Take a walk down the aisles of some wine shops and you feel like you are reading Page 6 of the New York Post or you’ve stumbled into Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. You will find crooner Frank Sinatra, golfer Arnold Palmer and race car driver Mario Andretti. Rocker Mick Fleetwood, chef Emeril Lagasse and actress Marilyn Monroe are there, too. An interesting read from Lyke2Drink.

read more | digg story

One of the U.S.’ oldest conservation organizations, the National Audubon Society, has publicly declared its support for continued wind development and its belief that the climate crisis poses a much bigger risk to our feathered friends than wind turbine blades.

read more | digg story

Because blogs influence the public, The Blog Conversation Project by The Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard is a research study seeking to develop methods of automatically reading and coding a large sample of blogs. Check it out - it’s interesting reading.

read more | digg story

• The Week in Wine Reviews
  A digestible review of other bloggers’ wine reviews with characteristic sweetness, acidity, and flavorful body but without the dyspeptic finish.
  (tags: wine review digest amalgamated this week winehiker blog el noche del bubbly sparkler merlot sweettoothjonny qbrain pb nnn)
• Tag A Cloud - Get Hits, Get Traffic, Get Tagged..
  Add a tag. Or, click on one!
  (tags: add a tag cloud winehiker winehiking viral marketing)

I’d rather not catch a virus if I can instead send a “viral marketing” infection to the great Cloud that is the Internet. Tonight I discovered an interesting way to “go viral”, and you can see it over in the sidebar to your right.

But I’m not sure; I really don’t think you should click on it. I probably shouldn’t dare you to click on it, either. (Even though I can overtly promise that you won’t get any computer cooties.)

But it might be fun to see what happens.

~winehiker

With El Noche Del Bubbly approaching, this wine blog would be remiss to not profile at least one sparkler. And while I prefer my fermented fizzies a la Brut, I was charmed enough by the loquaciousness, if not the outright usable information, offered by the Wine for Newbies characterization of the 100%-Chardonnay 2002 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs to pass it along to you.

(Geez, talk about loquaciousness!)

At any rate, it’s not clear who the author of this blog/podcast is. So for the sake of acronymic reference, I’ll call him “NNN” for “Not Nearly Newbie” or “Notorious No Name” - take your pick.

Nevertheless, I respect NNN’s willingness to tell it like it is:

“The good folks at Schramsberg in Calistoga, CA, were kind enough to send me a bottle of their Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine to evaluate. I agreed to accept a sample on the condition that I would not promise that the wine would be reviewed, or if it was, that the review would be glowing. I’m happy to tell readers and listeners about good wines I run across, but if I run across a dud, I’m going to say so. (Of course, what I think is a dud may be a treasure to someone else, so as with all reviews, take them with a grain of salt.) I received the sample free of charge, and I want to make sure I disclose that fact. I’m not like Robert Parker, who has the resources to buy every wine he reviews.”

Hmm. I’d be content with merely disclosing that I received the bottle as a press sample and let the bubbly tell the story. But I’m a sucker for the downright unabashed truth. Not surprisingly, NNN’s review of the Schramsberg is just as assuagingly capacious as his disclosure. However, I leave it to you, dear reader, click over to Wine for Newbies to peruse the remainder of NNN’s effervescent critique.

“PB”, one of three oenophiles writing for the Winecask blog, boasts over 25 years following his wine-tasting hobby but, according to Winecask, “has never had the luxury of an abundance of discretionary funds so his real experience, though vast, lies with the inexpensive end of the wine spectrum.”

That’s not to say that PB writes cheaply. He characterizes the 2001 Lenz Winery “Old Vine” Merlot, produced in the North Fork of Long Island, as:

“a nice medium garnet-colored pour with a dark core and a bouquet of faint green peppers with a center of spice and berries. Even on opening there are some nice layers happening here.
“In the mouth the first taste is rich with some more spice but everything is tightly wound. It needs to be breathed for a half hour so more.

“Now the flavors are layered again with a clear eucalyptus aroma, and dark berry fruit as well as other ‘things’ just popping up, fading out then something else, unsweetened baker’s chocolate (?) takes its place.

“This wine is rather elegant and really well made; balanced through and through. With a little more time breathing there is just more fruit and everything else all flowing together in a round wine that is just plain wonderful. This CAN’T be a New York wine can it?”

