Political Posts

[Spekulatius]

47 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

We'll sell you the crops, but won't give you the land!  Also, the climate is going to be better in the Northern U.S. and Canada for some of your wine varietals...so we'll grow those and and sell to you as well.  Buy a bottle of Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon and we'll give you a gallon of water free!  Cheers!

We visited Lake Okanagan years ago and the wines there were surprisingly good. Some wineries had German heritage. i can highly recommend visiting this area.

[cwericb]

2 minutes ago, Blake Hampton said:

 

Canada would be ours faster than Parsad could type out another quip about his sweaty crotch.

I'm against invading Canada by the way.

 

Baloney, you would all freeze to death come February.

[adesigar]

2 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

Baloney, you would all freeze to death come February.

More Americans live north of the 49th parallel than Canadians.

[cwericb]

2 minutes ago, adesigar said:

More Americans live north of the 49th parallel than Canadians.

 

Yeah, but most of them are friendlies. 

[NnnnotSoSmart]

1 hour ago, Parsad said:

 Buy a bottle of Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon and we'll give you a gallon of water free!  Cheers!

Wine Review: Eh?

 

Vineyards 2023 Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon –

 

“Maple Leaf Reserve” - This bold Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon from the frozen vineyards of Ontario (or perhaps that one plucky plot in British Columbia that pretends it’s Napa) pours a deep, almost apologetic ruby into the glass, the color of a Mountie’s jacket after a long winter of regrettable decisions. On the nose, it leaps forward with restrained enthusiasm, offering notes of blackcurrant, vanilla, and a distinct whiff of duty-free regret.On the palate, the wine delivers a medium-plus body that’s surprisingly assertive for something that probably spent its formative years under three feet of snow.

 

The fruit is there—ripe plum and cherry—but quickly yields to the unmistakable terroir of the Great White North. I detected clear echoes of poutine gravy (that salty, beefy umami that clings like snow to a parka), followed by a mid-palate surge of maple-glazed bacon that somehow pairs with the subtle char of a perfectly scorched Nanaimo bar crust. The tannins are firm yet polite, much like a Canadian apology delivered after accidentally bumping into you on the sidewalk.What truly elevates this Cabernet, however, is the haunting finish.

 

Just when you think it’s a straightforward New World red, it reveals a wild, gamey undertone that can only be described as moose droppings—earthy, slightly musky, with a lingering essence of “I just trekked through the boreal forest and this is what my boots tasted like.” It’s as if the grapes were gently misted with the essence of a majestic woodland creature that wandered too close to the fermentation tanks after a night of questionable lichen-based decisions. Overall, this is a wine of surprising depth, comic overtones and humorous in its presumptions, scoring a solid 87 points. Perfect for pairing with your next hockey riot or a quiet evening questioning your life choices while eating Kraft Dinner by candlelight. 

 

Grok is amazing.
 

Edited 3 hours ago by NnnnotSoSmart

[Spekulatius]

If you visit Niagara Falls, there is s string of wineries along the Lake on the Canadian side that has ver good ice wines. I got a few in my reserve. That‘s not something you can get in Napa or Sonoma.

 

They are also now impossible to get in Germany too since the winters are way to warm.

Edited 3 hours ago by Spekulatius

[cubsfan]

51 minutes ago, Blake Hampton said:

So everybody here knows how I think the future looks a bit grim. I also think that jurisdictional risk will become increasingly more important as our national politics continues to degrade. Law and order seems to be slipping further out of control by the day. The socialist movement will do nothing but gain strength:

ChiefExecutive.net: Best and Worst States for Business

 

 

and of course the worst:
 

 

We are a divided country for sure. It will get sorted out eventually, but it will be painful. 

 

It's highly unlikely that socialism will prevail here.

[cwericb]

2 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

We are a divided country for sure. It will get sorted out eventually, but it will be painful. 

 

It's highly unlikely that socialism will prevail here.

 

Hopefully not, but that pendulum has swung so far to the right with Trump's grab for presidential power it has changed the rules of the game, so watch out when it swings to the left.

[cubsfan]

10 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

Hopefully not, but that pendulum has swung so far to the right with Trump's grab for presidential power it has changed the rules of the game, so watch out when it swings to the left.

 

We just exited our wild swing to the left with Joe Biden and his attempt at socialism - and that was no fun.   It can certainly get a lot worse with these lunatics like NYC & LA mayors gaining power.

