary
mlstowe from Portland, OR
A very good stool for the price, but the kit is not really needed unless you really need the extra height
good quality-great price
shopper from ca
I shopped around for weeks, and this was the best price. I am happy with the quality too.
in the search for the perfect chair
ali from Long Island, NY– Verified Buyer
i bought this chair in hopes my mother could use it in the kitchen, my mother has terrible arthritis and needs to take frequent breaks and sit while she's cooking...but meanwhile, i've been searching for the perfect desk chair where i'm not slouching or sitting on the edge of the chair...i tried a kneeling chair, but that irritated my knees after long hours...then i tried a ball chair, but it was often clumsy and also taxing after a few hours...i think i've found my chair in the simplest of rolling chairs...no back, just me sitting up straight, i love it! i'm ordering another one for myself...
Product is Exactly as Represented
John, the older guy from Titusville, FL– Verified Buyer
I'd been looking to purchase a stool for some time - only to find reasonably-priced stools that weren't worth carrying home! This stool is everything that it was represented to be. I'm glad I purchased it. And, I got it a few bucks cheaper than other sources.
We love it, it fits our need perfectly
none from Lebanon, NH– Verified Buyer
We use the chair to be able to use a typewriter at a table off to the side of the office. The chair slides right under the table out of the way and can be pulled out for use at any times. We have also pulled it into other offices for extra seating.
jack from Northern CA– Verified Buyer
Stool used for computer work. Can be adjusted lower to roll under the desk and out of the way. Light weight, comfortable and looks to be well made for the price. Product description says lumbar support, but without a back support that does not seem possible. Other than that stool is a-ok.
Perfect for what we needed
Pamper Me Patti from Sturgis, South Dakota– Verified Buyer
We use our stool in our small office space in the kitchen area, so I needed a small stool that wouldn't be in the way. I love everything about this stool and so does my husband, but with the casters I just wonder about our hard wood floors. I would have liked this same stool for our needs without the rollers, but it is a great stool!!
You couldn't promise, but, you came thru
Tizzy from W. Hatfield, MA– Verified Buyer
I needed a strong, high stool to keep Dad's new hip above a 90 degree angle. [...] Perfect, Thanks!
Anonymous from Washington


text:
Breast Cancer (Facts, Stages) (cont.)
Medical Author:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
In this Article
Radiation therapy is a common treatment for women who have had breast-conserving surgery. It is also sometimes given to women who have had a mastectomy, particularly if there has been spread of the tumor to the chest wall. This treatment uses high-energy rays to destroy remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given externally or internally. External radiation therapy is given in a clinic, usually 5 days a week for several weeks. This is the most common kind of radiation therapy used to treat breast cancer. However, in some cases, internal radiation therapy can be used. This involves the placement of radioactive material directly into the breast tissue through thin tubes. After a short time period the material is removed. This can be repeated on a daily basis for a week. Administering radioactive material inside the body is known as brachytherapy.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is an effective form of treatment for cancers that are positive for hormone receptors (ER and PR). Hormone therapy is designed to deprive the tumor cells of the hormones they need to grow and can be given as different types of drugs. Tamoxifen, a drug that interferes with the activity of estrogen in the body, is a common hormone therapy drug. It can be given to both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that taking tamoxifen for 5 years after surgical removal of the tumor improves outcomes in women with ER-positive breast cancer. In postmenopausal women, the drug class known as aromatase inhibitors are also used as a form of hormone therapy. Examples of aromatase inhibitors approved by the FDA are anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin).
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 3/19/2014
Patient Comments
Viewers share their comments
Breast Cancer - Symptoms Question: What symptoms did you experience when you developed breast cancer?
Breast Cancer - Stages Question: What stage was your breast cancer when you were diagnosed?
Breast Cancer - Type Question: What type of breast cancer do you have?
Breast Cancer - Treatment Question: What kind of treatment did you have for breast cancer?
Breast Cancer - Survival Rate Question: What is the prognosis for your breast cancer?


text:
The Sports Medicine and Performance Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is the region's premier healthcare resource for young athletes. We have more specially-trained sports medicine physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers than any other pediatric orthopedic facility in the region and are nationally recognized for our innovative treatments for young performance athletes.
Ready, Set, Prevent
Use these warm-up exercises to keep young athletes limber and injury-free.
Watch Ready, Set, Prevent »
Download the program outline »
Download the field tip sheet »
Children and adolescent athletes require special care when they are injured. Like adult performance athletes, they want quick and thorough treatment so they can get back to competing in the sport they love. Unlike adults however, these young athletes are still growing; they require clinicians who are both experts in pediatrics — particularly growing bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage — as well as sports medicine.
At CHOP's Sports Medicine and Performance Center, our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive care for injured athletes through the spectrum of development. We offer sports-specific wellness assessments, conditioning and nutrition programs for children at all levels of activity, from casual recreational sports to elite athlete training.
Our professionals work to improve the "sports experience" for your child by offering the full spectrum of care under one roof, including:
Our sports medicine team is made up of board-certified orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians, specially-trained physical therapists, athletic trainers and nutritionists, as well as advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. Together, we offer complete care for your young athlete.
Lead by world-class orthopedic surgeons Theodore J. Ganley, MD, Lawrence Wells, MD, and John T. Lawrence, MD, PhD, the Sports Medicine and Performance Center offers cutting-edge treatment to children, teens and young adults with sports injuries.
With a dozen board-certified orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians who treat patients at six locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Center is nationally recognized for excellence.
Our surgeons have developed innovative surgical techniques — most notably, pediatric ACL reconstruction — that are now being used as the gold standard across the nation.
The Sports Medicine and Performance Center is part of CHOP's Division of Orthopedic Surgery, which has consistently ranked in the top five in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Children's Hospital also shared the No. 1 spot on U.S. News' overall Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals for 2014-15.
We provide comprehensive care to young athletes. If you child has been injured, we use the latest imaging technologies to diagnose the issue. Treatment may include bracing, casting, rehabilitation therapy or surgery. If surgery is needed, we work to ensure your child is safe as possible before, during and after surgery.
One of the keys to the integrated approach to care at the Sports Medicine and Performance Center is the multidisciplinary team, which includes experts in orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, physical therapy, nutrition, radiology and others. If your child is injured, the multidisciplinary team develops an individualized treatment plan that will return your child to school and play as soon as possible.
Along with injury care, we also provide additional resources young athletes, coaches and trainers to help young athletes optimize their skills and talents. We offer injury prevention classes and videos, nutritional counseling and performance-enhancement sessions.
Physicians and therapists in the Sports Medicine and Performance Center work cooperatively with orthopedic surgery, radiology and others in numerous laboratory and clinical research studies.
Some current sports medicine research includes:
With research, orthopedic leaders at CHOP hope to be able to better predict and treat sports injuries. For more information, see the full list of our sports medicine research.
For more information about sports medicine; our physicians, physical therapists and nutritionists; injury prevention; concussion management and more, see the Sports Medicine and Performance Center.
To schedule an appointment with the Sports Medicine and Performance Center, call 215-590-6919 or contact us online.
Reviewed by: Theodore J. Ganley, MD, Lawrence Wells, MD, & John T. Lawrence, MD, PhD
Date: April 2013


text:
The Camino
Friends . . . as with Out on a Limb . . . I am about to make some of you quite jealous . . . I just finished reading The Camino for the first time! And I finished it while sitting gazing at the Bellagio fountains in the heart of Las Vegas. I am not sure--yet--if that is entirely ironic or wholly appropriate! What do you think?
I've underlined so much in this book that I am not quite sure where to begin. Perhaps first with a sincere thank you to the author for not stopping with Chapter 14. Thank you for continuing to write your experiences after "debat[ing] with [your]self whether to include the ensuing events in the telling of [your] Camino tale." (p. 187).
And when you ask,"[f]orgive the depth of my decision to continue if you find it threatening," (p. 223) . . . no forgiveness required. Thank you for bravely continuing.
Now . . . Friends . . . let's start discussing this book . . . anyone have a favorite section or shall I throw a few out there for contemplation?
Namaste from the sultry Las Vegas strip,
Steph, first of all, am quite jealous of your surroundings. Love the Bellagio Fountains in Vegas. Hope to get back out there one of these days--I'm in CT. I've read the Camino a couple of times. A favorite passage? I think I can relate to the incident when Shirley got lost and asked her parents for help. I have a horrendous sense of direction and have always thought if I ever do the Camino I will probably get helplessly lost and wind up who knows where? I loved reading about her walking by herself and being in tune to her inner thoughts--which is the real reason for doing this trek, I'm sure.
This is one of my favorite books by Shirley. Have you read others or just OOAL and Camino?
Thought provoking as always , Steph.
"water water everywhere, and not a drop to drink"
Joanne (and all Friends) . . . ah Vegas and its opulent fountains (as I type these words, I can hear the triumphant Bellagio) . . . quite the opposite--I imagine--from the life-sustaining Camino fountains, which Shirley describes as follows:
" . . . I stopped at a drinking fountain--fountains, I would learn, would be waiting for me in every village. The pure, clean water of the village fountains in northern Spain made the Santiago Camino possible." (pp. 35-36)(emphasis added).
