Ughhh. so depressing....

Firstly I want to point out how much I love my new iPhone. Whomever the dork out there is who came up with the idea for this little bundle of adult joy truly needs to be hugged and kissed repeatedly or given some sort of oral sex, depending on which sex he or she is. I'm serious by the way. This fucking little toy blows my mind, I mean you can talk to your bud while searching for porn (hehe...if you know me y'know I'm not a
fan, but I mean come on that blip wouldn't have sounded as good had I used another example). Any who, I will admit that writing on your blog while using said toy is fun but tiresome. Where am I going with this?

Oh yeah, as my title will announce for you, I am depressed. Why? Well let me see, it's not summer just yet, I'm officially 30 and I can't hear out of my right ear (more on that in a later post). But hey those particulars are nothing compared to the article I've just read about the worlds greatest Pinot noir makers, Domaine de la Romanee Conti. Burgandies finest has proved insatiable for decades now. Producing the best Pinot imaginable. As an avid wine lover I'd always dreamt of tasting or sampling a bottle, but as I've learnt today that dream may never happen. Why? Because the shit is way more expensive than I'd originally thought, way more!

Okay so you're sitting there going," that's it, that's why you're upset, grow up" but I mean come on, this is sad, it's like learning that you, said grade 9 dork student will never ever have a chance at lacy lane the schools prettiest girl. I mean if you can't dream than what's the point in living. Okay so that might be a tad over dramatic but well you get my point.

To give you some idea of how expensive a bottle goes for think of this, a bottle of La Tache from 1990 went for a stagering 22,000 DOLLARS!!!! For ONE bottle!!!! Yikes!!! You rich french bastards, how dare you sell your wine that high, have you forgotten about the common man? Grrrrr! I do get it however, Yaletown rich pigs who drink grey goose need some expensive wines to boast to show off for
their hussy girlfriends. I get it. :)

Ah but I have a plan, I'm gonna move to France, use my french(thank you mom) and steal me some. The movie Robin Hood is coming out soon and I feel a little Russel Crowe in me. Speaking of Mr. Crowe, I actually met the guy once in Toronto. He was there filming the crap movie Cinderella man. I was out with my buddy one night at this bar called Hemingways, we were having a great time, being merry and such when all of a sudden i've gotta take a piss. Surprise, surprise!! Anyways while alone in said washroom relieving myself, in steps mr.
Crowe. Not realizing at first who'd just come in,( I was peeing so I couldn't see), when all of a sudden Russ is standing next to me with his Johnson out. Drunk as a skunk the boy peed away while babbling on and on. Standing there in such a precarious way I wasn't sure what to do, I mean how often do you get such a big celebrity right next to you all alone. Once, maybe twice in a lifetime. But how to proceed?

Before I continue I must list for you the edicate of the male urinal, especially for all you woman out there. Well it isn't a list per se but merely a guideline, keep your eyes forward or down and never ever look to your right or left. Sounds simple enough. Break these rules and you risk either seeing something very humourous or a black eye. Humourous usually happens...well at least that's what I've heard. Wink! Wink! :

Anyways so there I was, looking dead ahead trying to find a way in, what do i do? What do I do? It's my only chance! But just as I was about to Blurb out some stupid one liner, Russ jumps in and says "what's up?".

What? What? Who says that in the Jon?

Anyways, my celebrity drunkard companion finished before I did and left promptly after. So here in is my point, one I can really pee, what the hell Jamie, he started after you and finished before you! Second was my perplexed demeanour after his hello, I was at a loss, just as if I were in grade 9 and lacy lane had come in contact with me and said hi, I'd have been stunned and full of "bahhh ummm"

Anyways back to my robbery, I go in all bats styles and jump ship with a few cases. Easy peacy! Okay so I'm kidding, but it would be fun. Maybe I could piss on the grapes while I was in there. Hehe. :)

Long story short, I need to make more money!

Later.

Don't you care just enough?

I'll never be able to say goodbye
whenever someone talks of theirs
i try to pretend to not care,
to shake it off,
to shake you off.

It's been a long time,
a very long and hard fucking time.
where were you when I needed you,
when I need you now.

I dream every so often
that you never existed.

Don't you care just enough?
Don't you feel your heart stop?

I'm here, alive and well
all you have to do is find me,
say you're sorry.

All I want is for you to care
no I can't see it at all
you've missed out.
I'll never cry for you again, I'm done

Don't you care just enough??
Don't you feel your heart stop?

All I ever wanted was you
but I know you are afraid
your past is what you fear.

It's a long way down from here
you'll never forget what was yours
my dream of you is lost

Don't you care just enough?
Don't you feel your heart stop?

