After 26 years of tongue numbness post pineapple/kiwi consumption, I've finally learned what the cause is. Protease, but of course.
Apparently, my tongue was getting tenderized by something called bromelain in pineapples and actinidain in kiwis. The funny thing is, there is also something called papain in papayas and ficin in figs that does nothing to me. I still don't understand why I'm more sensitive to pineapples and kiwis than other people or why it's getting worse as I'm getting older.
Even in wine, I can smell pineapple from a mile away. I'm not sure if the enzyme also exists in some wine but the ones that smell like pineapple give me the same tongue prickly sensation as eating a pineapple.
Now I just to figure out why.
6.26.2007
6.24.2007
Rachel Ann's 3rd Birthday Party
Auntie and niece at Costco.
Birthday at Gymboree!
Auntie and niece # 2 Maddie!
Maddie and mommy.
The three sisters.
Mommy and me time.
Blowing out the birthday cake!
Birthday at Gymboree!
Auntie and niece # 2 Maddie!
Maddie and mommy.
The three sisters.
Mommy and me time.
Blowing out the birthday cake!
All children love bubbles.
Small children don't pose for group photos.
Glenna and Devon
6.20.2007
Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis Rose
This is yum. I don't have any other words for it but just yum. Retail is about $100, provided you can find it.
I had the pleasure to taste it at Young's Annual Pink Party at Hotel Vitale a few weeks back.
Image taken from Alfred Gratien website.
Website description (pardon any poor translations...):
A unique rose champagne from the house of Alfred Gratien, soft and fruity.
Color : Clear, salmon/copper color
Bubbles: Apparent and persistent
Bouquet : Fine, full, dominant of orange peel, dried fruits and bread spices
Mouth: Vibrant mouthfeel of orange peel with raspberry and strawberry sortbet
Harmony: A powerful rose. Tender yet balanced. Certainly the idea of paradise!
Alcohol : 12,0 % vol
6.18.2007
6.14.2007
Snooth - Part IV - Wines that are unattainable
The issue of recommending wines that are unattainable...
That's a big issue. My two cents:
1. As in my first post, add another arrow on the price meter to allow definition of a lower and upper price limit.
2. Work with suppliers in the wine industry. They know which wines are allocated and which are not.
3. Perhaps add another (internal) dimension to the recommendation algorithm based on availability. If it were measured in glasses (like the rating meter), one glass being the local grocery store, two glasses being the savvy grocery store (Bristol Farms, for instance), three glasses being the local wine shop, four glasses representing need to special order or low production, and five glasses meaning nearly impossible to attain without having to resort to Christie's.
That's a big issue. My two cents:
1. As in my first post, add another arrow on the price meter to allow definition of a lower and upper price limit.
2. Work with suppliers in the wine industry. They know which wines are allocated and which are not.
3. Perhaps add another (internal) dimension to the recommendation algorithm based on availability. If it were measured in glasses (like the rating meter), one glass being the local grocery store, two glasses being the savvy grocery store (Bristol Farms, for instance), three glasses being the local wine shop, four glasses representing need to special order or low production, and five glasses meaning nearly impossible to attain without having to resort to Christie's.
Snooth - Part III - Back to the roots
Let's get back to my original idea with Kevin... There should be an online wine community to recommend wines both for what you may like and what you may want to buy as a gift. This entire idea stemmed from my various friends consistently calling me while standing at the grocery store/wine shop/BevMo/Cost Plus completely baffled. Any good wine salesperson will ask the same string of questions.
"Is the wine for you or is this a gift?"
If it is a gift, then personal taste can be thrown out the window.
First, it's a price point game. How much do you want to spend?
Second, who is the recipient of the wine? A wine geek? A wine lover? A wine novice? Someone you've really never seen even so much as pick up a wine glass? There are different but stereotypical styles for each of these types. A wine geek might want to cellar a good bottle. A wine lover may want to hold the bottle for a nice occasion. A wine novice may want to pop it open right away or save it for dinner tomorrow. And as for Mr. Indifferent? He'll likely open it right then and there or else there's no chance of him opening it at all.
