It doesn't take but a song or two with the Brotherhood to know this ain't the Crowes. It's not just the club-size venues they're hitting or the almost total absence of Crowes material but the whole vibe that's markedly different; where the Crowes strut and stomp, the Brotherhood shuffles and strolls, hewing close to the ah-shucks bounce of The Band and Rolling Thunder-era Bob Dylan. Clad in t-shirts and jeans, this bearded bunch eases into the music, muscle apparent in the elongated jams that extend most pieces but also weaving with playful intent and openness to strangeness, chance and newness. Not everything works yet but in just the two weeks from the band's previous Bay Area visit, the shows in SF and Oakland last week exhibited more cohesion and a growing sense of shared identity - that ephemeral but tangible thing that makes something a band and not just folks playing songs at the same time.

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Chris Robinson Brotherhood - 04.20.11 - by Josh Miller
Things were a bit tighter and more focused at The Independent, where The New Parish meandered a bit, albeit lovingly and with the best of intentions. One takes the ride the Brotherhood is offering, especially since much of what's being played is new material. It forces the listener to simply be present as the Brotherhood's rock gestalt gestates on stages. It's a brave choice but one that asks that the audience accept that this isn't pure entertainment.
There's serious chemistry between Robinson (lead vocals, guitar), Neal Casal (guitar, vocals), fellow Black Crowe Adam McDougall (keys, vocals), former MOFRO skinman George Sluppick (drums) and Mark "Muddy" Dutton (bass), and it's a blast to see what they come out with at each brotherly session. You could see the surprise - both in a pleasurable way and occasionally not so much - on their faces as they trotted around the tunes in both cities last week.


Neal Casal - 05.02.11 - by Josh Miller
A few key things to note:
-Neal Casal is just lethal in this band. Rarely has anyone given him this much free rein as a guitarist, and he's sparking off increasingly interesting stuff in Robinson's guitar work, too. Sinewy, bright and forceful and delicate by turns, Casal's playing rides in the meat of the music much of the time, not drawing undo attention to itself but grabbing the crowd by the lapels when he solos. He's a very different axe foil than Robinson has ever worked with before and definitely the most satisfying of his solo ventures.

Adam MacDougall, crowned with a dapper, utterly fitting top hat, plays with a more pronounced presence in the Brotherhood than in the Crowes. Here, his role is as much texture and tasty sonics as it is rippling piano solos (but he's got a few of those up his sleeve, too). There's a nifty electricity and far reaching approach to his work in the Brotherhood that spills rich colors over the music, rainbows then lined by the robust guitar frontline and gutbucket swinging rhythm team. Close your eyes and you can practically swim in it, and often the guy pouring the most liquid into the flow is MacDougall.


Adam MacDougall - 04.20.11 - by Josh Miller
-New material standouts include the skipping, exploratory “Star Or Stone," captivating, Sir Douglas Quintet-esque midtempo groover “Tulsa Yesterday" and “Vibration & Light Suite," which taps into the Grateful Dead's compartmentalized, long-form songcraft for what's shaping up to be this band's “Terrapin." It is but one of many gentle nods to the Dead and their ways, right down to a loosey-goosey feel at times, a thick pocket perfect for a wine ‘n' weed haze, something the many twirlers in Oakland picked up on in a big way. Covers of “Viola Lee Blues," “They Love Each Other" and “New Minglewood Blues" reinforce this impression, but it's both pleasing to the ear/spirit and not a real surprise given Robinson's connection to Phil Lesh & Friends and the Bay Area Dead scene. What's good is they aren't doing a rehash; their versions are definitely their own, and I particularly dug the messy, slightly off-kilter version of “Viola Lee" with Howlin Rain's Ethan Miller they whacked us with in Oakland on April 20.
This established, vintage jam stuff comes alive in their hands, and I think it helps that the rest of the band isn't as familiar with the tunes as their bandleader. This helps bypass any rote playing drawn from memory and nostalgia. It's an attitude they're applying to other cover material, including a simmering rendition of Dave Mason's “Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave" and an eerily fine fitting take on Dylan's “Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," which they debuted last week. There's a few oddball choices like the Everly Brothers' “Bird Dog" and Elvis' “Blue Suede Shoes," but I do appreciate the direct shout-out to rock's progenitors.

