Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Recycling and Your Wine Rack
We’ve talked about recycling wine bottles off your wine rack many times on this blog. I haven’t really mentioned the other important part of wine storage, the cork. Corks are mostly made from the Cork Oak tree. Wineries are no longer limited to these wooden corks. They also use plastic and some even use special glass ones. Although wine corks can not be reused on fresh bottle of wine, they do have other uses. Corks can be ground up and used in flooring and wall products. Because of this, recycling companies are experimenting with collecting them along with the glass bottles.
Collecting these corks is not easy. It is costly and time consuming. It takes 300,000 corks to make one ton. That is a heck of a lot of corks. I am a big fan of recycling but I am not sure how I feel about this. I am glad people keep trying to recycle more and more things but sometimes I think it costs more energy (and time and money) to reuse these materials than responsibly making new ones.
Labels: corks, enviromentally friendly, wine rack, wine rack store
Some Barefoot for Your Wine Rack
I have a hard time spending a lot of money on wine. If the bottle costs more than $15 I am hesitant about buying it. Lucky for me (and the other money-misers) there are plenty of wines that are cheap and taste good. I just located another one of these cheap wonders, a Cabernet Sauvignon by Barefoot.As I have stated before, I am not the biggest fan of red wine. I do, however, have a soft spot for Cabernets. I am not sure why. I think I just enjoy the tannins and the strong, bold flavor of it. I am always excited when I am able to try them at winery tastings.
For a bottle under $10, this Barefoot wine is really good. The flavor is smooth and fruity. It paired well with a vegetable heavy soup I made. I would definitely purchase it again for my wine rack in the future.
Labels: Barefoot, wine rack, wine rack store
Do You Put Sake on a Wine Rack?
Craving something besides wine tonight? Is nothing looking good on your wine rack? Go get some sake to try. Better yet, try some at an authentic Hibachi Japanese steakhouse. The dining experience may seem a little intimidating at first but it is really fun.In a Hibachi style restaurant, diners are sat around a large grill. You are seated with your group and other diners. Chefs will come and make your food right in front of you. They will put on a show as they work. The one we went to started off cooking the meal by lighting a pile of hot grease on fire. This ensuing fireball made some people scoot back, including myself.
I ordered the teriyaki chicken and my boyfriend got the steak so we could try both. The meal also included a shrimp appetizer, vegetables, and fried rice made fresh in front of you. The food was delicious and the cooking of the fun was fun to watch. I definitely consider going to that restaurant again.
Labels: japanese food, wine rack, wine rack store
Where is the Oldest Wine Rack?
Living on the west coast, you don’t usually run into anything much older than 150 years. Over here on the east coast, 100 years is nothing. Just this weekend we visited the oldest federally commissioned lighthouse in the United States. It was built back in 1791.The Old Cape Henry lighthouse is located on an active military base called Fort Story. There is also a neighboring lighthouse called the New Cape Henry lighthouse. To get onto the base we had to have our IDs examined and car searched. This caught us off guard a bit since we weren’t expecting it.
We were able to tour the older lighthouse. We climbed the spiraling stair to the top, which gave us a nice view of the surroundings. It was really neat to see the inside of the lighthouse. There were no internal supports so the walls were incredibly thick, at least 5 feet.
Being able to see these older American landmarks is really neat. It almost makes up for me having to leave my wine rack at home.
Labels: lighthouse, virginia, wine rack, wine rack store
Monday, March 30, 2009
Shaking the Wine Racks
The apartment I am now staying in may be incredibly close to Virginia Beach but it has its downfalls. One of these is the proximity to a busy air force base. It’s quiet on the weekend and usually at night but during the day there is a lot of air traffic right over our apartment. These air crafts will circle around and around the area. I assume they must be doing practice missions.These are big fighter jets and helicopter so they are very loud. So loud that it nearly makes my wine bottles rattle. Good thing the Wine Rack Store makes such strong wine racks so I don’t have to worry about it shaking apart. I wonder if it is this loud from far away, how loud is it in the cockpit?
I like to watch them go by. It’s so cool to see them speeding by and going upside down. These planes are such a marvel of engineering. Soon enough, though, they will probably become a nuisance.
