Comments

Dave
Posted 3 days ago

Well, I must say I'm a bit surprised, but lucky enough to have made my trip to "mecca" of wine kits last summer. I have had conversations with Linda by both phone and e-mail, and even when I didn't like what I read, I knew it was right. Linda (and Tim) and I hail from the same neck of the woods (Saskatchewan) so I always felt a bit of a connection. Good luck Linda in your future endeavors and thanks for the help. Maybe you'll have time to visit Kamsack now!

Comments

Thom Green
Posted 14 days ago

Tim -- Whew indeed!! I have been a home winemaker for over 11 years and Winexpert is generally my kit of choice. There has been only one year I have not ordered, made and consumed at least one of if not all four and then five Limited Edition kits.

Since you have pushed the idea of reading the directions before I started the kit, I did. It's kinda like a guy telling a guy, "yeah, ya better look at the map".

What a shock when I followed all of the directions and discovered the SG to come in at 1.080 and nothing better.

I couldn't believe WE made a mistake, and so, before adding sugar, I thought I would check your blog. Good thing I did. I would not have known about the problem with the Brix/SG readings.

Again, whew! and thanks!

Thom Green, Fort Wayne, IN

PS: Patterson Hardware in New Haven is my WE shop of choice.

Thom,

Glad that we caught it in time to avoid major confusion. The gravity reading caught me off guard as much as anyone--the longer I stay in this business, the more I realise I have left to learn. 

The folks at Patterson are lovely people--glad you've found a fine shop. 

Cheers, 

Tim 

Comments

Giovanni
Posted 7 weeks ago

I can't wait! When will this be available in Kapuskasing?

Chateau Joe
Posted 7 weeks ago

Happy April 1st everyone. Hint hint!

Yes, happy back-to-work day! 

Tim

Comments

Ace
Posted 10 weeks ago

Right on, brah! Drink it if it makes you happy, and life is too short to deal with rude people.

Thanks, Ace. I agree with you that rude folks don't really warrant a lot of attention--it could be better spent on drinking.

Cheers

Tim

Bronte
Posted 10 weeks ago

It ruins palettes? What, are they dipping art supplies in the Stoly?

I know, that one always kills me. But since I am not without sin, and seem unable to edit my own copy at the best of times, I thought I'd leave that one alone. 

But for future reference, everybody: PALATE. Thank-you.

Tim

Lisa
Posted 9 weeks ago

Sometimes, you don't want anything fancy, you just want a gin and tonic. It should not take complex negotiations with a snotty bartender to get it.

Personally, I like vodka, in part because it takes on so many flavors. The only person I judge in the vodkaverse is the guy who thought chocolate chip cookie dough flavored vodka was a good idea. Not someone I want to have a drink with.

Precisely, Lisa: if a barkeep thinks he is there to tell you what you should and shouldn't like, he's in the worng line of work. He should be an art critic or perhaps a wine blogger, two positions where a bloated ego and lack of self-awareness are assets. 

Vodka is fine--in fact, last night I went to the freezer and pulled out the bottle of Russian vodka I keep there for friends, and had an icy shot (just research, of course, since this blog made me realise I hadn't had any in so long) and it was crisp, pleasant, oily and heavy. Not bad at all. 

But cookie dough or whipped cream vodka? That's really crossing into an area where people are consuming a beverage for sugar and artificial flavours. Fine for them, but I have to think it's not really about the booze at that point. 

Tim

David
Posted 9 weeks ago

Thanks for the interesting read Tim. It's been reiterated here a few times, but I think it's worth repeating that life is too short to not enjoy what YOU like, regardless of other's opinions. I like rum & coke (and Malibu & coke, and rum and cream soda, and spiced rum with...well you get the point), gin & tonic, and the one that everyone seems to look down on...sherry. I like sweet wines too. How anyone could NOT like a nice moscato is beyond me...it's not complex but either is candy, and plenty of people eat candy without being ridiculed.

Just because you appreciate grand, elaborate, and complex things, doesn't mean you can't appreciate simple things as well.

I now step down from my soapbox. Thank you.

My pleasure, David. I couldn't agree with you more. I make my living by telling people how and what to drink (and how to make it themselves!) but that doesn't mean I can tell anyone what they should enjoy, no matter what level of experience I think I have. 

And I love your comment about candy: I love a really great Port, or a glass of Sauternes--both are as sweet and as calorically dense as soda pop, so how could I berate somebody for liking Coca-Cola in their rum? 

Drag that particular soapbox out any old time, chum.

Tim