The Wine Commonsewer™

One Million Corks Later (Sustainable Closures)

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

As y'all know, TWC is an old fashioned guy. A traditionalist. If God wanted twist off screw caps and plastic closures, He would not have planted all those cork oak trees in Portugal.

This tree is called the Whistler Tree and is so named for the myriad songbirds that inhabit the upper reaches of the canopy. It is the world's largest and most productive cork oak tree and has been producing cork in the Alentejo region of Portugal since 1820.

The cork is harvested every nine years and each harvest, on average, produces enough cork to plug 100,000 wine bottles. By comparison, an ordinary cork oak will produce enough cork to stopper 4,000 wine bottles. To date, the tree has produced over one million corks. 

Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak and is harvested by hand in the spring when rapid growth occurs. The cork layer is stripped away, easily separating from the cambium of the tree. After harvest, which promotes long term health and vigor, the cork quickly regenerates and is ready for the next harvest, nine years later.

I ain't much for buzz words, but that is what they call natural, sustainable, and renewable.

As Ever,

TWC 

 

Mowed 'Em Down Bugs Moran's Boys & St Vals Day

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Once the Big War was over, they kicked my old buddy loose from Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming. His wallet was fat and once he reached Chicago, he bought hisself a brand new 1946 Ford with the cash he'd stockpiled from his pool table and cigarette concession.

Mike, you know how much Japanese love to smoke and cigarettes were hard to come by in camp.

Akira (I called him Ike or Aki) volunteered for several work details, the fruits of which were a pilfered pool table and a pickup loaded down with stolen cartons of smokes. Both came from a lodge near Jellystone that was shuttered for the duration of the war. No gas, no meat, no tires, no customers. Think about that the next time somebody tells you that the war ended the depression.

Ike was pretty good with a wrench and he found gainful employment at S-M-G Garage, 2122 Clark Street, where the back wall was still riddled with bullet holes on account of Moran's Boys being mowed down by gangsters in police uniforms back in 1929. He loved telling that story.

The building met up with the wrecking ball in 1967, but the brick wall was taken apart and stored for a number of years, eventually forming the wall of a men's restroom in George Patey's Roaring Twenties themed nighclub. The club wasn't profitable and when it closed, Mr Patey sold the salvaged bricks for a grand apiece. Legend has it that those pockmarked bricks have brought nothing but heartbreak, financial ruin, death, and all kinda misfortune to those who bought them. 

Hope your St Valentine's Day is better than Moran's boys was.

As Ever,

TWC

During the course of research for this piece I found Ike's records in the National Archives database. It was a stunning find for me, bringing forth a flood of memories and a profound sense of loss.

Best. Massacre. Ever.

Pairs Well With Turkey Chili

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

It should give any wino pause that a wine pairs well with turkey chili. 

Although the Motor City Madman never actually opined that turkey bacon, turkey beef, or turkey-fake-anything sucks, he's right. Chili is chili. Turkey chili is not. If I'm eating something that isn't good for me, it dam sure better be tasty. And, though there may be exceptions, the implication that turkey chili is somehow healthier than traditional chili as false. Your mileage may vary.

Bonus: Cost Plus World Market has a Super Bowl sale going on right now. Buy a case of wine (mix and match is OK) and they're knocking 25% off. 

As Always,

TWC

Tip of the glass to Mrs TWC for her sharp eye

Know Your Wine Measurements

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Good information, though I believe my old friend Francis would argue that a bottle of wine only contains four glasses. 

Frank often asks.....What good Italian can't drink a bottle of wine in an evening?  It's only four glasses. 

As Always,

TWC

Tip of the glass to Miltie