Will you take my hand
stand beside and run
if your heart stops will you say goodbye

will you let me pass?
Every shadow of me is you
this is the end

don't you try to explain
you can't, your frail and old
you've hit bottom

don't you care just enough?
Don't you feel your heart stop?

It's a long way out
it's a long way out

It's a long way from her

Will you let them pass? Will you let them pass? While every shadow has been cast afar.

Well I can't run, I can't walk, not until the shoe drops and your heart stops.

Don't you try to explain all the words you've made for her.

Don't you cry to yourself......all you can do is run away.

Don't you care just enough. :)

A Few thoughts...

Firstly, I want to quickly apologize for the lack of posting, my lack of a computer has rendered me frustrated and lazy. In due time this should be fixed.

However, since I have a few minutes to spare here at said Internet cafe I thought a few thoughts of random spewage would be fun.

- If you haven't read a single word on my blog before this than I'd like to fill you in that currently I reside in Vancouver, Canada. Yes Vancouver, y'know that city hosting the current Winter Olympic Games. Now if you've never had the chance of visiting Vancouver than I highly recommend you do, the city is beautiful in so many ways. With that I want to point out how amazing it is being here as this grand spectacle transpires. These games of epic proportions have given not only myself but every red blooded Canadian a sense of pride I've never seen before. The seas of red and white flowing through this city is quite the sight. The passion, energy and vigor we Canadians have demonstrated this past week has been wonderful. I just thought I would mention this seeing as this could invariably be the only time in my life where I might have the chance to do so. Dare I say "Go Canada Go!".

- Coinsiding also with last weekends opening of the Winter Games was the NBA's annual all star extravaganza in Dallas, Texas at the massive 1 Billion dollar Cowboys Stadium. For most Canadians this celebration of the games best was a mere afterthought, rightly so I do say, but with its timing also comes the mid point of this here NBA season, one in which I've enjoyed very much. Here then are a few of my thoughts as the season winds down.

1. Kobe's injury in a way has to be a good thing for my Lakers and in a way himself as well. I love Kobe, you all know this, but as a competitor the boy is one tough s.o.b. and with that at times somewhat detrimental to his own play. His recent ankle injury though much worse than first thought, in my opinion is a blessing in disguise. In his absence, LA has played for once up to its potential as they have posted a 4-1 record in Mamba's absence. And if tonight's tough loss to Boston proves anything, this team is good and very deep. Getting their killer back in a week or so should push them back to where they need to be. I just sure hope they feel the same way.

2. Cleveland looks mighty dangerous as LBJ and company have racked up yet another stellar string of victories. This team in my opinion would win the crown right now if the finals were playing (as much as that pains me to write). They play team ball, spread the floor and are deep at almost every position.

And now they have Jamieson....yikes!!!

3. Denver is my dark horse to make the finals, they've beaten LA and now Cleveland twice. Eeek!

more later

I love this song!!!

How they captivated me and why I loved them.

2009, the Drinks in review.

My top 5 favorite drink related items of the past year. Enjoy!

1. Rum! Rum! A bottle of Rum!

I can't start this list without mentioning my newest and current favorite drink of choice "Sailor Jerry" 92proof rum. I fiiinnnnngggg love this stuff. Even though my work has sold this for over a year now, it wasn't until late august when I sampled a few sips of this flavourful and quite refreshing rum that my obsession started to take hold. However, before I delve any further, I must mention that up until this past year when I thought of rum all that came to mind was shitty white Bacardi crap, usually served with a splash of coca cola. Yuk! But as I've tried to expand my alcoholic repertoire I've discovered that white Bacardi is not all that rum entails. As an alcohol hailing generally from the central Caribbean/Jamaican area, good dark or amber rums generally taste sweet and strong, often with a slight caramel/molasses flavour. They tend to hit your palate hard at first but will linger nicely once swallowed. As with Sailor Jerry rum (named after the famous tattoo artist of the 60's) what I love most is it's versatility. It can be drunk as a great shot, as a splendid cocktail (try adding lemonade/lime juice, ginger beer and sugar) or even neat on its own. Sailor Jerry is my new bar drink of choice, which means no more shitty red wine and if you know me in any way, if you can get me off the vino, you've got something great in your hands.

Your home, your home, a pirates life for me! Rum! Rum! A bottle of Rum!

