tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26398420951970413272024-03-13T13:56:04.520-07:00A Man and His WineMarket Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-89548655666269625282013-04-03T17:40:00.001-07:002013-04-03T17:40:28.183-07:00Their place<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Their Place</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A thousand years have past and I gasp</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at the work of the last; those of whom we choose not to see,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is because of them that nature does not bend.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They reside it the Irish meadow of the stone.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where their homes of centuries old were honed.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We see mother nature's hands hold strong,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the mount so there may be no wrong.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They heed to us as we push through the brush without a care,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">trampling the places were no human has ever set foot.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">watch for the root with your careless hoof.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They watch us pass and then they laugh,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">because they know we wish for them so, so as we go</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there is not a care in our head when we lay down and bed.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is then they do their work without slumber</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">far to many in number, more than the stars at night.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So we continue on and leave the hidden people behind,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with a picture in my head of the new, not the dead.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There where the fern and sapling rise from under the bed, </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of the workshop of the few that remain, to gain a future</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the world to see, in the next century.</span></i><br />
<br />
by Bryan Bennington<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2fTGcFFKik/UVzLhkYGMvI/AAAAAAAAAO0/fah9mqSiqXI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2fTGcFFKik/UVzLhkYGMvI/AAAAAAAAAO0/fah9mqSiqXI/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-86386669104942081822013-04-03T17:08:00.000-07:002013-04-03T17:08:15.727-07:00Sunday Night in Columbus<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">Hockey Night</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">Silence dances around the rings,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">As the silver blades sing.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">The thunder of the wave rises,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">Leo graces us with song disguises.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">The clash of arms at hand;</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REFFCWfRIPU/UVzDuW7gIEI/AAAAAAAAAOg/BMhYTI_LwKw/s1600/hockey+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REFFCWfRIPU/UVzDuW7gIEI/AAAAAAAAAOg/BMhYTI_LwKw/s320/hockey+field.jpg" width="320" /></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">The glass and boards can stand.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">As the wheeling suspect thrashes,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">Past the net and lashes.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">The voices are loud and bold.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">How does the troll keep his hold?</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">As the enemy scolds his rim,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">With a barrage of lethal hymns.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">Now everyone takes heed</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">As the smallest of them bleeds.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">A five gun salute stresses,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">How the one on one blesses.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">A night of drama and flashes</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">Now ends with laughter and glasses.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">The better of the two withstand,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">And win with bent stick in hand.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Bryan Bennington</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-77852691942167925462012-11-29T03:38:00.001-08:002012-11-29T03:38:27.297-08:00The Perfect Kiss
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MoIqbXNbA8c/ULdIvuwwUNI/AAAAAAAAAN8/NhCWkKbfkX8/s1600/imagesCASCLD2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MoIqbXNbA8c/ULdIvuwwUNI/AAAAAAAAAN8/NhCWkKbfkX8/s1600/imagesCASCLD2B.jpg" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gisha","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Perfect Kiss<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soft touch of your lips<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calls to me as our worlds become one<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our souls collide in conversation of<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whispered feelings that light up<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flame of welcome desire<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can be seen in our eyes<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we plan our escape<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the present into a place<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we share in our hearts<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That beat rhythmically with the pulse<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the music playing softly <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the background of our minds<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That store thoughts of our evening<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In hopes it will never end<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the soft touch of your lips.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Gisha","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Bryan Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-5188937966030365952012-11-18T12:26:00.000-08:002012-11-18T13:17:15.264-08:00Pine Lane<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pine Lane</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow the brick road up the hill.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a path I choose to take by will.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it narrows, this path I follow,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will lead me to a tranquil hollow.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgHkK8L8hbA/UKlD0vxF4aI/AAAAAAAAANg/C2WgXxWmP4M/s1600/woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgHkK8L8hbA/UKlD0vxF4aI/AAAAAAAAANg/C2WgXxWmP4M/s320/woods.jpg" width="320" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A twist and turn takes me to,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr Squirrel who says hello how do you do?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blue blazes hide from camouflaging skies.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like skeletons the tree trunks rise.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hawk flies above telling his tail,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As wires cross the sky to reveal his cell.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The nuthatch & woodpecker keep me company,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While my staff holds my hand confidently.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gchp83AHMKA/UKlCti4oCcI/AAAAAAAAANY/s11lusq1aBU/s1600/pine+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gchp83AHMKA/UKlCti4oCcI/AAAAAAAAANY/s11lusq1aBU/s1600/pine+two.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pines surround me and through the earth,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arms reach up to steal my birth.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I watch my step, not allowing them to savor,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avoiding their hands and returning the favor.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down the hill the silence comes,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A defining note that the forest hums.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A deer passes by and I keep his pace.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eye to eye I stride till he wins the race.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the hut of fallen vine,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A home in Walden should be so fine.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the summer I am sure it provides,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A slumber for the wolf within its ivies.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alas, I’ve come to the end</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Humans stop me and question.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turn to take the road back home</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And at the fork I am not alone.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friends on Pine Trail whisper to me,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep us company and you will see,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The faces of the trees on your way back</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the peace that you seek will not lack.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the forest is the tamer and I am the shrew</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The path has changed due to the hue. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying not to get lost in this bewildering sight</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I listen to her whisper as day turns to night.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding my way through valley and hillside</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a kinder heart for those who reside.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back on the trail where the deer darted</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The blue blazes brought me to the brick road where I started.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Bryan Bennington</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-77182243454195919042012-11-18T06:59:00.000-08:002012-11-18T06:59:05.887-08:00Season One
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spring<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sun shines brightly,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though death lies in its rays.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As life is renewed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To those who have paid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cardinal sings a song<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That awakens the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While the frost blankets birth<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the weed bears its head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The skeletons wail,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their life long been borrowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As their seed hails<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The awaking hour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luminous the day grows,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The timeless scene unveiled<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the witness of the ageless past<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reminds us that life won’t last.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In an instant the stars rush bye<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The smells of death wave and sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The life of new, the canvas shows<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is the power of he who knows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That in this time of grey and shower,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life’s precious price is paid tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By Bryan Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-21170911857465398302012-11-18T06:56:00.002-08:002012-11-18T06:56:06.936-08:00In Memory
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Christine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As loving as a child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Full of peace and kindness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unconditional giving without taking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Beautiful and full of life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Always in the presents of God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As beautiful as a snow fall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A winter day dressed in white<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The glistening branches<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like jewels on a forest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inviting the sun to share its splendor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As caring as a mother<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Giving her soul to her children<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A smile that shines brightly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And lights up the room<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inviting, giving, sharing, never ending<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As wonderful as a women<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A companion for life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Through good times and bad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Organized, caressing, listening, cooking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proud to be by his side, without a regret<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As giving as a friend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Willing to sacrifice everything<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaching, laughing, always asking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Comforting on the saddest days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Illuminating happiness the next<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As perfect as a sunset<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Peaceful and wonderful<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Knowledge that all was fulfilled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Laying to rest on the horizon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Waiting to show its face once more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Christine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Daughter, wife, mother, and friend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To know her was to love her<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You will never be forgotten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With love till we meet again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Chelsey Wide","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By Bryan Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-29700302513427016642012-11-10T11:12:00.001-08:002012-11-10T11:12:02.577-08:00Choose a Path
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As men we need nothing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yq2FvDzySEY/UJ6mPl20-jI/AAAAAAAAANI/00Qh2bjW1cs/s1600/landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yq2FvDzySEY/UJ6mPl20-jI/AAAAAAAAANI/00Qh2bjW1cs/s320/landscape.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But society believes us to need everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At Walden, a man needs nothing more than his own skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But not the citizen in public, who finds himself naked
like Adam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is he, who has his eyes opened to society,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And blisters himself to hide in home and clothing too substantial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Count your possessions, and tally your expenses,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then decide which ones are necessary and which are mere
waste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Would your nakedness be hidden,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you never acquired as much in the first place?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-67904721622431867612012-11-10T09:33:00.000-08:002012-11-10T09:33:26.945-08:00History of a vine...
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFrFtZ9Rnds/UJ6OiS2kBBI/AAAAAAAAAM4/ZYHjCQnF5EA/s1600/organicfarming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFrFtZ9Rnds/UJ6OiS2kBBI/AAAAAAAAAM4/ZYHjCQnF5EA/s1600/organicfarming.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The story
goes: In 1856 a German-Swiss immigrant named Adam Uhlinger brought the first
Zinfandel vine planting over from Europe and started a winery in Amador County.
Now, the Sobon family owns the original vineyards, which still are home to
those original Zinfandel plants; which brings us to our wines this month. Sobon
Estate Old Vine Zinfandel and Viognier are made by the Sobon family in a state
of the art sustainable facility.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The lineage
of California’s Zinfandel vines dates back to the mid-1800s. Although, the
claim of Mr. Uhlinger was not legally recorded, it is uncertain if the vines
Adam Uhlinger planted were the first Zinfandel plants in California.