This is surely going somewhere, and there's talk of a studio album this summer. The path towards that somewhere is a lot of fun and excitingly different than the Crowes, a sound with the underlying energies of great California rock, past and present, a rolling stone for the people offered with an outstretched hand and a glinting eye on the oceanic horizon.

Oakland Setlist
Set One: Someday Past The Sunset, Poor Elijah - Tribute To Johnson (Medley), Star or Stone, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (1st time played), Little Lizzie Mae, Girl I Love You, Tomorrow Blues, Vibration & Light Suite
Set Two: Tulsa Yesterday, Tumbleweed in Eden, If Your Wheel Don't Roll, Sorrows of a Blue-Eyed Liar, Tough Mama, Beware, Sunday Sound, Rosalee
Encore: Older Guys, Mississippi, You're On My Mind

Continue reading for more pics of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood in San Francisco...
Words by: Dennis Cook via http://www.jambase.com/Articles/49728/Chris-Robinson-Brotherhood-Bay-Area-Review-Pics




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Somehow a voracious grape-eating moth has found its way nonstop from Europe to the heart of the Napa Valley, the land of three-figure cabernet. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of European grapevine moths are now emerging from cocoons in dozens of vineyards in the heart of the world famous wine-growing region. It is the first time the pest has ever been seen in North America.

A handful of California's best vintners today admit to having used "suitcase cloning" to avoid years long waits in USDA quarantine for their vines.

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Wine racks are a great choice for those who have a growing wine collection or those who are outgrowing their wine cellar or refrigerator. Indeed, wine racks are always best for bottles of wine that will be consumed rather quickly, as storing wine for more than a couple of months will need cool temperatures and low humidity, such as those found in a wine refrigerator or cellar.

The wood wine racks are probably the most popular type of wine racks because everyone loves the look of fine wood and they are very durable and last for many years in any setting. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just enjoy having bottles of fine wine in your home, a wine storage is crucial to ensure the your wine is properly stored until you need it.

Aesthetic Appeal

A well constructed and placed wine rack can add appeal and even value to your home if done right. There are usually two preferences in wine racks, smaller general racks that can be placed in any closet or wine room, or custom wine racks can be made to conform to almost any space and any number of bottles. Below we examine different kinds of wine racks.

Oak Wood

A common choice for wood racks, oak is very strong and many pieces of furniture is make from the oak tree. Thus many wine lover choose this kind of wood because it will most likely match their house furniture. A smaller rack might be the best choice because the rack would be a companion piece to the other furniture.

Pine Wood

Pine is also versatile and can be finished in a wide variety of colors, or clear-coated to highlight the clean, clear graining of the wood.

Cedar Wood

Aesthetic Appeal

California Redwood

Redwood is one of the best, if not the very best natural materials for building projects.

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For many, wine is a good addition to a fine meal, or a companion piece to a gathering. Often times these same people do not realize that the wine that they drink has very real health benefits. Below are some ways that moderate wine intake can positively affect one's health.

1. Wine and Heart Health

A study from researchers at the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. identifies a mechanism for how alcohol favorably effects arterial muscle cells. According to Wilhelm Vetter, M.D., and colleagues, alcohol, when consumed around mealtime, reduces the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) within the arteries. SMC growth is a key element in the develop-ment of atherosclerosis, which commonly leads to heart attacks and strokes.

2. Stroke

The moderate consumption of wine (but not beer or spirits) is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, according to a new report. The authors believe wine's protective effects may be linked to disease-fighting compounds other than alcohol. “Intake of wine is associated with lower risk of stroke,” concludes a 16-year Danish study led by Dr. Thomas Truelsen of Copen-hagen University Hospital (Journal of the American Heart Association, December, 1998).

3. Cancer

Among moderate drinkers, those who consumed at least 30% of their alcohol intake in the form of wine were at slightly lower risk than non-drinkers for Upper Digestive Tract cancers. They speculate that compounds found in wine, such as resveratrol, may exert powerful anticarcinogenic effects that protect against any cancer-causing effects of alcohol. “Wine contains several components with possible anticarcinogenic effects - these may exert their action locally in parallel with the possible effect of ethanol.”

Wine, when consumed moderately and intelligently, has the ability to increase one's overall health and longevity. The benefits are so vast that wine should be a daily rityal!