Apparently wines from Lenz are quite good. And no, I don’t necessarily deduce that from PB’s eloquent words, even if he and I both find his tasting experience somewhat incredulous. (A New York Merlot? From New York??) Yet Lenz Winery has actually done quite well in a taste-off against a few spectacular Bordeaux Chateaux.

Can’t wait to try one, PB.

“QBrain” must have turned off the gingko biloba supply to his intracranial contents prior to writing this - apparently his first - wine review. In his sole wine-related Food category entry, QBrain finds himself so consumed by his rant that he forgets to tell us the vintage of the hapless Electric Reindeer Cabernet Sauvignon, which ostensibly is a good Christmas marketing ploy for bad Christmas merrymaking plonk.

Rants QBrain:

“Absolutely SUCKS. Luckily, I didn’t pay for it. Even better, I did not make the mistake of giving it as a Christmas gift myself, but I will keep it in mind the next time I am socially obligated to give a gift to someone I dislike.

“I wonder if my sister-in-law hates me?”

I (a) halfheartedly (b) vaguely (c) shudder to wonder if QBrain will be gifting us with more wine reviews in the future.

Jonathan, a.k.a. “sweettoothjonny“ at The Poet’s Growlery writes about a chance encounter with a Riesling from Germany’s 12,000-acre Nahe region. The Nahe is an area that boasts a number of bizarre rock cliffs, including the Rotenfels, which is billed as the biggest rock face north of the Alps. I mention it because it shelters a narrow terraced vineyard at its base, one of the most famous in the region.

It is also the source of the Schloss Backelheim grapes. Quotes sweettoothjonny:

“This Nahe Riesling is a masterful demonstration of how good acidity can balance sugar to create a brilliantly textured and deliciously tasty wine. Though rolling out of the bottle with a frothy pour it quickly settles into a light straw color, quickly fading into the clear. The bouquet is markedly dry, perfumed with ripe pear, soft apple, bright tartar, and metal or stone. Despite being a rather sugary Spatlese, the acidity keeps the sweetness from dominating the wine, resulting in an unexpected creaminess.

“In fact, it could hardly be described as a sweet wine. It would be fantastic as an aperitif, or with clams, turkey, duck or a vinegary citrus salad. Be careful though, you can down the whole bottle without even thinking. We gave it a 90 (on the Parker Scale). At only $35, this I highly recommend you check out this QmP Riesling.”

Golly, I hope this Spatlese was sweet enough for ‘jonny’s tooth. I admit that I’ve been in a “red” mood these last cool winter nights, but having read sweettoothjonny’s post, I’m tempted to drink this white tonight. All I’ve got that’s close, however, is a 2004 Gottelmann Riesling Kabinett Trocken Munsterer Kapellenberg, also from the Nahe region, that supposedly has a delicate floral bouquet with honeysuckle, pear, and white peach aromas with the acidity and flavors of lemon peel, lime, minerals, crisp pear, and a long, clean finish.

OK, then! It’s quittin’ time.

Happy New Year, everyone!

~winehiker

• Food and Wine Blogs Online from LocalWineEvents.com
  With Chicago-style voting, anyone can stuff the ballot box. Who should you vote for? Why, the Winehiker, who promises a wineglass in every hand.
  (tags: vote voting wine chicago style winehiker blog blogs blogger blogging californiawinehikes.com winehiking)
• The Winehiker’s Trail Tips No. 1: Basic Gear
  Veteran hikers and adventure travelers have learned many tough lessons from their travels, and we can learn from them by carrying essential gear on the trail.
  (tags: gear basic hike hikes hiking hiker essential winehiker trail tips californiawinehikes.com)
• The Winehiker’s Trail Tips No. 2: Optional Hiking Gear
  Assuming you have room in your pack, you’re going to want to carry items that don’t quite fall into the “need” category, but certainly fill the bill within the “want” category.
  (tags: gear optional hike hikes hiking hiker essential winehiker trail tips californiawinehikes.com want)
• Meme Mia! | Marketing Profs Daily Fix Blog
  Ann Handley sez: “At first I thought the ‘Five Things’ meme was a bit of a drag - a silly indulgence that was more work than it appeared. But I’ve grown to see it differently.”
  (tags: five things meme blog blogs bloggers blogging daily fix)

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about basic gear - those hiking and travel items that I consider to be the most essential items for having with you every time you venture outdoors.

Basic gear items, I believe, fall into the “need” category, because sooner or later, in some remote location, you’re going to need every item of basic gear that you carry. Naturally, assuming you still have room in your pack, you’re going to want to carry additional items that don’t quite fall into the “need” category, but certainly fill the bill within an optional, or “want” category.

