Wines traveling by sail boat

The folks at 100 mile diet just posted a story about a new/old trend in Europe to ship wines by sail boat. This is how ancient wines were transported, of course. Some winemakers are reviving the trend to reduce their environmental impact (and shipping costs, presumably) by eliminating petroleum transportation fuel.

We say, "Fantastic!" Columbus Ohio isn't likely to be reached by sailboat any time soon, but wind farms are being built here to generate consumer energy.

Bourbon Country Kentucky

At the end of March, we will travel to Kentucky Bourbon Country. The bluegrass region of Kentucky is home to dozens of small bourbon producers. It also happens to be a scenic area perfect for biking.

We hope to visit three or four distilleries and stay in a bed and breakfast. Do any of you lovely readers have recommendations?

Kinkead Ridge 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

On the night before Valentine's Day we shared a bottle of Kinkead Ridge 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18)with my mother. We were waiting for the right time to open it because Kinkead Ridge is one of the most "local" wines we have. It's made here in Ohio.

That's right, Ohio wine.

Our last experience with Ohio wine was on the drunkard's dream island of Put-in-Bay. The barely fermented grape juice was so sweet and tasteless that we compared it to Kool-Aid. We literally poured out the second half of the bottle because it was undrinkable.

So we approached the Kinkead Ridge 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon with some hesitation. We decanted the bottle and later poured three glasses. The nose was strong with cherry and berry scents. The body was full and well balanced. Color was deep red and clear.

Kinkead Ridge bills themselves as an ultra-premium Estate Bottled wine maker. Based on this initial tasting, we are eager to try more and visit their vineyard sometime soon.

Moral of the story: Drinking local can have surprising results!

A quote from "Collapse" by Jared Diamond

"...population and environmental problems created by non-sustainable resource use will ultimately get solved in one way or another: if not by pleasant means of our own choice, then by unpleasant and unchosen means..."

Abita Mardi Gras Bock

Yesterday we watched Tony Bourdain's No Reservations episode about New Orleans, two years after hurricane Katrina. We are Tony fans and agree that this is one of his best episodes. For an hour we were captured: remembering the pain of watching the city flood, the disappointment at government failure to assist, the remaining fear that something awful would happen again. Squat bottles Abita beer, a small brewery near New Orleans, were served in many of the places Tony visited.


Since watching No Reservations last night, I wanted an Abita. As it turns out, their winter seasonal is Mardi Gras Bock. It's a good strong version of the bock style. It's crisp, malty, and mildly hopped. Happy Mardi Gras!