Labels: air force, virginia, wine rack, wine rack store
The Beach: Better Than a Trip to Your Wine Rack
The day after I arrived here in Virginia Beach, I had to see the beach. The problem was that it rained all day so it wasn’t a great day for sightseeing. I was given a brief tour of the surrounding town and than we headed to the beachfront. It was deserted thanks to the dreary weather. We briefly got out of the car so I could enjoy the salty air and than headed back home. I was disappointed I wasn’t able to stick my feet into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.Yesterday we went down to the beach again. This time it was sunny but incredibly windy. The sand lashed our bodies and it really hurt. I also was lacking sunscreen so I didn’t want to stay out there for to long. Again I wasn’t able to get to the ocean. But to make me feel better, we stopped and got a bottle of wine from the store for my small temporary wine rack. Maybe I will have better luck this next week with the weather.
Labels: virginia beach, wine rack, wine rack store
Virginia Wines on Your Wine Rack
Thanks to the hot and humid climate here, wine grapes do not grow very well in Virginia. That being said, European colonists began growing grapes in the 1700’s. Currently the most produced grape variety is Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc is also produced.In 2007, the state hosted nearly 2,500 acres of grapes. In comparison, California contains 480,000 acres. As of this year, 130 wineries are located in this state. In 2007 the crop was valued at $7,800,000. Even though this may not sound like a lot, Virginia ranks eighth in the nation for both bearing acreage and grape production
There are no wineries down here in Virginia Beach so I won’t be doing much wine tasting this summer. Perhaps when we travel to the more northern parts of the state we will find some wineries to stop at. It would be cool to add some Virginian wine to my wine rack at home.
Labels: virginia, wine rack, wine rack store
Wine Racks in 3D!
I have a list of places to visit here in Virginia Beach. One of these places that I was able to go to this weekend was the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. We started the visit with a trip to their Imax Theater. We watched Under the Sea 3D which is the first 3D movie I have seen. It was pretty cool having all the fish swim right in front of you. Maybe they should make a 3D movie about wine making. Think of how pretty the full wine racks would look in 3D.After the movie we looked through the main exhibits. They had a stinger-less stingray touch tank that I stayed away from because I didn’t want to get any saltwater on me. They had a sea turtle tank with multiple turtles swimming in it. I love seeing the large sea turtles but this exhibit kind of depressed me because the turtles didn’t look too entertained or happy. They also had a large shark tank.
Over all it wasn’t one of the best aquariums I've been too. It was pretty expensive for what they offered. It was also pretty packed and uncomfortably stuffy.
Labels: virginia beach, wine rack, wine rack store
Wood Not Suitable for Wine Racks
For the past few days we have been exploring the countryside around Virginia Beach. The landscape here is much different than what we are used to back at home in Washington State. First off, there are no stunning mountains in the distance. The closest thing they have to a mountain here is something called Mt. Trashmore. I believe it is a pile of garbage covered with dirt next to the high way.The flora and fauna is very different too. Today we explored a swampy state park. The only animals I saw were some turtles basking in the sun. No birds were seen or heard which is the opposite of the noisy forests in Washington. The swamps are made up of skinny, warped pine trees (definitely not good building materials for wine racks), spiky shrubs, and Spanish moss.
I definitely feel very far from home right now. I am a bit homesick but the more activities I do here, the better I feel.
Labels: swamps, virginia, wine rack, wine rack store
Friday, March 27, 2009
Humidity: The Enemy of Wine Racks and People
Since I lived most of my life in Washington State, I haven’t really had to deal with humidity. This seems counter intuitive though because you’d think such a wet state would have higher levels of humidity especially in the summer.
My first experience with high humidity was in Hawaii. It just felt like my skin was constantly damp. Since the weather is such a perfect temperature you don’t really notice it after while. It has the same feeling here as well. As soon as I stepped off the airplane last night I noticed the difference. It doesn’t feel bad since it is still cool here but I am afraid of what it will be like during the intense summer.
I hope I don’t come to hate the humidity even though I know it’s going to destroy my once frizz-less hair like it would destroy a nice bottle of wine on a wine rack.
Labels: hawaii, humidity, virginia, wine rack, wine rack store
Leaving My Wine Rack Behind
Well I find made it to the east coast. I spent most of the day traveling yesterday. Thanks to the 3-hour time difference I didn’t arrive here until nearly midnight. I also managed to bring the Seattle rain with me but I didn’t bring the cold. It was 60 degrees here when I reached the airport.Besides being super boring, my flights went pretty well. I didn’t have a hard time catching my connecting flight in Washington DC because the planes were on time. We didn’t hit too much turbulence, which always puts me on edge. They showed a movie I didn’t want to see so I just played around with my iPhone and read a magazine.