Here is one of my favorite observations: "We passed a bridge leading to Zubiri and then a fountain adjacent to an ancient church. We stopped and filled our water bottles with the clear fountain water. So clear, so delicious. I sat by the fountain and put my feet up, concluding that all I really needed in life were good shoes, a loyal stick, and pure water." (p. 53)(emphasis added).
And while this passage is not about man-made fountains, but mother nature-made, I thought the water imagery so lovely that it should be included in this preamble on water: "All stood as though in a water-soaked trance . . . knowing that all natural predators were in their own God-given moisturizing trance during the rain. It was nature's way of calling a truce for all potential disturbances. The animals seemed to understand an invisible harmony and had respect for each other's differences." (pp. 47-48)(emphasis added).
Oh, Joanne . . . I did not mean to digress on water and fountain imagery here. I do want to get back to your reference to the appearance of Shirley's mother and father, which is at the end of Chapter 11. Although . . . at the end of her encounter with her mother and father upon being lost, she finally arrives at the next refugio. The last sentence of that Chapter is . . . "I slept without dinner, only water, remembering my mother and father. I felt them smiling down on me." (p. 143)(emphasis added). Hmmmm? "Water," eh? Should we explore the water imagery here? We could start with the womb . . .
Pick a quotation someone. Where should we start:
1. Mother/father/water reference in Chapter 11;
2. Rain/trance/truce imagery on pages 47-48; or,
3. water/feet/basic fundamentals on page 53?
If I were still in English Lit. graduate school . . . I would seriously consider all of this a potential dissertation abstract. Thank you all for indulging my fantasy (for now!).
love and LOTS of lights from the Las Vegas strip,
p.s. I have only read Out on a Limb and The Camino thus far. My introduction to Shirley's writings was the audio version of Saging While Aging on what was supposed to be a roadtrip from Chicago to Santa Fe for my yoga teacher training with Tias Little of Prajna Yoga (www.prajnayoga.net), but it ended up being a last minute flight from TN to Santa Fe due to a sudden and tragic loss in my life. The synchronicity was not lost on me, and I have been learning and growing ever since--at an exponential rate, I might add. But let's get back to that water . . .
O.K. Steph, here goes my take on this (although I don't think I can come close to your insights).
You quoted Shirley as writing that all she needs in life is "good shoes, a loyal stick and pure water." I would say that was all she needed to walk the Camino but certainly not all we need in life. Of course, I would agree with the water because as we know, we wouldn't get far without that. Water is life. I loved reading all of the references you pointed out regarding water.
Do you think most, if not all, humans feel an affinity for water? In particular---listening to a stream, gazing at a waterfall, standing by the ocean and meditating on the waves, or just enjoying the fountains in Vegas? Why is that, do you think? Something in us seems to respond on a very deep level. It seems to have another meaning for us other than just survival.
You know, I've never thought so much about water as I have just now!
Love reading your thoughts and anyone else who might wish to join in!
"all I really needed in life were good shoes, a loyal stick, and pure water"
There are at least two reasons why I love Shirley's conclusion in The Camino that "all I really needed in life were good shoes, a loyal stick, and pure water." First, the reference to the essential nature of water, which I'll return to in a moment. And second, two very important women in my life (my partner and my best friend who suddenly died in a freak accident a few years ago) have made similarly bold statements: (1) when my partner and I came out of the Yosemite wilderness after 3 nights of backpacking, she concluded that "all I really need in life is what's in this backpack." It was an astonishing statement to hear in general and to hear from her as I could see the layers of unnecessary clutter melting off of her before my very eyes; and, (2) my Friend often made the following statement after hiking in her beloved Smoky Mnts, "After a long hike, there's nothing like soft shoes, cold beer, and warm corn muffins waiting in the car." Perhaps there is something about walking and repeatedly placing your feet upon sacred ground--the Camino, Yosemite, the Smokies--in a moving meditation that brings you to the astonishingly simple epiphany that we need so very little to find freedom?
Now about that water . . . Joanne, I love your ponderings on why humans have such a primordial connection to water. I think we would all agree that there is something not only life sustaining about water, which is undeniable, but also something ancient we've forgotten and are trying desperately to rediscover. Before we come into this life, we are surrounded by water in the womb; when we are born, we are probably 75% water; as adults, our bodies are still 50-65% water; the planet we live on is a veritable waterworld of almost 70% water; our religions are all steeped in mythology and symbolism of sacred waters (baptisms, for example); literature is full of water imagery usually as a symbol of cleansing or rebirth, but also death and destruction (Shiva?); water gives life, but also takes life (Hurricane Katrina and recent Asian tsunamis); many have past life recollections of water destroying Lemuria and Atlantis (Shirley recalls such moments in The Camino) . . .
I love the part in The Camino where Shirley describes her past life in Lemuria where she agreed to undergo sexual division by first giving birth to her other half while absolutely surrounded by an amber (I think that was the color) liquid. Similarly, once the division began, she and her partner remained completely engulfed in the amber liquid during the division and then later during their sexual reunion. The liquid seemed to create some sort of life-producing protective holding space. An unbelievably amazing and beautiful moment in the book, I thought.
I am curious to get others' perspectives on water in general and, also specifically, do any of you have past life memories involving water?
Namaste from my last day in the Las Vegas desert . . .
Oh--on simple freedom: I just remembered the story Shirley relates in Out on a Limb (I think) and in some interviews of a little bird and its one possession, a small stick that it carried in its mouth across oceans (more water!) and used the stick to rest upon, to sleep upon, to fish upon. Simple unmaterialistic freedom.
the feminine!
Oh wow! . . . I cannot believe that I neglected to bring up the obvious water connection--the feminine! Duh! Not until I was listening to the latest Independent Expression Radio show with Kelly Sullivan Walden when Shirley and Kelly discussed the connection of the feminine (yin) to water did I realize that I completely left this out of the discussion here! Again I say to myself--duh! :)
Is our primordial attraction to water and waves connected to our search to rediscover the feminine in each of us, and, the feminine in this crazy world we live in today that seems to have forgotten/neglected/abused her? Is it time to reconnect this metaphorical (or is it metaphorical at all?) umbilical cord to the goddess and get the rebalancing on with already?! (Aside: Now . . . If we are going to discuss the goddess . . . I am going to have to bring up my partner's former professor, mentor, and dear friend [mine too], Patricia Monaghan, who recently passed--what an amazing woman--but left this world with a treasure trove of books on the goddess! Anyone want to read one of her books with me?)
. . . so . . . yup . . . this discussion may take a while to fully explore before we can move onto another topic in The Camino.
Would love to hear others' perspectives!
Namaste from the springy Midwest!
Was randomly listening to an archived Independent Expression radio program on the way home from work today--July 4, 2010--and Shirley referenced her "good shoes, a loyal stick, and pure water" observation. Coincidence?
No such thing as coincidence, Steph, as I am sure you well know. Seems that maybe you are meant to get this message?
Ha! I think you are correct, Joanne. And I think I am going to listen and learn from it . . .
Well, perhaps we should explore another line or two from The Camino. I've got a question that I bet a lot of you know more about than I, so I am curious to get your feedback and insight. And the topic is vanilla:
"I tossed and turned in my sleeping bag (which wasn't easy), and when I woke, I felt a kind of protective presence. It was accompanied by the smell of vanilla. I looked around to see if someone was applying perfume. No. This was not the place. People were dressing and sleepily muttering among themselves. The sweet vanilla scent grew stronger. It was Ariel!" (p. 166)(emphasis added).
"We embraced. I felt tears threaten, so I turned and walked away into the hills. As soon as I said good-bye, Ariel returned. The smell of vanilla was all around me." (p. 176)(emphasis added).
Alright everyone. I've no creative interpretations (at the moment) for the vanilla-Ariel connection. Insights anyone? I've seen from the EBoard that many of you are very much well versed in angels and their qualities, etc. Can't wait to hear from you!
Namaste from the springy/almost summery Midwest,
I was just looking at your references in my own book. On page 168, Shirley quotes Ariel as saying "Continue walking. You fear nothing but fear. Fear itself does not exist."
I suppose this was an angel entity talking to Shirley as she was approaching the wild dogs. I believe angels do assist us, especially if we ask for help.
Personally, I have asked Michael for help a few times and have been helped. Are you familiar with Doreen Virture? She absolutely advocates asking angels for help. BUT she says you have to ask.
Try it, it works!
|All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:17 AM.
Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2014, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.


text:
Data Updates
Keeping you up to date on the latest data releases.