Nevertheless, for argument sake, we will say they were. Since then, the deed to
the vineyards has traded hands multiple times. The original winery “D’Agostini
Winery” started by Mr. Uhlinger. still stands. This historical building, made
from hand cut stone from a nearby quarry and contains barrels used by Uhlinger
that he made himself from California Oak, is now a Museum, displaying the
relevance of Amador Wine Country. The Sobon family purchased the land and
winery in 1989. The Sobon Estate has taken increasing strides year after year
to become a natural and sustainable winery. Along with their other property,
Shenandoah Vineyards, the Sobons have taken Amador County wine making to the
highest level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFrrKRb00OA/UJ6OZU2TaFI/AAAAAAAAAMw/fNcq02Wdx-Y/s1600/solar_house2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFrrKRb00OA/UJ6OZU2TaFI/AAAAAAAAAMw/fNcq02Wdx-Y/s320/solar_house2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At
Shenandoah Vineyards, a state of the art solar system has been installed. This
63-Kw photovoltaic system supplies the winery with 100% of its electrical
needs; as well as having been retrofitted with the most efficient lighting
technology. The carbon footprint of both wineries has surpassed the neutral
rating. Meaning they eliminate more CO2 from the environment than they use.
Both properties recycle everything back into the eco-system. All paper, glass
and metal waste is reused as seen fit. All the compost is put back into the
vineyards to guarantee fertile soil, crucial for the vines vigor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Leon and
Shirley Sobon founded Shenandoah Vineyards in 1977. They have grown their
winery from producing 1,200 cases to well over 40,000 cases per year. Their
goal has always been to produce wines that showed the true character of the grape
and terrior, with allowing as little input from humans as possible. Now their
son Paul carries on this tradition. Paul’s knowledge of wine making and
vineyard management stems from his experiences in Europe, Australia, Japan and
his degree from UC Davis in California. Paul has taken tradition one step
further, by using hand sorting methods from the vineyard to crush and crushing
the Zinfandel grapes by foot, this eliminates another step often done by
machinery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BV6R0O4Ny0A/UJ6OHGZItzI/AAAAAAAAAMo/4cGqeAwK13E/s1600/FT-2010-unpruned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BV6R0O4Ny0A/UJ6OHGZItzI/AAAAAAAAAMo/4cGqeAwK13E/s1600/FT-2010-unpruned.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Sobon
Estate is responsible for making some of the best Zinfandels in California; as
they should be, if they are using the oldest Zinfandel vines in the state. This
month our red wine is one of those wines. The Sobon 2010 Old Vines Zinfandel
received a score of 91 points, phenomenal for a wine that retails for $14.99 a
bottle. This is a fragrant, rich, full-bodied Zinfandel with a bold fruit
forward approach. It is a wine made for everyday consumption; however, it will
improve for up to five years of bottle age. The wine is comprised of 97%
Zinfandel, from several of their old vineyards, and 3% Petite Sirah. The use of
older oak barrels during the aging process helps maintain the fruits freshness.
In 2012, this Old Vine Zin won a gold medal at The World Wine Championships and
a silver medal at the San Francisco State Fair. This wine pairs well with any
grilled meat or pasta dish. We also recommend pairing this Zin with BBQ chicken
wings, pizza or any other football game fare you may bring to the table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our white
wine from Sobon is their 2011 Viognier. The Sobon family has committed this
Estate primarily to Rhone style wines. The vineyards are comprised of not only
old vine Zinfandels, but also Rousanne, Viognier, Syrah, Tannant, Petite Sirah,
as well as Sangiovese and Barbera. I believe this (Sobon) Viognier is one of
the best I have ever had, including wines from France. The grapes are from
mature vines, receiving no irrigation, which produce small yields of highly
intense flavored berries. The aromas are capturing. The smell of meadow flowers
along with hints of peach and honeysuckle transform into a mouth-watering
seduction of fruit and spice with a long lingering finish. This Viognier was
barrel fermented and left on lees to create its dynamic flavors. The winemaker
recommends seafood and even pepper-steak to pair with this wine. We agree with
the pairing of pepper-steak, but this leaves the door open for other spicy
foods such as Szechwan or a milder green curry dish. Honestly, this wine is
perfect by itself and food need not get in the way of the wonderful flavors
that Paul has obtained in this wine. Just a note, the Viognier is a small batch
wine and is completely sold out (we got everything they had left)! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">References:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.sobonwine,com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.sobonwine,com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">R.C. Distributors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.dagostinivineyards.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.dagostinivineyards.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.sierrafoothillmagazine.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.sierrafoothillmagazine.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-55081289752455670352012-10-08T12:23:00.002-07:002012-10-08T12:23:32.149-07:00The Poetry of Wine
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MFF4BobaNg/UHMnbqGIeyI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/1_G6jWgz4Vk/s1600/imagesCAJXN1RZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MFF4BobaNg/UHMnbqGIeyI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/1_G6jWgz4Vk/s200/imagesCAJXN1RZ.jpg" width="132" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">OF BEAUTY AND DUTY<br />
<em><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">by: Dante Alighieri
(1265-1321)</span></b></em><br />
Two ladies to the summit of my mind Have clomb, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">to hold an argument of love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The
one has wisdom with her from above,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">For every noblest virtue well designed:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The
other, beauty's tempting power refined </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And the high charm of perfect grace
approve:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And I, as my sweet Master's will doth move,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At feet of both their favors
am reclined.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Beauty and Duty in my soul keep strife,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At question if the heart
such course can take </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And 'twixt the two ladies hold its love complete. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The fount
of gentle speech yields answer meet,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That Beauty may be loved for gladness
sake,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And Duty in the lofty ends of life.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dante
Alighieri wrote about his life experiences. His poem and sonnet collections
carry deep meaning, matters pertaining to life, love and death. As I read his
work, “Of Beauty and Duty” I tried to forge an analogy from the poem that would
pertain to wine. Dante reflects on the beauty of his lover as genuine by youth
and nature. While his arranged marriage to an aristocrat is beautiful because
it is her duty. I contemplate on the fact that wine is about life, love and
death. We have to agree that all wine begins in the vineyard, where life is
reborn every spring at bud break. The love comes from within the caretaker of
the vine. He brings the true beauty to the vine. It is in the vineyard where
the promise of true beauty resides. The vine and the fruit it bears are beautiful
by nature. As for the duty-ness, I see the wine that came forth from the vine
as beautiful by arrangement. The wine may appeal to one person and not another.
The magical picturesque beauty is long gone; all that remains is liquid.
However, a person may find the wine beautiful by opinion, which is the wine’s
duty. As for death, the vine surely preludes death in the fall as it drops its
decorous beauty and seemingly holds its breath as it falls into a deep slumber.
While the wines death is sure to come as the bottle is emptied; never to be
awakened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVH2WcGCVII/UHMlsN7Iy7I/AAAAAAAAAJo/wL65koHPswo/s1600/5-01_foto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVH2WcGCVII/UHMlsN7Iy7I/AAAAAAAAAJo/wL65koHPswo/s200/5-01_foto2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Our wines
this month come from the Boscaini family, who manage the Masi and Alighieri
wineries. In the late 18<sup>th</sup> century, the Boscaini family purchased a
little valley called “Vaio dei Masi,” of which the family retains ownership to
this day. Since then, 16 generations later, the Masi Company has grown
systematically through land purchases in the best viticultural areas of the
Veneto. Masi is also involved in the management of the historical estate in
Valpolicella, Serego Alighieri, which belonged to Dante’s son, since 1353. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Veneto is
the northern most wine region in Italy and is responsible for a large
percentage of Italy’s wine production. The appellation consists of large plains
and hillsides composed of clay and calcareous debris. The hot summers and cool
winters are moderated by the Adriatic Sea. Wine making around Venice has been
traced back more than 2000 years. It is believed that the Romans learned the secret
of making Amarone from prior civilizations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Masi is
known worldwide for its Amarone; a wine created by drying fresh grapes to
concentrate the juice before pressing, yielding an unctuous nectar suitable for
the gods. Our wine, not an Amarone, is made from the indigenous grapes: Refosco
and Raboso. Our red wine reveals a fruity, friendly wine, with flavors of ripe
cherry, plum, sweet spice, and herbs, combined with good structure and
excellent balance between acidity and soft tannins. This wine is perfectly
suited to pair with polenta, mushrooms, herbs, pasta, beans, stews and hard
cheeses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYlUpLWEoO4/UHMlv7-3cSI/AAAAAAAAAJw/rhQABcV0FS8/s1600/5-08_foto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYlUpLWEoO4/UHMlv7-3cSI/AAAAAAAAAJw/rhQABcV0FS8/s200/5-08_foto2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Our white
wine is from the Alighieri Estate. Possessioni Bianco is made from combining
the intense aromas of Sauvignon Blanc with the elegance of the Garganega grape
with its characteristic aftertaste of almonds. This unique white wine should be
consumed at 50</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">F to
optimize the aromas and balance the acidity. Food pairings for this Bianco are
antipasti, fish, chicken or veal. The Venetians favor sardines, and mussels as
well as pasta tossed with grilled vegetables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I found
this wine’s intriguing flavor to also pair well with biscotti and Tiramisu as a
dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">2007 Serego Alighieri<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Possessioni Bianco<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Veneto, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Alcohol: 12.5%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Grape varieties: 70% Garganega<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30% Sauvignon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Suggested retail: $12.99 750ml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Notes:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">2008 Masi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Modello Delle Venezie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Valpolicella, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Alcohol: 12%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Grape varieties: Refosco &
Reboso<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Suggested retail: $14.99 750ml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Notes:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-55347235878554846292012-09-05T13:07:00.000-07:002012-11-18T06:25:26.093-08:00Lost Love<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Somewhere
between the undulating hillsides of the Rhone Valley lies a lost love affair.