Therefore today I discuss optional hiking gear - those things that can enhance your outdoor experience when you carry them along with you, but are OK to be without. Some of you may think you need some or all of these things, but that’s largely going to be a matter of personal preference. Unlike basic gear, the question concerning optional gear is not “will I need this?” but “do I want to carry this with the expectation of not using it?”

The truth is, all things being equal, that you can’t apply the same level of value to your need for a camera or a pair of gloves as compared to your more important need for water or sunscreen.

Some people find optional gear useful on the trail, if not entirely essential, especially on some of the more lengthy, rigorous, or multi-day hikes. Often, the type of hike you are planning will determine the necessity of certain items that might otherwise be considered optional gear; examples include gaiters for descending talus slopes, a spotting scope for birding, and headlamps for caving.

As you prepare for an outdoor adventure, and after you are certain that you’ve packed all of your basic gear, consider adding the following items to your pack or your person.

• Baseball cap or similar (as a substitute for a wide-brimmed hat)
• Binoculars or spotting scope
• Bivouac sack (often called a “bivy sack”)
• Book (bird, tree, and flower finders, for example)
• Camera, film
• Change of underwear (could be considered essential)
• Digital Compact Flash recording device (for taking verbal notes/voice recording)
• First aid kit, including moleskin (could be considered essential)
• Gaiters
• Gloves, glove liners
• Guidebook (in addition to an essential trail map)
• Headlamp (essential at times)
• Insect repellent with DEET (or without, depending on your allergenic response)
• Journal & pen
• Matches
• Nutrition bars (e.g., Clif Bars or Luna; GU works well as a pick-me-up on the trail)
• Quick-dry travel towel
• Rain poncho
• Signal mirror (some might consider this item essential; most don’t own one)
• Small hairbrush/comb
• Trekking poles
• Water purifying tablets or water filtration kit
• Wool shirt or fleece vest (i.e., warm clothing)
• Ziploc bags or plastic grocery bags for food and trash

Special considerations

They may not seem necessary when you’re out on the trail, but the following items can be more than necessary at times, and are therefore worth considering.

• Contact lens solution or back-up glasses
• Ibuprofen, antihistamine, aspirin, prescription medications
• Foot remedies

In my next Trail Tips post, I’ll discuss “best practice” guidelines for enjoying the outdoors, which some folks collectively term wilderness etiquette. Meanwhile, if you have questions about the above lists or believe that they’re missing something crucial, I invite your input; just click leave a response below.

And while you’re anticipating my next Trail Tip, take a look at my current list of winehiking tours to be guided by yours truly along the trails and the tasting rooms of the California wine country.

Also see:

• The Winehiker’s Trail Tips No. 1: Basic Hiking Gear
• The Winehiker’s Trail Tips No. 3: Wilderness Etiquette

~winehiker

• Tag, I’m It! Five Things You Don’t Know About Me
  A game of “getting to know you” is reaching its insidious tentacles throughout the blogosphere, and I have been summarily “tagged”.
  (tags: five things blog blogs bloggers blogging)
• The Winehiker’s 10 Most Popular Posts in 2006
  The year 2006 found my boot heels wandering in several directions in the winehiking blogosphere. “The Winehiker’s 10 Most Popular Posts in 2006″ tells you where.
  (tags: hiking blog wine blogger blogging top 10 most popular winehiker winehiking posts californiawinehikes.com)

The year 2006 found my boot heels wandering in several directions in the winehiking blogosphere. A look at my FeedBurner and 103bees statistics helped me to identify my 10 most popular posts of the year on Winehiker Witiculture; perhaps they are also the most meaningful.

Many thanks go to those who suggested the following topics, or in some way inspired me while sippin’ or saunterin’.

10. Wine Review: 1994 Staglin Cabernet, Rutherford Bench, Napa Valley
9. Walking with Cactus Ed
8. In Memorium to a profound man
7. Legendary Football Coach Mike Ditka to Release New Wine: Kick A$$ Red
6. Pricing and Availability for the Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines
5. Blind Wine Tasting Notes: Pinot Noir
4. Wine review: 2004 Twisted Oak Tempranillo
3. The 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau wine reviews are pouring in
2. Blind Wine Tasting Notes: 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau
1. Wine Review: The Amazing and Affordable 2001 Lindemans Pyrus

~winehiker