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Bell's Oberon Michigan, 5.8%
This American wheat ale is clean and drinkable, crisp and beautifully integrated.

Blue Point Summer Ale New York, 4.39%
One taster noted a slight quinine flavor, but all agreed that it was a favorite.

Goose Island Summertime Illinois, 4.7%
It's dry and balanced with hints of apricot and peach (it could totally replace a bellini at brunch!) I am a big fan!

Boulevard Brewing Z?N Missouri, 4.4%
The bright burst of orange peel reminded some tasters of Orangina soda.

Peak Organic Summer Session Ale Maine, 5%
The crackery malts and Amarillo hops make this a very flavorful and super-dry beer; it will definitely be too bitter for some.



The article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, visit us at www.thewinerackco.com

Wondering which type of pine wine rack is right for your needs? Just like choosing any other type of wine rack, there are a few points to consider.

The wood wine racks are probably the most popular type of wine racks because everyone loves the look of fine wood and they are very durable and last for many years in any setting. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just enjoy having bottles of fine wine in your home, a wine storage is crucial to ensure the your wine is properly stored until you need it.

Aesthetic Appeal

A well constructed and placed wine rack can add appeal and even value to your home if done right. There are usually two preferences in wine racks, smaller general racks that can be placed in any closet or wine room, or custom wine racks can be made to conform to almost any space and any number of bottles. Below we examine different kinds of wine racks.

Oak Wood

An oak wine rack will give your display a warm, rich and traditional feel. Since oak is a sturdy hardwood oak wine racks are tough and strong. In addition, the grain of oak is quite beautiful if it is stained. A homeowner can also easily paint an oak wine rack to more closely match his/her décor.

Pine Wood

Many people choose pine because it is durable and makes excellent wine storage. In addition, the racks can be quite simple to a full-sized cabinet, there is truly no end to the style of rack you can choose. Pine is typically considered a soft wood, strong, yet lightweight. For this reason it is often a good choice for larger projects.

Cedar Wood

Aesthetic Appeal

California Redwood

Redwood is one of the best, if not the very best natural materials for building projects.

The article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, visit us at www.thewinerackco.com

For many, wine is a good addition to a fine meal, or a companion piece to a gathering. Often times these same people do not realize that the wine that they drink has very real health benefits. Below are some ways that moderate wine intake can positively affect one's health.

1. Wine and Heart Health

A study from researchers at the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. identifies a mechanism for how alcohol favorably effects arterial muscle cells. According to Wilhelm Vetter, M.D., and colleagues, alcohol, when consumed around mealtime, reduces the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) within the arteries. SMC growth is a key element in the develop-ment of atherosclerosis, which commonly leads to heart attacks and strokes.

2. Stroke

The moderate consumption of wine (but not beer or spirits) is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, according to a new report. The authors believe wine's protective effects may be linked to disease-fighting compounds other than alcohol. “Intake of wine is associated with lower risk of stroke,” concludes a 16-year Danish study led by Dr. Thomas Truelsen of Copen-hagen University Hospital (Journal of the American Heart Association, December, 1998).

3. Cancer

Among moderate drinkers, those who consumed at least 30% of their alcohol intake in the form of wine were at slightly lower risk than non-drinkers for Upper Digestive Tract cancers. They speculate that compounds found in wine, such as resveratrol, may exert powerful anticarcinogenic effects that protect against any cancer-causing effects of alcohol. “Wine contains several components with possible anticarcinogenic effects - these may exert their action locally in parallel with the possible effect of ethanol.”

Wine, when consumed moderately and intelligently, has the ability to increase one's overall health and longevity. The benefits are so vast that wine should be a daily rityal!

Today's article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California. Visit us at http://www.thewinerackco.com For all your Custom Wine Rack needs Call Toll Free 866-329-0104

Everybody has things that they want to do in their life. Whether it's something extreme like skydiving, or something simple like seeing a certain sight, we all have something that sparks our interests. Often great things do not have to be expensive, or even far away, especially if you are a wine love. There are many great wine experiences that one can have in California that are memorable, but won't break the bank.

Highway 29

This Getaway will take you up Highway 29 from Yountville, just past the town of St Helena. The five famous and historic wineries on this list represent wineries that have been instrumental in giving Napa Valley wines their worldwide recognition. You may want to plan a restaurant stop for lunch in St. Helena or at the northern end of the valley in the town of Calistoga. Whether you are from San Fran or Sacramento, these wineries are easily accessible.