September 2014
- 11.08.2012
- International Trade
- In September, the U.S. trade deficit contracted by $2.3 billion to $41.5 billion, a decrease from August's downwardly revised $43.8 billion deficit ($44.2 billion, previously). Both imports and exports increased after posting simultaneous declines for the past two month. Given previous weakness in imports and exports and the global slowdown, the consensus forecast had predicted an expansion of the deficit to $45.0 billion. September's contraction to $41.5 billion, with both imports and exports growing, was largely unexpected. Imports rose 1.5 percent to $228.5 billion, marking the first month-over-month increase since March of this year. Driving the gains were rising petroleum prices (up 4.6 percent) as well as strength in capital goods (up 1.2 percent) and consumer goods (up 6.3 percent). At 3.1 percent, exports posted the highest month-over-month gain for the year as they rose to a level of $187.0 billion. On a year-over-year basis, imports rose 1.5 percent in September, up from August's 0.9 percent yearly gain. Exports increased 3.5 percent on a yearly basis after rising just 1.7 percent the month prior.


text:
Wines and Foods from Piemonte – my next book
Vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba looking towards the snow-covered Alps (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Exciting news- my next book will be about the wines and foods of Piemonte. I'll be heading there next week for a ten day visit and will be doing some research – tasting, reporting, taking photos, and of course, eating! Then I'll be working on the book throughout the summer.
I have enjoyed very fine success with my first book Beyond Barolo and Brunello: Italy's Most Distinctive Wines, which was released in February 2013 and is still selling well. That was a self-published book, but for this project, I believe it is time to upgrade. So this will be a hardcover book complete with 24-28 full color photos. I'll also be working with one of the finest academic publishers in the nation, the University of Nebraska Press.
Clearly this will be a much more expensive project to undertake, so to make this work, I am asking my friends and colleagues to help me out with a financial contribution. I have begun a campaign on indiegogo.com (click here), which explains more about this book as well as the various perks offered for contributing, from photos to a signed book.
I do realize that today's economic climate is difficult, but I hope that enough of you will be able to contribute even on a small basis. I'm confident that my goal will be reached with your help.
The classic tajarin pasta of the Langhe – this with vegetables and seafood (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Besides interviews with winemakers from various areas of Piemonte, I will also be writing about the classic foods of the region, from tajarin to coniglio (rabbit). I'll include interviews from chefs as well as thoughts from them (along with winemakers) about the best wine and food pairings of the area. There are many books on food and a few on wine, but very few that deal with both aspects of one region, so I'm excited to write this book.
The fundraising campaign for the book has just begun and will run through June 6. I hope you can help!
The Wines and Foods of Piemonte
By Tom Hyland, University of Nebraska Press
Fundraising campaign at Indiegogo.com
Custoza – One of the Best Italian Whites you probably don't know
Silvio Piona, Az. Agr. Albino Piona (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
So many excellent whites from Italy, so little time…
Recently, I was in the western reaches of the Veneto region near Lake Garda, tasting new releases of Bardolino. A bonus of this event was an additional tasting of a lovely white from the area known as Custoza, named for the small local town. I had tasted a handful of these wines over the years and had enjoyed them, but had never studied the wine in great detail. I'm glad I've had this experience, as Custoza is a white that offers beautiful complexity, is ageworthy and has become one of my favorite Italian whites; this is a wine that certainly deserves to better known.
Custoza is also known as Bianco di Custoza, but you don't see that designation much anymore, as the producers most certainly wished to make the name of this town and wine forefront. It's a blend of a few grapes, as few as three, as many as six or seven. The principal variety (as much as 40%) is Garganega, which is the same grape that is the backbone of Soave, another beautiful Venetian white. Other varieties include Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbianello (a local clone of Tai or Friulano), Bianca Fernanda (a new one for me, I must admit; this is a local clone of Cortese, the same grape used in the production of Gavi from Piemonte); there are also small amounts of Chardonnay, Malvasia, Pinot Bianco, Incrocio Manzoni and Riesling Italico allowed in the blend. With a makeup like that, you can imagine how varied the styles of Custoza are from the area's producers.
Most examples see only steel aging; this of course, helps preserve the engaging perfumes of Garganega as well as Malvasia and some of the other varieties. While Garganega helps give this wine its charm, it is the other varieties such as Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia that are important as far as acidity, which assures aging potential.
Custoza is rarely a "big" wine, so perhaps that's why it isn't more familiar to wine lovers; it's also a bit in the shadow of Soave, which is quite well known. Add the fact that it is a blended white, a type most consumers have not yet embraced and you see the problem with marketing this wine.
Marico Bonomo, Monte del Fra (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
One of the premier producers of Custoza is Marica Bonomo at Monte del Fra, in the town of Custoza. She sources her grapes from her own estate and makes two versions, the signature bottling called Ca' del Magro, which is one of the most famous – as well as most highly rated – examples of Custoza. I've tried both the 2011 and 2012 versions in the area and loved both wines. Offering perfumes of lemon zest, mangnolia and chamomile, this has very good acidity along with notable persistence. Again, this is not a powerful wine, but what a charming wine, one with ideal balance and a nice sense of finesse. It's especially lovely at the table and I love it with tortellini, risotto and more delicate seafood. Both wines will drink well for another 3-5 years, with the 2012 a candidate for an extra two to three years.
Another top Custoza estate is Albino Piona, where Silvio Piona performs winemaking duties. A pleasant, subdued individual, he clearly fits the bill of someone who lets his wines do the talking. His 2013 classic Custoza is excellent, offering lovely floral (peony) and fruit (melon) aromas backed by very good concentration, excellent persistence and beautiful structure. Enjoy this over the next 3-5 years.
Piona also produces a special bottling called "Campo del Selese"; a truly excellent wine. Here there are subtle differences in respect to the classic bottling, as the Selese has a bit more richness in the mid-palate as well as a longer finish. The Custoza I really enjoyed from Piona that week however, was his 2008 classic bottling. Deep yellow with aromas of lemon peel, grapefruit rind and dried apples, this was quite rich with excellent complexity. A beautiful wine, one that is quite stylish from the excellent 2008 vintage (a sorely underrated year for whites and reds in Veneto and many other Italian regions), this was drinking beautifully after five plus years and should offer pleasure for another three to five years. Tasted at lunch after my visit to the cellars, this was particularly wonderful with tortellini stuffed with pumpkin, a classic dish at Ristorante alla Borsa in the town of Valeggio. (Note – this is tortellini heaven – you must have lunch or dinner at this restaurant – I guarantee you will love it!)
Luciano Piona, Cavalchina (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
A few other examples of Custoza I thoroughly enjoyed were from Cantina di Custoza, Le Vigne di San Pietro and Enzo Faccioli; this last one, particularly well done with its attractive floral perfumes, bright fruit and excellent persistence. One final wine I wanted to single out is the marvelous 2012 Custoza Superiore "Amadeo" from Cavalchina. This is a textbook Custoza, with engaging aromas of pineapple, golden apple, spearmint and lillies. Medium-full, this has excellent persistence and complexity and is truly a lovely wine! This is just now being released and should drink well for 5-7 years, given its ideal structure and balance. I'd love this with risotto primavera, while it's rich enough to stand up to tuna.
An added bonus regarding Custoza is the price, as you can find classic bottlings from the best estates on retail shelves in America for $12 or so, with the special bottlings coming in around $16-$20, which are excellent values. So what are you waiting for?
Older Barolo – Terroir, Breeding and Class
(Photo ©Tom Hyland)
In a few short weeks, I will be in Alba for a special tasting called Nebbiolo Prima, an anteprima (preview) tasting of hundreds of new releases of wines produced exclusively from Nebbiolo. There will be releases of Roero Rosso from the 2011 vintage as well as similar wines from Barbaresco.
But the highlight of this five-day event will be sampling more than 200 examples of Barolo from the 2010 vintage. This vintage is already being spoken of as a modern-day classic, wines that have the potential to age for as much as 40 or 50 years. In case you believe this is typical wine industry hype for the latest releases, think again. When I attended this event three years ago, when the 2007 Barolos were featured (a very impressive group of wines, in its own right), several producers told me that while they thought I would like their 2007s very much, "wait until you try my 2010s in a few years." They knew they had something special right from the start and were excited about these wines even in their initial stages, years before release. (I have tasted a handful of these wines – some of them tank samples – so while it's too early to tell, yes, these wines should be something very special.)
I'll report on these wines next month, but whenever you taste a new vintage of Barolo, you find yourself comparing it with other vintages, especially ones that are similar in style. Then of course, you size up the vintage for its aging potential. Even in an ordinary year, a well-made Barolo can age for 12-15 years and in most vintages, 15-20 years is the norm. Then you have a few outstanding vintages when the finest examples of Barolo are candidates for 25-40, perhaps even 50 years of aging potential.
Last year, I wanted to try some older Barolos and see how they were tasting after a number of years in the bottle. So with fellow American journalists Tom Maresca and Kerin O'Keefe, we visited nine great Barolo producers and tasted older wines at their cellars. We requested four wines from each producer; the years would cover several decades, ranging from the 1970s and 1980s and well as the 1990s and up to the decade of the 2000s. Each producer had at least four wines for us to taste, some even graciously poured an extra one or two wines; we did not refuse!