I’ve spent today unpacking and trying to get over my jetlag. The weather here today is gray and rainy so I haven’t felt much like exploring yet. I am already starting to miss my well stocked wine rack. I will have to pick up a few bottles when I go to the grocery store later.
Labels: air planes, virginia, wine rack, wine rack store
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Government Control of Wine Racks
Britain is looking to regulate the size of wine glasses being served in the nation pubs and bars. Government officials believe that patrons do not know how much alcohol they are consuming. According to a governmental group, 1 in 4 British adults drink dangerous amounts of alcohol. They want to cut the average glass size in half from the current size, 8.5 oz, to about 4 oz. Pubs will still be allowed to carry the larger glasses. The pubs don’t like the possible new code because they say there is no demand for smaller glasses.I am not a big fan of laws restricting freedoms so I am glad the US government is not trying to pull something like this. I don’t like the idea of my wine glasses (or wine rack for that matter) being regulated. I’m an adult and perfectly capable of handling drinking decisions. That’s why the drinking age is so high, right? Even if small glasses are offered, patrons can continue to drink just as much by going through more servings.
Labels: England, wine glasses, wine rack, wine rack store
I Can’t Pack my Wine Rack
I only have a few days left before I head to the east coast. I am now in full blown panic mode and I desperately need a date with my wine rack. I’ve got everything packed but I am constantly trying to think of the little things I am bound to forget. I also now feel like I packed too much. I spent a good portion of last night lying in bed and trying to think of the things that I should leave here.I am a compulsive over-packer. I tend to pack way too many clothes and pairs of shoes. I always feel like I am going to wear all of it but sometimes I only touch half of it. This trip is extra hard to pack for because it is long and the weather in Virginia changes day to day right now. I have to pack warm and cool weather items.
I really just can’t wait until I can bask in the sun on the beach and not be stressed out!
Labels: shoes, traveling, wine rack, wine rack store
Having to Go to the Liquor Store to Fill Up a Wine Rack
With all my travels I have come to learn all states have different liquor and beer/wine laws. Here in Washington State we can by wine or beer anywhere but have to purchase hard liquor from state governed liquor stores. I don’t really like this practice because they don’t have a very good selection some times.In California, they have much more liberal laws. Any store can sell liquor. Some grocery stores even have their own brands of alcohol. Since there are so many stores carrying liquor, there is a much bigger selection to be had. California also doesn’t tax alcohol as heavily as they do up here. Sometimes you can find bottles down there for up to 50% less.
What brought this up is an article I ran into online. Apparently in New York you have to go to liquor stores to buy wine even though you can buy beer anywhere. People are trying to overturn this law. I can imagine this being a real pain especially if you were trying to locate something special. Well I hope New Yorkers will get the law rewritten in their favor so they can fill up their wine racks easier.
Labels: California, New York, wine rack, wine rack store
Monday, March 23, 2009
Invite Gloria to Your Wine Rack
I’m a big champagne drinker and have enjoyed many bottles of the bubbly drink. One of my favorites is made by Gloria Ferrer. This winery is located down in Sonoma, California. I’ve driven by their vineyards many times on my way to San Francisco from Napa. They are best known for their sparkling wines but they also offer a few different red and white wines. Next time I should stop and do some tasting although I bet they charge an arm and a leg.Since I enjoyed their champagne so much I decided to give their Carneros Chardonnay a try. I found a half size bottle of it on sale at a local store. It had a much stronger taste than other Chardonnays I have had in the past. On the label it says that it contains apple and lemon flavors and I could definitely taste them. I enjoyed it although I generally like a more lightly flavored wine. So if your wine rack is looking a little bare, I’d suggest giving this Chardonnay a try.