Lastly, the definition of a good gift is something that you might like but won't necessarily pick up for yourself. Typically, I recommend items that are a little niche but perhaps have been seen around. Stay away from the big brands. It's a time to explore!
Not a gift? Something for yourself? Then, the next question should be:
"Tell me some of the wines that you do like."
Once that is established, the list is narrowed. The next few questions should be:
"How much you want to spend?" (Not all of us have a black AmEx...)
"Tell me what occasion this is for. Drink tonight? Hold for a nice occasion? Cellar?"
If it is for an upcoming meal, then having an idea of what type of cuisine (Asian, French, Italian, BBQ, etc.) or specific kind of food (beef, lamb, salad, tacos...) is essential.
Now, this brings us back to availability. Since this is an online site, availability is essential to the success of recommendations. You don't need to necessarily know the inventory of every brick and mortar shop in the neighborhood but wines do fall into general availability categories. At this point, you have to ask, "Where do you want to purchase this wine?"
"Is the wine for you or is this a gift?"
If it is a gift, then personal taste can be thrown out the window.
First, it's a price point game. How much do you want to spend?
Second, who is the recipient of the wine? A wine geek? A wine lover? A wine novice? Someone you've really never seen even so much as pick up a wine glass? There are different but stereotypical styles for each of these types. A wine geek might want to cellar a good bottle. A wine lover may want to hold the bottle for a nice occasion. A wine novice may want to pop it open right away or save it for dinner tomorrow. And as for Mr. Indifferent? He'll likely open it right then and there or else there's no chance of him opening it at all.
Lastly, the definition of a good gift is something that you might like but won't necessarily pick up for yourself. Typically, I recommend items that are a little niche but perhaps have been seen around. Stay away from the big brands. It's a time to explore!
Not a gift? Something for yourself? Then, the next question should be:
"Tell me some of the wines that you do like."
Once that is established, the list is narrowed. The next few questions should be:
"How much you want to spend?" (Not all of us have a black AmEx...)
"Tell me what occasion this is for. Drink tonight? Hold for a nice occasion? Cellar?"
If it is for an upcoming meal, then having an idea of what type of cuisine (Asian, French, Italian, BBQ, etc.) or specific kind of food (beef, lamb, salad, tacos...) is essential.
Now, this brings us back to availability. Since this is an online site, availability is essential to the success of recommendations. You don't need to necessarily know the inventory of every brick and mortar shop in the neighborhood but wines do fall into general availability categories. At this point, you have to ask, "Where do you want to purchase this wine?"
6.12.2007
Snooth - Part II
My recommendations from Snooth has kicked in.
I originally rated:
Bodegas Juan Gil Jumilla 2002 - 4/5 glasses
Carol Shelton Wild Thing Zinfandel Cox Vineyard 2002 - 5/5 glasses
Chateau d'Arche Sauternes 2003 - 5/5 glasses
Chateau La Vieille Cure 2003 - 4/5 glasses
Chateau Smith Haut Lafite 2003 - 5/5 glasses
Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2004 - 5/5 glasses
Recommendations: (there were 40, here are the ones I've tried and don't agree with along with some good chuckles)
Harlan Estate 1997 - Wouldn't know, can't afford it!
Chateau Margaux 1999 - Yes, I like this. Again, same problem as above.
Gaja Langhe Sori San Lorenzo 2001 - Cost, cost, cost!
Joseph Phelps Insignia 1997 - I'd give this 3/5
d'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2003 - I'd give this 3/5
Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2001 - I'd give this 3/5
The other recommendations range from Peay, Pride, Raymond, Peju, Ravenswood, Penfolds to some really obscure French wines. And throw in Dom Perignon 1996. Personally, I prefer Krug over Dom.
Now that I've used the 'recommendations', here's a little more feedback:
- Be able to sort recommendations by price, availability, red/white/sparking/rose
- Perhaps even sort by food pairing?
A couple other things I've noticed:
- Ability to easily rate searched wines by rolling over the glasses (not intuitive but nice feature)
- Pricing!! Needs to be listed as soon as possible.
