Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

Al Osterheld

The 2015 Lower East Syrah was quite good, probably a bit more approachable than the regular appellation Syrah.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Fantastic producer, love their wines (although I haven't all of these).

-Al

Al Osterheld

I don't see your post above, at least not after March 15. The shelter in place was the 16th, so I don't see where the businesses are mentioned. The link to the Alameda County shelter in place order was on the main thread (sorry, I was on an iPhone and actually at work). http://www.acgov.org/documen...

Al Osterheld

The actual orders have details about what types of businesses and activities are exempted, I posted the Alameda County link above but they aren’t difficult to find. There are a lot of businesses that are exempt.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Thanks Micheal, that is a very useful site. I wish they had the US broken down by state. I think the logarithmic graphs are key. I'm shocked by the cases per 1M for Germany and France versus China. (I wonder what Wuhan province is?) And I suspect the Seattle/Washington state rate is higher than Ger...

Al Osterheld

It was an awesome winery. Would hate to see the name co-opted for solyent shit.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I'm guessing it will be longer than that before things are back to normal. Just a guess, though.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Gemello was a rather fine winery back in the day.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I've received various emails with wording so similar I think it must have been provided by someone.

-Al

Al Osterheld

See for example the story below, sounds like a strong request but explicitly not an edict. "The governor stopped short of issuing an edict, but said he expects businesses and citizens to follow his directions. “I am confident these guidelines will be well received and will be appropriately enforced....

Al Osterheld

The governor wants bars, brewpubs, tasting rooms, and night clubs closed. It was communicated as a request rather than a state government order. Also wants seniors to stay home, hospitals to stop allowing visitors unless end of life case, probably some other requested actions.

-Al

Al Osterheld

According to a recent study, linked above, breathing normally spreads the virus. Sneezing and coughing spreads more in that moment, but breathing apparently spreads plenty.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Yeah, the video made me shudder.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Starting yesterday, Dept of State is advising against traveling abroad (same would apply for others traveling to US). Previously, there advisory only included a handful of countries.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Not surprised HdR was postponed, was surprised by the recent email stating it was still on.

-Al

Al Osterheld

As I'm imagine most of us recognize, what she could have or should have known, and what would likely lead to a conviction are somewhat different standards.

-Al

Al Osterheld

They still need airlines to be flying, which may depend on how many passengers they will be carrying.

-Al

Al Osterheld

They still need airlines to be flying, which may depend on how many passengers they will be carrying.

-A.

Al Osterheld

Polebridge is a bit far off the grid for most people, literally has its own grid.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I may have used a similar model. The ergonomics of the handle is very important. I'm not an expert, but after shucking a few dozen at a NYE dinner party a couple years ago, the one I own was not nearly as good as the model the hostess owned.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Yes, I think there are many ways that things could evolve and there will be more clarity in a couple of months. My only scheduled vacation is a rare family reunion in Montana in mid-summer.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I had a 2005 Paul Bara Comtesse at dim sum on New Year's Day that I thought was pretty good. Not exactly a note-taking event, though.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I think the new facility is complete or mostly complete and at least the tasting room has moved. It appears another winery has the same address, maybe a client or friend of his.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Bodegas de Edgar recently moved to a new building at 3550 Combine St in Paso, across 46E from the Hug/BdE location.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Yes, the human factor has many aspects and this has been a huge impact on workers and small business owners (and even large businesses).

-Al

Al Osterheld

The 2011 vintage in California south of San Jose was cool, and picked a little later than usual, but didn't have the issues that plagued later ripening varieties and regions in northern CA. I wouldn't hesitate to buy 2011 wines from the Central Coast, indeed I bought some wines from the area I thoug...

Al Osterheld

The only time I've given a gift of glasses knowing it was really for my own benefit was to my parents. Yes, parents are a different situation. My parents enjoyed crystal glasses (eg, vintage Cape Cod). I bought them a set of Waterford wine glasses (and other serveware). Sucked as wine glasses, but ...

Al Osterheld

I would bring good wines I think they will like, and not bring any stems. If you think they might see the value of better stems, invite them to your house for a dinner.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Yes, Champagne has been the weakest section of any Total Wine store I've visited.