Labels: champagne, napa valley, wine rack, wine rack store
Dinosaurs Bigger Than Wine Racks
When I was a child I always enjoyed learning about dinosaurs. The giant animals seemed so amazing to me. I had a special book that my grandmother would always read to me that explained everything about dinosaurs in a less than scientific way. It was read so often to me that I memorized it and would pretend to read it myself.As I grew, my interest in dinosaurs began to wane but I still really enjoyed the dinosaur themed exhibits at local museums. I hadn’t thought much about the ancient creatures recently until I picked up the book Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. It wasn’t my first choice but I couldn’t locate the other book I was looking for. I picked it off the shelf and found a cozy spot by my wine rack and began reading. I was automatically addicted to the book from the start.
I am about 3/4 of the way through. I spend at least an hour a day reading it. It’s so intense! Luckily is hasn’t given me any dinosaur related nightmares yet.
Labels: books, dinosaurs, wine rack, wine rack store
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Adding Some History to Your Wine Rack
Some wines with an interesting history were auctioned off in London last week. The wines were made in the years prior to World War II and were successfully hidden from the Nazis during the invasion of the Channel Islands (islands between Britain and France.) The wine had been hidden between the wine company’s shop and loading area.The wines sold off included eight bottles of Mouton Rothschild 1928 and two bottles of Chateau d'Yquem sauternes from 1934. The secret stash sold for nearly $70,000. That’s a lot of money to pay for spoiled wine. I can’t imagine that they’d be anything more than putrid vinegar by now. They are definitely not something you’d want to keep on your wine rack.
It’s a pity they weren’t enjoyed in their prime. I think it would have meant more to the individuals then, rather than just having the bottles sit in some private collection or museum.
Labels: fine wine, Germany, wine rack, wine rack store
Can’t Solve This Rift with a Visit to the Wine Rack
My younger sister is a senior in high school and has been applying to all the colleges within the state. She’s has really good grades so she has been accepted just about everywhere. She heard from my alma mater, Washington State University. I was looking forward to counseling her on what dormitories to get into and which streets to avoid at night. This all changed this past week when she received her acceptance letter from the University of Washington.Now if you haven’t heard, WSU and UW are the big state rivals in Washington. I have definitely given some Huskies my share of harassment. I don’t like football but I will always watch the Apple Cup because of the rivalry. I actually even attended one a few years ago.
I keep joking to my sister she is going to cause a rift in the family. Too bad we can’t repair it over a bottle of wine off the wine rack because she’s only 18.
Labels: education, Washington State, wine rack, wine rack store
How About Some Pepperwood Grove for your Wine Rack
I am always looking to add some new bottles to my wine rack. Earlier this week I was going through a local retailer and decided to peruse their wine section. They had a pretty impressive selection from around the world. They also had a white wine sale going on which I definitely appreciated.They organized their wine by type so it was easy to navigate the aisles. I looked through the white wines and decided I was in the mood for a Viognier. I had an amazing one at a local winery and I was hoping that I could find another one I could enjoy. I decided to pick out one by Pepperwood Grove. I was almost motivated to choose it by its $5 price tag.
The wine was okay but nowhere near as good as the previous Viognier I had. It was full bodied and fruity but the taste was a little too strong for me. If you are looking for a Viognier on the cheap I’d say give this a try.
Labels: viognier, wine rack, wine rack store
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Does Barbie Own a Wine Rack?
Although I never played much with dolls when I was a kid, Barbie has been an American stable for 60 years. My mother loved them and still owns her original dolls. I don’t know how I feel about the doll. I tend to agree with critics who say that the doll portrays an unhealthy body image and encourages traditional, unrealistic gender roles. But at the same time I see the dolls as a good thing because dolls help children learn social roles and Barbie has had many job opportunities such as being an astronaut or doctor.The doll is in the news again because a new, controversial version of her has been released. The doll is called Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie. It comes with temporary tattoos which you can attach to the doll or yourself with a fake tattoo gun. Some parents are very unhappy with it because they don’t like the idea of there kids “tattooing” each other.
Like with most things, my advice to these angry parents is, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to buy it.” I had plenty of temporary tattoos as a child because I thought they were cool. I still haven’t gotten a real one yet. I doubt this doll will drastically alter any child’s perception of tattoos.
Maybe they should make a wine vintner Barbie with her very own wine rack. I bet that would really make some parents mad.