Domaine Chandon

In the early 1970s, the great French Champagne house of Moet & Chandon made a decision to start making sparkling wine in California. They chose the Carneros and Mount Veeder regions of the Napa Valley as the ideal climate and soil to produce fine sparkling wines made in the French tradition. The name Domain Chandon was established and the winery produced its first vintage in 1976. Today Domain Chandon is world famous for its quality of fine California sparkling wines. The sparkling wines are not the only attraction to this famous and historic winery. The landscaped grounds and the architecture are spectacular. We recommend taking the tour, which is very informative and worth the time. To get to Chandon, turn off Highway 29 at the Yountville exit. Travel to the west and look for the winery on the right after you cross the railroad tracks.




Beaulieu Vineyards

This is one of the oldest wineries in the valley founded in 1900 by Frenchman George de Latour. The winery has long been famous for fine reserve wines, particularly its estate George de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon. BV, as it is commonly called, established innovative winemaking techniques by its founder George de Latour and its renowned winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. When the heirs of George de Latour sold the winery to the Hublein Corporation, it created quite a stir in the Valley. Today, the winery continues the tradition of making high-end wines. In addition to these wines, BV also produces several other wines from vineyards in the Central Coast of California. In addition to a regular tasting room, the winery has the George de Latour Private Reserve Room where for $25 you can taste five very special wines, including at least one of their older wines (library wines). This winery is worth a visit because of its past history and influence on the Napa Valley. Beaulieu Vineyards is located in the town of Rutherford on the east side of Highway 29.

Hidden Wineries

Believe it or not, there are some hidden wineries in the Napa Valley. It is hard to escape the crowds when visiting the Napa Valley especially on weekends. These wineries of the Napa Valley are sure to be less touristy. Some of these wineries are open by appointment only but don't let that discourage you. They love to have visitors and will make you feel at home. There are several other hidden wineries in the Napa Valley but these are our favorites.

Elyse Winery

The Elyse Winery is on Hoffman Lane on the west side of Highway 29 as you near Yountville. If you are traveling north from Napa, you will probably miss Hoffman Lane. That's a good thing because it is a dangerous left turn to get to Hoffman and Elyse on the west side of Highway 29. For safety sake, we encourage visitors to forget the left turn and instead exit a mile ahead at the first Yountville exit. Turn under the freeway and get back on Highway 29 going south. Technically, the winery is open by appointment only but will take visitors just about any time between 10 and 5. The owners are Ray Coursen and his wife Nancy. Ray does the winemaking and makes delicious red wines. One of our favorites is the Nero Mista, a blend of red varietals that makes a very food friendly and balanced wine.

Summers Winery

Summers Winery is a small family-owned winery located at the very north end of the Napa Valley on Tubbs Lane. Summers has a very inviting picnic area that includes a Bocce Ball court. Two wines in particular standout at Summers Winery, the Charbono and the Petite Sirah. The Charbono grape used to be abundant in California but now there more than 100 acres of Charbono vineyards in California. This is a very food friendly red wine. The second wonderful wine is the Petite Sirah from Knights Valley. This is a big wine that is full of flavors.


The article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, visit us at www.thewinerackco.com

The wood wine racks are probably the most popular type of wine racks because everyone loves the look of fine wood and they are very durable and last for many years in any setting. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just enjoy having bottles of fine wine in your home, a wine storage is crucial to ensure the your wine is properly stored until you need it.

Aesthetic Appeal

A well constructed and placed wine rack can add appeal and even value to your home if done right. There are usually two preferences in wine racks, smaller general racks that can be placed in any closet or wine room, or custom wine racks can be made to conform to almost any space and any number of bottles. Below we examine different kinds of wine racks.



Pine Wood

Many people choose pine because it is durable and makes excellent wine storage. In addition, the racks can be quite simple to a full-sized cabinet, there is truly no end to the style of rack you can choose. Pine is typically considered a soft wood, strong, yet lightweight. For this reason it is often a good choice for larger projects.

Cedar Wood

Another very popular choice for wood racks is cedar because the red cedar has that terrific aroma that no other wood can match. What gives it the great smell is the juniper that typically grows in the cedar tree. It is a very durable wood and would make a great addition to any room in your home to store your wine. Many people who create their own wine cellars, do so with the cedar wood because it naturally gives the cellar a nice aroma.

California Redwood

By far the most superior wood to build wine racks out of is that of the California Redwood. Not only does the wood give a beautiful and unique aesthetic with its mixture of cram and pink rose tones, it also is light yet strong. Redwood is known for its long straight grain and warm color, excellent decay resistance and ease of workability. It is one of the best, if not the very best natural materials for building projects.

