quick update

woow... have not had any update for months.. also test whether mobile blogging is still working...

Hofbrau Hefe Weizen from Hofbrau Munchen

  
You know what, I start to hate the way blogger handling the picture... It has its own mechanism to determine the orientation of pictures.... fine... but most of time it never gets it right and then there is no way to overrule it. This smells like google's culture. :D

anyway... that is why some pics are upside down...

The HB hefe from Hofbrau.... one of the most prestige brand from muniche...
sort of disappointed  It has all these distinct characters of bavarian hefe.. .but not as rich and refesh as Schneider...

Suzuki Forenza

  
I thought this would be the brother of the Suzuki Maruti Esteem I rode for 4 months in India (in fact I never drove it). Turn out it is not.... Somehow a car designed by Korean Daewoo and then rebadged by suzuki.
But anyway, the driving experience is not THAT different... .From airport to hotel, which is a 30+ miles on high way, I was scared that it will break down before reaching hotel.
Steering is not bad... it is just a transmisson is so lag behind and the engine just don't have the juice at all... So, it is like either I kill the engine or someone behind me going to smash in my back..
It is sort a spacous... but the interior is not too well designed... .maybe just I am not used to but time to time I just could not find the buttom/switch I needed.

2006 Merlot from Anakena

Another Merlot from Chile. We had its Carmenere and seems this vineyard holds its reputation well...
 
After we had that super cheap "popular" wine, we picked this one to see whether thiscould give us a closer experience as Sombras Del Sol (which is priced right at the ceil of cheap wine).

Sadlly, the answer is still not. But not bad thought
This Merlot do have different flavor but still quite fruity. But I think it does not have that weird combination and charisma from Sombras. Aroma is also different and good (It said to have chocolate aroma?). Its tanning and acid are slight higher than all Chile Merlot we tried.

I will not complain for the quality I got with the price I paid. It is a still decent experience.

2008 Mertlot from Frontera - Concha Y Toro

Previously, the experience of Merlot from Sambra was impressive, so bought couple more Merlots from Chile to try further.

 

This one is intriguing. It is marketed as one of the most popular Chile wine in United State... Urrrrr. ... firstly, the price is --- cheap. It is not only cheap but scarily cheap.. The 750ml is like 4 bucks... and 1.5L is only like 6 in costco!!... This means it is even just half price of most oridinary cheap wine (below $10 wines). Most cheap wines in US are priced between $6 to $10 and that is a range made me comfortable range!!! This is of course more a psychological factor only. There is no guarantee that wine labeled at $10 will be always better than $6, yes... But price at less than $4 !!!!!

Turned out it is NOT bad... It is slighly lighter in color. a little bit fruity but probably the least among the Chile Merlot we tried and light in aroma, tanning, acid, everything!  This means it could be a crowd pleaser. We think it is a wine that won't go wrong, since it does not have any strong characters. If at a party with a large number of quests and don't know their taste or favor (or cannot recognize a consistent one), you probably can put out this and be ease. And it is SO CHEAP that you probably have nothing to lose.

My comprehension maybe funny.. but I do see it has the right formula to because "popular" in US ... hahaha....

Hefe-Weizen Dark from Erdinger

 
Have to say it is not as good as Schneider Weisse. Even this is a Dark and supposed to be stronger... but its aroma and favor are both still distance away (maybe I was wrong in the begining, should get a original white?).

Blue Moon Belgium White

 
US locally brewed Belgium style white beer... I felt it is similar to Brussel's Hoegaagarden.
but quite fresh and CHEAP. So, not a bad deal while you want to try something in different favor.

2007 Cabernet Franc from Pollak

We went to this Vineyard about a month ago. It is a very young winery but with excellent scenery. Kids had a lot of fun there. Through the course, we tasted 7+ different wines. We thought this Cab Franc and its Merlot were out standing.

 

It is dark color, full body, acid and very dry (must thank to the 13 month in oak barrels). I guess because of previous two wines just had - Tempranillo from Spain and Merlot from Chile, both were much lighter and fruity, suddenly felt this cab franc is quite strong.

  

2006 Tempranillo from Vinazaco, Rioja, Spain

Probably the third time I have a Tempranillo. The first two are from the exact same vineyard and it was not bad...