Labels: tattoo, toys, wine rack, wine rack store
Happy Belated Saint Patrick’s Day from the Wine Rack Store
We here at the Wine Rack Store would like to wish everyone a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. I am a bit late in my celebrating because I spent the last few days in Seattle. I did manage to enjoy some corned beef and cabbage (icky) yesterday. I didn’t imbibe in any green beer though I thought about making some green wine from wine off my wine rack but decided against it. I also didn’t wear any green but I managed not to get pinched.People tend to give me a hard time on Saint Patrick’s Day because of my red hair. People automatically think I am Irish because of my fiery locks and pale skin. And because I enjoy wearing green (it goes well with my hair!). Well I am not. I am German, Czechoslovakia, and English. Good thing I am tall otherwise I would probably be the subject of many leprechaun related jokes.
Labels: beer, holiday, wine rack, wine rack store
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Battling Traffic Sans Wine Rack
I will have to head to the airport early tomorrow morning. How early you ask? 4:30 am. Luckily I don’t have to drive there, just on the way back. The only good thing about there early timing is that we don’t have to worry about the notorious I-5 traffic.I really hate driving down busy highways like I-5 or it’s more terrible offspring in Seattle, 405 and 520. I am usually a laid back driver but when I am on these roads I am sitting up straight and I am gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles turn white. I hate merging too because no one wants to give you an inch of room.
I see driving to Seattle as a chore so I have a hard time getting myself over there even to visit friends. Since I’ll be over on that side of the Puget Sound I think I will go visit my friend after I go to the airport. I won’t be able to self medicate my road-stressed body though because my friend does not own a wine rack because she is not a wine drinker.
Labels: air planes, traveling, wine rack, wine rack store
Snowing on my Wine Rack Again
Even though we have less than a week until spring, old man winter is playing with us again. I woke up to over an inch of snow on the ground. It is still coming down right now. They warned us about it on the news last night but I scoffed at it thinking we were done with the white stuff. I was wrong again.I may hate surprise snow storms but I love a good thunderstorm. You don’t see too many of these in western Washington. We seldom see more than two or three a year. Before moving here I remember a few good ones in California. I even recall seeing a lightening bolt strike in a neighbors horse field.
The best storms I ever saw were in the Midwest. Mother Nature knows how to give a good show in Minnesota. They’d thunder in, scare everyone into shelter, and thunder out.
I am looking forward to experiencing some good storms on the east coast. I’ll just turn off the lights, enjoy some wine off my make-shift wine rack, and watch the storm roll through.
Labels: snowing, Washington State, wine rack, wine rack store
Has Mr. Chuck Met Your Wine Rack?
I am not sure how popular Charles Shaw wine is outside of California but it is definitely a phenomenon within the state. The wine has been given the nickname “Two Buck Chuck” because of its $1.99 price tag. It is sold exclusively at Trader’s Joe. If you haven’t been to this eclectic grocery store, I’d suggest checking it out. They have a lot of unique food items and is just fun to walk through.Generally in the wine world a cheap price tag equals a cheap, bad wine. Well this wine is attempting to break this trend. These wines sell incredibly well even in Californian wine country.
So how do they make it so cheap? They use cheap grapes from California’s Central Valley rather than Napa Valley. They are able to retain the flashy Napa name on the bottle because the winery is located there.
I have had the Chardonnay and enjoyed it. I have also tried the Merlot, which I think tastes like watered down gasoline. I have no idea how my grandfather drinks it everyday for his "health". It may be cheap but it’s worth buying a few for the wine rack. If you don’t like it your only out some pocket change.
Labels: Charles Shaw, cheap wine, napa valley, wine rack, wine rack store
Friday, March 13, 2009
Happy Friday the 13th from the Wine Rack Store
Besides Halloween, Friday the 13th may be one of the spookiest days of the year. Whenever I hear “Friday the 13th” I think of the horror movie that’s based on it. The 13th of a month will land on a Friday at least once a year and up to three times a year.
Why are so many people superstitious about the date? Many societies have perceived 13 as a bad number. The number 12 is considered a number of “completeness.” For example there are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen. 13 is seen as an irregular number transgressing completeness.
Now if you hide under your wine rack on Friday the 13th you may have a fear of the number 13 or triskaidekaphobia. An estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina. It's been estimated that $800 to $900 million is lost in business on this day.