We sought out an array of great Barolo producers, with a selection that would represent various communes in the Barolo zone. These were the nine cellars we visited: Massolino (Serralunga d'Alba); Giacomo Fenocchio (Monforte d'Alba); Elio Grasso (Monforte d'Alba); Pio Cesare (Alba); Ceretto (Alba); Marcarini (La Morra); Oddero (La Morra); Renato Ratti (La Morra) and Prunotto (Alba). Before Tom and Kerin arrived in the area, I also visited a tenth cellar – Borgogno in the town of Barolo – to taste older examples of their Barolos as well.
A few points about the Barolos we tasted and how these wines have changed over the years. We were able to taste a few examples from 1978, a great vintage that is finally starting to show its best, after more than 35 years. Certainly the winemaking was different in the 1970s, especially in terms of technical approach, but also a philosophical view, as the typical Barolo made some 40-50 years ago was a wine that was rather closed and even a bit backwards upon release. That may or may not be a good thing depending on your view; certainly with the proliferation of powerful wines from California, Australia and other corners of the globe, wines that display forward fruit are the ones that attract the attention of today's wine media, at least in terms of high scores and important ratings. So some Barolo producers, in order to garner greater attention for their wines, have followed suit to some extent, as examples of this iconic wine from the 1990s and on are more forward and not as tightly wound upon release as in the past. Is this an improvement? Again, this depends on your point of view, but it is a reality.
Pio Boffa, Pio Cesare Winery (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Another form of reality is climate change; anyone who denies this condition as part of the equation in the Barolo zone is simply overlooking the truth. Each of the producers I spoke with commented on ever warmer temperatures in the area; the only disagreement was when it first occurred. At the Giacomo Fenocchio estate, Claudio Fenocchio said that 1990 was the first vintage he noticed this condition, while for Pio Boffa at the Pio Cesare estate, 1982 was the first year of climate change.
This has resulted in earlier harvests; where Nebbiolo for Barolo had traditionally been picked in mid-late October – and sometimes even early November in some extreme years, those days are pretty much long gone. Harvest these days is often in early October and rarely later then the 2nd or 3rd week of that month. "The biggest change in the Barolos today is the climate," comments Mariacristina Oddero.
Here are notes on a few of the best wines I tried that week:
2006 – This was a classic Barolo year, one that offered powerful wines meant for the long haul. Beautifully structured wines with very good acidity; the finest should age for 25-35 years.
Oddero "Brunate" Deep garnet; meaty aromas – orange peel and Asian spice. Medium-full with very good concentration. Big mid-palate, though not as concentrated as some of the '06 Barolos. Very good acidity, subtle wood notes and excellent persistence. Best in 15-20 years – perhaps longer. ****
Elio Grasso "Gavarini Chiniera" - Deep garnet; aromas of red cherry, marmalade and caraway seed. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Lovely mid-palate, big fruit flavors, perfectly balanced. Very good acidity, subdued wood notes, outstanding persistence. Powerful wine of great breeding and ideal structure. Peak in 25-35 years. *****
2004 – A brilliant year for Barolo. Wines of amazing aromatic complexities – I recall being as impressed as I had ever been with the perfumes of these wines when I tasted them upon their release – and remarkable elegance. Ideal ripeness along with very good acidity, these are Barolos of grace and finesse. Yet these are not less accomplished than the 2006s, merely less forceful; still, the finest examples of 2004 Barolos will age for 25-40 years.
Franco Massolino (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Franco Massolino comments on the 2004 growing season. "In 2004, the weather was simply perfect. It was a wet spring followed by a summer that was not too hot. 2004 is a wine I really like, a combination of power and elegance."
Claudio Fenocchio labeled the 2004 vintage as "bellissima. It is traditional with great elegance."
Renato Ratti "Rocche" – Deep garnet; aromas of kirsch, tar and red roses – just beautiful! Excellent concentration with a rich mid-palate. Great fruit persistence with notes of orange peel in the finish. Excellent persistence. Long, long finish; the tannins are remarkably fine. 25 years plus. *****
Marcarini "Brunate" – Deep garnet; aromas of Oriental spice, dried cherry, orange peel and tar. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Excellent complexity, this has a meaty character to it. Long, finish, great structure, rich, polished tannins, very good acidity, outstanding persistence. 25 years plus. *****
Massolino "Vigna Rionda" – Lovely pale garnet color, aromas of red cherry, red roses and carnation. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Silky tannins, precise acidity and a long, long, finish. Beautiful harmony of all components and superb varietal purity. 15-20 years -perhaps longer. ****
1999 - An outstanding Barolo vintage; wines of power and elegance. The 1999s, as well as any vintage in the last twenty years, are beautiful wines that truly reflect their origins.
Aldo Conterno "Romirasco" - Deep garnet; aromas of mocha, mint, red poppies and brown herbs. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Silky tannins, beautiful acidity and fruit – perfectly ripe. Gorgeous balance and outstanding persistence. 25-35 years. *****
Ceretto "Bricco Rocche" - Deep garnet/light edge; aromas of leather, tar and strawberry jam. Medium-full with very good to excellent concentration. Long finish with supple tannins, excellent complexity and very good acidity. Best in 15-20 years – perhaps longer. *****
1996 – Another classic year, resulting in wines of great power and varietal purity. Fenocchio, comparing 1996 with 1990, which received brilliant reviews, said "1996 is difficult to describe now. When you compare 1990 and 1996, no one will remember the 1990 ten years from now, but the 1996 will be drinking beautifully."
Giacomo Fenocchio "Villero" - Deep garnet; aromas of leather, truffle, balsamic, dried cherry and myrtle. Medium-full with very good concentration. Excellent ripeness – sweet fruit – good acidity and rich tannins. Very good acidity with impressive persistence. 25 years plus. *****
Borgogno Riserva – Deep garnet; aromas of truffle, dried orange peel, dried cherry and a hint of tobacco. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Excellent persistence, still rich, firm tannins. Excellent complexity – lovely wine! Best in 15-20 years. ****
1989 - A great Barolo vintage, somewhat overshadowed for some years now by the more powerful 1990, but given some time, most of the 1989s are now showing their brilliance. Tremendous depth of fruit with superb structure.
Prunotto (classic Barolo) – Deep garnet/light brown edge; aromas of herbal tea, dried cherry, truffle and tar. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Rich tannins, big persistence, very fine acidity. Excellent balance and still very young. 12-15 years. ****
Renato Ratti "Conca" - Deep garnet/light edge; aromas of balsamic, tea leaf and licorice. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Huge mid-palate, very powerful wine. Big tannins, very good acidity; outstanding persistence and complexity. Touch of savoury quality. Notes of oregano and sage in the finish. Slightly austere finish, thanks to the amount of tannins. 20-25 years to peak – perhaps longer. Great wine! *****
Pio Cesare - Deep garnet with a light brown edge; aromas of balsamic, dried cherry and cedar. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Rich persistence, lovely balance, very good acidity. Best in 12-15 years. ****
Ratings – ***** Outstanding / **** Excellent
I've listed just a few of the wines I tasted over the course of a magnificent week in the Barolo zone. Here is the complete list of older Barolos I tasted during that time.
Borgogno – 1998 Riserva, 1996 Riserva, 1982 Riserva
Ceretto – 2004 Bricco Rocche; 1999 Bricco Rocche; 1993 Bricco Rocche; 1989 Bricco Rocche
Pio Cesare – 2000 Barolo; 1996 Barolo; 1989 Barolo, 1978 Barolo
Aldo Conterno – 2005 Gran Bussia Riserva, 2004 Romirasco, 1999 Colonello
Giacomo Fenocchio – 2004 Bussia Riserva; 1996 Villero; 1990 Bussia Riserva; 1978 Barolo Riserva
Elio Grasso - 2006 Gavarini Chiniera; 2004 Gavarini Chiniera; 2001 Ginestra Casa Maté; 1996 Runcot
Marcarini – 2004 Brunate, 1996 Brunate; 1990 Brunate; 1978 Brunate
Massolino – 2004 Vigna Rionda; 1996 Vigna Rionda Riserva "X Anni"; 1989 Vigna Rionda; 1978 Barolo Riserva
Oddero – 2006 Brunate; 2004 Vigna Mondoca Bussia Soprana; 2001 Vigna Mondoca Bussia Soprana; 1998 Vigna Rionda; 1978 Barolo (classic)
Prunotto – 2004 Bussia; 1996 Bussia; 1989 Barolo (classic); 1985 Bussia; 1982 Riserva Bussia; 1978 Riserva Bussia
Renato Ratti - 2008 Rocche; 2004 Rocche; 1999 Rocche Marcenasco; 1998 Rocche Marcenasco; 1990 Marcenasco; 1989 Conca
If you would like to read my reviews of all 41 wines as well as reviews of more than 100 Barolos from 2006, 2004 and 2001, as well as reviews of wines from other recent vintages such as the best from 2009, 2007 and 2008, please contact me, as I will be releasing a special issue of my Guide to Italian Wines. This will be published in a pdf file and will be sent to those that pay a small fee. More information can be found by emailing me (click on this link for my email).
You won't want to miss this special Guide to Italian Wines, a complete guide to Barolo in general and the best wines over the past decade.
Nussbaumer Now – Nussbaumer Forever!