-Al

Al Osterheld

A claim has been made that people pay BID assessments on hotel rooms and it doesn't bother them. That's not my experience, most people are quite annoyed by add-on fees on hotel rooms, they have just become used to being hit with several add-on fees because they have been a popular source of revenue....

Al Osterheld

Don't know much and I'm a bit skeptical about projects to create a signature regional blend (although, I have bought and enjoyed a number of Lodi Native Zinfandels). But, the six LVVC wines from the inaugural vintage (2017) were submitted to the 2020 SF Chronicle Wine Competition and received two Br...

Al Osterheld

I think this is a fine forum to discuss a surcharge that consumers might be asked to pay. And one person's apathy is another person's choice. Well, until those who know better take that choice away.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I bought it on release at a shop called Vin, Vino, Wine in Palo Alto.

-Al

Al Osterheld

It's not really a tax because it would be assessed by for profit entities and the money would go to their vintners association. But, if it appears on the bill like an add-on tax, many will consider it a tax.

-Al

Al Osterheld

A discussion of Sociando Mallet by Robert and others motivated me to open this bottle. 1985 Chateau Sociando-Mallet Really crappy cork with ullage at base of neck, deeper red color, dark cherry and currant with classic cedar and tobacco notes, a little olive comes out as it opens, along with aromas ...

Al Osterheld

There is a lot of information about the proposed SBC wine BID at the following link: https://www.sbcountywines.com/winebidinfo.html Money would go to the Vintners Association, typically has officers from the industry, some number of employees (apparently two at present in SBC), and has voting proced...

Al Osterheld

Maybe Stephen is asking how consumers would react if they saw an explicit BID surcharge on their bill. There have been numerous threads about shipping that make it clear that many consumers hate paying for shipping and are happier if the winery charges a bit more per bottle and subsidizes some or al...

Al Osterheld

The point of the BID is to move away from voluntary support towards mandatory collections to increase revenue for marketing and avoid any free-rider effects. It would apply to sales in tasting rooms and also items shipped to CA customers (any sales subject to CA sales tax), but not to shipments out ...

Al Osterheld

Whatever the details, seems like a pity for us consumers.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Josh Grossman wrote: ↑
February 21st, 2020, 8:20 am
Has anyone tried beaver (the animal not the euphemism)?
http://www.cookingissues.com/2010/08/13 ... index.html

I haven't tried it, but beaver meat is extremely fatty (as you might expect).

-Al

Al Osterheld

Hebrart is a good producer, not sure I've had that specific bottling, though.

-Al

Al Osterheld

The third vineyard is probably Puerta del Mar, a small vineyard further to the west (near Hwy 1) and just outside the SRH appellation. They're all part of the Rancho Salsipuedes property originally purchased by CalPERS and developed by Premier Pacific, later sold as part of unwinding the PP bankrupt...

Al Osterheld

The pursuit of the best can be the enemy of enjoyment of the distinctive and satisfying. -Al Preach! No doubt, Al is BOSS. My entire wine philosophy right there, he’s just more eloquent about it. Your enthusiasm is a form of eloquence! BTW, we also like similar wines. Well, not sure about Ovid (hav...

Al Osterheld

The pursuit of the best can be the enemy of enjoyment of the distinctive and satisfying.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Yes, the Saint Joseph Les Oliviers blanc is quite good.

-Al

Al Osterheld

I lack the intel to know whether it's well deserved, but it's certainly worth a hearty congratulations!

Hope it all works out well for you.

-Al

Al Osterheld

Sky is another producer making interesting, more restrained Zinfandels. -Al Wasn’t the vineyard unfortunately lost in 2017? Had a 2013 about a year ago which was wonderful, especially at the roughly $30 price point I think I paid. I haven't heard a current update, but they supposedly lost between 2...

Al Osterheld

Sky is another producer making interesting, more restrained Zinfandels.

-Al

Al Osterheld

No additional favors, just pointing out that experiences on West Coast were also variable (for local customers as well as the winery).

-Al

Al Osterheld

I think Rhys decided to pull the 2015 vintage based on tasting bottles from their cellar. Also, they would have been shipped from Sicily, although maybe in a reefer.

-Al

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