[cwericb]

2 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

We just exited our wild swing to the left with Joe Biden and his attempt at socialism - and that was no fun.   It can certainly get a lot worse with these lunatics like NYC & LA mayors gaining power.

 

If you thought Biden was far left, buckle up.  If the US can't adapt to some sort of three, or multi party system, the future looks pretty dark. It seems everything now is extreme left or extreme right. Is there no one left in the middle?

 

I think there is, but they have no power because the right and left have moved to the extreme, especially the right under Trump. And all those changes that Trump has made towards dictatorship may very well come back to haunt the right if the left ever comes back into power. 

[Parsad]

2 hours ago, NnnnotSoSmart said:

Wine Review: Eh?

 

Vineyards 2023 Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon –

 

“Maple Leaf Reserve” - This bold Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon from the frozen vineyards of Ontario (or perhaps that one plucky plot in British Columbia that pretends it’s Napa) pours a deep, almost apologetic ruby into the glass, the color of a Mountie’s jacket after a long winter of regrettable decisions. On the nose, it leaps forward with restrained enthusiasm, offering notes of blackcurrant, vanilla, and a distinct whiff of duty-free regret.On the palate, the wine delivers a medium-plus body that’s surprisingly assertive for something that probably spent its formative years under three feet of snow.

 

The fruit is there—ripe plum and cherry—but quickly yields to the unmistakable terroir of the Great White North. I detected clear echoes of poutine gravy (that salty, beefy umami that clings like snow to a parka), followed by a mid-palate surge of maple-glazed bacon that somehow pairs with the subtle char of a perfectly scorched Nanaimo bar crust. The tannins are firm yet polite, much like a Canadian apology delivered after accidentally bumping into you on the sidewalk.What truly elevates this Cabernet, however, is the haunting finish.

 

Just when you think it’s a straightforward New World red, it reveals a wild, gamey undertone that can only be described as moose droppings—earthy, slightly musky, with a lingering essence of “I just trekked through the boreal forest and this is what my boots tasted like.” It’s as if the grapes were gently misted with the essence of a majestic woodland creature that wandered too close to the fermentation tanks after a night of questionable lichen-based decisions. Overall, this is a wine of surprising depth, comic overtones and humorous in its presumptions, scoring a solid 87 points. Perfect for pairing with your next hockey riot or a quiet evening questioning your life choices while eating Kraft Dinner by candlelight. 

 

Grok is amazing.
 

 

Canadian and now owned by Fairfax...I buy a case every Christmas!  Cheers!

 

Black Hills Estate Winery’s Nota Bene is a celebrated, Bordeaux-style red blend known for its rich, structured, and age-worthy profile . While traditionally crafted with Okanagan Valley fruit , recent vintages source premium Walla Walla grapes. The wine is prized for complex dark berry flavors and pairs wonderfully with steak. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Recent Vintage Reviews & Profiles

Recent releases have continued to cement Nota Bene’s legacy as an iconic Canadian-crafted wine: [1, 2]

• 2024 Nota Bene (Hiatus Collection): Sourced from the Walla Walla Valley (43% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc) , it brings mineral tension and Walla Walla power . Critics find aromas of black cherry, wild blackberry, and dried herbs, leading to a balanced palate with espresso and crushed stone . [1, 2]
• 2022 Nota Bene: A classic, 95-point stunner (46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc) . Wild-yeast fermented and aged in French oak , experts highlight generous red currant, plum, and spice . It is remarkably age-worthy and structured to cellar for decades. [1, 2, 3]

Tasting & Aging Expectations

• Aroma Profile: Black currant, dark cherry, graphite, and subtle baking spices.
• Palate: Rich and concentrated, moving from firm, grippy tannins in its youth to a polished, velvety finish with air.
• Cellaring Potential: Depending on the specific vintage, Nota Bene can be cellared beautifully for 10 to 20+ years.
• Food Pairings: Exceptional alongside premium cuts of beef, such as a well-marbled ribeye, chateaubriand, or savory ribs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

You can explore vintage availability and purchase options directly through the Black Hills Estate Winery store.

 

[Parsad]

2 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

If you visit Niagara Falls, there is s string of wineries along the Lake on the Canadian side that has ver good ice wines. I got a few in my reserve. That‘s not something you can get in Napa or Sonoma.

 

They are also now impossible to get in Germany too since the winters are way to warm.

 

One of the biggest wineries and ice wine producers now owned by Fairfax!  Drink up, drink up!  Cheers!