Jean and Jeanné were two people who found each other through their passion for
wine. Many years have passed since Jean first set eyes on his true love.
Whatever happened to this fantastic affair? Continue to sip your wine and
envision two hearts colliding in the midst of Jean’s wine cellar….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSadMdDli-k/UEep8mf18rI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Lf_ned6ZOW0/s1600/chapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSadMdDli-k/UEep8mf18rI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Lf_ned6ZOW0/s320/chapel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jean
spent the past seven days sorting through grape clusters from 10 different
vineyards. Although this year’s harvest was superb, Jean wanted to make a
statement with his first Rhone wine he would make in over five years. Jean saw
his wine making as an art form; a way of seducing the earth and creating a wine
that men and women would lust for. This first release also needed to impress
the family of a special woman he had met years ago. Jean usually had a quiet
personality, unless he was with people he knew well, then his true nature would
come out; a fun, humorous, and cunning man when it came to games. His light
brown hair was cut short and he parted it to the side; this allowed his blue
eyes to gaze freely. He was an avid runner. He always enjoyed jogging the
rolling hills wherever he went. His slim frame and toned shape brought many
opportunities for him to meet young women. But Jean could never settle down, he
had taken exception to Jeanné years ago and no “le belle femme” ever seemed to
steal his heart away as she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
enjoyed the last five years he spent in Austria, but he longed for the smell of
France and the romance he had left behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeanné
was a vision Jean could never extinguish from his mind. Their romance was like
a fairy tale; an affair that crossed the boundaries of family tradition and
public acceptance. Jeanné was a slender, athletic woman who stood near Jean’s
height; he remembered how superbly their two shapes molded into each other’s.
Her hair was dark brown, silky and flowing. She had graceful arms, beautiful
hands and perfectly manicured fingernails. Jeanné had brown eyes that could
capture Zeus himself and Jean had fallen victim to her eyes the first time they
met. Her smile was sincere which showed off her perfectly shaped lips and cheek
bones. Jean could still smell her perfume; it was locally made from the
flowers, herbs and honey at a neighboring winery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They had
spent countless hours talking and sipping wine next to the stone wall, near the
chapel on the hill. Jean was working with Jeanne’s family at the time as an
apprentice <span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">wine maker. Jean had a radical
mind when it came to making his wine. Of course, when you are young you want to
be different and put yourself out there to get noticed. But it all backfired
when Jeanne’s family exiled him from their winery. Her family was traditional
and followed the strict guidelines allowed by the Appellation Contrôlée of the
Rhone. Jean always wondered if he made the right choice by leaving. Hindsight
tells him now that he should never had left, because a piece of him would
always be in France.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After all
those years Jean never found what he was searching for; the glamour and love
always seemed just out of his reach. So, he headed back to France willing to be
conventional and wondering whatever became of Jeanné. Little did he know that
she had heard of his return and was anxious to see him. Over the years, Jeanné
never married. Although her family and friends tried diligently to find a
suitor, Jeanné never found the honesty, compassion or friendship she had with
Jean. She enjoyed his company and her memories of the little surprises he would
bring her for no reason. She longed to hold him in her arms and set out to make
sure he felt the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jean had
just finished washing his purple stained hands when he heard Baucus, a Cocker
Spaniel half-breed that came with Jean’s new winery, barking. He walked towards
the cellar door. The evening sun was shining its rays through the seams of the
doorway and as the door opened the silhouette of a tall, slim frame appeared. A
breeze blew in from the doorway and Jean could see the hair of what seemed a
vision flowing like wheat in a field--then a perfume that he could never forget
stopped him in his tracks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bonjour”
a soft voice called, “Jean est-ce vous?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jean
thought his heart had stopped beating and caught himself out of breath. Soon he
felt his heart racing and a rush of happiness seemed to lift him off the ground
and plant him directly in front of the vision that came through the door. As
Jean collected himself, he caught his breath long enough to say,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bonjour
Jeanné, Oui, cest moi, je suis très heureux de vous voir?”Jean confirmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeanne’s
voice awakened, “J’ai entendu que vous revient à démarrer voltre proper
vignoble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oui, je
suis arrive juste avant la récolte. C’est une tâche ardue sans embauchè l’aide.
</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE;">Mais, je m’ennuie de l’odeur de la France, et maintenant
je reçois de vous voir,”</span><span class="hps"><span lang="DE" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Jean testified.</span></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">She could
hardly believe it was really Jean. Jeanné wanted to run into his arms and never
let go. They sat down at a small table in the room and talked for hours while
sipping wine. Finally, Jeanné asked if Jean had eaten dinner, she was hungry
and the wine was starting to go to her head. Jean recommended he bring out some
Veau Marengo, a veal stew he made yesterday. The wine they were drinking was a
Côtes-du-Rhône rouge Jean picked up at the market. He thought he would try some
of the local wines and use them as a gauge. After all, winemaking is serious
business here and he wanted to be the best. The wine had a youthful magenta
color and a nose full of red berries and herbs. The flavors of raspberry, dried
strawberry, pepper and herbs paired well with the stew and the soft tannins
worked harmoniously with the rich dish. Jeanné reflected on Jean’s cooking
skills. She always came over hungry anticipating the wonderful aromas and
flavors Jean would develop in the kitchen; or if they went on a picnic she
would pack the sandwiches. She would sit at the table with friends laughing and
talking; occasionally she would glace over and watch Jean prepare their meal
with focus and precision. Jean enjoyed cooking almost as much as he enjoyed
making wine. He liked the chemistry of cooking; he took note of how different
herbs worked with each type of meat and sauce, and how each dish paired with
the wine he would pick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After
more talk about Jean’s adventures in Austria, he went back to the kitchen and
brought out some homemade goat cheese, almonds, and dried fruit; he opened a
bottle of Côtes-du-<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Rhône Blanc to pair with his
dessert. Jean took notice of the toxic aromas of the white wine: pear, apple,
white peach, anise and herbs. Jean was a red wine guy and never had the knack
for making white wine, although he did enjoy consuming them. Jeanné shared her
experiences as the marketing director at the local museum and her sales for
some of the local wineries. Jeanne’s personality was perfect for any type of
public relations; she was always smiling, accommodating, gracious, and of
course she was beautiful. They talked for hours and caught up with each other’s
past; it seemed the only thing left to talk about was their future. The evening
grew to night and the night was greeting the morning when Jean took notice of
the time. He knew he had to get started with the grapes soon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean pardoned himself, “Il est Presque matin,
vous devez être sur vitre chemin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE;">“Je ne veux pas aller, quand puis-je vous revoir?” </span><span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeanné
sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“Je vais
être occupé avec le vin pour les deux prochaines semaines. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE;">Après la fête la récolte, je serai toute à toi,“ explained Jean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As the
two walked towards the door, Baucus was just coming in from his morning tour of
the grounds. The birds were singing in the trees and Jean could smell the
morning dew. As the eastern sun pierced through the windows it cast a glow on
Jeanne’s face. When Jean looked at Jeanné he could see his life shining
brightly with her by his side. The sounds of children playing and friends
laughing rang through his thoughts. He always knew Jeanne’s free spirit was
good for him. He wanted to share his travel experiences and discoveries with
her. For a moment, time stood still as Jean reflected on his future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jean was
awakened from his trance by the close whisper of Jeanné, “Jean… Jean, vous
semblez perdu”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jean’s
passion raced through his veins like the whitewater of a swollen river in
spring. His gaze was planted directly into Jeanne’s eyes as he placed his hand
on the back of her graceful neck and pulled her towards him. Her hair was soft
and Jeanne’s neck buckled to the gentle touch of his hand. Jeanné had a look of
surprise and longing dancing within her eyes. Jean could smell the scent of
wine on her warm breath. They leaned into each other and their lips joined
simultaneously with their figures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vtdMKjHWAs/UEeuyiM8fNI/AAAAAAAAAJU/S8WV3wfxFNU/s1600/cotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vtdMKjHWAs/UEeuyiM8fNI/AAAAAAAAAJU/S8WV3wfxFNU/s320/cotes.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As Jean
waived to Jeanné, he knew the addiction for her had never vanquished. He now
had a place of his own and a reason for staying here. No matter what obstacles
confronted them they would stay together. Jean had all the inspiration he
needed to become the most recognized vintner in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope the wine told its story
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">C’est la vie!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Ameretto Wide"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">by Bryan Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
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Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-8315832183449336872012-09-03T10:29:00.000-07:002012-09-04T06:09:46.738-07:00Before and After<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHHC8dEqp8c/UETbw5Wk0kI/AAAAAAAAAIk/aOAdkbulngc/s1600/PR_1985-1994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHHC8dEqp8c/UETbw5Wk0kI/AAAAAAAAAIk/aOAdkbulngc/s400/PR_1985-1994.jpg" width="116" /></a>Mid-September 1990, I was looking for a bottle of wine at the Wine Barrel on Home Avenue in Akron, to save for a special occasion. I never collected wine before and I was hesitant in making my choice; until I spotted a wrapped bottle tucked behind some California Cabernets. I proceeded to move two or three bottles out of the way so I could remove the bottle from it's chamber. I carefully peeled back the cocoon hiding the wine. After all, I was not sure I wanted it and I may have to re-wrap it and put it back. It was a 1986 Beringer Reserve Cabernet.<br />
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Now this 25 year old did not know much about wine at the time, just taking baby steps back then. But I was enthralled by the shape of the bottle; it had wide shoulders, a hefty weight in the glass, and the label was quit sophisticated. The price of the Beringer was $29. I thought this is cool, I think I'll get it. When I approached the sales counter the clerk assured me that I picked a "really nice bottle." "Thanks," I said "I think I will keep it awhile."<br />
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Well, as we all know that bottle put Beringer on the world stage. Ed Sbragia, the man behind the wine became quite famous and his wines are sought out all over the globe. The 1986 Reserve Cab he made took the #1 spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list that year. Once I got news of that, I told myself I would never drink it, for sentimental reasons. It was then that my love for wine really started and my collecting of finer wines began.<br />
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Years went by and the millennium was approaching. We all thought the world was coming to an end as we knew it. So, after 14 years I decided it was time to savor the secret essence inside my fabled 1986 bottle. <br />