In one of my recent posts about Alto Adige, I mentioned how much I loved the Cantina Tramin Gewürztraminer "Nussbaumer" 2012. For anyone that has been reading my prose on Italian wines for the past several years knows, this hardly comes as a surprise. I've admired this wine for years and believe it to be one of Italy's greatest wines – white or red.
The Nussbaumer is made from a few select vineyards above the town of Tramin; planted to both the traditional pergola system as well as the modern Guyot system, the oldest of these vineyards are more than ninety years of age. The grapes are of amazing quality, but it's quite fitting that this great wine originates from Tramin, as the grape itself is named for the town, its birthplace. The word gewürz in German means "spicy" and of course, traminer is the word used to describe something or someone from Tramin; hence Gewürztraminer is the "spicy wine (or grape) from Tramin."
As with the best examples of this wine, the aromas are memorable, with notes of lychee, grapefruit and yellow roses. But what makes the Cantina Tramin "Nussbaumer" so special is its texture – the mid-palate is rich and multi-layered. There is always excellent persistence, as the finish is quite long; acidity is lively and there is distinct spice. In other words, this is a textbook Gewürztraminer.
Ripe Gewürztraminer grapes used by Cantina Tramin (Photo© Tom Hyland)
The recently released 2012 is a terrific example of this wine, as was the 2010, 2009 and 2008. I have reviewed numerous vintages of this wine over the years and my estimate on aging potential would generally be three to five years or perhaps as long as seven years for the finest examples. That to me is typical of an excellent white from Alto Adige, as fruit concentration and structure (thanks to excellent acidity) come together to yield a wine that drinks well at five to seven years of age.
Well, you're always learning things in this game, so what a thrill it was for me when I visited Cantina Tramin last October and winemaker Willi Stürz poured several older bottlings of this famous wine. This wine can age several years beyond my best estimates, as you will read in these tasting notes from that day:
2012 – Bright/deep yellow with golden tints; heavenly aromas of lychee, grapefruit, yellow roses, honeysuckle, Anjou pear and lilacs. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Rich mid-palate, beautiful complexity. Great persistence and beautiful typicity. Classic wine! Best in 5-7 years.
2009 – Deep golden yellow; aromas of pineapple, mango and magnolia. Rich mid-palate, excellent persistence and fresness. Very good acidity and impressive balance. Best in 3-5 years.
2006 – Bright golden yellow; aromas of honey, lychee and yellow peach. Medium-full, this is quite powerful with excellent complexity and very good acidity and persistence. Best in 2-3 years.
2005 – Light golden yellow; aromas of dried pear and saffron. Medium-full, this is quite elegant with a lovely note of minerality in the finish along with a distinct note of yellow spices. Long finish, very good acidity. Best in 5-7 years. Outstanding
2000 – Light yellow; aromas of dried pear, elder flowers and a hint of banana. Medium-full with very good concentration. Very good complexity and balance. Nearing peak, but still with 2-3 years of drinking pleasure ahead.
Note that the 2000, a 14 year-old wine when tasted that day, was still in good shape, while the 2005, a nine-year-old wine at the time, should be drinking well for another 5-7 years, meaning the Nussbaumer in the best vintages can age for 12-15 years.
Few people talk about the aging potential of Gewürztraminer, but certainly this tasting was an eye-opener. Of course, it's rare to find older bottlings of Alto Adige Gewürztraminer at all, but if you do locate older examples of the Cantina Tramin Nussbaumer, give them a try! A great wine, sourced from great vineyards, made by a great winemaker. Bravo, Willi!
Winemaker Willi Stürz (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
The Latest from Alto Adige – Excellence Defined (Part Two)
Vineyards in the St. Magdalener district, Alto Adige (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
My last post dealt with the best whites wines I sampled at the recent Bozner Weinkost tasting in Bolzano in mid-March; for this post, I will write about the top reds as well as a few rosés and dessert wines.
Most people are surprised to learn that a majority of the grapes planted in Alto Adige are red, not white. This is largely because of an indigenous variety known as Schiava or Vernatsch. The total acreage for this variety was once quite large, but has decreased over the past few decades, as more white varieties are being planted. Still this variety is an important one in Alto Adige; lightly colored, is is quite light in tannins and is produced a light to medium-bodied red that can often be served chilled.
The grape is cultivated throughout Alto Adige and in many cases is labeled as Vernatsch. However there are a few zones where Schiava is the basis of a particular district wine, such as Kalterer See (Auslese); this is from the Lago di Caldaro zone. Another is the St. Magdalener (aka Santa Maddalena) district, located farther north, not far from Bolzano.
Two other red varieties that perform well in Alto Adige are Lagrein and Pinot Nero. Lagrein is grown in many sections of the regions, with the Gries sub-zone of Bolzano being quite famous. Wines made from Lagrein are deep purple in appearance with heady, fruit-dominated aromas of black plum, black raspberry and tar. Medium-full, these are wines that tend to need a few years to settle down. There are also some excellent rosés made from Lagrein.
Pinot Nero is of course, Pinot Noir and Alto Adige is clearly the finest region in Italy for this variety. The cool climate is ideal for long growing seasons in most years that yield wines with dazzling aromatics as well as beautiful acidity. and Theses are ageworthy wines and the finest examples in my mind, rank with some of the world's most renowned.
Here are notes on some of the best examples of these I tasted at the event in Bolzano:
Vernatsch – J. Hofstatter is famous for its Gewurztraminer and Pinot Nero, but the 2013 Vernatsch "Kolbenhofer" is also excellent; with its cranberry, leather and nutmeg aromas, this medium-bodied red makes for irresistible drinking over the next 2-3 years. The 2013 Cantina Tramin Schiava (Schiava is a synonym for Vernatsch) "Fresinger" is a lovely wine with cinnamon and strawberry flavors and very light tannins; enjoy over the next 2-3 years.
As for examples of Santa Maddalena I enjoyed, there were several including the Cantina Bolzano "Huck am Bach 2013, with its damson plum and thyme notes along with the Franz Gojer "Rondell" 2012, a lovely wine with impressive complexity and notable persistence.
Even better were the Tenuta Waldgries 2013 and the A. Egger-Ramer "Reisseger" 2012. The former has intriguing notes of tobacco and thyme and is quite elegant- this is a wine that displays lovely finesse! The latter has beautiful perfumes of cherry, cranberry and red poppies, offers very good acidity with bright fruit and is beautifully balanced. This has a bit more weight to it than many other examples of Santa Maddalena; this will drink well for 3-5 years.
Vineyards situated just outside the city of Bolzano (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Pinot Nero - I love this variety and there are so many wonderful examples from Alto Adige, as evidenced again at this event. The Elena Walch "Ludwig" 2011 is a delight, with notes of red cherry, cardamom and a hint of bacon in the aromas. Nicely balanced, this is a pleasure to enjoy now or over the next 3-5 years. Two examples from Girlan, the "Trattmann" and the "Sandbichler" (both 2011) are medium-full with expressive varietal fruit aromas and distinct spicy notes on the palate and in the finish.
Among the very best were the J. Hofstatter "Barthenau Vigna S. Urbano" 2011 and the Marinushof 2011. The former has been one of the finest examples of Alto Adige Pinot Nero for years now; medium-full with abundant red cherry and plum fruit, this has excellent complexity and will be at iys best in 7-10 years, perhaps longer. The Marinushof is notable for its floral aromas, very good acidity and remarkable elegance; this will drink well for 5-7 years.
Finally, the Manincor "Mason di Mason" 2011 is one of the most refined of all Alto Adige Pinot Nero. This is the top selection of Pinot Nero for this producer and is only made in the best years; very Cotes-de-Beaune like, this has a long finish, very good acidity and excellent persistence and complexity. This has at least 7-10 years of drinking pleasure ahead of it.
Lagrein – Now for my notes on Lagrein. I described the characteristics of this variety above; it's quite different from Schiava and Pinot Nero. I'd have to say it's not my favorite, as I prefer a more delicate wine, but there are a good number of examples of Lagrein that I did enjoy at this event. Among these were two releases from A. Egger-Ramer, specifically the "Weingut Kristan" 2012 and 2011. Deep purple with aromas of black plum, tar and licorice, both of these wines have very good acidity to balance the tannins; the 2012 is a bit more refined, but both are well made wines that offer mid-term pleasure (5-7 years).
I also liked two wines from Fliederhof, the 2012 and the 2011 Riserva. These are big, lush, extremely ripe styles of Lagrein; on paper, I might not think I'd care for these wines. Yet along with their abundant fruit, they are nicely balanced wines and are quite tasty. You'd need some rich meats to pair with these wines, but for this style of Lagrein, they are well made.
Lagrein Rosé – I love rosé wines and thankfully, there are a good number of Alto Adige producers who do as well. The finest rosés here are made from Lagrein; this grapes assures a deep color for the rosé as well as a lot of character. I enjoyed just about every example I tasted at this event, in particular the A. Egger 2013, a delicious, remarkanle elegant wine; the Schmid Oberrautner 2013, a rich, "serious" rosé with excellent persistence and the Larcherhof 2012 with its cherry/berry aromas and very good acidity. All of these examples are quite dry and can be paired at the dinner table with many types of food. They're also quite delicious on their own!