The article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, visit us at www.thewinerackco.com

5. Charles Shaw Wine

For the more daring of wine drinkers, there is Charles Shaw Wine, or more well
known as “Two Buck Chuck". Charles Shaw wines currently include Cabernet
Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Valdiguie
in the style of Beaujolais nouveau, and limited quantities of Pinot Grigio. Now, I
know many may be thinking of this as a bottom of the barrel brand, and that may
be historically true, but the fact remains that for as cheap at these bottles of wine go
one may be surprised at how often one gets a pretty decent tasting bottle.



4. 'The Other' Red Wine

One is immediately struck by the vibrant color of this wine. The aromas of
blackberries and plums are complemented by spice, toasty oak and cedar
notes. "Lots of dark fruit in this red blend from Lodi, California. 60% Cabernet, 30%
Merlot and 10% Syrah. This will only run $17.



3. Aquinas Chardonnay Napa
From the winery, "A bright straw-yellow color with a slight lime cast, this wine has
aromas of lemon peel, apricots, white peaches, and vanilla infused tea. The flavors
are reminiscent of lemon crème brulee, peach yoghurt, and citrus sorbet with notes
of fresh cream and subtle oak notes. Only $17.



2. 2009 Dante Reserve Pinot Noir Sonoma County

Always fans of the Dante Cabernet, we recently discovered the Pinot - 2009 is
the first vintage - which offers a lot of bang for your buck as well as appealing
raspberry, dark fruit, and cola flavors. The wines are named after Michael
Pozzan's eldest son, Michael Dante Pozzan, and the Pozzans descend from a family
winemaking history that began in Italy more than 150 years ago.

1. 2009 Morgan Sauvignon Blanc Monterey

The addition of a small amount of Semillon adds some body and further complexity
to this Sauvignon Blanc whose predominant flavors include grapefruit and citrus.
Morgan Winery has been around since 1982 and consistency is one of their noted
qualities. No exception here.

This article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, please visit us
at, thewinerackco.com

Although wine cellars traditionally have been just that -- cellars -- short-term storage can be carved out of spaces as small as underneath the kitchen cabinet for less than $1,000. These refrigerated under-counter cabinets typically hold about 60 bottles.


The important thing to remember in the context of wine storage is the constant temperature and humidity level to maintain. At high temperatures, wine starts to lose its color, taste and in extreme cases even turn to vinegar. Humidity level is to be maintained to prevent corks from drying out. If corks do dry out it causes the wine to lose its taste prematurely. However, in a cool and dark place, wine tends to last for many years to come.

Position and Peace


First is position, bottles should be kept horizontal in a safe area, where they will not be disturbed. They need be laying horizontally so that the wine is always in contact with the cork, which keeps the cork from drying out. This is important because if the cork dries out then it let in wild yeast, fungus, or bacteria that will create off flavors in your wine. You will also want to ensure the wine can lie undisturbed for a long time. As wine ages, it will continue to change in the bottle and will form sediments. You want these sediments to sink to the bottom of the bottle and stay there so when you pour an old wine into the decanter you will not foul it with the lees. Although a wine rack is not required, it is worth the investment. Your wines can be nicely organized and kept safer from accidental breakage.


Temperature
Wines should also be kept away from heat sources and temperatures that are too cold. You don't want them stored in any area that freezing temperatures might occur and cause bottle to break. Too, avoid heat above 64F in order to ensure the wine does not get cooked, another way wine can develop off flavors. The goal is a constant temperature, away from sunlight. Dedicating a cabinet area that is low and safe form heat would work well. Also, there are many wine refrigerators on the market that will keep your wines stored in perfect conditions until you are ready to enjoy them.
Light and Humidity
I heard it needs to be dark where I store my wine... is that true?
Yes... you do want to limit your light wherever you have your home made wine stored because UV light can cause hydrogen sulphide compounds to develop inside your wine bottle and spoil all of your hard work. The ideal lighting conditions for a cellar is no sunlight and all UV free lighting.

www.thewinerackco.com for the Best in Quality Red Wood Wine Racks

Sustainable Farming Practices
Paradise View Sonoma Coast .The grapes used to produce this exceptional wine are grown on the rolling hillsides of southern Sonoma. Paradise Vineyards overlooks the north shore of San Francisco Bay at the intersection of Highways 37 and 121. With views of the bay and the city skylines, our location offers cool ocean breezes that create a longer growing season and a unique environment for growing grapes with intense and concentrated flavors.http://www.paradisevineyard.com/ Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com
Alexander Valley Vineyards is located on Highway 128 in northern Sonoma County, just 75 miles north of San Francisco, 6 miles from the sleepy town of Healdsburg and 16 miles from Calistoga in the Napa Valley.