- The items that do have pricing... some end in .99, some end in .00. There is no consistency there. Price should be listed as just $XXX without decimals. There isn't a point since price fluctuates by state and promotions.
Philip James commented on suggestions for the rating system. Half points are a little vague, I think.
Two thoughts.
One. I would prefer an icon (different from a glass) for 'strongly dislike', another icon for 'dislike', and then a five point rating system for the items you do like with the first glass being neutral. Perhaps there doesn't even have to be two levels of dislike.
Two. A ten point rating system. Same as half points but easier to see and use.
I can't wait to see what is coming with the "Friends" feature.
More to come...
I originally rated:
Bodegas Juan Gil Jumilla 2002 - 4/5 glasses
Carol Shelton Wild Thing Zinfandel Cox Vineyard 2002 - 5/5 glasses
Chateau d'Arche Sauternes 2003 - 5/5 glasses
Chateau La Vieille Cure 2003 - 4/5 glasses
Chateau Smith Haut Lafite 2003 - 5/5 glasses
Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2004 - 5/5 glasses
Recommendations: (there were 40, here are the ones I've tried and don't agree with along with some good chuckles)
Harlan Estate 1997 - Wouldn't know, can't afford it!
Chateau Margaux 1999 - Yes, I like this. Again, same problem as above.
Gaja Langhe Sori San Lorenzo 2001 - Cost, cost, cost!
Joseph Phelps Insignia 1997 - I'd give this 3/5
d'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2003 - I'd give this 3/5
Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2001 - I'd give this 3/5
The other recommendations range from Peay, Pride, Raymond, Peju, Ravenswood, Penfolds to some really obscure French wines. And throw in Dom Perignon 1996. Personally, I prefer Krug over Dom.
Now that I've used the 'recommendations', here's a little more feedback:
- Be able to sort recommendations by price, availability, red/white/sparking/rose
- Perhaps even sort by food pairing?
A couple other things I've noticed:
- Ability to easily rate searched wines by rolling over the glasses (not intuitive but nice feature)
- Pricing!! Needs to be listed as soon as possible.
- The items that do have pricing... some end in .99, some end in .00. There is no consistency there. Price should be listed as just $XXX without decimals. There isn't a point since price fluctuates by state and promotions.
Philip James commented on suggestions for the rating system. Half points are a little vague, I think.
Two thoughts.
One. I would prefer an icon (different from a glass) for 'strongly dislike', another icon for 'dislike', and then a five point rating system for the items you do like with the first glass being neutral. Perhaps there doesn't even have to be two levels of dislike.
Two. A ten point rating system. Same as half points but easier to see and use.
I can't wait to see what is coming with the "Friends" feature.
More to come...
6.11.2007
Snooth - Wine Lovers UNITE
So last weekend, Kevin and I were on our way to the USA Mens vs. China Mens friendly game at Spartan Stadium. As usual, I started on my soap box about wine companies continuously trying to market their latest and greatest products. They've come to realize that the "millennial" generation is an important consumer base. However, they don't seem to understand that buying a full page ad in Spectator, Enthusiast or even Sunset, Savour, etc., don't help their cause. Some have taken the beer route and started advertising in Maxim, FHM, Cosmo and the like sort.
As a wine buyer, my biggest challenge to them is to understand the habits of my generation. We've learned to ignore the mass advertising campaigns and rely more on recommendations of friends and blogs. The concept of an online social network has proved to be sustainable. There should be an online network for wine lovers. Recommendations from people around the world based on similar taste profile... what an idea! Any good wine sales person does the exact thing at the store level. You share a handful of wines you like and they are able to come up with similar items that you may enjoy as well.
Lo and behold, ask and you shall receive! Enoch sent me a link to this new site: www.snooth.com
It does exactly what I was going on and on about. They have the funding, they seem to have the partnerships and they seem to know what they're doing. The site needs some serious overhauling in terms of look and feel but in general, it's a good start.