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I must say, I was disappointed. The bottle had experienced three moves and hadn't been stored properly the whole time. The wine showed signs of greatness. But like an old man who can tell many stories about his past, there are parts that he can not remember. From that day on I made sure my storage facility was less compromising. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcE9DU9s60s/UETcM0O39RI/AAAAAAAAAIs/9a1JDMqzPUs/s1600/beringer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcE9DU9s60s/UETcM0O39RI/AAAAAAAAAIs/9a1JDMqzPUs/s320/beringer.jpg" width="236" /></a>The other day I was at a friends home. We were deciding what to imbibe when my buddy pulled out a 1997 Beringer Reserve Cabernet. Wow, I told him my story and the decision was made to open the 1997. I was anxious to discover how this newer version, which had been stored correctly, had developed over the past 15 years.<br />
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I pulled the faultless cork from its prison; only to reveal a dark burgundy stain on the bottom of its foot. Two short pours, a couple rigorous swirls and a deep sniff of intoxicating aromas revealed an exceptional wine. A wine that could not be dissected into multiple layers of aromatic attributes. Rather, a wine that developed into something unique that could only be described as a 1997 Beringer Reserve Cabernet. Outstanding, we both agreed.<br />
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It was a fine moment, as we finished the bottle along side our $5 Little Caesar pizza. We told each other...next time we are grilling fillet Mignon!Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-62563835557941399632012-08-28T11:35:00.000-07:002012-08-28T11:39:03.347-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Reflections<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Radiance bound within waiting to
be cast,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Revealing ageless secrets of the
past,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Generations of silence like bars
of a cell,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFUNwxEOmpc/UD0PGnOejoI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/3zI9HJCPUvw/s1600/imagesCA0FWHER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFUNwxEOmpc/UD0PGnOejoI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/3zI9HJCPUvw/s200/imagesCA0FWHER.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Race toward the glow and swell,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Transformed passion of a different
sense,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Takes my mind off in the distance,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Paving the way of fond memories,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Flowing through my veins to all
extremities,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">The hand of an artist reveals to
me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Visions of lands only I can see,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">When the silence of the spell is
waived,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Will these memories be saved?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Lingering like a ghost, it wails,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Haunting me with its tales,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Never again to be seen by sight,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Only in the reflecting light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">by Bryan
Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-51213130835983538192012-08-28T08:33:00.001-07:002012-08-28T08:33:35.544-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Red River<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPkrwYRZU90/UDzkG4bSwbI/AAAAAAAAAH0/nGJ214NYSNs/s1600/baby-zin-kristine-ellison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPkrwYRZU90/UDzkG4bSwbI/AAAAAAAAAH0/nGJ214NYSNs/s320/baby-zin-kristine-ellison.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The beginning of something new<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Awakened by a drop of dew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The hands from above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Transformed in Canaan for love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Infectious the red river flows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">From the land of Bacchus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To the shores of Gaul, no land too
small<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Soon there will be plenty for all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Damned to the ones who choose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The price to pay for those that
abuse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Fires illuminate the sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Centuries past bye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmqxVKMwYtw/UDzi57E_g_I/AAAAAAAAAHs/hRTnFpK2xqo/s1600/1-vineyard-on-fire-kristine-ellison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmqxVKMwYtw/UDzi57E_g_I/AAAAAAAAAHs/hRTnFpK2xqo/s320/1-vineyard-on-fire-kristine-ellison.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dare he, who goes to check on thee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The serpent’s tail lashes out
freely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Mowed down by disease<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A gravesite as far as the eye can
see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Through the mist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A new future exists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Hand in hand to the vine we go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So the river of red may flow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">By Bryan Bennington</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -4.5pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">pictures by Kristine Ellison</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Baby Zin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Vineyards on Fire</span></div>
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</span><br />Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-55293648329758311142012-08-28T07:50:00.000-07:002012-08-28T07:50:10.897-07:00Save the Planet
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<u><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";">Our Earth<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pcHrjjnElM/UDzaLE0spfI/AAAAAAAAAHE/PQ1ZoZDd7Po/s1600/earth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pcHrjjnElM/UDzaLE0spfI/AAAAAAAAAHE/PQ1ZoZDd7Po/s320/earth+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As timeless as the Earth may be,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We are but newborns in history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We discard all things <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Like a handful of stones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">What difference does it make?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Earth moans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Grief, the Earth feels as I view
its mange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nature like history should not
change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Like an ant, I feel helpless here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Only together will we make a
difference I fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If birds and bears can co-exist,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Why cannot we I must insist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Share the path with your neighbor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">View it, smell it and savor, but
do not waiver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Out there in the wilderness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Their eyes are watching I must
confess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Should they speak, they would
protest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Do not leave your mess so far from
the nest!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So if you can, take your hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Refresh the Earth our Mother Land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">From sand to sea, every rock and
tree, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And all creatures including me
will be happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bryan Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-88988208249401731702012-08-02T10:05:00.000-07:002012-08-02T10:25:09.694-07:00Table & Goblet Newsletter August 3, 2012<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in 135.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Annual Extended"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Carneros Creek Winery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in 135.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Before
Pinot Noir became the Box Office hit, this tough to grow grape was receiving
steadfast attention from Francis Mahoney. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Armed with
the enthusiasm of a 25-year-old and confidence in California’s potential to
make world-class wines, Francis Mahoney set out in 1971 with bride, Kathy, to
grow Pinot Noir and make wines that would rival red Burgundies. Undaunted by
Pinot Noir’s reputation as a difficult grape to grow and vinify, Francis
accepted the challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Francis
researched the elements linked with great French Pinot Noirs, noting that the
Burgundians were captivated by the concept of terrior, the combined influence
of climate and place on a wine. Francis found an area similar to Burgundy in
Los Carneros, the appellation that lies across the southernmost portions of the
Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Often obscured by fog and swept by breezes from San
Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Carneros offered cool year-round
temperatures ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Francis
planted Pinot Noir and began 30 years of clonal trials to better understand
some of the hundreds of clonal variations of the variety. In 1972, he built a
small, functional winery and set about using his best tool, a palate honed in
the cellars of Burgundy during his tenure as a wine importer, at Connoisseur
Wine Imports in San Francisco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When the Mahoneys
purchased their land in Carneros, which means ram in Spanish, the land was
mainly comprised with orchards and sheep herds. Under his direction, Carneros
Creek and the U.C. Davis school of Enology and Viticulture conducted the first
research focused on improving California Pinot Noir clones in separate small
lots and then blending these clonal selections in different ways, he could create
several styles of Pinot Noir all of which were stylistically unique
representatives of the varietal. With over 160 acres planted to this one
variety, the next step was to build a state-of–the-art winery to bring out the
best from each clone. The combination of the most modern technology and
viticultural research along with a reverence for Old World methods insures the
success of Carneros Creek as a leading producer of New World Pinot Noir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
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<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
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</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Over the
next 10 years, Francis became the leader in Pinot Noir development in the area
and soon Los Carneros earned the status of AVA, American Viticultural Area.
Carneros Creek gained a reputation of possessing wines that rivaled the
greatest wineries in France. Mr. Mahoney continued to purchase lands and plant
vineyards with clonal varieties that were well suited for the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In 1998,
investors helped turn Carneros Creek Winery into a destination spot and
expanded the facility. Francis found himself becoming more of a winemaker and
was losing focus on what got him to where he was and that was farming. Ken
Foster was hired as winemaker and Francis continued to work the vineyards and
do clonal research along with Ken. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At this
time, Michael Mondavi was looking for an actual winery to produce his brands of
wine: I’m, Oberon, and Hangtime, which were all being made at other facilities.
Therefore, in 2004, Mondavi purchased the Carneros Creek brand and some of the
acreage surrounding the winery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To this
day Francis continues to farm the lands around the winery, which he still owns,
and uses the winery to make his own wines under the Mahoney Vineyards label.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoBTQoK4fhE/UBqxzx0fLmI/AAAAAAAAAG0/CaYbLagD_Ho/s1600/pinot_noir_rose.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoBTQoK4fhE/UBqxzx0fLmI/AAAAAAAAAG0/CaYbLagD_Ho/s1600/pinot_noir_rose.gif" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The two
wines we are tasting this month are from the Fleur de California portfolio.