 

It was quite acid in the beginning actually. We then concluded Tempranillo always has to be waken up for more than a hour before drinking. It turned as good as the previous Tempranillo. it is relatively light body, with some flowerish aromas, little fruity but none of them is too strong...

Everything is kind of slim and light... but nothing is bad. I think so far I like Tempranillo because you never has the worry that wine could overpower food.
Meanwhile, the Cost to Value for Tempranillo is always good.

Tumi Alpha multi-card case

Finally I got my Tumi Alpha to replace my lovely Burberry black label card case!!!
This is long overdue... Burberry is in perfect size, very handy and elegant.
Tumi is .... just American style, bold, rugged and bigger (even it is the smallest one I can find)...

2007 Merlot from Cooper Vineyards

Got from a friend. Slightly acid and earthy than my impression about Merlot (which I don't drink much). But it is full body and stronger than the previous Merlot (Sombras).

Turn out the vineyard is about 25 mins drive from my home... very family business style vineyard. Went there and happened to be the free tasting day... Tried about 11 different wines... Got to say its sweet one like ice and dissert wine are much more impressive.

2008 Merlot from Sombras Del Sol

 
I got it from a small but nice (seems quite professional) wine cellar nearby. … It got my attention firstly because it also has Carmenere. The sales rep lady was very nice and had me tried all her variety. However, its Carmenere and Cab were not impressive at this Merlot

Price is very reasonable since it is quite a new brand. But I got to say it is quite top of my Merlot experience. Even my mom who normally don’t drink Merlot, asked immediately where I got it after one sip. There were some complains about that it was Foster behind the scene. But who cares

Fruity, smooth, nice flower-like aroma(I am not that good in distinguishing flowers). It is quite easy to drink (actually, made me drink too much).

Definitely thinking to buy another one, if I still can find it..

2009 Beaujolais Nouveau from Jean-Claude Debeaune

The first Beaujolais for me, thanks to our Japanese sommelier friend.

After some research, I found beaujolais is quite an interesting category for me, since it supposed to be more fruity, sweeter but not too much, not so much depth, fresher and lighter than ordinary wine... I think it will do well in certain occasions. And personally like it, surprisingly.

Shiner Bock from Spoetzl (Shiner, TX)

It is said to be the "state beer" of Texas. Last time I have it probably back in 2004.

http://www.shiner.com/main.php

This is probably one of the best drinkable beer I found in US. There are quite some "drinkable beers" in United State. Like Samuel Adams has some.... but this is probably one of the best. And whatever you see on commerical mostly, they are not.  Decent aroma and flavor, and you don't have to drink it too chilled.  It goes very well with texas style steak I guess... damn I am in diet so cannot have a juicy steak, damn!

Hefe Weizen from Schneider Weisse

I finally found the taste of the good beers I had when I was in Munich ... Gee... after so many years.

 

Hefe Weizen is a popular type of beer in Gemany, particularly south Gemany. And it s is probably my personal favor. This one is exactly the hefe Weizen I was looking for....

It has profound wheat aroma, perfect sweatness blended with light bitterness... It is excellent and well presents the unique characters of traditional German beers.
Regrete that I did not have a schweinshaxe or any sausage to go with it(barely can find a decent one nearby), or it will be heavily...

Post!

Sauvignon Blanc from Barefoot

Frankly speaking, I don't remember its taste much.... light, acid, not much aroma...
Anyway, not somthing impressive so I can remember much.

Capitalism vs. Socialism

Recently, US domestic politic arena is not running smooth at all.... the recession caused by financial outlaws in wall street, the impending reform for tumbling health care system... and then another coming storm from social security system.

One of the debating topic keep cycling around is the socialism and the interference of federal government. But does anyone step back and see anything wrong with socialism?

An artist came up this funny (and scary) picture to "scare" people of socialsim. While people are demanding reasonal health care and social welfare systems, do they realize those are actually the major elements in "socialism" rather than "capitalism"?? In pure capitalism there is nothing called social welfare. Does Americans realize they probably the only one "developed" country which does not have a "government option"?but complaining about the skyrocketed health care price and ripped off by someone in the system? Maybe they are the only one still promoting and tangled in this capitalism myth and hope the "invisible hand from the market" will adjust it automatically?

