Wine Class, No Class and Other Junk

This past week, I finished a wine appreciation course on old world wines through the LCBO. I even received a diploma to prove it, which I am considering framing and putting up in my parent’s basement with my “real” degrees, as it is arguably the best time that I have had learning about something!

Wines of the Old World was a four week course that covered the wines of four countries – France, Italy, Spain and Germany. I believe that it is offered throughout the year at various LCBO locations that are equipped with a tasting room. This class was a lot of fun and some wines that I would likely never find or buy, were sampled.

A class would basically run like this:

- The instructor discusses the region and its grape varietals, wine making techniques, laws and governing wine regulations for the country

- 8 wines are sampled and discussed (note sheet provided). For France, Spain and Italy, it was 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine. For Germany, it was 4 whites, 3 reds and 1 dessert wine.

- Questions are answered. As always, some are better than others....I would guess/hope that the wine consumed probably influenced some of the questions.

- Class dismissed, which also meant that suddenly 30 or so people who had just sampled 8 different types of wines are unleashed on a huge LCBO. Apparently, after the class on Italy, our class spent over $1,000 at the store, between 8:30 at the end of the class and 9, when it closed!

The class was lead by a LCBO Vintages Consultant named John, who pretty much has the sweetest life ever. In the winter/spring, he works for Vintages, tasting and advising on wines to bring in to sell and teaches classes like Wines of the Old World. In the spring/summer, he goes home to his native Greece to help his family by working in their vineyards. What a life!

My favourite region of the course would have be Italy. we got to sample a $91 bottle of Brunello, which I would undoubtedly buy if I had $91 to spend on a bottle of wine!

All in all, it was a great 4 week course and a really great way to spend a Thursday night. I would highly recommend this as a gift and I hope to move on to the Wines of the New World class that is offered.

Oh, Stephen Harper....

Harper and the Tories attempted to BUY the vote of a terminally ill MP, Chuck Cadman in 2005. From thestar.com:

A biography of Cadman, to be published this month, charges that two Conservative party officials offered Cadman, who was critically ill with cancer, a $1 million life insurance policy if he voted against the then-Liberal minority government in a confidence vote on May 19, 2005. If he had voted with the Conservatives, the government would have fallen, forcing an election.

Man, that is just low. Are politicians the dumbest people on the planet, or are they just so arrogant that they don’t think that they will get caught or held responsible for their actions. Allegedly, Harper is one of the people who actually made “the ask” to Cadman. You would think that Harper would have a minion to do the dirty work for him!

Here are some Random Thoughts:

Vacation

We are currently trying to decide what to do with our vacation this year. We are really in a win-win situation. We are stuck between Greece and Vietnam.

Where do you think we should go? Vote in the top right corner and let me know what you think!

Radiohead – Scotch Mist Sessions

I’m not sure what this is all about, but Radiohead has posted a bunch of live and in some cases alternate takes from their In Rainbows album. They are all good, some are great. Here is
Here is one for “Faust Arp” It looks like they were up all night, waited for sunrise and recorded this in one take. Also, some weird dialogue at the beginning.... I am looking forward to seeing these guys this summer!



Books Read(ing)

I finished reading the Rick Mercer Report Book. Man, what a cash-grab! The book is simply a regurgitation of past Rants and skits that Rick has done on his show. I felt a bit ripped off. It was a quick read and was mostly Rick’s thought’s on Canada and Canadian politics. I just started reading The End of Mr.Y by Scarlett Thomas, which has been quite enjoyable, in a quirky kind of way, although I am only about 50 pages in!

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

Supersize Me and 30 Days creator Morgan Spurlock is back and is trying to do something that the US Government is having a really hard time with.



Live News Bloopers

I love scanning Youtube for live TV bloopers like this one! I am considering making this a reoccurring Blog topic. Damn you Canadian Brown Finches!!




That's it for another blog. Keep it real!