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Everybody has things that they want to do in their life. Whether it's something extreme like skydiving, or something simple like seeing a certain sight, we all have something that sparks our interests. Often great things do not have to be expensive, or even far away, especially if you are a wine love. There are many great wine experiences that one can have in California that are memorable, but won't break the bank.

Highway 29

This Getaway will take you up Highway 29 from Yountville, just past the town of St Helena. The five famous and historic wineries on this list represent wineries that have been instrumental in giving Napa Valley wines their worldwide recognition. You may want to plan a restaurant stop for lunch in St. Helena or at the northern end of the valley in the town of Calistoga. Whether you are from San Fran or Sacramento, these wineries are easily accessible.

Domaine Chandon

In the early 1970s, the great French Champagne house of Moet & Chandon made a decision to start making sparkling wine in California. They chose the Carneros and Mount Veeder regions of the Napa Valley as the ideal climate and soil to produce fine sparkling wines made in the French tradition. The name Domain Chandon was established and the winery produced its first vintage in 1976. Today Domain Chandon is world famous for its quality of fine California sparkling wines. The sparkling wines are not the only attraction to this famous and historic winery. The landscaped grounds and the architecture are spectacular. We recommend taking the tour, which is very informative and worth the time. To get to Chandon, turn off Highway 29 at the Yountville exit. Travel to the west and look for the winery on the right after you cross the railroad tracks.

Rubicon Estate

This is a magnificent winery made famous by the great Inglenook wines that were once produced here. Francis Ford Coppola, of “The Godfather” fame, purchased this winery in 1975. In 2006 the winery changed its focus along with its name. Early in 2006, Coppola changed the name from Niebaum-Coppola to Rubicon Estate. The emphasis now is on the production of very high-end wines made from their estate Napa Valley vineyards. Entrance to the winery is $25 per person which includes tasting, an optional tour, and valet parking. Production of the other Coppola wines will take place at their newly-acquired facility in the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County called Francis Ford Coppola Winery (formerly Chateau Souverain).

Hidden Wineries

Believe it or not, there are some hidden wineries in the Napa Valley. It is hard to escape the crowds when visiting the Napa Valley especially on weekends. These wineries of the Napa Valley are sure to be less touristy. Some of these wineries are open by appointment only but don't let that discourage you. They love to have visitors and will make you feel at home. There are several other hidden wineries in the Napa Valley but these are our favorites.

Elyse Winery

The Elyse Winery is on Hoffman Lane on the west side of Highway 29 as you near Yountville. If you are traveling north from Napa, you will probably miss Hoffman Lane. That's a good thing because it is a dangerous left turn to get to Hoffman and Elyse on the west side of Highway 29. For safety sake, we encourage visitors to forget the left turn and instead exit a mile ahead at the first Yountville exit. Turn under the freeway and get back on Highway 29 going south. Technically, the winery is open by appointment only but will take visitors just about any time between 10 and 5. The owners are Ray Coursen and his wife Nancy. Ray does the winemaking and makes delicious red wines. One of our favorites is the Nero Mista, a blend of red varietals that makes a very food friendly and balanced wine.

Summers Winery

Summers Winery is a small family-owned winery located at the very north end of the Napa Valley on Tubbs Lane. Summers has a very inviting picnic area that includes a Bocce Ball court. Two wines in particular standout at Summers Winery, the Charbono and the Petite Sirah. The Charbono grape used to be abundant in California but now there more than 100 acres of Charbono vineyards in California. This is a very food friendly red wine. The second wonderful wine is the Petite Sirah from Knights Valley. This is a big wine that is full of flavors.


The article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, visit us at www.thewinerackco.com

The wood wine racks are probably the most popular type of wine racks because everyone loves the look of fine wood and they are very durable and last for many years in any setting. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just enjoy having bottles of fine wine in your home, a wine storage is crucial to ensure the your wine is properly stored until you need it.

Aesthetic Appeal

A well constructed and placed wine rack can add appeal and even value to your home if done right. There are usually two preferences in wine racks, smaller general racks that can be placed in any closet or wine room, or custom wine racks can be made to conform to almost any space and any number of bottles. Below we examine different kinds of wine racks.

Oak Wood

A common choice for wood racks, oak is very strong and many pieces of furniture is make from the oak tree. Thus many wine lover choose this kind of wood because it will most likely match their house furniture. A smaller rack might be the best choice because the rack would be a companion piece to the other furniture.