Finally, two examples of Moscato Rosa. You may be familiar with Moscato from other part of Italy (especially Moscato d'Asti from Piemonte), but you owe it to yourself to try Moscato Rosa. This grape yields a dessert wine that usually has only a trace of sweetness; there is almost always very good acidity for balance; add to that the heavenly aromas of plum, cherry and red flowers (poppies, carnations) and you have a very seductive wine! Two examples were offered at this event – the Abbazia di Novacella "Praepositus" 2011 and the Tenuta Waldgries 2010 - and both were wonderful wines with excellent complexity and a beautiful delicate feel on the palate.The tend to drink well at 5-7 years of age, although these may be in fine shape a decade from now.
Given the amazing array of wines at this event – white, red, sparkling, rosé and dessert, I'd rank this as just about my favorite wine tasting in Italy. I will certainly return!
Thank you to Thomas Augscholl for his assistance regarding this event as well as my entire stay in Alto Adige.
The Latest from Alto Adige – Excellence Defined (Part One)
Pfitscher Gewürztraminer "Caldiff" – an Alto Adige gem! (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
When people ask me which Italian regions are my favorite, Alto Adige is always in my top five; some days, it's in my top three. It's a remarkably beautiful area, especially when you view the northern sections where vineyards are tucked in among the dramatic landscapes of the Dolomites.
Then there's the food, which is totally different from the rest of Italy (schlutzkrapfen, anyone?); you expect this, given as Südtirol – as Alto Adige is also known in German – is a region defined by its bi-cultural heritage of Austrian/German and Italian. A quick look at the signs identifying towns will tell you that, as each identifies a particular town in both German and Italian. So you can visit Tramin or Termeno or perhaps you'd like to see Bozen or as most people know it, Bolzano.
As Südtirol was once part of Austria (it was ceded over to Italy after World War l), you'll find Austrian and German surnames, names such as Lageder, Zuech, Schraffl, Haas and Gojer, just to name a few. But whether the producer's ancestry is German, Austrian or Italian, the wines from Alto Adige are equally brilliant.
Vineyards near Eppan (Appiano) (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
I recently attended a special tasting of Alto Adige wines in the thriving city of Bolzano; this event known as Bozner Weinkost has been held since the late 1800s. More than 350 wines were available to taste; these included virtually every type of wine from Alto Adige, from sparkling to several different types of whites – Pinot Bianco, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, et al – to numerous red wines types such as Lagrein, Vernatsch and Pinot Nero to finally a few dessert wines such as Moscato Rosa. In between wine appointments, I only had one long session (six hours) to taste at this event and I managed to sample 100 wines. (Note to all tasters out there: as there were so many styles of wines, I decided to move back and forth between various types, starting with Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio and then going to lighter reds such as Vernatsch and Santa Maddalena and then going to rosés and then back to whites such as Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon before finishing up with Pinot Nero and then Lagrein. It's a great way to ensure your palate doesn't get tired and to me, it's just more enjoyable to taste in such a freewheeling manner.)
The tasting was held in a beautifully renovated castle just steps from the center of Bolzano; the day was lovely and the natural sunlight provided a perfect atmosphere in which to taste. When I started tasting at 3:00 in the afternoon, there were perhaps ten other people at the event; by nine in the evening when I finally finished, there were several hundred. This was certainly a great sign in how popular this event has become.
So without further ado, here are notes on some of my favorite wines taste that day:
Sparkling – Although sparkling wine is not a big industry in the area (a shame, as this cool climate is ideal for beautifully structured bubblies), there are a few notable producers. Most impressive is Arunda, which happens to have the highest elevation of any sparkling wine firm in Europe. The two best wines from this producer are the 2008 Riserva, a wine of very good complexity and excellent persistence and the Rosé, a delicious wine of finesse and notable varietal character. Both are drinking well now and should continue to do so for another two to three years.
Pinot Bianco – The most widely planted white variety in Alto Adige, Pinot Bianco is made in versions ranging from simple quaffers to ones of great intensity that will cellar for more than a decade. So many excellent wines in this category; I'll start with the 2013 Cantina Tramin "Moriz", one wine in the remarkably strong lineup of this great producer (clearly one of the four or five best in the area). This is a wine with more than simple apple and yellow flower aromas; this has subtle perfumes of green tea and chamomile and has lovely varietal purity and very good persistence; enjoy this over the next 2-3 years.
The 2013 Tenuta Kornell "Eich" and the 2011 Cantina Terlano "Vorberg" Riserva are two brilliant renditions of this variety. The former is quite rich with a multi-layered mid-palate, excellent to outstanding persistence and excellent complexity. This is a stylish wine that will drink well for 3-5 years. The latter is a classic Pinot Bianco and routinely one of Italy's finest white wines (I included a writeup in my book Beyond Barolo and Brunello: Italy's Most Distinctive Wines) and the 2011 is the latest great example. Given a bit of time to mature in wood (which adds texture), this sports aromas of dried pear and beeswax, is medium-full with a layered mid-palate and has outstanding complexity. This has the structure and stuffing to age for at least five to seven years, although I may be a bit conservative in my estimate.
Another excellent Pinot Bianco is the 2012 Manincor "Eichhorn." Count Michael Goess-Enzenberg is a stellar producer, farming biodynamically at his lovely estate in Caldaro. This single site Pinot Bianco has a brilliant appearance with aromas of golden apples, Anjou pear and a note of honey. Medium-full with a rich mid-palate, this has excellent persistence and very good acidity along with beautiful varietal focus; enjoy this over the next 5-7 years.
A few other notable examples of Pinot Bianco; the 2011 St. Pauls (San Paolo) "Passion", a Pinot Bianco with excellent balance and varietal character and distinct minerality; the 2013 Colterenzio "Weisshaus", a delicious, textbook rendering of this variety and the 2012 Meran Burggrafler Tyrol", which displays beautiful perfumes of apple, spiced pear and jasmine backed by impressive persistence. This cooperative is not as well-known as others in the area, but the locals know quite well how special this producer is across the board.
Finally, a note on two versions of Pinot Bianco from Cantina Nals Margreid. I tasted their 2012 "Sirmian" and the 2013 "Penon." The former is a beautifully made wine with excellent vareital character and focus; this has received numerous awards from some of Italy's most famous wine publications. I gave that wine high marks as well, but I actually preferred the latter, with its excellent persistence and light minerality; Enjoy both wines over the next 2-3 years.
Ripe Gewürztraminer grapes in an Alto Adige vineyard in early October (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Gewürztraminer - Now on to my favorite variety – white or red – in Alto Adige. I have a passion – no, make that an obsession with Gewürztraminer. And why not? In a country where so many distinctive wines are made, Gewürztraminer is arguably the most distinctive. Those beautiful pink/rose colored grapes in the vineyards are turned into dry, intensely favored wines with unmistakable perfumes of lychee, grapefruit, yellow roses and lanolin. This year in a few examples, I also found notes of clove, especially in wines from far northern Alto Adige (Val Venosta). Alto Adige is the home of this variety – no matter what the Alsatians say (there was a court settlement on the origin dispute) – gewürz in German means "spicy', and Traminer is the word for someone or something from Tramin, the lovely town in Alto Adige where so many great examples of this wine are produced. So Gewürztraminer is the "spicy wine from Tramin" – there you have it!
There were a number of excellent examples of Gewürztraminer at this tasting. I loved so many, but I'll only mention the absolute best. The 2012 Meran Burggrafler "Graf" offers such lovely aromatics with notes of lychee and yellow roses and that note of clove I mentioned. There is excellent persistence and very good acidity (a signature of the 2012 vintage and of course, the cool climate as well); this is a delicious and very distinctive wine; enjoy over the next 3-5 years.
The 2012 Abbazia di Novacella "Praepositus" is simply, a textbook Gewürztraminer with its beautiful varietal aromas – these include a pleasing note of ginger – as well as some distinctive spice notes in the finish. There is excellent persistence; enjoy over the next 3-5 years.
I mentioned the town of Tramin being the home of this variety; two of the best from here – and the entire region – are the "Nussbaumer" from Cantina Tramin and the "Kolbenhof" from J. Hofstatter. I tasted the 2012 version of both wines at this event; the "Nussbaumer" is a legendary wine, one of the top 50 wines in Italy in my opinion (as well as the opinion of many others); sourced from very old vines above Tramin planted in both the traditional pergola system as well as more modern systems, this is a wine of great varietal character and focus. The 2012 is another in a long string of great examples of this wine (I tasted multiple vintages with winemaker Willi Sturz at the winery during my visit last October. I will write about these wines in a future post); Medium-full with excellent concentration, the aromas of lychee, yellow roses and lanolin are so pure, but what makes this wine stand out is its sublime balance and amazing persistence. This is a wine of breeding and class and is truly a great wine! The 2012 is tantalizing now and should drink well for another 5-7 years – and perhaps even longer.