For example, it doesn't help when I search for "red oak" that Penfolds Grange 1998 comes up. It's a great bottle, true, but it's nearly impossible to find for purchase. If you refine by limiting retail and "wines in stock", the recommendations are much better. Is the site trying to recommend wines in general or tap into this concept of recommendations by taste profile? That needs to be stated in a clearer manner.
Easy fixes:
- Uploading photos
- Ability to search by specific price range (currently can only define upper limit, should be able to define lower limit as well)
- Ability to search by country, region, state, AVA/DOC/DOCG/AOC/etc.
Slightly more complicated fixes:
- Rating system. There's only five little glasses for "Hate it, Dislike it, Neutral, Like it, Love it" To average out everyone's rating is not a fair assessment. That isn't the focus of this site, is it? If you hate something, well, maybe there are different levels of hate but I would say if you spit it out, you hate it. If you dislike it, it probably means it made you squirm but you swallowed it and you didn't take another sip. Neutral is truly neutral. But like and love, there are fairly different levels to this. I like a good Bordeaux blend. We make one called Red Sky Ranch Napa Meritage. It's good. But I really like Chateau La Fleur Mongiron. Do I love it? No. But I do like it a lot and much more so than the aforementioned meritage. I love a good pinot noir. But I can't say I have the same level of love for Shea Wine Cellars as I do for Clos de Vougeot or La Tache. There's love and then there's obsession.
- Brick and mortar retailers. Online purchasing is great, but let's support the dusty store around the corner. Possibly an advertising/venue generating vehicle?
- Another idea is to sort by nationally and readily available wines (Smoking Loon, Hess, Jadot, for example) versus small production lots. No use recommending something that can't be found.
More thoughts to come...
As a wine buyer, my biggest challenge to them is to understand the habits of my generation. We've learned to ignore the mass advertising campaigns and rely more on recommendations of friends and blogs. The concept of an online social network has proved to be sustainable. There should be an online network for wine lovers. Recommendations from people around the world based on similar taste profile... what an idea! Any good wine sales person does the exact thing at the store level. You share a handful of wines you like and they are able to come up with similar items that you may enjoy as well.
Lo and behold, ask and you shall receive! Enoch sent me a link to this new site: www.snooth.com
It does exactly what I was going on and on about. They have the funding, they seem to have the partnerships and they seem to know what they're doing. The site needs some serious overhauling in terms of look and feel but in general, it's a good start.
For example, it doesn't help when I search for "red oak" that Penfolds Grange 1998 comes up. It's a great bottle, true, but it's nearly impossible to find for purchase. If you refine by limiting retail and "wines in stock", the recommendations are much better. Is the site trying to recommend wines in general or tap into this concept of recommendations by taste profile? That needs to be stated in a clearer manner.
Easy fixes:
- Uploading photos
- Ability to search by specific price range (currently can only define upper limit, should be able to define lower limit as well)
- Ability to search by country, region, state, AVA/DOC/DOCG/AOC/etc.
Slightly more complicated fixes:
- Rating system. There's only five little glasses for "Hate it, Dislike it, Neutral, Like it, Love it" To average out everyone's rating is not a fair assessment. That isn't the focus of this site, is it? If you hate something, well, maybe there are different levels of hate but I would say if you spit it out, you hate it. If you dislike it, it probably means it made you squirm but you swallowed it and you didn't take another sip. Neutral is truly neutral. But like and love, there are fairly different levels to this. I like a good Bordeaux blend. We make one called Red Sky Ranch Napa Meritage. It's good. But I really like Chateau La Fleur Mongiron. Do I love it? No. But I do like it a lot and much more so than the aforementioned meritage. I love a good pinot noir. But I can't say I have the same level of love for Shea Wine Cellars as I do for Clos de Vougeot or La Tache. There's love and then there's obsession.
- Brick and mortar retailers. Online purchasing is great, but let's support the dusty store around the corner. Possibly an advertising/venue generating vehicle?
- Another idea is to sort by nationally and readily available wines (Smoking Loon, Hess, Jadot, for example) versus small production lots. No use recommending something that can't be found.
More thoughts to come...
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