Labels: supersition, wine rack, wine rack store
Video Games and Wine Racks
I am a big fan of video games. It all started when my mother bought me an original Nintendo Game Boy for Christmas one year. I have been hooked ever since. I’ve gone through three versions of Game Boy, a Nintendo 64, a GameCube, Playstation 2, and know an Xbox 360. I have spent a small fortune on the games for these systems. I have more video games than wines on my wine rack. Now you may think video games have nothing to do with wine. Well Nintendo is looking to expand their brand to adults and wine conscious individuals. They released a game two years ago in Japan called Beginners Wine. It is for the hand held Nintendo DS (an updated Game Boy). The game contains a glossary of wine terms, several quizzes, wine advice and tips on etiquette.
Sadly this game is only available in Japan. Keep your eyes open though, I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar made its way over here.
Labels: toys, video games, wine rack, wine rack store
Hiding Myself and the Wine Rack from the Sun
We all know we should keep our wine and wine rack away from the sun. If left in the sun for too long the wine can be destroyed. Since I have a light skin tone the sun tends to destroy me too. Even on foggy days I can get a sunburn.
The only way for me to stay safe is by hiding in the shade (boring!) or by using sunscreen. So for the past twenty years I have been covering myself in sunscreen before heading off on sun-laden adventures. All was fine and dandy until two summers ago. To keep myself from getting charred by the California sun I followed my regular routine. But I than developed a rash all over. It itched and looked terrible and I had no idea what caused it. I didn’t pinpoint the cause of the rash until I got it again in Hawaii. It was the sunscreen causing it. I couldn’t believe it. What makes me even more mad is that they just came out with aerosol sunscreen which is God’s gift to fair skinned people.
So this summer I’ll be experimenting with sunscreen that contains zinc and titanium oxide. Remember in the 1970’s when everyone had white noses at the beach? Well the stuff I will be trying is an updated version of that.
Labels: sun burn, weather, wine rack, wine rack store
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Decorating my Wine Rack With Flowers
Spring must be close because the local grocery stores are starting to carry cut daffodils and tulips. Today I was able to purchase a 10-stem bunch of daffodils for only $0.99. That’s a heck of a deal for fresh flowers. I picked up two bunches to decorate my kitchen table with.I assume we have such a lovely selection here in Washington because Skagit Valley, located up north, is famous for it’s flowers. I’ve traveled up there a few times in the spring and the view is incredible. The fields are just carpeted in all types of purples, reds, yellows, and oranges. The daffodil fields are so bright they are almost blinding.
It is definitely worth the drive up there is you have a free weekend and can tear yourself away from your wine rack. You need to be prepared for wet weather and mud though if you plan on walking in the fields. Also be ready to fill your car full of flowers or bulbs because it’s hard to leave without at least buying some bulbs for your yard.
Labels: flowers, Washington State, wine rack, wine rack store
Can’t Fit These Bottles on Your Wine Rack
I always am on the look out for neat wine related gifts. Recently I ran into these creative cheese plates. Basically the plate is made from a melted down bottle. Wine bottles are the most popular but I have also seen liquor and beer bottles used. Sometimes the label is retained for an added flair. I have seen the plates come with a matching cheese knife as well.You can check these out here or search on Google for more designs. I would also like to suggest checking through a craft fair or farmer's market. Many of these events will host people who make these kind of items. By purchasing through them you are supporting local business and will probably be gaining a more unique piece. I first saw these for sale in Pike’s Place Market in Seattle.
If you don’t want a purchase wine as a gift for a friend’s wine rack, take this into consideration.
Labels: gift, wine bottles, wine rack, wine rack store
Cutting Back So I Can Fill the Wine Rack
Since the downturn in the economy and my job loss, I have been trying to stretch my budget the best I can. I read just about every article I see online about budgeting and cutting corners. So far they haven’t been much help.The article I happened upon today is about people no longer using and selling their cars or cell phones. I know both of these items are money-drainers but I don’t think I could function as well without them. I don’t live in town so I need a car to drive the 4 or so miles in to town. I do occasionally cycle there but it’s not practical when I need to do shopping. I have tried cutting down on my trips and have streamlined routes so I don’t waste gas backtracking.
I think I could give a well-stocked wine rack easier than my cell phone. I own and am addicted to an iPhone. They should rename is iCrack. If I really had to I could give it up but I definitely would have withdrawals. It’s so convenient to have the internet constantly at my finger tips. Also losing the ability to easily contact or be contacted would be difficult.