The "Kolbenhof" from J. Hofstatter is another legendary Gewürztraminer from Tramin; proprietor Martin Foradori Hofstatter always crafts a remarkably flavorful wine from these grapes. In fact, his version of Gewürztraminer is as rich as you will find in the area; while the Tramin "Nussbaumer" is amazing for its elegance and balance, the "Kolbenhof" is a different wine, one that is fat, almost oily on the palate. The 2012 version has lovely yellow rose, chamomile and grapefruit aromas, excellent persistence and vibrant acidity. I would describe this wine as a pitch-perfect Gewürztraminer. It's not necessarily a better wine than the "Nussbaumer", it's just a different style and to me it's important to note that difference (pay attention out there, all of you who look to points to determine the quality of a wine). Given the richness of this wine, this is a white that demands time; while you may be impressed with this wine upon release, it is clearly a better wine three to five years down the road, as its complexities are revealed with age (akin to a beautiful woman). This 2012 "Kolbenhof" should be drinking well in 2018-2020. Complimenti, Martin!
The biggest surprise for me was the 2012 Tenuta Pfitscher Gewürztraminer "Caldiff"; I say that, not as I was surprised to taste a beautifully made wine from this estate, but because I had not ever seen this wine on any lists as one of Alto Adige's finest Gewürztraminers. Well, based on this bottling, it is! Offering subtle aromas of lychee and clove, this is extremely elegant with vibrant acidity. Sourced from a vineyard in the southern zone of Alto Adige, this is all about purity and finesse; it's not the most powerful version of Alto Adige Gewürztraminer, but it is one of the most elegant. This 2012 is a joy to drink now and will be in fine shape for another three to five years.
Finally, the 2012 Klaus Lentsch Gewürztraminer "Fuchslan", from a vineyard in the Isarco Valley in northeast Alto Adige, is a delight. Offering expressive aromas of pink grapefruit, hyacinth and lanolin, this has light spice notes in the finish, very good acidity and balance; enjoy this over the next two to three years.
Colterenzio Vineyards (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
Sauvignon - Sauvignon (known as Sauvignon Blanc elsewhere in the world) is another love of mine; especially versions from Alto Adige that are quite assertive, emphasizing the herbal edge of this variety. I mentioned above that I only had six hours to taste all the wines; sadly, I didn't try as many examples of Sauvignon that I wanted to, but I did find a few that I enjoyed.
The Colterenzio "Prail" 2013 and the Weingut Pfitscher "Saxum" 2013 were impressive wines; the former offering notes of dried pear and freshly cut hay in its aromas, while the latter featured more intriguing notes of snap pea and nettle. Both wines are medium-bodied with good structure and are meant for consumption within the next two to three years.
More full-bodied versions included the Manincor "Tannenberg" 2012 and the Malojer (Gummerhof) 2013. The former wine is a lighter version of this producer's renowned "Lieben Aich" Sauvignon, an exceptional wine and easily one of Alto Adige's most accomplished. Yet, the Tannenberg is quite special in its own right, with green tea and basil aromas backed by excellent persistence and a light minerality.
The Malojer 2013 Sauvignon is a gem, sporting aromas of freshly cut hay, spearmint and yellow flowers. Medium-full with very good acidity and a lengthy finish, this has excellent complexity; pair this with many types of seafood or veal over the next two to three years.
Other whites that impressed me in this tasting:
Pinot Grigio – Colterenzio "Puiten" 2013, Marinushof 2013
Kerner – Franz Gojer "Karneid" 2013, Cantina Valle Isarco "Sabiona" 2012, Abbazia di Novacella "Prepositus" 2012
Riesling – Cantina Valle Isarco "Aristos" 2012, Abbazia di Novacella "Praepositus" 2011, Marinushof 2013
Moscato Giallo – Manincor 2013, Meran Burggafler "Graf Von Meran" 2013
Based on what I tasted and from what a few producers told me, 2013 is an excellent vintage in Alto Adige for white wines. The acidity is there as are the perfumes; we shall see how these wines develop over the next 6-8 months.
In part two of this report, I will write about the best reds I had at this event, along with a few excellent rosés and dessert wines.
Bardolino – Variety, Value and Charm
Silvio Piona, Az. Agr. Albino Piona (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
I wonder how many Italian wine lovers pay much attention to Bardolino. I know I don't try as much of it as I'd like to. There isn't much attention paid to this wine and that's a shame, as it's quite charming as well as being very affordable, but it's also a wine that can age for 5-7 years or even longer when it comes to the best producers and the finest vintages.
I recently attended an anteprima (preview) tasting in Bardolino; the purpose here was for journalists to sample the soon-to-be-released bottlings from the 2013 vintage. I am fortunate enough to attend several of these tastings each year in Italy, but it's usually for a more powerful red wine, such as Barolo, Brunello, Taurasi or Amarone, so I looked forward to trying more of a medium-bodied red; I also wanted to discover the various styles of Bardolino available, as I was only familiar with a handful of the area's producers.
Along with Bardolino, the tasting also featured two other wines made in the zone: Bardolino Chiaretto, the famous local rosato, and Bardolino Chiaretto spumante, the sparkling version of the rosato. (This tasting also featured the 2013 versions of Custoza, a local white also made by many Bardolino producers. I will deal with this in another post quite soon).
I'll start with the Bardolino Chiaretto spumante. I had literally only tasted fewer than a half-dozen examples before this event, so as I am a sparkling wine lover, I wanted to get a grasp on this wine. Any Bardolino is primarily made from two grapes, Corvina and Rondinella, while a small percentage of Molinara is also part of the blend from some producers (these are the same grapes used in the Valpolicella district to the east). So the Chiaretto spumante is the sparkling rosato version of Bardolino; the wines vary in color from bright pink to deep copper and sweetness levels range from off-dry to medium-sweet.
Maybe it was the warm weather in the beautiful town of Lasize where this tasting was held, but I enjoyed these wines very much. Actually, I would have loved these wines even if the day was cold and rainy – the wines were quite enjoyable. I just love being able to sample such fun wines such as this! You don't think about Bardolino Chiaretto Spumante – you just drink it! How nice is that, given how serious many of us get at times when we rhapsodize about the wines we come across?
While there were a few examples that were a little too sweet for me, I was impressed by the majority of these spumanti. Most were quite good and there were a few examples that had a bit more depth of fruit and complexity and were drier than the standard version. The finest for me were the bottlings from Corte Gioliare, Monte del Fra "La Picia" and especially the Le Tende "Volutte" (pictured above). This last wine is absolutely delicious and it's also dry with excellent complexity and persistence. While most of these wines are meant for consumption within 12-15 months, the Le Tende version actually has the structure to drink well for as long as two years from now. Maybe it's the fact that proprietor Mauro Fortuna has a friend in the Valdobbiadene area in northern Veneto where the finest examples of Prosecco are from, produce this wine. Whatever the case, this is a marvelous wine to be enjoyed on its own before dinner or with an outdoors lunch or even with sushi, tuna or salumi.
Now on to the traditional Bardolino Chiaretto, the non-sparkling wine. This has long been a calling card for the area's producers, as this rosato is one of the most well-known in all of Italy. Delicate and fruit-filled, this is a delight with a wide range of foods such as risotto, tortellini and pizza.
I did like some of these Chiaretti - I'll mention those in a bit – but I was somewhat disappointed in the overall quality of the wines I tasted that day. Too many were candied in nature, while a few were a bit cloyingly sweet; I compared some of these examples to white zinfandel, a wine I largely dislike, so that's not a good thing.
The best were from top producers such as Le Fraghe, Le Tende, Albino Piona and Costadoro. Here were rosati that were medium-bodied with pleasing perfumes of strawberry, cherry, pear and red poppies. These were dry or off-dry and were nicely balanced with good acidity. These were a pleasure to taste; I just wish there were more examples like these.
Carlo Nerozzi, Le Vigne di San Pietro (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
As for Bardolino itself, I was pleased with the overall quality of the wines. While you may think most examples of Bardolino are pretty much the same, given its image as a lighter red, that's not the case. There are some meant for immediate consumption over the first 12-15 months, but there are many others that are much better with two to three – or even five – years down the road.
Matilde Poggi, Le Fraghe (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
The finest examples of 2013 Bardolino I tasted at this event were from Le Tende (this producer is certainly one of Bardolino's shining stars), Le Fraghe (proprietor Matilde Poggi never fails at crafting a lovely Bardolino of great typicity), Le Vigne di San Pietro and Albino Piona (as with the above names, the Piona estate is on the short list of the area's finest producers).
Giovanna Tantini (Photo ©Tom Hyland)
I would also like to make an important point about aging Bardolino; while you may think it's meant for lunch or dinner tonight, it does drink well after a few years. The 2009 bottling from Albino Piona is a delight at present, while the 2009 from Giovanna Tantini is also quite impressive. The Piona bottling is so delightful, with its dried cherry and rose petal notes (along with a hint of pepper); there is excellent complexity and the acidity is quite good, giving this wine a lovely balance. When I speak of Bardolino being a charming wine, here is a textbook example.
