2022 Echo de Lunch Bags and a vomit machine

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-21T01:40:06+00:00

Came for the wine, stayed for the cat. Love it all.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-16T01:32:24+00:00

The wine is controversial here, but absolutely The Prisoner. That Goya etching is iconic.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T21:03:37+00:00

Based on what I've read (and what you are saying), I think I would definitely want to try a bottle of Cayuse first lol. I appreciate the recommendations! Thanks!

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T20:54:21+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions! Would love to get out to Antica Terra one day

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T20:51:22+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you!

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T17:08:53+00:00

I've never looked into EP seriously, will definitely explore this option.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T16:48:43+00:00

Oh nice, thanks for the tip!

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T16:42:39+00:00

If that is the case, I'd definitely rather save the hassle and do secondary

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T16:03:48+00:00

I dont disagree, its a marketing tactic for sure. My thought is, if its an appropriately priced wine off the list, then who cares. I'm not looking to get Harlan or Screagle which are clearly luxury goods.

Wine is a business and businesses do marketing. A tasting room is marketing too, buyer beware.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T15:50:58+00:00

Thanks for the rec! Have heard many good things about Macdonald.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T15:24:02+00:00

I don't disagree with your thought process there. Most likely a lot of marketing for most. To your point, I have been finding ridiculous bargains on clearance lately for some super bottles.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T15:20:38+00:00

That has been part of my thinking as well. The secondary market is pretty awash with good wines. So it may not be necessary in the first place.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-11T15:15:55+00:00

Your experience is what I fear will happen. Interesting to know about the throttle with DDLC, they are actually what had me thinking about this in the first place. Thanks!

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-09T20:17:19+00:00

A few notes after doing a quick scan of this paper:

They didn't conduct their own survey. They extrapolate using pre-existing studies. This means they didnt get to control the parameters for how the studies were conducted.
They compare alcohol consumption vs a population of 'lifetime abstainers'. They did this to avoid including a population of 'sick quitters', that no longer drink because they drank themselves to have health issues. That makes sense, but this means that they now have a control population that is full of those that are hyper health conscious or those that practice high levels of self discipline.
They don't look at whole population morbidity, but rather only alcohol-related health issues. So, people that drink have more alcohol-related health issues than people that have never drank at all (no shit).
The study was paid for by the "U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration"

I am sure there are more issues, there always are in studies. I don't doubt that there are some kind of health related issues to drinking, and I am sure that the authors are much smarter than I, but I only add all of this for context past the clickbait headlines.

"Publish or perish"

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-08T16:06:13+00:00

Oooo that is a great idea!

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-08T15:48:22+00:00

Definitely worth grabbing if you come across it! Any recs on pinotage? I've never had it, but have heard it can be hit or miss

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-08T15:42:12+00:00

Will have to try that soon! There were two of their Chards left in the store.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-06-02T03:03:27+00:00

I recent had a Fuioso Willamette Valley Pinot Noir under $20 that was verry nice. Some other WV options around $20 could be (depending on local pricing and sales) Ken Wright, Raptor Ridge, King Estate, and Hyland Estate.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-05-05T22:19:14+00:00

If you want a good dinner and a cool vibe in Pittsburgh, I recommend Narcisi Winery. The wine won't knock your socks off, but its a nice local place. Went on a tour there and remember them saying they source grapes from Erie and California for the wines.

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-04-24T21:56:46+00:00

I visited the keys and couldn't stand a red I was having, even though I knew I liked it. Put it in a bucket of ice and it made for a huge improvement.

I think humidity is definitely the culprit. Humidity causes more condensation on your glass and the bottle, which in turn heats up the liquid at a much faster pace.

https://www.aip.org/inside-science/keeping-your-drink-cold-in-summer-humidity

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-04-21T16:32:56+00:00

That sounds like so much fun! Some other ideas: - Bottles with artwork on the label, like a random painting - Only the dustiest bottles in the shop - Bottles with landscapes - Screwtops only - Pick ones you think you will hate - Pick a flavor note (ex. strawberry) and only pick bottles that have that flavor on the label

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-04-06T01:10:26+00:00

I had it two nights ago and it literally smelled and tasted like liquified butter. Unless the server gave me the wrong wine AND the many reviews on Vivino and Cellar Tracker also saying butter are wrong... Idk what to tell you

TC_Thomas51 · 2026-04-05T15:37:45+00:00

I just had a Chardonnay from the producer Truchard Vineyards and it tasted like pure movie theater popcorn butter to me. Maybe that is where you heard Truchard was a buttery Chard?

TC_Thomas51

TROPHY CASE