Although Francis Mahoney does not own the wines, he has a history and
involvement with the wines that put them in a class of their own. Ken Foster is
the winemaker for both wines and he carries the flag for Mahoney while using
the fruit developed in the Carneros AVA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Pinot
Noir Rose is made in a crisp, dry style that is designed to accompany food. The
Fleur Rose combines the typical Carneros Pinot Noir floral and fruit aromas
with a mouthful of fresh strawberry and honeysuckle. The wine has a fresh
mouth-watering finish that cleanses the palate. This delightful wine reminds us
that even though the wine is light in color, it can retain all the character
and beauty of its varietal. Pair this wine with seafood, salads, cheeses,
white-sauced pastas, and your favorite light-medium fare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EF2hFlAZNkg/UBqxxPFb3FI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ZU18dnWjsaM/s1600/petite_north_coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EF2hFlAZNkg/UBqxxPFb3FI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ZU18dnWjsaM/s1600/petite_north_coast.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> Our Petite
Sirah is fabricated from an extremely low yielding vintage, making this wine
highly concentrated with flavor. This wine is dense with intense aromas of
blueberries, peppercorn and nutmeg. Dark in color, once in the mouth, it
explodes in flavors of blackberries, vanilla, spice and a hint of black pepper.
This is a nice quaffing wine that finishes smooth yet bright and is best served
with barbecued pork ribs, teriyaki beef dishes or any type of wild game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">2011 Fleur de California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Pinot Noir Rose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">North Coast, California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Alcohol: 13.05%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Harvest date: Sept. 15- 17, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">No barrel aging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Cold fermentation 55-60</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">⁰</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> F<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Suggested retail: $15.99 750ml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Club price: $14.99 750ml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">2008 Fleur de California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Petite Sirah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">North Coast, California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Alcohol: 13.8%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Harvest date: Sept. 30 – Oct. 18,
2008<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">12 months French Oak barrel aging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Fermentation at 80-90</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">⁰</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> F<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Suggested retail: $15.99 750ml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Club price: $14.99 750ml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-49793634571185740462012-07-22T10:37:00.002-07:002012-07-22T10:37:36.037-07:00I'd rather be in Love<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is Love?<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo-yqbhMrUM/UAwwbkIgfdI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ilCaFsfVxdw/s1600/walking-in-the-park-of-lovers-water-colors-art-600x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo-yqbhMrUM/UAwwbkIgfdI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ilCaFsfVxdw/s320/walking-in-the-park-of-lovers-water-colors-art-600x375.jpg" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If everyone wants love,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why is it so hard to find?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It could be right in front of you,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it goes by without notice.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love is free for the taking,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And costly when abused.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love comes in many ways,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It could be affection, a feeling, or praise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love can be lasting or short lived.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It may be the only way one may feel free.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would you rather feel love than pain?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can love your parents,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or feel the love for a child.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A love for the one you’re with,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is like a like a breath of fresh air,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You just have to remember to keep breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love is a sunny day and birds singing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is gift we all can share but
are afraid to pass on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love is seeing another person’s soul,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And knowing you are exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you see love staring at you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHddjHwsFw0/UAwzX5DyyPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/tm-9rD-kCGQ/s1600/romantical-love-painting-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHddjHwsFw0/UAwzX5DyyPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/tm-9rD-kCGQ/s320/romantical-love-painting-photo.jpg" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love is honest and forgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a beauty you cannot see with your eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love is passion and will,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a riddle with no answer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you in love?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By Bryan Bennington<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-21226382460365725342012-06-16T07:59:00.001-07:002012-06-16T07:59:17.631-07:00June is Ohio Wine Month<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Well folks, it is
official, June is Ohio Wine Month. Oh, what a joy it was to hear myself say
that. I am not kidding…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Just so you know,
Ohio used to be the number one producer of wine in the United States. Of
course, that was when Ohio was the west and nobody had traveled past the
Mississippi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Therefore, with deep
thought and much deliberation I decided to pick two Ohio wines for our club
this month. My method for picking these wines was simply the same as always, to
find wines that were of tremendous quality, wines that represented their terrior
accurately, and wines priced just right. This was so much fun I could hardly
restrain myself. I am sure you are getting as excited as I am, so let us get on
with it…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
history of wine making in Ohio can be traced back to the early 1800's. Nicholas
Longworth, a lawyer from the Cincinnati area, saw the potential of the Ohio
River Valley to become a major producer of wine. In 1820 he planted the first
Catawba grapes. This domestic variety was hearty enough to withstand Ohio
winters and the wine produced from it won quick consumer acceptance. The light,
semi-sweet wine was different from the other strong American wines of the day.
Soon there were many acres of vines growing in the greater Cincinnati area and
by 1845 the annual production was over 300,000 gallons. By 1860, Ohio led the
nation in the production of wine. As crop diseases, such as black rot and
mildew, began to plague the grapes, the Civil war left the grape growers with
little manpower. This led to the demise of wine making in southern Ohio.<o:p></o:p></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="vertical-align: bottom;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-UGeopXet4/T9yeb8ZGDzI/AAAAAAAAAFo/S9mVBSbODVk/s1600/Jacobs%2520Choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-UGeopXet4/T9yeb8ZGDzI/AAAAAAAAAFo/S9mVBSbODVk/s320/Jacobs%2520Choice.jpg" width="102" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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</v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As the
southern vineyards wilted, a new Ohio growing area emerged in the Lake Erie
Islands. The islands had a unique climate; the waters surrounding them provided
a long growing season and insulated the vines from spreading disease. German
immigrants who brought the traditions of wine making with them settled the
islands. By the turn of the century, thousands of gallons of wine were being
produced by dozens of wineries on and near the islands. Vineyards were soon
planted along the entire southern shore of Lake Erie. This narrow strip of
shoreline soon became nicknamed the "Lake Erie Grape Belt."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Then
Prohibition struck the United States and brought disaster to the Ohio wine
making traditions. Some family businesses turned to making wine for sacramental
purposes, others produced juice, and still the majority of land was turned into
industrial land and housing developments. The general grape-oriented economy of
the area collapsed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When
prohibition was repealed in 1933, a few wineries reemerged, but they had a lot
against them: the majority of vineyards were in a state of disrepair,
government restrictions hindered their wine making traditions, and the few
lasting vines had been converted to produce juice grapes. Ohio's one time
status as the top wine producer was gone, and with it a long road to recovery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
turning point for the Ohio Wine industry came in the early 1960's with the
planting of French-American varieties in southern Ohio, encouraged largely by
The Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
in Wooster. The hardy, disease-resistant grapes produced wines similar to the
older European vinifera varieties. Their success in the south encouraged
plantings in the Lake Erie Grape Belt. Since 1965, more than 40 new wineries
have been established across the state and each spring wine makers continue to
plant French-American Hybrids and vinifera varieties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In
1975, a group of innovative wine makers formed the Ohio Wine Producers
Association. Their purpose was and still is to bring together the grape growers
and the wine makers. Through the efforts of the O\VPA, individual members stay
better informed on governmental action, technical advances, and research and
development programs affecting the grape/wine industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
Ohio General Assembly and Governors, James Rhodes and Richard Celeste
established another vital program in 1981. In cooperation with wine makers and
grape growers, the Ohio Grape Industries Program was created and charged with
the development of marketing and research programs to encourage the continuing
revitalization of the fresh grape and grape wine industries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 13.5pt; vertical-align: bottom;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0c9aLoxr8I/T9yedzbt5NI/AAAAAAAAAFw/-tWOE5Kq7_E/s1600/Jesses%252520Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0c9aLoxr8I/T9yedzbt5NI/AAAAAAAAAFw/-tWOE5Kq7_E/s320/Jesses%252520Red.jpg" width="86" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In
the decade of the nineties, one of the significant threats facing the industry
was a lack of quality Ohio grown wine grapes. A major effort to increase
acreage was initiated under the leadership of Governor George Voinovich. Tax
credits, vineyard planting grants, arid the hiring of a state extension
viticulturist are having a positive impact on the total number of wine grape
acres being planted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
results can be seen through the continued success of Ohio wines in national
competitions. In the early 1990, an Ohio Riesling won Best of Show at the
prestigious Sari Francisco State Fair Wine Competition. That award was a
tremendous boost for the Ohio Wine Industry', and a new era of respect emerged.
Other gold medals in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and across the nation have
reinforced Ohio's position as one of the major wine regions of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: bottom;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our
wine picks this month come from Halliday Wines. Halliday’s Winery is named
after Jesse Halliday, Milton Township’s first entrepreneur. Jesse built a grist
mill less than a half mile from the Lake Milton Dam. Our Winery is a tribute to
Jesse and the wonderful history of the Mahoning River Valley and the Lake
Milton area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So, with all that said, I have chosen
Halliday’s Jacob’s choice for our white wine. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Made from slow
ripening grapes, primarily Pinot Gris, creating complex aromas of vanilla,
apples, lime zest, hazelnuts and a hint of floral, rich body, crispy
brightness, spice and fruit flavors enhanced by partial barrel fermentation.