The Tantini has more tannins; her style of crafting Bardolino is to let these wines age for 3-5 years (or longer) to let the tannins subside, while the wine gains in complexity, both in the nose and on the palate. This wine at almost five years old, still displays a lovely youthful garnet color and has enticing aromas of a freshly baked cherry pie. This is a lovely wine, one with the stuffing and structure to age for another 5-7 years. That's not what you expect from Bardolino, so take note – Bardolino can age well. Brava, Giovanna!


text:
Shiloh Battlefield
Did You Know?
The Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center sits at the site of Battery Robinett, where some of the most brutal fighting in the Battle of Corinth took place. Today, the battery site contains the graves of a Civil War general, a colonel, and several other soldiers.


text:
Contact Us
"Due to the Los Angeles Police Museums annual Jack Webb Awards event, the Museum will be closed on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Were sorry for the inconvenience and hope you can visit the Museum soon.
Monday through Friday
10:00am to 4:00 pm
Third Saturday of the Month
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Museum Admission Fees:
General (ages 13 to 61) $9.00
Seniors (62+) $8.00
Children (12 and younger) Free
Members Free
*All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Free parking is available on the east and west side of the building.
For Group Tour Information, Please Call (877) 714-LAPD
2014 Jack Webb Awards
Honoring USC President
C.L. Max Nikias.
The Los Angeles Police Museum is proud to honor President Nikias for this very effective and longstanding support of the LAPD. Please join us at the 2014 Jack Webb Awards at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Information and tickets are available by phoning FTA Events at (310)288-1755.
The mission of the Los Angeles Police Museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit and
interpret the history of the Los Angeles Police Department.
(C) 2012 Los Angeles Police Museum


text:
Harry Whittier Frees - 1879-1953
The VV does not find it attractive but she cannot deny the obsession that our culture seems to have with the posting of pictures of kittens and puppies on many forms of social media, and often when clothed in human garb.
Back when the art of photography was still in its relative infancy there was also a large demand for images of cute animals - on postcards, books, and calendars, and even advertising campaigns where the actors were shown to be involved in essentially human acts.
The American Harry Whittier Frees was one of the more successful photographers who worked with such young animals. It is said that the creatures had been gassed and afterwards dressed and posed as desired - although Whittier Frees always maintained to have worked with living animals. You may come to your own conclusion on that!
Over the years of perfecting his art Whittier Frees was known to say that rabbits were the easiest creatures to pose but the least likely to take on 'human parts'. Dogs were often, but not always, ameniable - their attention best being kept by sound. Piglets were the most difficult. But kittens, which could be kept focussed by visible means of interest, were also the most adaptable and attractive to his audience.
He was said to have found his career very stressful and eventually worked in the studio for only three months of the year, the rest of the time being taken up with constructing new props and stage settings - many examples of which are shown in the photographs below...
For more on the man and his life's work see this link from Life Magazine in March 1937.


text:
Library Helps You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions
Published on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 - 11:45am
January 1 not only marks a new year, it also marks the beginning of many familiar resolutions. While losing weight, getting organized, learning something new, or saving more money are common goals, research has shown that only 8 percent of the people who make resolutions keep them. Luckily, Library users can jump-start or stay on track with their 2013 resolutions using more than 500 free online courses.
Through a partnership with Universal Class, Library users can take courses and receive certificates of completion in a broad range of classes, including Weight Management, Time Management, Budgeting and Saving, and How to Quit Smoking.
"The Library is the place that many people visit for books that will help them with their New Year's resolutions," said Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper. "These online classes break many popular resolutions down into lessons with specific tasks. When people treat the courses like a personal action plan, the small wins can help motivate them to see their resolution through."
Like Coursera and other online courses, Universal Class offers self-paced classes with video lectures, homework, tutors and a social networking component. In addition, all classes have instructors that monitor student progress, review and assess assignments, and answer questions or concerns.
Students have six months to complete a course. Usually, courses are completed within 10 to 20 hours. The class ends when a student finishes all the coursework and the instructor graduates them from the course. Successful students receive certificates of completion documenting the course, the hours of training and any applicable continuing education units.
To enroll in a class, visit http://dc.universalclass.com/register.htm


text:
Buddha in Heaven!?
If my lord in Heaven Buddha show the way….! I don't know why but this line from The King and I has been bothering my since I first heard it in the school production. Buddha doesn't live in heaven! While I'm not a religious expert, I'm pretty sure Buddha lives in a place called Nirvana (which later inspired the band name). But the mystery persists, what exactly was Buddha doing in Heaven? Well, here's my theory. Maybe the gods of all major religions hold like a yearly summit, where they all gather at one place and discuss….well, godly things. This year, it's Heaven, maybe next year it's Nirvana, Valhalla, or the Summerland.


text:
Available for a short time in this limited edition bottle,Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is a rich blend ofluxurious whiskies, offered in a one-of-a-kind bottle asvibrant as the celebrations that warrant it.
Inspired by an unbroken 190-year lineage of expertise datingback to John Walker himself, it has been crafted as a celebrationof the blender's art.
For this exceptional blend, Master Blender Jim Beveridge hashandpicked his favorite whiskies, including Clynelish malt whisky,whose water source flows from the Kildonan Hills, where goldwas discovered in 1868. Inspired by this discovery, this limitededition bottle is as striking as it is unprecedented
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is abold, confident Scotch whisky asluxurious and indulgent as its namesuggests. A multi-layered blend, it offersa smooth balance of sweet fruits andcreaminess that evolves into deeperhoneyed tones before finishing inlingering waves of wood, fruit, and light,sweet West-coast smoke.
Best enjoyed with soda, this vibrantblend is perfect for celebration,landmark moments, or any spiritedoccasion shared with friends and family.
Classic cocktails and
perfect serves refined
by Johnnie Walker.
JOHNNIE WALKER, RED LABEL, BLACK LABEL, DOUBLE BLACK, GOLD LABEL RESERVE, PLATINUM LABEL, BLUE LABEL, SWING and the KEEP WALKING words, the Striding Figure device and associated logos are trademarks.
© 2014 Imported by Diageo, Norwalk, CT. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.


text:
1-4 of 4 properties for sale found
£130,000 Fixed Price
Fixed Price £130,000
2 bedroom flat for sale West Shore, Tayport, DD6 9BN
Modern 2 bedroom apartment, in Harbour setting, with stunning views across the Tay River. More details ›
£98,000 Offers Over
Offers Over £98,000
2 bedroom flat for sale Harbour Road, Tayport, DD6
This is a most attractive ground floor flat enjoying impressive views over the harbour and beyond, the property is located in an established and popular residential area and is well placed for access to the harbour, local shops and amenities. The accommodation comprises: communal entrance with s... More details ›
£90,000 Fixed Price
Fixed Price £90,000
2 bedroom flat for sale Erskine Road, Tayport, Fife
Rarely Available ,Upper Cottage Flat ,2 Double Bedroom ,Kitchen ,Lounge ,Bathroom ,Private Back Garden ,Parking... More details ›
£55,000 Offers Over
Offers Over £55,000
1 bedroom flat for sale 8, Pond Lane, Tayport, Fife, DD6
This attractive ground floor studio flat forms part of a substantial stone built terraced property. It offers surprisingly spacious accommodation in a good location in a quiet lane and within a short walk of the town centre and all other amenities. It would be an ideal location for a commuter as ... More details ›
- 1
Thank you.
Your information has been sent to 0 out of 4 agents who have property to sell in the area you specified.


text:
We'll start with a message from the Commander-in-Chief:
"No ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service," the president said, adding that the country must commit every day "to serving you as well as you've served us."
Tomorrow is a very important day for those of us who've served. It seems like forever since I wore a uniform, but I still get a few "thank you's" every year about this time, which is very cool. But to be honest, it's what you do for those other 364 days that really matters. And for the next fews years anyway, it will matter even more:
As a former Marine (of 8 ½ years) and current Department of Defense employee, others expect that I support the Bush Administration, from top to bottom and bow to stern. While that expectation is supported by aspects of my daily job in that I provide support to military families, I do not support the Bush Administration.
The biggest boost to my political ideology came last year when the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) designated a "Wounded Warriors Program" and installed them into the building I worked (we've since been relocated).
Every day I saw the results of the disastrous policy in Iraq. I saw Marines with bandaged arms and legs and Marines in wheelchairs or on crutches. They would all go back to Iraq if they were ordered - it's their duty, after all. But most would volunteer to go back and some have. I've asked a few of them why and the answers are almost all the same: Revenge. That's not to say that America's military forces are full of revenge-minded thugs. That's completely not the case.
Lots of people enlist in the military, many more marry into it.
Others are born into it.
I'm one of those.
I was literally born into the Navy. So literally that my place of birth is the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
Before I was nine, I was stationed at Portsmouth, Virginia, Jacksonville, Florida, and Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco. That's where my Dad was transferred to a destroyer being converted from an older design, the USS Somers (DDG 34).
Free stickers
Tweets about BlueNC
Carolina Mercury
Indy Week
Orange Politics
Progressive Pulse
Scrutiny Hooligans
Steve Levitt
Talking About Politics
Watauga Watch
Meet Thom Tillis
alt="drupal counter" >