docsconz

They are certainly not concerned about the potential effects of Mad Cow on their bottom line! Were they at least Wagyu?

Eastern Standard also had a little bistro on the ground level that was much more affordable. While it wasn't as fancy and didn't have as extensive a menu, it still had great food.

I trained in C'Ville, but it has been awhile. The winery I remember most affectionately was Monticello Vineyards, although I do not know if it still exists as such. Favorite restaurants in that area (we're talking 14 years since I lived there) were The Silver Thatch Inn, Eastern Standard and Guadalajara for good, inexpensive Mexican food. Unfortunately, I don't know if any of them still exist or if they do if they are still any good. I would be curious to know if anyone has info/opinions on any of these establishments. To put it in perspective Dave Matthews was still playing in Charlottesville bars when I was there.

I doubt the Bolla will be anything worthwhile. That wasn't a particularly good wine even in its heyday. Bolla was/is one of those brands like Lancer's and Mateus that became popular in the 70's with strong marketing and mediocre wine. While it may be drinkable, I wouldn't expect too much from it. To me the most interesting wines on the list are the eiswein, the Diamond Creek and the Pierre Sparr. While I am not familiar with the maker the '86 Rioja might be superb. I believe that was a good vintage for Rioja.

The artist labels were probably one of the best marketing jobs in wine history. Mouton was the first and arguably still the most interesting of the art label wines. It doesn't hurt that the wine is pretty good too. In great years it wouldn't matter what was on the label, but in off years, the label probably still provides interest and value for collectors of Mouton.

wlg, great story and welcome to eGullet!

This is the fast food joint that Rick Bayless should have done the commercial for

Maybe it is because I'm generally pretty hungry at the time, but I tend to enjoy the burgers at Gore Mountain's base lodge. Otherwise I tend not to order burgers when I'm out. I enjoy grilling them at home, though.

did it become a staple?

Was it because the wine itself wasn't that good or did the package make the wine worse?

You are talking about MY Mother! My long lost sister!

Sam is correct. This probably would be good for wines meant to be consumed in the near term over an extended period. Because it is different and has negative associations with cheap, i.e. "bad" wine, initial acceptance may be difficult. I still don't know how this might affect a wine's aging potential, so I would be much more skeptical of purchasing this for wine I might want to age, which is most of my wine.

My mom was a great cook, and there is ery little that I can recall my not liking, however, I really couldn't stand her meatloaf. The funny thing was she made great meatballs.

I won't ask. Sorry to be so cryptic. It's not a slam or disrespectful. It originated in the newsgroup alt.coffee. Here is an explanation of the God shot. That is worthy of a whole topic of its own My wife and I just received a gift for Christmas that really was a great idea, unfortunately, the executaion left a little to be desired. we received personalized wine gift bags This was very thoughtful. Wine is important to my wife and I and we are blessed with a well-stocked cellar. In adition, we frequently bring wine as a hostess gift or for a special occassion. The only problem is what the bags say: Here! John and Kitty Here! as in, "here, take this because I had to give you something!" I can think of any number of things that would have been better and more appropriate, such as "Cheers!", "Enjoy!', "A Gift for You!", etc. I really do like the thought of it, however. We will use them when we go over to the giver's house

Another potential advantage of boxed wine is that it would be easier to store in a wine cellar and less likely to incur breakage in the event of an earthquake

This is the part I find most surprising:

According to the American Diabetes Association, a recent study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that people who drink a lot of coffee have a lower incidence of type II diabetes mellitus than those who don't. It is not clear whether coffee itself is responsible or if there are other factors about heavy coffee drinkers that confer protective effects.

It sounds as if they were just trying to be innovative. After all, buffalo wings started somewhere.

Are the onions at D&D that much better ?

Fantastic, Jordi. You made me hungry and I just ate!

Italy for the Gourmet Traveler by Fred Plotkin, Made in Italy by Laura Morelli and A Traveller's Wine Guide to Italy by Stephen Hobley are three good books that will help give you the flavor of Italy.

"Seafood" in the US can mean anything that comes from the sea. There is also the "seafood" diet - see food and eat it I know that is an old one... but seriously, "Seafood restaurants" in the US generally carry fish and a number of crustaceans, most frequently shrimp and lobster. Clams, oysters, mussels and other delicacies should certainly be on the least, although they frequently are not. This is especially true of the chain type restaurants such as Red Lobster. Coastal or sophisticated urban seafood restaurants tend to have a more varied menu of items from the sea. Then again, this is inversely proportional to the tourist level of the restaurant. Basically, the general approach to seafood in the US is not nearly as sophisticated or varied as it is in Europe, although it is improving, especially at the high end. We have nothing like the Boqueria market here.

While I agree that higher priced wine is often if not usually better than lesser priced stuff and I am happy to spend more for a better experience, a lot of people become impressed by the price tag and feel as if something has to be good because it is expensive. It ain't necessarily so.

jsolomon, that is hilarious!

I can fix this. I could sell you some bottles of these for $250/bottle The world would be a better place if more physicians prescribed wine. But at those prices, I fear many of your patients would be coming to Canada to have their prescriptions filled. Compared to the prices of a lot of prescription meds, this would be a bargain and much tastier too .