Visit our historic property, taste our award-winning wines including our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and our renowned Sin Zin, bring a picnic and enjoy beautiful vistas of our peaceful,rural valley. Our winery tasting room is open daily, 10am to 5pm.http://www.avvwine.com Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Since 1973, Pacheco Ranch Winery has represented one of the most unique endeavors in California's fabled wine country. Situated just below Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Pacheco Ranch's elegant winery and adjacent vineyards have produced a small quantity of uniquely hand crafted wine through a process that has taken over a quarter of a century to perfect.www.pachecoranchwinery.com Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Tulocay Winery has been around since 1975. But not many people have heard about Bill Cadman, its owner and my boss. That's 'cause he believes the wine should reflect the essence of the vineyard and the philosophy of the winemaker, not the latest innovation of the marketing department or the bottom line of Wall Street financiers.www.tulocay.com/ Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com








Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Has Youtube turned into the MTV we always wanted . Now you can watch any artist anytime any where. Just name the video and you will likely find it on Youtube.
No more jack ass Vjays to deal with.
Exhibit A is Justin Bieber, undeniably one of the biggest stars this year. His latest single is called "U Smile." Jerry Wonda produced it, and it has spawned more than 17 million views on YouTube. But this week, the song is nowhere to be found on the charts.

Bieber is probably the best example of the way a young fan base is changing the definition of a hit. "Baby" was a smash — it's the most viewed YouTube video of all time — but it peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. In a new list of the 100 biggest songs of 2010 published by Billboard, "Baby" doesn't appear until No. 44.

To deal with the Bieber paradox, last week Billboard introduced yet another new chart — the Social 50. It ranks musicians' popularity by looking at sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. On that chart, Justin Bieber is No. 2.

Great Piece on www.npr.org about the new trend
http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/12/09/131937319/can-you-tell-whether-a-song-is-a-hit-if-it-s-not-on-the-charts







http://www.getwineracknow.com

http://thewinerackcompanyy.wordpress.com/

Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Proper storage of your favorite wine is one of the most important aspects of the wine experience. With this in mind, let's pop the cork.

First of all, if you purchase a bottle or two of wine to drink the same day or later that week, then storing is definitely not an issue. But when some great newly-acquired wines require longer storage, here are a few things to think about.


Take into consideration your budget and available space. It's not necessary to make the guestroom into a wine cellar. Many options exist, from simple wine racks that hold ten bottles to large cabinets that hold one hundred or more. Start small and work your way up.

As with all wine storage, proper temperature is essential. If it's too hot, the wine will suffer. In addition, keep the bottles away from direct sunlight or any unforeseen vibration, and be sure to lay them on their side. This will ensure a moist cork and the proper amount of oxygen seepage, which is vital to the aging process. If there is no convenient storage space, place both whites and reds in the refrigerator on their side rather than expose the wine to unwanted heat.



Remember, proper storage will assure excellent flavor and correct aging.

Wine storage is key to the success of any collection. If you enjoy collecting find wines then you will want to look into the best of all wine storage options. There are many different ways to store your wine but no matter which wine storage solution you choose you will need to keep the conditions constant.

You can use a wine cellar for your wine storage or you can have a special cooler. Wine racks are a necessary part of your wine storage. The wine racks can be made of metal or wood and the wine storage that you choose will be a matter of personal taste. Both of these sorts of racks are wonderful to look at but the metal racks tend to be more flamboyant and stylish while the wood racks are classic and traditional in style.

You may want to choose your racks in order to have them match the rest of your wine storage solution. The final choices that you make will be affected somewhat by whether or not you are planning to show off your wine cellar to your friends. If you are then your wine storage solutions will need to be a little more coordinated.

So look into the wine racks and other wine storage options that will all look well together. Your wine storage area can look like those of a professional wine collector. It is not hard to do but it can cost you a little money.







http://www.getwineracknow.com

http://stevenkolpanonwine.blogspot.com

Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

The Wine Rack Company California visits Pasadena to install a custom wine room for one of NASA's top engineers. It's not everyday that I get to design and build a wine cellar with one of NASA's best.
The Mars Roover Curiosity is being built in Pasadena and I was able to tour the site with my family after getting a call from one of their top wine collectors for a custom wine cellar. We had a great time and learned a lot about NASA.
There are new photos being uploaded from this great install everyday please visit http://www.thewinerackco.com to see more ofthis custom wine room and many other great wine cellars as well.


Visit the Live Web Cam in the Clean Room at JPL
http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl


http://www.jpl.nasa.gov
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-302
Google Images for Curiosity
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS320&q=curiosity+rover&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=xDrrTJG_PILCsAOx7vzADw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDIQsAQwAg&biw=1440&bih=785







http://www.getwineracknow.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARdN0SZpQI&feature=related

Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com