Cedar Wood

Another very popular choice for wood racks is cedar because the red cedar has that terrific aroma that no other wood can match. What gives it the great smell is the juniper that typically grows in the cedar tree. It is a very durable wood and would make a great addition to any room in your home to store your wine. Many people who create their own wine cellars, do so with the cedar wood because it naturally gives the cellar a nice aroma.

California Redwood

By far the most superior wood to build wine racks out of is that of the California Redwood. Not only does the wood give a beautiful and unique aesthetic with its mixture of cram and pink rose tones, it also is light yet strong. Redwood is known for its long straight grain and warm color, excellent decay resistance and ease of workability. It is one of the best, if not the very best natural materials for building projects.

The article brought to you by The Wine Rack Company, California, visit us at www.thewinerackco.com

5. Rhone whites

Because most of the grapes grown in the wine country are red, the prices for white
can be more than expected. But Rhone white can provide a spicy alternative to
Reds without breaking the bank. Flavors of white Rhone blends include spice, nut,
honeysuckle and green apple. In fact, most of these wines can range from $10 to $24
Dollars a bottle. If you are interested in a more tangy and edgy taste that usual then
we recommend you try this.



4. 'The Other' Red Wine

One is immediately struck by the vibrant color of this wine. The aromas of
blackberries and plums are complemented by spice, toasty oak and cedar
notes. "Lots of dark fruit in this red blend from Lodi, California. 60% Cabernet, 30%
Merlot and 10% Syrah. This will only run $17.



3. Aquinas Chardonnay Napa
From the winery, "A bright straw-yellow color with a slight lime cast, this wine has
aromas of lemon peel, apricots, white peaches, and vanilla infused tea. The flavors
are reminiscent of lemon crème brulee, peach yoghurt, and citrus sorbet with notes
of fresh cream and subtle oak notes. Only $17.



2. 2009 Dante Reserve Pinot Noir Sonoma County

Always fans of the Dante Cabernet, we recently discovered the Pinot - 2009 is
the first vintage - which offers a lot of bang for your buck as well as appealing
raspberry, dark fruit, and cola flavors. The wines are named after Michael
Pozzan's eldest son, Michael Dante Pozzan, and the Pozzans descend from a family
winemaking history that began in Italy more than 150 years ago.

1. 2009 Morgan Sauvignon Blanc Monterey

The addition of a small amount of Semillon adds some body and further complexity
to this Sauvignon Blanc whose predominant flavors include grapefruit and citrus.
Morgan Winery has been around since 1982 and consistency is one of their noted
qualities. No exception here.

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There are many ways wine can be stored in a house. You can buy wine racks, have them custom-made to suit your needs, or you can even build a wine cellar for storing wine. Adopting one of these options depends on the amount of wine you have that needs to be stored. If you have a large, sizable collection of wine bottles from all over the world, you might consider building a wine cellar. If, however, you enjoy just a few bottles at a time then simple wine racks will serve the purpose.


The important thing to remember in the context of wine storage is the constant temperature and humidity level to maintain. At high temperatures, wine starts to lose its color, taste and in extreme cases even turn to vinegar. Humidity level is to be maintained to prevent corks from drying out. If corks do dry out it causes the wine to lose its taste prematurely. However, in a cool and dark place, wine tends to last for many years to come.

Position and Peace


First is position, bottles should be kept horizontal in a safe area, where they will not be disturbed. They need be laying horizontally so that the wine is always in contact with the cork, which keeps the cork from drying out. This is important because if the cork dries out then it let in wild yeast, fungus, or bacteria that will create off flavors in your wine. You will also want to ensure the wine can lie undisturbed for a long time. As wine ages, it will continue to change in the bottle and will form sediments. You want these sediments to sink to the bottom of the bottle and stay there so when you pour an old wine into the decanter you will not foul it with the lees. Although a wine rack is not required, it is worth the investment. Your wines can be nicely organized and kept safer from accidental breakage.