Labels: electronics, saving money, wine rack, wine rack store
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wine Racks Would Make a Good Butterfly Perch
While on my trip to the Seattle Pacific Science Center, we took sometime to see the other exhibits besides Lucy. The one I just had to see was the tropical butterfly house. They are such beautiful bugs.The room the butterflies are housed in looks and feels like a tropical forest. The temperature in side was over 80 degrees. After being outside in the snow, it felt absolutely amazing. The room is full of different, luscious tropical plants. About dozen different butterflies call the exhibit home. I was only able to spot about 6 different species.
Walking through you had to be very careful not to step on the butterflies resting on the ground. I can’t imagine how many have been squished by quick moving children. If only they had some wine racks to perch on, they’d probably survive a bit longer. The center releases new butterflies twice a day so the mortality rate must be high.
Labels: seattle, wildlife, wine rack, wine rack store
No Wine Racks at the PSC
We braved inclement weather this weekend and ventured to Seattle. We armed ourselves with umbrellas and heavy coats because the weather forecast called for snow. Luckily we were only bombarded with a few flakes early in the day.Our reason for visiting Seattle was to see the “Lucy” exhibit at the Pacific Science Center. It was the final weekend of the exhibit. If you haven’t heard, Lucy is a 3.2 million year old fossil of a female Australopithecus afarensis. This fossil was found in the 1970’s in Ethiopia and provides further evidence that walking upright preceded larger brain size in human evolution. I still can’t wrap my mind around the 3.2 million year part. Think of how many wine racks you could fill with 3.2 million vintages of wine.
The exhibit was beautifully done. Before you reached the fossil, you learned about the history and cultural origins of Ethiopia. There were also many other ancient items on display from the country. You then had the opportunity to learn about archeology and how it played into the knowledge of the evolution of human beings.
This exhibit really caught some flak from critics because of the expensive and possibility of damaging the fossil. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am glad I saw it because it is a once in a life time sight because usually this fossil is locked up in a vault in Africa.
Labels: History, seattle, wine rack, wine rack store
Good Sleep is Better Than a Full Wine Rack
I love sleeping in. If I could, I would do it everyday. When I worked at Macy’s I’d have to get up at 4 am for a 5 am shift. That’s torture for a person like me. My mind doesn’t start working properly until about 7:30 am. Until then, I am a zombie wandering around with my eyes half closed.Americans were polled about there sleeping by the National Sleep Foundation and it was found that they average 6.7 hours of sleep a night. I find this shocking. I always try to get 8 hours even if it means that I need to go to bed at 9 pm. I am such a grump if I don’t get enough rest. In college I never pulled an all-nighter because it was more productive for me to sleep because I could concentrate better and work faster the next day to catch up.
Experts are blaming these fewer hours on the increased distractions we have in our lives. These distractions can range from our family to job stress to the television. I zap away this stress before bedtime by enjoying a bottle of wine off my wine rack.
Labels: sleep, wine rack, wine rack store, work
Steak House’s unimpressive Wine Rack
Last Thursday my boyfriend and I went out for a nice dinner to celebrate our 4-year anniversary. We decided to go to a local steak house that is very popular. I was not terribly impressed with it.We both got dressed up which is not something we do very often. We definitely were over dressed for the location. I thought it would be a more formal restaurant but it turned out to be a Texas-style joint. Stuffed animal heads and tacky fake Christmas trees decorated the walls.
My boyfriend ordered some red wine to complement his steak. They must have had a small wine rack in the kitchen because there wasn’t much of a selection. They served it in white wine glass which made the wine-snob in me laugh.
Between the over cooked steaks and the tacky atmosphere, I don’t think we will be returning there any time soon. Next time we have a special date, I’ll make sure we got to places we’ve enjoyed before.
Labels: dinner, wine rack, wine rack store
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Wine Rack Store Blogger on the Move
I have an announcement to make. I will be temporarily be moving to the Virginia for the summer starting at the end of this month. Don’t worry, I’ll continue blogging for the Wine Rack Store from out there. I am very excited about it. I have never been to the east coast so it will be an interesting experience. The apartment we are staying in is only 3 miles from Virginia Beach. I am sure I’ll be spending a lot of time on the beach enjoying the sun. Maybe I will even be doing some blogging from there.