2. Rutherford Hill Merlot

For starters, I'd like to steal a line from our favorite "Sideways" wine connoisseur Myles, who appropriately coined the phrase "I hate Merlot". Well I'm paraphrasing a little, there were some expletives in there, but well hey you get the point. So there you have it, "I hate Merlot", well at least I thought I did. This mark of hatred resounded deeply within me for quite some time until a few months ago, that is until I'd tried the aformentioned Merlot above. You see, Merlot for me had always been the wine that couldn't stand for something, it was neither light like a Pinot Noir. It lacked the fullness of a Cab Sav, the spiciness of a Syrah and even the tannic qualities of a Malbec. Merlot for me was a flounderer, a varietal stuck in no man's land. Then one day, I come to work and BAM!, I'm hit with a thunderous bolt of flavour, structure, velvetyness and body all wrapped into one. This Rutherford Merlot which hails from the warm climate of the Napa Valley in California basically blew me away. For the longest time I'd been searching for a wine that would be able to do such a thing while never finding one. The aroma itself still evokes blissful thoughts to this day (wow Jamie, this about wine right?), the deep black cherry and plum scents pull your senses deep within, and that's not even the best part. The finish was what got me, it lingered and lingered and lingered. The balance was amazingly smooth and rich, what I find to be the best in wine. If you ever get a chance to taste this wine (I had the 2002 year) do so, it will be well worth it.

3. Vintage Port

I've already touched on Port with an earlier article, so I wont delve much further, but I would like to add that if you can get your hands on any vintage port, do it. In my older article I went on and on about Warre's Otima Non Vintage Port, but when I look back the Otima is nowhere near as good as a great vintage port. Vintage being a port with an actual year designation on it. Lately I've been drinking Taylor Fladgate Vintage 2003, absolutely splendid :) Again, if you haven't checked out the Port, do so, you wont regret it.

4. Van Gogh Espresso Vodka

Firstly, I hate espresso. Not sure why, might be to bitter for my palate or it just might be that I love hot chocolate that much more, who knows. But when it comes to Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, I loves me my espresso. This flavoured vodka is amazing, especially as a chilled shot. It has the kahlua style flavours of espresso combined with the strong cool flavours of vodka. Not much else to say on this, go check it out if you're looking for something great to drink or shoot, especially if your sick of jagermeister.

Cocktail: 1 1/2 ounces of Van gogh
1/2 kahlua
splash of water
served in a rocks glass

5. Steigl Beer

Rarely do I drink or talk much of beer, I'm a wino, but as I've recently transitioned to bartender at my work, I've found that when it comes to beer, you have to know your stuff. This invariably has led me to tasting and drinking more and more beer of late and the one that's stood out the most for me is Steigl's Austrian Lager Beer. This beer is amazing, it's crisp, clean, free of preservatives, while having a slight fruity taste. It's my new MGD. Add to that, it comes in one wicked style tall boy can.

Well there you have it, my top 5 beverage hits of 2009.

later.

Wine 101

Wine 101

Okay kiddies I’m going to try my best to give you the lowdown on all there is to know about the great fermented grape. So sit back, relax and let your inner wino shine through. 

What is Wine? - Put very simply, wine is a drink made from the fermented juice of freshly-picked grapes. As such it is often described as one of the most natural of all alcoholic drinks.

So then…

How is Wine made? – It all starts with a process called fermentation. Once grapes are picked, they are crushed and put into large open vats where tiny microscopic organisms begin to feed on the sugars found in the grapes juices, thusly converting those sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Once this phase is done the grapes are pressed of their juices and filtered whereupon the wine maker can decide to make one of 3 types of wine styles.

Which are:

Light Wines – The majority of wines fall into this category being what we typically term red and white wines. They are still, that is not sparkling, or fizzy and are between 8-15% alcohol, with the majority containing 11.5-14% alcohol.

Sparkling Wines - These are wines where bubbles of carbon dioxide gas have been trapped in the wine. These wines are typically French Champagne, Spanish Cava, Italian Asti as well as New World Sparkling Wine.

Fortified Wines – These are also known as “liqueur” wines, which mean that the wines have had extra alcohol added to them and therefore have higher alcohol levels of 15-22%. Most examples of these are Sherry from Spain and Port from Portugal.

Styles of Wine

Each of the three types of wine can be made in a variety of styles according to color and taste.

Red
- Must be made from Black grapes such as (Cab Sav, Merlot, Pinot Noir)
- Red wines color comes from its skins during fermentation.
- The skins also contain other substances such as tannin.
- Tannin is that substance in tea that makes your mouth feel dry and pucker.

White

White
- Is usually made from the juice of white grapes, but because all the color in black grapes is in the skin, it is possible to make white wine from black grapes if you remove the skins before fermentation.

Rose – These wines are made from black grapes where the wine has had less contact with the skins.

