Telling Gout from Gonorrhoea
February 28th, 2011
Differential diagnosis paradigm. From: rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org
The past year’s happenings – in my professional and personal lives – have me thinking about the idea of a “differential diagnosis”. In medicine, this refers to a list of the most common possible diseases likely responsible for a particular symptom or complaint. Ultimately, to help the patient, the list must be reduced to one disease process and that must then be treated.
Thus, the title of this post: Both Gout and Gonorrhoea can present to the physician with a single swollen, painful joint. It is up to the clinician to tease out (using history, physical examination and tests) what is ailing the patient and then treat that appropriately.
It’s pronounced “tsurl-YEN-ak”
February 17th, 2011
It’s pronounced “tsurl-YEN-ak”. (Screen capture from You Tube)
Last week, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance released a video promoting the upcoming Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival (taking place March 18 to 20). This video spoofs the wildly popular Old Spice Guy ads.
The one and half minute, high-production-value video is well-done, entertaining, fun and gets viewers excited about the upcoming event. As it should.
BUT…… Read More
The more things change…
February 8th, 2011The latest buzz spreading through the on-line wine microcosm is the recent musical chairs over at The Wine Advocate: Robert M Parker Jr. will no longer review and rate current California wine releases (to the joy or consternation of some). Instead, Antonio Galloni will now review… Italy, Champagne, Chablis, Côte d’Or and…….. (deep breath)… California (to the joy, puzzlement or consternation of some)
How can one taster be proficient in all those regions? Read More
Evaluation of NewAir 32-Bottle, Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
January 18th, 2011
NewAir AW-321ED 32-Bottle Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Once a person reaches a certain level of wine enthusiasm, a way of storing wine in a cool, stable environment becomes a necessity.
In today’s world, very few people store wine to age it. Nevertheless, most wine aficionados want some way to protect wine from heat (at least in the short-term) and to keep it at a more appealing serving temperature. This does not have to be some dusty, brick-walled cellar with one incandescent bulb with a pull-chain. Read More
Thoughts on “House Style”
January 3rd, 2011
Norm Beko. From: Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery
There are those wine brands whose “House Style” – a unique and distinctive common stylistic thread – is present in all their wines. In the Central Coast, and Santa Barbara County in particular, there are a few producers who fit in this category.
There is the unabashedly Californian ripeness of Paul Lato and Joey Tensley‘s wines, the high-octane styling of Consilience‘s Brett Escalera and the powerful compositions of Greg Brewer‘s wines and the dazzling elegance of Dragonette wines. Read More
Drink that oxidized white wine
December 2nd, 2010
Oxidized wine. Photo: Arthur Z. Przebinda
Because I spent most of my childhood and a four-year block of my early adulthood in Eastern Europe, it is safe to say that I appreciate aromas and flavors that in the American context may be unconventional – at least to some. And so I tend to like oxidized white wines (not to the exclusion of fresh wines with pure, focused fruit characteristics).
I should explain, though, that I’m talking about the kind of oxidation that takes place slowly over time in an unopened bottle and not in an open one, overnight on the kitchen counter. There is also a gradation of oxidation and even my preference and tolerance have their limits. Read More
Pneumonia’s Last Syrah
November 5th, 2010
Fermenting Montepulciano must. Photo: Arthur Z Przebinda
This year, I will be making two small batches of wine as practice for making wine from my own home vineyard. My first lot, 13.5 gallons of Suisun Valley Montepulciano is already fermenting and should make for about 10 gallons of finished wine.
This weekend I will purchase some Syrah from the Santa Ynez Valley. I will not be able to drink all the wine I make, so I’d like to put it to good use. Read More