This is a great summer sipper. We recommend consuming this wine chilled
slightly and may be served with cold appetizers. Our red wine is Jesse’s Red.
This is a bold, head turning wine with cabernet notes, a hint of black cherry
and cocoa, balanced with oak and acidity. Jesse’s Red finishes with rich and
robust flavors. This wine is great served at your favorite barbeque or drink
while hanging out with friends and family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">As
President Washington said, “I cannot tell a lie,” and so we cannot either.
These wines are made for Halliday Wines by the Debevc Family from the Grand
River Valley, Ohio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">References:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 135.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.ohiowines.org/">www.ohiowines.org</a>, <a href="http://www.hallidayswinery.com/">www.hallidayswinery.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-72418077396786726232012-05-18T09:58:00.001-07:002012-05-18T09:58:09.757-07:00Pools of Darkness<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pools of Darkness<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I wade in the endless darkness,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tears fill pools that are heartless.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is the depth I flee<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Screams of loneliness surround me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-la_oHrBQyZQ/T7Z_RLZH_pI/AAAAAAAAAFc/rvHG3LlpEx4/s1600/lake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-la_oHrBQyZQ/T7Z_RLZH_pI/AAAAAAAAAFc/rvHG3LlpEx4/s320/lake+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With closed eyes my world is free;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Filled with birds and trees, peace and
harmony.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why can’t this scene be real to me?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A place that’s calm with tranquility.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At night I drown in sorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My heart is calloused, I fear tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reaching for a hand to save me,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The darkness grows I can’t see.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon they say there will come a light.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A time when everything is back to right.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How long do I wait in this pool of tears?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It could be too long my heart fears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hope is waiting, it’s within my grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pleas are useless, my heart cracks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I plunge into the pools to find my way.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The light is there it needs to stay.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I reach for it and pray…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But when I open my eyes I realize,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The dream I’m in has black skies.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deeper into the pools my heart drifts,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until only the darkness exists.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By Bryan
Bennington</span></div>Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-86204553610176226302012-05-03T11:20:00.000-07:002012-05-03T11:20:52.701-07:00Remember America<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Do you
remember when family meant something? When Christmas was celebrated for Christ!
I remember when kids could play in the streets without parental supervision,
(at least until the street lights came on). There was an era before computer
games and the commercial hype of the holidays. When I was a kid, our family
would always eat dinner together at the table. I especially think about the
time when doing your job did not mean just going to work. There was a time when
the American dream was just to get here. Does this mentality still exist? When
you look at your life now, do you fall into all the hypocrisy of today? Here is
the big question; do we take enough time out to actually see America and all
its beauty? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">What do
us, as Americans need to do to get back there? We need to live our lives for a
purpose not just to get something done. We need to celebrate the family because
it brings neighborhoods together. We need to redevelop pride in our work so we
can feel like true Americans. We need to teach our children that playing sports
is exactly that, playing. We need to celebrate what we have, not look past it
all and wish for more. Is this even possible? Ask yourself that question. Is it
too late? What would your dad say about how you celebrate life? What would your
Grandparents think about how you have raised your children? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I know
many of you may think, “I do not fall into these categories.” If you are like
me, you may find yourself with eyes wide open and realize that you are trapped
in an inescapable life style. Then again you may be one of those people that
read this and think, “I did not sign up for this. What does this have to do
with wine?” Well, every month I have to write a newsletter about wine. I have
to tell you sometimes it is hard. Creativity is a gift. If we all received the
same gift every day, we would probably get sick of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFqke0ovB68/T6LKBXLfVGI/AAAAAAAAAFA/wPmNNvVRaBg/s1600/Argentina%2520Vineyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFqke0ovB68/T6LKBXLfVGI/AAAAAAAAAFA/wPmNNvVRaBg/s1600/Argentina%2520Vineyard.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Therefore,
I am choosing to use my gift of writing to ask each of you, who are you as a
person? Whether you have religious beliefs or not, you still have a mind and
your sense of vision. I say we all need to improve ourselves in one way or
another. Each day we should do one thing that will get us back to that place.
What if on Mondays we said, “Hi” to someone we do not know. Starting this week,
reserve Tuesdays for family dinner night. Wednesdays you should go around and
complement anyone for doing a good job. Maybe Thursday we say a prayer for
those less fortunate than us. On Friday go watch your kids play ball or a local
team if you do not have kids and let them know you appreciate them trying even
if they did not win. Saturday, take your loved one out on a date and do
something they want to do. Sunday, it is the last day, what can we do to make the
past week count? How about planning the next week? Yeah, we cannot stop there;
keep going until it all becomes viral. Can you imagine if we all did something
different six days a week, week after week, to rejuvenate the spirit of life?
How will it make you feel to know you have touched another person? Would people
notice and follow your lead? All I can do is try. I know this I can do better! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">As for the
wine, I think I am ready now. I am intellectually open to discuss other
people’s accomplishments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This month
I am taking your palates to Argentina. The wines I have chosen are from Bodega
Poesia. This winery is located in the town of Lujan de Cuyo, in the district of
Mendoza. It is here where a husband and wife, Patrice L</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">v</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">ê</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">que and H</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">l</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">è</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">ne
Garcin-L</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">v</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">êque, </span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">have
joined their knowledge of wine and produced a finished product unique to this
terrior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BSZxo2ETwA/T6LKqfDUzfI/AAAAAAAAAFI/dxjM6O4070w/s1600/POESIA_Malbec_label.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BSZxo2ETwA/T6LKqfDUzfI/AAAAAAAAAFI/dxjM6O4070w/s1600/POESIA_Malbec_label.png" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">As
prestigious owners of famed Chateau’s like Clos L’Eglise, Chateau Barde-Haut,
and Chateau Haut Bergey, they have come to Argentina to produce the finest
wines. Their 13-acre estate is located in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo, which is
considered the finest region for Malbec in Argentina. Our Poesia Malbec comes
from vines planted in 1974. The vineyard and wine are treated with the same
meticulous care that is applied in France to their Grands Crus. The vine
cultivation is 100% natural, no herbicides or pesticides are used and all work
is done by hand. The grapes are hand-harvested, and all the equipment used in
the winemaking process is imported from France in order to guarantee that the
20,000 bottles of Poesia are produced with the same high quality tools, that
they use in France.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Small,
traditional, wooden vats, which are imported, are used in the winery, that
resembles Clos L’Eglise in Pomerol more than a typical Argentinean Bodega.
Malolactic fermentation takes place in new French oak barrels and the wine is
aged for 18 to 20 months. Poesia Malbec is blended with 40% old vine Cabernet
Sauvignon, which comes from the same vineyard. Its aromas and flavors are
unique. Our wine is deep garnet in color with a tinge of purple. The nose
exudes appealing notes of warm blackberries, cassis, mocha and spice. The
palate shows great balance and structure. Ripe, berry fruit fills the mouth
balanced by nice acidity and velvety tannins. The L</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">v</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">ê</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">ques
recommend slightly chilling this red, before consuming, to enhance this
passionate style of wine. This wine’s unique character pushes the flavor index
to an extreme for food pairing. We recommend grilled beefy meats like Flank
steak or a Tri-tip roast. Smoked meats and grilled vegetables will also pair
well with this wine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNbzkIhSnjs/T6LKtWaOiCI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/WQxMGvV_WYo/s1600/POESIA_Torrontes_label.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNbzkIhSnjs/T6LKtWaOiCI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/WQxMGvV_WYo/s1600/POESIA_Torrontes_label.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Our white
wine, also from Bodega Poesia, is a Torrontes. This white grape variety is
becoming popular in Argentina and I feel it is way under the radar as far as a
quality grape varietal goes. Another outstanding effort from H</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">élène and
Patrice, this Torrontes comes from vines with an average age of 25 years. The
wine has a beautiful nose of tropical fruit and spice. On the palate, we pick
up rich lemon, pear and a hint of pineapple. This wine is perfect as an
aperitif or you may serve it with light seafood, chicken or veal.</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-9207515584352725582012-04-06T10:18:00.002-07:002012-04-06T10:18:20.792-07:00I had a Dream...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I had a Dream…</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That someday
all wines would be judged equally…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That all
wines would be graded upon their quality instead of their label or cost…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That each
wine would be tasted with enthusiasm and an open mind…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I had a
Dream…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We could
all gather and appreciate the natural healing power that the grape brings to
all of us…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That food
and wine would pair perfectly without overpowering each other…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I had a
Dream that everyone would like both red and white wines evenly…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Without
prejudice or discrimination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As
spring unveils itself and brings forth life. We too should open our minds to
all the preconceptions of wine and start a new appreciation for the world of
Oenology. My goal this year is to gain a respect for white and red wines alike.