We are going to be 3 hours from Washington DC so I will probably visit there a few times. I’ll be able to tour all the monuments and museums and maybe even catch a glimpse of President Obama.
I know the east coast isn’t known for wine making but I’ll keep my eyes open for a winery or vineyard. My wine consumption will probably remain the same so I will still be able to recommend wine for your wine rack.
Labels: traveling, virginia beach, wine rack, wine rack store
Tasting Wine for Your Wine Rack
For the last two years I have been traveling down to Reno, Nevada with my family for Hot August Nights. Hot August Nights is the biggest classic car show on the west coast held every year. My father owns a 1967 SS Chevelle Malibu but has not shown it at that show because he doesn’t want to drive it down there.
We stay in our trailer at a campground in the shadow of the Grand Sierra Hotel. This was very convenient because we could walk there and gamble or drink and not have to worry about transportation. They also showed cars in their large parking lot.
Besides the casino and restaurants, the hotel harbored a wine tasting bar. This wine bar wasn’t like anything I had seen before. You would receive a glass and than go around to the dispensers that display the wine and keep it a perfect temperature. You stick a prepaid card into the slot and it would dispense 3 different amounts of wine depending on what you wanted. You could also purchase some chocolate or cheese to pair with the wine.
I assume if you really enjoyed the wine you could purchase it for your wine rack. I didn’t do any tasting myself because it was a bit expensive and I could get free drinks in the casino.
Labels: reno, wine rack, wine rack store, wine tasting
Monday, March 2, 2009
More Inexpensive Wine For Wine Rack
I’ve talked about wines from the Mosel region of Germany but I haven’t had a chance to drink one awhile. This weekend I was able to try a bottle of Riesling by Monchhof. It was purchased at a local wine shop so I am not sure if you will be able to find it om a grocery store’s wine rack.The first thing that struck me was the color and clarity. The color was very light and it was very clear. It is probably the clearest wine I have ever had. The taste was very overwhelming. What I would consider “sickly sweet.” I have tried many Rieslings and the spectrum of sweetness has been very big but this bottle was definitely the sweetest I have ever had. It was almost syrup. The percentage of sugar was not on the label.
If you really enjoy sweet wine, give this a try. This was too sweet for my palette so I will not be having it again.
Labels: cheap wine, german wine, wine rack, wine rack store
Saint Laurent for Your Wine Rack
I visited two wineries this past weekend and Saint Laurent was one of them. I have enjoyed their wine before but had not visited the winery until now. The winery is up in the hills of the Wenatchee Valley. Orchards and vineyards surround the property. You get a nice view of the Columbia River and surrounding scenery from up there. The landscape is pretty bare now but I am sure it looks very beautiful in the summer.I knew it was going to be a good experience when I saw WSU themed wreath by their door. We tasted 6 wines. My favorites were the Rose (which I have had many times before) and the Riesling (never had before). I did not purchase any bottles but they were very reasonably priced.
The winery can also be rented out for events and weddings. There is a gazebo out on the lawn that would be great for a summer wedding.
So if you are looking to fill up your wine rack, check out Saint Laurent. You won’t be disappointed.
Labels: Washington State Wine, wenatchee, wine rack, wine rack store
Picking Up Wine for my Wine Rack
I made the usual trek to the grocery store this afternoon with my mother for company. On the way out to the car, a honey bee decided to catch a ride on my mother’s purse. We let him ride until we got to the car and then had to shoo him away. This may not seem significant but I think this is the first time I had actually seen a honey bee in a long time, maybe even years. Being the outdoorsy type, you’d think I would see them more often.I have a love-hate relationship with honey bees. When I was a child in California, I’d chase them down in my back yard with a butterfly net. I can’t even tell you how many times that ended up in me being stung. I still remember my mother having to treat me with that stinging spray antibiotic. I used to try to hide my stings to avoid the spray. To this day I am not sure why I would chase after those bees rather than butterflies or moths.
Besides the feeling of stings, this bee reminded me of my grandparent’s home in Napa. My grandfather kept honey bees and collected the honey for extra income. I always made sure to stay away from their hives and I would have to constantly dodge the little buggers when I was playing in the garden. But, gosh, they made some delicious honey.
Since I love honey so much, maybe I should try adding some mead to my wine rack.
Labels: insects, napa valley, wine rack, wine rack store
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