I discovered the following article online tonight and, just for ducks, thought I’d share it with my bloggership. From my own research, I’ll have to agree with the author’s opinion that “more good-quality, low-cost wine is available to consumers now than at any point in history.” The notion that he’ll consider food/wine pairings sure catches my attention. Perhaps Mr. Shriver will next scope out wineries within proximity of hiking trails! I hope you’ll enjoy reading the article.

BY JERRY SHRIVER
USA TODAY With summer on the horizon and wine lovers beginning their search for bargain bottles that can be enjoyed for a season’s worth of casual entertaining, now seems like a good time to announce a new feature at USA Today.

On Friday, we will launch a wine blog on usatoday.com called Cheers. Every day, I’ll post a recommendation of a bottle that costs $15 or less in stores and that is available in most major markets. Working with wines I encounter in trade tastings, wine-judging competitions, restaurants and bottles I buy on my own, plus samples sent by wineries, I’ll sort and select the ones that stand out from the crowd.

The idea is to test the oft-repeated assertion that more good-quality, low-cost wine is available to consumers now than at any point in history. I think this is true, given advances in technology and the entrance of many more wine-producing nations on the world stage, but I really won’t know for certain until I take an in-depth look. I’ll describe what the wine tastes like, and sometimes I’ll suggest an accompanying dish. As always, I’ll be looking for character: A Cabernet should taste like a Cabernet, even at $9.

~winehiker

I recently decided to explore the East Bay Hills in an area near Hayward, California, just south of Oakland. Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park promised to be an area of open grasslands and green velvety hillsides worth exploring. So, I put a group of hikers together and we met this morning for a romp-n-stomp. There were 11 of us, and none of us had ever been there before. It didn’t appear to matter, however, that we were all going to tread new ground.

Hey, sometimes that what it’s about, right? Discovering new territory, seeing new places, enjoying the possibilities of the new and different. And sharing it with like-minded folks.

I had originally planned a ridge run loop that would be about 10 miles. Alas, we didn’t complete the entire loop. For the first time I can recall in a very long time, I found myself suffering - in real pain - and proposing to the group that we cut the hike short.

Fortunately all agreed and, having completed about 6 miles, we returned to the trailhead. We had already planned on a post-hike picnic, though, and by the time we had returned, the low clouds that had covered us all morning had largely burned off and the day was becoming most pleasant. I was glad to remove my pack, having felt shooting pains on the left side of my neck and down my left shoulder. As we picnicked, it was good to have my friend Gary P. there with his delicious supply of home-made Merlot, a liquid anesthetic that I found most refreshing.

The fact that we lingered awhile, noshing our bounty, admiring the green hillsides, dreamily soaking up the day’s warmth and enjoying each other’s company found us all glad to be together - even though some of us were strangers to one another - and wishing we didn’t have to leave.

Some days are like that, you know? It feels good to know that, even when things can feel rotten in some respects, people can pull together to simply be happy about where they are and who they’re with. I count myself among the very thankful that I associate with such good folks. Far be it from me - pain notwithstanding - to rain on such a parade. In fact I was quite happy to just be where I was with such an engaging group.

It’s because of such moments as this that I do what I do on the hills and trails of California. Despite days that can challenge me beyond the realm of comfort, I am glad to take comfort in what really counts, and that’s the desire of people to be the best they can be with each other. And sometimes, that’s enough to pull the pain right out of me.

~winehiker

Did you know that the San Francisco Bay Area has more miles of hiking trails per capita than nearly any other region in North America?

Yup, it does.

Don’t ask me how I know that - it’s a conclusion I’ve reached over the last year or so, having scoured many dozens of websites, blogs, forums, and newsletters, and having spoken to folks who love to hike.

When you add that to the amazing supply of California wineries in the Bay Area - and the great wines that they produce - you can see the potential for winehiking as the next big thing to appeal to active vacationers near and far.

Just think about it for a moment. There’s an incredible number of people who simply love to get outdoors for fresh air and exercise. Whether it’s to provide balance to stressful lives, whether it’s discovering new places, or whether it’s being with friends doing fun things, pursuing outdoor activities is very much a California pastime, if not also a favorite activity the world over. Of the percentage of the population that is active outdoors, I’ve seen evidence which indicates that the greater bulk are fond of hiking.

By the same token, a very large percentage of the world population reveres fine wine. And that population is growing. It doesn’t hurt that medical experts are expounding wine consumption - in moderation, of course - as a very healthy way to combat Nature’s ills. Add that to the notion that in recent years, not only are more people worldwide drinking wine, but they are drinking higher-quality wine for a relatively reasonable price - especially in California - and you have the makings of a true winehiking revolution.

I wish I could give you hard numbers. But I’ll leave that to the industry analysts. All I can say is that I believe I’ve got something good here with this notion of winehiking.

I hope you agree. And if you do, let me know your thoughts. Please, whether I’ve met you personally or not. Because I’d really like to know what you think. Just click the “leave a response” link below to share your feedback, your rebuttal, your experience - even your passion.

Do you think there’s a future in winehiking? Because you read this blog, chances are that you do.

~winehiker

A technical writer by trade, I am sometimes stifled in my ability - or inclination, perhaps - to write with creativity. It is most painful, of course, when I realize I haven’t blogged for well over a week.

I’m sorry about that.

And I’m not feeling particularly creative tonight, either - the magic that can come by and by with the sipping of the liquid red ambition thus far escapeth mine fickle writing sensibilities.

So, as in the past, I have once again taken refuge in John Muir’s “The Mountains Of California” for inspiration. And, after experiencing a longer-than-usual wet winter season, from which swollen rivers come, I want to share a passage with you from Muir’s chapter, “The River Floods.” It reminds me of a moment from last week when I sauntered across a bridge over Alameda Creek at Sunol Regional Park on a quite stellar - and long-awaited - Spring day. It also encapsulates what I feel, if not what I am able to say.

And so, I humbly yield unto the living prose of Mr. Muir:

The glad creek rose high above its banks and wandered from its channel out over many a briery sand-flat and meadow. Alders and willows waist-deep were bearing up against the current with nervous trembling gestures, as if afraid of being carried away, while supple branches, bending confidingly, dipped lightly and rose again, as if stroking the wild waters in play. Leaving the bridge and passing on through the storm-thrashed woods, all the ground seemed to be moving. Pine-tassels, flakes of bark, soil, leaves, and broken branches were being swept forward, and many a rock fragment, weathered from exposed ledges, was now receiving its first rounding and polishing in the wild streams of the storm. On they rushed through every gulch and hollow, leaping, gliding, working with a will, and rejoicing like living creatures.

Ah…. It sure puts boots on your feet, doesn’t it?

~winehiker