I hope all of us will learn and grow our respect for the farmer, vintner, and
wine itself. This can only be done by directly comparing what a grape has to
offer, no matter where it is grown or who makes the finished product. We will
grow to understand each terroir and appreciate each wine for where it comes
from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GS42ifqXkzQ/T38k77h6t8I/AAAAAAAAAEw/Li-67sX-k-Y/s1600/macon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GS42ifqXkzQ/T38k77h6t8I/AAAAAAAAAEw/Li-67sX-k-Y/s1600/macon2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">This
month we are comparing a Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France and a
Chardonnay from the Colchagua Valley in Chile. Both Chardonnays are of equal
quality but different in so many ways. They come from two different sides of
the equator. One vineyard will be experiencing summer while the other is
chilled with the blanket of winter. What they do have in common is enthusiastic
men and women who want nothing more than to make a perfect wine with the tools
they have been handed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">First,
we will look at the Burgundian Chardonnay. France is without a doubt the most
difficult wine region in the world to understand. Therefore, I will try to
explain it simply without too much detail. In France, nearly all wines are
labeled with their origin instead of the grape variety. The basic wine areas in
France are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Rhone, Provence, Champagne, Alsace
and a couple more with which we will not bother. Burgundy, which is where our
wine is from, is broken down into three basic regions: Chablis, C</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">ô</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">te
d’Or, M</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">â</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">connais.
Within each region is an intricate map of sub-region, then Villages, and
vineyards, all of which are shared by many more farmers than there are
vintners. Our wine is from the village of Saint V</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">ran
located in the M</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">â</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">connais. The
nearest village of great distinction is that of Pouilly-Fuiss</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.
All white wine made within the Mâconnais is 100% Chardonnay and with good
reason. The characteristics held by the terroir here are a perfect match for
the queen of grape varieties. Limestone subsoil, layered with clay and gravel,
along with a warm climate suit the Chardonnay grape. What determines the
distinction between one Village’s wines to the next are the undulating
differences in the soil. Saint-V</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">ran
is distinct due to its red chalky soil and the gravel turning into sand, which
brings an acidity and minerality to the wine that, is not found in some of the
neighboring villages. The southeast facing vineyards, which rise a mere 300-500
feet, appreciate the sunshine that caresses its fruit. This wine sees no oak
during the winemaking process. Our wine is fruity with aromas and flavors of white
peach, pear, granny smith apple, a flinty minerality and a bit of honeyed-petrol.
Food pairings for our Saint-V</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">é</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">ran are
monkfish, lightly seasoned chicken with a cream sauce, prawns and goat cheese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jo3ZafGFGs/T38lEn6-DGI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Z-C64vnLgj4/s1600/montgras%252520%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jo3ZafGFGs/T38lEn6-DGI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Z-C64vnLgj4/s320/montgras%252520%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now,
we will jump 8400 nautical miles over the Atlantic Ocean, the Equator, and the
whole continent of South America to the vineyards of Chile. The most dynamic
thing about Chilean wine country is the fact it is the only region in the world
that has never been invaded by the destructive aphid Phylloxera. This is due to
the sandy Atacama Desert to the north, the Andes Mountains to the east, the
Pacific Ocean to the west and Antarctica to the south. The climate is generally
Mediterranean with day after day of warm sunshine, little rainfall and an
unpolluted atmosphere. The soils here are different from those of Burgundy.
Chile has fine textured clay, loam silt, and granite derived from volcanic
slopes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The
low humidity, maritime influence and the cooling breeze from the Andes Mountain
range generate an ideal condition for grape growing. Temperatures fluctuate as
much as 40</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">F from mid-day to
mid-night in the Colchagua Valley, giving the grapes additional hang time and a
long molecular chain responsible for the aromas and taste of the fruit. It is
here where the vineyards range from 1500-3000 feet in altitude. MontGras is at
the top of their class when it comes to environmental responsibility; they know
the unique geographical situation they are a part of and they take their
farming and winemaking technique seriously, while maintaining the natural
surroundings. All these dynamics, combined with skillful winemaking make our
MontGras Chardonnay unique. This white wine is aged for six months, 40% in oak
and the remainder in stainless steel. Tropical fruit aromas, and flavors of
apricots and honey combined with vanilla, peach and pear flavors, invite foods
such as Hawaiian pork kabobs, grilled jerk chicken, and Alaskan Salmon with
mango chutney.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-82748743724086773612012-02-14T14:14:00.001-08:002012-02-14T14:14:26.533-08:00East versus West<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This is
the year of wine wars! One of my goals this year is to do wine comparisons, so
we can determine the actual difference terroir makes in the chemistry of a
wine. The French define all the elements that can change the flavor profile of
a grape as terroir. These elements include soil composition, precipitation,
latitude, sun exposure, degree of angle of which the vines are planted and
elevation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This month
we are comparing a Barbera from Italy’s Lombardy region, which is the northern
most wine region of Italy, and a Barbera from Mendocino County in California,
which is located just north of Sonoma Valley. The wineries we choose are
Cantina di Casteggio from Italy and Fattoria Enotria from California. We chose these
wines based on their geographical location and the quality of the wine, not
specifically because of the winery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Terroir is
an interesting thing when discussed in the wine industry. Many winemakers will
state that their ultimate goal is “to make top quality wines that express the
true terroir of the vineyard.” Well, if every winemaker makes this statement
what makes one wine better than the next? My answer is sustainability. In order
for true terroir to be expressed, the most important thing a winemaker can do
is make sure the vineyards are cared for without the influence of humans. This
means doing without man made herbicides and pesticides to control the outcome of
the crop. If terroir is nature nurturing the vine, than a wine made to define
it should not be influenced by man!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmpT70cgktw/TzrWGANoOxI/AAAAAAAAAEg/LBs2yA4UCj0/s1600/enobarbara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmpT70cgktw/TzrWGANoOxI/AAAAAAAAAEg/LBs2yA4UCj0/s200/enobarbara.jpg" width="185" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Mendocino
County (AVA), American Viticulture Area, is the northernmost wine-growing
region of California. The landscape is a breathtaking span of rolling
hillsides, monstrously tall trees and rugged coastline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are more organic vineyards located here
than any other AVA in the country. Most of the vineyards are scattered across
the foothills and the tree-blanketed mountains. The Barbera grapes grown here
benefit from the shallow rocky soil, good drainage and sunny southern exposure.
The trees and mountains shield the vines from strong winds and the average
precipitation from bud break to harvest is 6 inches. The mean temperature year
round only fluctuates about 10 degrees, with the average temperatures of 60</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">F during
the day and 50</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">F during
the evening. Compare this to the temperature fluctuation in Monterey, which can
go from 102</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">F down to
50</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">F from one
side of the valley to the other (yes that is at the same time of day). The last
terroir factor for our Enotria is the latitude of around 40</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">°</span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> that puts
the vineyards on the same plain as Ohio, Portugal, Spain and Southern Italy. A
huge contributing factor to this wine is the fact that is was aged for 24
months in French and American oak. This process brings soft tannins and a hint
of smoke and oak to the bouquet of this wine. The resulting characteristics of
this wine are a dark purplish-garnet hue with flavors of blackberry,
boysenberry, plum, and toasty oak, the tannins are soft and the acidity is
slightly racy. Recommended food pairings for this wine are pasta with ragu sauce
(not the brand Ragu), grilled lamb chops or grilled Gorgonzola cheeseburgers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhDA7XPtNXk/TzrcoVEK_NI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ms5vLRuwYuc/s1600/205853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhDA7XPtNXk/TzrcoVEK_NI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ms5vLRuwYuc/s1600/205853.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Our second
wine from Casteggio is located on the 45<sup>th</sup> latitude. That puts our
Barbera in the company of Champagne France, the Ice wines of Canada and the elegant
wines of Oregon and Washington. Lombardy is situated between the DOC
(denominazione di Origine Controllata) of Piedmonte and Romagna in Northern
Italy, Viticulture has been traced back 3000 years in this region. The
vineyards sit on the foothills of the Apennines Mountains and the Po River just
to the south. The vines in Oltrepo benefit from well-drained soil rich in clay,
which supplies plenty of acidity to the ripe fruit at harvest. Pinot Noir is
also grown abundantly here because of the terroir. Remember these vineyards are
on the same playing field as Burgundy and Oregon the two most highly rated
Pinot regions in the world. Rainfall in the Po River valley averages 21 inches
from April through September, much more precipitation during the growing season
compared to Mendocino County. The Po valley also contains morainic gravel left
behind by Glaciers thousands of years ago. As for the temperatures in Lombardy,
they are significantly higher than those in northern California are, with
summer time highs in the upper 80s and nighttime temperatures dipping down into
the 60s. I can tell you this; the Italian Barbera definitely has a distinctive nose
and flavor profile that I associate with Italy. If you have ever been there you
know what I mean. This wine never saw an oak barrel, it is 100% stainless steel
