Drying reservoir

This is a reservoir in California that is dryingout. With the rains they have had it might have stemmed the drainage – but I suspect you would need a few years of this type odf rain to get back to the previous levels/

 

Desert growth

Flying over the desert in California – these irrigation areas look very cool from the air. However they are wasting so much water in an area that has been in a consistent drought for many years. Not sure if this is wise.
I have spent too much time trying to find this place on Google Earth with no luck.

Weekly Wine – Naked Grape (USA)

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Naked Grape Pinot Grigio
Year: N/A
USA
750ml
12% ABV
$9.99 (LCBO)

This wine confused me. Not because I had to write another review about an average Pinot Grigio wine. The confusion stemmed from the fact that there is a Canadian Naked Grape wine label. I’ve done the Uncorked Shiraz, but I’ve yet to do the others.
This is Naked Grape from California. It is a Pinot Grigio. I just had a swig of the wine and am trying to remember what it was like. I’ll have another.
It is unremarkable Pinot Grigio. A standard wine that will not offend anybody except the most militant of teetotallers. It is pleasant when well chilled on a hot day – like today when I am sampling it. What’s it like when it warms up – honestly, that won’t happen. It is hot outside and I’m on a balcony enjoying a great view – with a nice inoffensive wine to help me along.

Weekly Wine – Doggy

Chateau La Paws Chardonnay
Year: N/A
USA
750ml
13% ABV
$9.80 (USA)
A wine that helps dogs in shelters – a win-win situation. This is a fairly typical chardonnay, a little sweetish with a nice body. It is rather smooth and does not have much tartness to it. It might have gone down better if I had tasted it out of a nice wine glass, or in fact out of any drinking vessel made out of glass. But this was purchased on a road trip in the USA and the only drinking device present were plastic cups. The wine is nice but unremarkable and lacks any kind of bold or unique characteristic. You can pick it up if you are concerned about sheltering dogs but there are much more interesting wines at this price. But still – it is not a bad wine.

 

Weekly Wine – Gallo

E & J Gallo White Zinfadel
2013
USA
750ml
8.5% ABV
$9.45 (LCBO)

A nice pinkish rose that is a pleasure to drink when it is hot outside.
It is rather dry and sharp which is very nice – again – on a hot day.
The fruitiness is quite subdued and it does not leave a sticky sweet taste in your mouth.
This is a very nice wine, the initial sharpness and dryness might set a few people back initially. But then the second sip will be pure pleasure. The balance between the fruitiness and the tartness is spot on. It makes for a very refreshing beverage.
The label is classically understated and tasteful. This wine will make for a nice bottle to bring to a summers barbecue gathering.
The low alcohol content is also a plus – you don’t really need high alcohol content when the sun is beating down on you. This wine is a great balancing act and a good drink when it is hot outside.

Weekly Wine – Berninger

Beringer White Zinfandel
2013
USA
750ml
9.5% ABV
$9.95 (LCBO)

This is a pink wine.
The label has a pink border, pink lettering and a pink shrink top.
This pink matches the pink hue of the wine itself.
This wine is making me turn pink as it is light refreshing and a wonderful drink. I’m looking at the bottle and am wondering where it went. It is really a nice wine this is.
It is fruity without being overbearing. It carries a hint of sweetness which is just right – it is not saccarin. It is dryish without parching ones palate.
What a happy wine.
I guess this is what they mean by a well balanced wine, in marketing speak. This term does not appear on the label and this is good because I usually pose a sceptical eye on anything that claims to be well balanced.
This wine is light on alcohol so is a wonderful refreshing drink on a summers afternoon. Or evening. Or night. You’ll be pushing trouble for the morning but mixed with some juice… why not.
I’ve had rose wines that cost nearly double this but did not come near to the pleasure that this wine has given me.