Sugar Content

Sweetness comes from the juice of the grapes as they contain a large amount of sugars. As those naturally occurring yeast start to eat those sugars the wine becomes invariably less sweet and drier. Therefore a sweet wine contains more residual sugars thus making it low in alcohol. With dry wine they have less residual sugars making them higher in alcohol. A point to remember, all yeast die off once the alcohol levels in wine reach 15%.

Varietals

Now the fun stuff…

With all wines there are tones of different grape varietals to choose from. To start there are 6 main “Noble” Grapes that you should know.

For Whites: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
For Reds: Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

What it means to be noble is that these are the primary grapes of the world used only for making wines. They have also been around the longest.
When it comes to knowing your wine varietals it’s best to start with learning your French Regions of old world wines. France has the distinction of producing pretty much all of the world’s major grapes.

The 6 major regions are (there’s a few more but not worth learning now):

Bordeaux – cab sav, Merlot, Semillon and Sauv blanc

Burgundy – Pinot noir, Chardonnay

Alcase – Riesling, Gewürztraminer

The Rhone – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

Loire – Cab franc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay

Champagne – Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot meunier

Now I hardly expect you to understand or let alone remember all of these, but at least I would say try to for when it comes to selling wine oftentimes people will quote one of these regions, where they will undoubtedly expect you to know and understand them. For example when someone asks for a red burgundy, they will naturally mean a Pinot Noir.

As for the varietals themselves well here’s a quick rundown of some of the more popular wines and their characteristics:

Chardonnay:
- Most well known grape in the world
-Predominantly produces dry wines from light and apple fresh in cool climates to rich and full-bodied buttery richness in hotter climates


Riesling:
- Produces wines that range from bone dry through to lusciously sweet, but above all, it will be aromatic and have good levels of acidity.
-Generally minerally, peachy or petrolly in aroma with flavors of fresh green apple and apricot.
-Sweet when from Germany
-Dry when from Alsace

Sauvignon Blanc:
- Described as having a fresh green fruit aroma and flavor, it produces full on fruity light to medium bodied wines with refreshingly zesty acidity.
-New Zealand makes the best in the world

Pinot Gris/Grigio:
- Light fresh white with a lush and flavorful honeyed flavor, with a slight minerally finish.
-Can be light, medium and full bodied depending on where it’s made
-Meant to be drunk young

Cabernet Sauvignon:
- Planted just about everywhere, Cab Sav produces wines with a blackcurrant aroma and flavor, often backed up with firm tannins.
- Ranges in style from medium to full bodied
- Due to it forceful presence, often blended with merlot and other grapes to soften it up a bit. When blended this way it is also known as “Claret”.
- Tend to need maturing before they can be drunk.
- Generally aged in oak casks

Merlot:
- Popular, softer, fruity alternative to Cab Sav. Merlot has a rich plum and berry fruit flavor with refreshing acidity and soft to medium tannins.
- Gains richness from aging and oak maturing.

Pinot Noir:
- This wine can have the taste of summer fruits like raspberries and cherries when young, but as it matures it will take on vegetal aromas.
- Lighter in color and body than Cab Sav, but can age well.

Syrah/Shiraz:
- This grape variety produces rich, powerful and peppery wines, the wines are deeply colored and have the ability to age.
- Shiraz: made in the New World Style, usually dark, berry fruit flavored and oaked. Generally grown in warmer climates like Australia
- Syrah: made in the old World Style, usually earthy, spicy, lighter and oaked. Most commonly found in the Rhone region in France.

Malbec: A rich dark purple wine full of color and tannins with a splendid violet aroma. Its flavors generally are of raisins and tobacco.
- Most commonly found in Argentina

Tempranillo:
- Full bodied wine with spicy and oaks flavors.
- Found in Rioja in Spain

Sangiovese:
- Medium bodied Italian varietal with a fruity and high acidity flavor. It is the wine of the Chianti region.

Wine Pairings

The main rule to think of when pairing wine with food is to try to match the weight of the food with the weight of the wine. Other considerations are:
1. Think of how the food was prepared. Poached fish will taste differently than pan seared or raw, thus your wine pairing should change as well.

2. Seasoning of the dish is also key to how you pair your wine. A full red will accentuate spicy dishes, something you do not want, where as a crisp Riesling will compliment spicy food.

3. Strength of flavor, is the dish delicate or strong?

4. Here’s some tips:
-Sweet = sweet wine or sweeter (eg. Dessert and dessert wine)
-Salt = high acid wines and or sweetness (eg. Salty nuts and Riesling)
-Sour = high acid wines are needed, avoid tannins
-Spicy = match spicyness
-Smoky = oaky wines pair best