This is a interesting news clips
Quarter of people say capitalism fatally flawed

The most amazing comment is "The United States and Pakistan were the only two countries where more than one in five felt capitalism worked well as it stands".. .Pakistan!? that make me laugh out loud....

I have not seen Michael Moors' "Capitalism". Not strongly motivated per the experience from "Fahrenheit 9/11". But I do believe capitalism has major flaws. I think the logic of contributing current "success" of United State to capitalism is also a fraud. I see American succeed as the result of a series of furtunate events and some smart movements in the beginning of this country. To infer the result to capitalism and free market is way too limit and simplified. And there is no other case that a country changed to capitalism and democratic then turned to be "successful". See the cases in south america?.. Indeed, every country has its own culture, history background/context. It is up to the people in that country to determine what will be the best for them. Thus, I against use any mean to promote or even force others to adapt capitalism or whatever "free" market concept.

As for American. I see this romance with pure capitalism and free market is a obsolete, aged thinking and should be under review...quickly... because it is getting more dangerous and could damage this country forever.. My personal assessment is capitalism probably suit well for American in last 30, 40, 50 years... but probably not anymore.

Capitalism basically promote people from mid class or even lower class to move upward... but once the society is "developed", the only thing will happen is the upper/elite class will use it to create more harm than good. Keep in mind the resource is always limited while greedy is not. While wanting the resource to be utilized effectively, then capitalism plays well. But when resource is already limited, then capitalism will cause even more inequity and unfairness. The financial tumble is definitely the case. It is the rich people playing more than the resource they have in their hand. Why? greedy! A method of balance will be needed.

Sometime back, Chinese priminster made a comments regarding some language from US' "anti-socialism" language regarding free market,press and human right etc..:
"US should take care of itself and ensure it is own integrity, rather than keep pointing finger"
"Having proper leadership and comprehensive system to ensure the stability and development of society, and to promote equalty and welfare is the first priority. There is nothing wrong for socialism, look at today's China"

The last statement to take China as the example may not be true fully. But sadly others are correct... I am not pro-socialism, even dislike the chinese style socialsim (needless to say Russian, European socialism probably fit my taste slightly better). But there is also no point to say "you should adapt capitalism and freedom as I told you so" forcifully.

In the case while a society can development fairly and smoothly, nobody will care whether it is capitalism or socialism. Look around the world and US domestically, it is probably less stabled since the promotion of capitalism has failed its proposed objectives. Now US needs to work hard now to demostrate its own integrity and balance, after being the "bad boy" in last ten years. And also regain the stablility and fairness internally.

I am in the believe that proper mixture may be required per the position of any country, particularly today's United State. I think this country needs to sincerely and wisely review where the country is, and where the balance between capitalism and socialism stands.

1994 Kinmen Kao Liang 金門高粱

A hard liquor from Taiwan, made from sorghum.


I used to drink it when in MP.. it is recognized as the only "official" liquor for MP. It constains 40% alcohol . So, I always joke it is Taiwanese Vodka, but less alcohol and better aroma...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaoliang

And this one is a 94, which is 15 years old... It could sell a good price on the market.

Hakkaisan 八海山

So, apparently the husband of our Japanese friend family is a sommelier. His knowledge of wine is quite beyond my level.

But our wives seems not as passion of these wines as we are... Well, that is fine and normal... anyway then my wife mentioned we do have some Japanese sake..

Aha, ya, we did have some. From several Japanese trips some time back, I managed to carry back some special edition sake, since my wife was quite a sake lover, before she had children.

So, apparently the husband is very keen and nifty... He immediately recognized this Hakkaisan (eight seas and mountains). It was probably the best one in my collection.
http://www.sakebar.net/

I had Hakkaisan various times when in Japan. Normally can find it in some upper class Isakaya (drinking bar). It is very smooth, only slightly sweet. Our friends (particularly the wife) was quite excited since they think this is really a good sake to represent Japanese sake quality, and it is brewed quite close to their residence.

We enjoyed this sake a lot. It is really a good switch from beer and wines. Well, not sure when will be the next chance I can get a bottle though...

American Greeting

Turbo was at ATL security point and ready to take out ID and boarding pass for security checking.

TSA agent: How are you?
Turbo: Doing good. How about you?
TSA agent: Excellent, excellent. I have health insurance coverage.
Turbo: ......

Something apparently went wrong here.