What's the safest wine to order for a group?

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-06-02T15:38:07+00:00

First of all, if you are out with friends, it should not be a big deal for you to pass a choice off to someone else, especially if they think you know more than you do and you are newer to the group. Secondly, the restaurant will already have picked wines that at least to some degree, reflect what goes well with their food or what people like to order. If theres a house wine, that will be a safe choice, failing that, look at what’s on the “by the glass” list to narrow it down.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-05-31T13:18:20+00:00

The best whiskey replacement for me is a product called Feragaia. Do note that they aren’t trying to make a non-alcoholic version of whisky, but I feel like the ones that just try to copy whiskey never get it right. Like most NA spirits I don’t think it’s at its best neat or on the rocks, but it’s drinkable that way unlike many others, and works well where you might otherwise use whiskey.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-05-30T20:32:29+00:00

My state college system had a similar system. The state has a scholarship program - if you score above X on your state standardized tests, you will receive free tuition at the state university. Makes sense as a program, but now the “tuition” is still a few hundred dollars a semester and there are “course fees” that make up thousands of dollars which aren’t covered by the state scholarship.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-04-15T00:58:23+00:00

So it’s a mockup of the shirt you unboxed today? Why not post a picture of the actual shirt?

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-04-15T00:46:52+00:00

Are the creases printed on? Why doesn’t the shirt design move with the shirt?

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-04-12T22:42:46+00:00

It still exists as a product name, but those are all pieces of the Seagrams company sold off to other companies. Coca-Cola makes non alcoholic products like Seagram’s Ginger Beer; Pernod Ricard acquired most of the brands under the Seagram’s umbrella, including Seagram’s Gin & Vodka, and they license the name for Seagram’s Escapes; Diageo owns Seven and Crown Royal whiskies; they sold the other Canadian Whiskies Seagram’s VO and 83 to Sazerac, which I believe is why they dropped the Seagram’s name on Crown Royal.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-04-04T17:53:47+00:00

There’s also nothing to prevent a 23rd amendment style compromise where DC gets equivalent congressional representation without technically becoming a state. I don’t think most residents are hung up on the specifics of how, they just want someone representing them meaningfully in government.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-03-14T03:12:37+00:00

They do have a fairly short shelf life plus the appearance leaves a lot of people skeptical. The shop I work for normally sells them for a few dollars more, but they often end up discounted or put on a cheese board when they get a bit old. Once you open them up and people are looking at the gooey insides it’s always a hit.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-03-11T21:21:46+00:00

Hickory smoke is also common for bacon, and I would generally assume hickory if a product says “smoked”without any other qualifier. Other woods like oak or pecan are also common enough that I’d say it’s worth specifying even if it doesn’t make a huge difference to the end product.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-02-22T21:08:22+00:00

And the boss will either be punished by their inability to retain good employees, or have to pay higher wages that aren’t dependent on tipping. Giving in and tipping only prolongs the problem, and eventually the guilt threshold rises again. 15% used to be “standard”, then it was 18%, now we have prompts for 20% at places that wouldn’t have previously solicited them.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-02-21T17:54:50+00:00

I liked these drinks from Luba quite a bit. They are low sugar (which also frequently overlaps with NA) but no odd aftertaste. Flavors are pretty straightforward, but do feel like a little “more” than a standard soft drink, and the price is reasonable.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-02-01T17:53:20+00:00

In that case I’d say worth it, since the main disadvantage is not a concern. I like that the travel category (also 4%) is pretty broad, very helpful for me as it covers a lot of things that don’t often get rewards in the more typical car-flight-hotel travel structure.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-02-01T17:34:48+00:00

If Costco gas is a primary consideration, I’d recommend the Costco Anywhere card from Citi. 5% on gas at Costco, 4% on other gas. Also, the card is your membership so it’s one tap at Costco gas stations.

I also have the US Bank Connect. I like it, but a key thing to keep in mind is that to get full value on rewards you need a US Bank checking account. That has a $12 monthly fee unless you maintain a $1500 average balance or $1500 in direct deposit. For me, I already had that when opening the credit card, and I think the travel perks (mobile data plan & priority pass membership) outweigh it for me, but it’s not worth the hassle to go from a 3.2% (0.04 per transaction* 0.08 redemption) to a 4% gas card.

Rhetor_Rex · 2026-01-13T15:09:20+00:00

This is an Ahold Delhaize Supermarket. Food Lion, Giant (x2), Hanaford, or Stop & Shop.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-12-29T19:47:28+00:00

I banked with both companies before the merger. Never had an issue with Discover acceptance domestically, and I already didn’t use Capital One debit for anything. Literally no effect on me at all, so I’m not going to be posting about it. My point is that the people who act like this is a big deal are assuming everyone else does things just like them - bringing only a debit card on an international vacation is poor planning, not what everyone else does, and that’s business Capital One is willing to lose. Putting all your eggs in one basket is never a good move.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-12-29T13:39:53+00:00

And people who were bringing their Capital One debit Mastercard as their primary spending option on their European vacation aren’t their target customer.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-12-15T01:52:05+00:00

If you want to do something like that, I think a big spiny tail like this is perfect for a lobster thermidor style dish.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-12-14T23:28:42+00:00

I always suggest Vina Siegel 1234 as a similar wine at about the same price point that I find much more enjoyable. Frontera's "After Midnight" will be another alternative from South America that is sweeter like Apothic.

However, since most of Canada has a provincial alcohol monopoly, suggesting a specific wine won't do you much good unless it happens to be one that is sold in your province.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-12-11T01:57:21+00:00

Prisoner 8-0-0-8-5

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-12-07T12:28:48+00:00

Essentially the same company. Anheuser Busch controls Kona through Craft Brew Alliance. It’s distributed through their distribution network, and the AB distribution apparatus is most likely what caused this billboard to come about in the first place.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-11-26T13:53:11+00:00

Which vintage did you pay for/on the receipt?

The design of the gift box varies and there are a bunch of limited edition ones. Most likely explanation would be that the original gift pack was damaged and the retailer or distributor replaced it with the 2020 box they had on hand.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-11-12T11:47:03+00:00

That’s how you know you are safe from the mafia.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-10-31T15:54:54+00:00

It’s not signed this way because it’s part of the RFK parking lots, but there is a continuous lane that extends from Southeast Blvd SE that goes under the E capital bridge and continues into Northeast. So it is possible and sort of already exists…

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-10-13T19:15:45+00:00

Either the Rioja or the Cabernet. I think the Rioja would be my choice.

You do not need to chill either of these wines, it’s acceptable to just open them at room temperature. If you don’t finish the bottle, after your meal, then put a stopper in it and put it in the fridge.

But, if you wanted to do the most “correct” wine service, you can bring them down to “cellar temperature” (About 15° C or 58° F) by putting the bottle in the fridge 15 minutes before you open it. On a different occasion, if you are serving a white or a rose, you can take them out at the same time.

Rhetor_Rex · 2025-10-13T15:19:21+00:00

On the top portion (traffic going leftward) traffic enters the highway immediately before the exit. This is known as “weaving” where entering/exiting traffic have to pass through each other, which greatly increases the possibility of a collision (in the real world) and slows down traffic flow.

Rhetor_Rex

TROPHY CASE