aged. The wine shows a delicate ruby color. Aromas of ripe cherry and
bramble berry turn into flavors of dark fruit and spice with a slight minerality
component. I need to mention that Casteggio is a co-op of 50 growers and
together they made a great wine. Food pairings for this wine are ham and
salami, as well as barbecued meats and vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I went
back and forth with these two terrific wines and I love both of them. However,
I would decide which one to serve according to the meal prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "AvantGarde Md BT","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Overall, I
think the California Barbera is richer in flavor than the Italian version, even
though it is grown in a cooler climate. However, I feel the Italian Barbera is
more elegant and food friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-38894155337584434192012-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:05:06.165-08:00Waiting for the SnowmanWell folks,<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5yWRgHZW-I/TxgvyNLqQZI/AAAAAAAAAEY/0lw03MWsRLk/s1600/P11277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5yWRgHZW-I/TxgvyNLqQZI/AAAAAAAAAEY/0lw03MWsRLk/s200/P11277.jpg" width="200" /></a>It is January in Ohio and we have been pretty lucky so far, as far as snow accumulation goes. However, I am waiting for this double sock-it-to-me front to come in and blast us with some real white stuff. <br />
<br />
As the snow falls, I will be cooking my usual Chinese staples for a celebration Saturday. I will be serving a Pinot Grigio from Bosco dei Cirmioli. This is a nice little bottle of wine; crisp, sweet-tart flavors of pears and citrus, very refreshing. I think it will help tame the heated flavors of my Kung Pao.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfr-Ibgsg0k/Txgvn-J4lOI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Wnjqa0X7bXU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfr-Ibgsg0k/Txgvn-J4lOI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Wnjqa0X7bXU/s200/images.jpg" width="133" /></a>Also, last night while I was planning this meal, I had a glass of Bordeaux my buddy Frank asked me to try. Frank I gotta tell you, I was impressed. The 2009 Chateau Davril was ripe and smooth. The wine had terrific fruit flavors of currant, blackberry and a hint of spicy earth. An outstanding value at $11.99 750ml. This is a great wine to pair with grilled burgers, pasta and meatballs (which is what I had) or Steak and fries. Way to go Frank.<br />
<br />
Maybe after dinner my daughter and I will build a snowman.<br />
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<br />Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-35251460752079188962011-12-28T06:36:00.000-08:002011-12-29T11:12:53.538-08:00Cab CornerOnce a year my friends and I get together and blow it out. Phil is always gracious enough to host the venue and supply tremendous appetizers, as well as great wine. It is typical that everyone who comes to the party should bring something; it could be a dish to share or a bottle of wine sure to impress. Actually, it has become somewhat of an unspoken challenge to bring a wine that no one has had before or better yet a bottle on someones bucket list.<br />
My favorite foods of the evening were: homemade pasta sauce, castelvetrano olives, roasted pork tenderloin (Phil's specialty) and a Riesling cake. The wines were numerous and all quite good. However, there were a couple of block busters.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2EvEz-v0Vw/Tvs2LjFOGqI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Kr-rRlj5H_o/s1600/919625276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2EvEz-v0Vw/Tvs2LjFOGqI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Kr-rRlj5H_o/s1600/919625276.jpg" /></a>It seems the night was dedicated to the king, Cabernet Sauvignon. I brought a bottle of 2009 Vineyard 29 CRU Cabernet. The wine has Philippe Melka oozing out of it. I love his wines and even though the 29 CRU is reasonably priced at around $50 (Bryant Family sells for $300) the wine showed his style of deep fruit, fine tannins, and a multi-layered finish. Aromas and flavors of cassis, raspberry, cherry, pepper, cocoa, and toasted coffee were identifiable immediately. The wine only needed 15 minutes to open and show off its racy youth. I believe this wine will smooth out over the next five years and taste even better.<br />
<br />
I think Frank brought my favorite wine of the evening. We were blessed to try a 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet. The Caymus went through proper decanting and breathing procedures before we were allowed to meet its acquaintance. I was able to try this wine two times. The first time, it presented itself as a bit tight and uncomplicated, even though the fruit aromas were developing nicely. It smelled ripe with cassis, vanilla, spice, and plum. The tannins were fine and integrated but they were blocking the wines full potential. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myNf1WWNjJQ/Tvs2GmJrGaI/AAAAAAAAAD0/JJd3gKbgiDg/s1600/caymus-napavalleycab-label153x203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myNf1WWNjJQ/Tvs2GmJrGaI/AAAAAAAAAD0/JJd3gKbgiDg/s1600/caymus-napavalleycab-label153x203.jpg" /></a>Later in the evening, while everyone else was onto the next wine of the night, I found old man Caymus resting on the counter; I think they all forgot he has there. I dared to pour another taste. Raising my glass with nobody around, I felt like I was stealing something, I reintroduced the Cabernet to my palate. WOW! The wine had sat for an hour and turned into a silky goblet of fruit. The tannins had softened and allowed the full development of the fruit and accenting aromas to step forward. I read this morning that the 2008 was the first year Caymus blended Merlot into this wine. I think it showed great foresight and I believe the Merlot helped the wine achieve a silky, smooth, almost symphonic texture.<br />
<br />
I love discovering these beauties.Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-8748298873966603452011-12-27T12:17:00.000-08:002011-12-27T12:17:06.821-08:00Merry ChristmasThe past four weeks have been chaos and work weeks with 70 hours of physical labor. We shipped 1500 gift baskets out in three weeks. Now it is time for a little relaxation.<br />
<br />
It is Christmas Eve and I am preparing dinner; roasted chicken breast with Penzey's Fox Point Seasoning, oven roasted potato wedges, roasted corn and green peas. The plates are going to look so festive. I definitely deserve a glass of wine tonight.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWCANYkDFpc/TvonZQOPdoI/AAAAAAAAADQ/NCzD9APqiHc/s1600/215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWCANYkDFpc/TvonZQOPdoI/AAAAAAAAADQ/NCzD9APqiHc/s1600/215.jpg" /></a>Down the steps I go. What is in the cellar that will go great with this simple but flavorful meal? I think a white wine, a Chardonnay even. What do I have from Cameron Hughes? I see a Santa Barbara lot 180, Arroyo Seco lot 273, I got it; this is the winner, Willamette Valley lot 215. <br />
<br />
Cameron Hughes wines always come through for me; red or white it doesn't matter. His wines start with great fruit from great vineyards. Cameron seems to nail it every time when it comes to complete balance of his wines. He brings the best out of his juice, great fruit on the palate, balanced acidity, and character that is true to each AVA designation.<br />
<br />
This Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley, Oregon is perfect. The nose is packed with gold delicious apple and danjou pear aromas. The flavors are a harmonious combination of apple, pear, lime and a minerality that finishes on the palate. I can taste the vanilla, from malolactic fermentation. Love, love, love this Chardonnay. The only thing is C.H. sells out of these lot numbers quickly, so I don't know if I'll be able to get more.<br />
<br />
Christmas morning. It has been four weeks since I had an opportunity to sleep in and I wake up at 4:30 am. Oh well, we have 30 people coming over for brunch so I guess I will get started. I put up the tables, helped prep the food and most importantly I have the beverage department ready. O.J., milk, Martinelli's Sparkling juice for the kids, Asti for Mimosas, and I am trying something new this year; I call it my Holiday Spritzer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5ec6aFEJ5E/Tvong93ht5I/AAAAAAAAADc/7fUG1qESi-4/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5ec6aFEJ5E/Tvong93ht5I/AAAAAAAAADc/7fUG1qESi-4/s200/untitled.png" width="200" /></a>This drink is so simple. Just mix 50% Martini & Rossi Rose with 50% Oceanspray White Cranberry-Peach. You can decorate the rim of the flute with a long pick spearing sugar coated cranberries and a mint leaf. This is definitely a girly drink, but the low alcohol and juice is inviting at 10:00 am.<br />
<br />
Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year Everyone.<br />
<br />
Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639842095197041327.post-36653124970163183092011-11-01T10:31:00.000-07:002011-11-02T03:39:11.206-07:00Experiment gone right<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night I went over my buddy's house to have a glass of wine. I had made Paella the night before and brought the left-overs to share (it was awesome). I also brought a bottle of wine I thought would go well with the meal, 2006 Numanthia.<br />
<br />
Upon arrival at Phil's house we microwaved the Paella and Phil picked a bottle of his choice to share;<br />
he came up from his cellar carrying a bottle of 2000 Giacosa Fratelli Barolo. We opened both wines and decanted them. We talked about cars and houses. We started discussing his trip to California and the wines Phil and his girlfriend picked out. We always get on the subject of what if? What if we dropped everything and started a bed & breakfast that had a vineyard. <br />
<br />
We often talk about pooling our assets together and buying a fixer-upper. Phil is a great carpenter and I'm pretty good at almost everything. We started talking about wine blending and what wines we could make that were unique. Then he did it. Out of nowhere Phil grabbed the Barolo and poured it into his glass of Numanthia. Noooo....I thought you can't do that. It happened so suddenly it almost took place in slow motion.<br />
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What? Phil looked at me and said this is really good. So I committed the same sin and made the concoction. This time we made sure to mix about 50% of each wine together and swirled it vigorously. we let the wine sit for a few minutes before we tasted it the second time. To my amazement the two wines combined were better than either by themselves. Could this be a breakthrough? <br />
<br />
To our knowledge no one has ever blended Nebbiolo and Tinta de Toro (Tempranilla) grapes together. I will say, the Spanish 2006 was a great year as well as the 2000 from Piedmont. We had to come up with a name for the wine. It had an earthiness, fine tannins and integrated acidity from the Barolo; plus it showed sun drenched dark fruits and spice from the Tempranilla. I thought we should call it Zeus. The god of earth and sky with his lightning bolt connecting the two.<br />
<br />
Well, the experiment was a success and the wine was gone. We were able to share a wine that may never be duplicated again, because of the wines and the vintage years. But who knows maybe someday we will own a vineyard and it will contain Nebbiolo and Tempranilla vines. Maybe, we will even bottle a red blend and call it Zeus.<br />
<br />
Maybe someday.<br />
<br />Market Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513886885641934914noreply@blogger.com0