Temperature
Wines should also be kept away from heat sources and temperatures that are too cold. You don't want them stored in any area that freezing temperatures might occur and cause bottle to break. Too, avoid heat above 64F in order to ensure the wine does not get cooked, another way wine can develop off flavors. The goal is a constant temperature, away from sunlight. Dedicating a cabinet area that is low and safe form heat would work well. Also, there are many wine refrigerators on the market that will keep your wines stored in perfect conditions until you are ready to enjoy them.
Light and Humidity
Light and humidity both affect wine to a lesser, but still significant degree. Wine stored in direct sunlight can undergo changes to the plant based compounds in the wine. Very strong sunlight for long periods can have adverse affects on both the aroma and body of the wine. Humidity should be kept high enough to ensure the cork does not shrink from the outside. But too high a humidity will encourage wild yeast, fungus, and bacteria growth that could promote spoilage. Aiming for 30-60% humidity is ideal.
Of course, if you can do it, a wine cellar is ideal. This is not just a generic term for a place to keep wine. A cellar (below ground) is best because generally temperatures are cooler and more constant. The cellar or basement of a dwelling is also protected from damaging sunlight.
You will be rewarded if you take the time to store your wine properly because the bottles will age well and potentially improve as the years pass. It takes little effort to treat your wines well, but it will help protect your investment and make your drinking experience much more pleasurable.

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Earth-friendly Packaging
Paradise View Sonoma Coast .The grapes used to produce this exceptional wine are grown on the rolling hillsides of southern Sonoma. Paradise Vineyards overlooks the north shore of San Francisco Bay at the intersection of Highways 37 and 121. With views of the bay and the city skylines, our location offers cool ocean breezes that create a longer growing season and a unique environment for growing grapes with intense and concentrated flavors.http://www.paradisevineyard.com/ Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com
Amador Cellars is a unique winery located in the heart of Amador County's lush Shenandoah Valley wine country. Built in 2003 of rice straw and concrete the winery and tasting room conveys Old World architecture and style that emphasizes simplicity, utility and function. Its two foot thick and sixteen foot tall walls impart mass and depth while the roof is covered in corrugated steel that was allowed to rust naturally giving the structure a timeless quality. It sits on a knoll overlooking rolling vineyards in the shade of a stand of Valley Oak. A perfect spot for enjoying a picnic and fine wine.

At 1,500 feet in elevation on soils derived from decomposed granite our estate vineyards are farmed to yield small crops of extraordinary tasting fruit -- the perfect beginning to vinting great wines. Our wines are made in a style that emphasizes varietal character of the fruit augmented by subtle oak and vanilla flavors from oak barrel aging. All of our winegrape is harvested by hand at the peak of ripeness, fermented in either oak barrels, open top bins or stainless steel tanks for 5 to 12 days and then aged in oak barrels for 8 to 20 months. We focus our attention on varieties that do well in Amador's warm climate -- Zinfandel, Italian and Rhone Valley varieties.

Our winery and tasting room is open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment by calling (209) 245-6150. www.amadorcellars.com Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Since 1973, Pacheco Ranch Winery has represented one of the most unique endeavors in California's fabled wine country. Situated just below Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Pacheco Ranch's elegant winery and adjacent vineyards have produced a small quantity of uniquely hand crafted wine through a process that has taken over a quarter of a century to perfect.www.pachecoranchwinery.com Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Tulocay Winery has been around since 1975. But not many people have heard about Bill Cadman, its owner and my boss. That's 'cause he believes the wine should reflect the essence of the vineyard and the philosophy of the winemaker, not the latest innovation of the marketing department or the bottom line of Wall Street financiers.www.tulocay.com/ Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com








Buy Quality Redwood Wine Racks Starting at $2 per bottle www.thewinerackco.com

Today is now the day of Youtube when it come to music videos. Any thing you want right at your finger tips.
No more jack ass Vjays to deal with.
Exhibit A is Justin Bieber, undeniably one of the biggest stars this year. His latest single is called "U Smile." Jerry Wonda produced it, and it has spawned more than 17 million views on YouTube. But this week, the song is nowhere to be found on the charts.

"Baby" was a smash — it's the most viewed YouTube video of all time — but it peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. In a new list of the 100 biggest songs of 2010 published by Billboard, "Baby" doesn't appear until No. 44. Bieber is probably the best example of the way a young fan base is changing the definition of a hit.

To deal with the Bieber paradox, last week Billboard introduced yet another new chart — the Social 50. It ranks musicians' popularity by looking at sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. On that chart, Justin Bieber is No. 2.

Great Piece on www.npr.org about the new trend
http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/12/09/131937319/can-you-tell-whether-a-song-is-a-hit-if-it-s-not-on-the-charts







www.wineracksstore.com

http://stevenkolpanonwine.blogspot.com

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