Posted on 01/06/2007 10:32:19 PM PST by quantim
One may ask what polar bears have to do with life in the Napa Valley.
We learned in late 2006 that the polar bears, those majestic arctic animals of nature films and Coca-Cola commercials, are soon to be added to the endangered species list. Their habitat is being destroyed as global warming continues to reduce the polar ice cap. Will polar bears survive the 21st century?
But there is more to consider: Hurricane Katrina, the violent weather now hitting the Pacific Northwest, ski resorts in Europe without snow, parts of our world facing unexpected droughts all demonstrate that our climate is changing and that we, the people of this beautiful planet, have caused it to change. Will it be long before the micro-climates of the worlds wine regions also change? Will certain wine regions become too cool for grapes while others become too warm? Will certain areas become flood basins as sea levels are affected? How will the wine industry be affected by the ongoing climate changes? How will our lives be affected by such changes?
Do we sit and watch, or do we do something about this?
2007 brings a new year. It must also bring a new awareness about what each of us can do to protect our environment. Environmental Consciousness, a movement that started in the 60s, has now matured into Environmental Responsibility. Hybrid cars, organic groceries, recycled products, green construction, sustainable agriculture and many related movements have become a permanent part of everyday life. Yet there is more that we can do.
The city of Napa will bring forward a green building ordinance in 2007, and thus influence more environmentally responsible construction throughout the city. A similar effort will follow to bring such an ordinance to the county. In the private sector, one of the valleys premier philanthropic organizations is moving ahead with a landmark Sustainable Napa Valley Initiative that will set a new standard for environmentally responsible philanthropy. These are all wonderful, progressive efforts.
This should be the year for every valley resident to make the effort to improve our environment locally and globally. Todays print and visual medias are filled with environmental reports, green guidelines, green checklists and similar information about how we can improve our environment, reduce energy usage, make our air and water cleaner, improve indoor air quality and bring an end to climate change. All the knowledge required to make a difference is there for the taking. It is action that is needed.
Lets make 2007 our most environmentally responsible year yet. Lets make this a year when we improved our planet instead of degrading it. Lets make this a year when our Napa Valley became greener. Lets make this a year when we helped to save the polar bears.
Someone (not a tree hugger) once told me that some of the organic wines don't give you a hangover.
I haven't "sampled" that theory yet, but I'll sit with you imbibe, and laugh at the EnviroWacko's with you.
And I agree...a wine hangover is THE worst. Not that I would know, LOL!
Or so I've heard. : )
I recycle my wine bottles. What more do they want?
Somebody please compile a list of doomed places. I want to make some real estate investments!
Like I said, I have no idea what is/isn't in organic wines that would lessen the effect of a hangover not having tried them. I suppose that with the reasons you listed above, given enough, that theory might be challenged.
cheers!
no, no, no.
When I was younger (and an inexperienced wine drinker) I had the WORST hangover with a Blue Nun white wine. Never again. They tend to be sweeter too, that contributes to one.
Like GVnana says it's the combination of sugar, dehydration, and depletion of B vitamins (one reason why drinks like "Red Bull" are popular with the drinking crowd)...and of course moderation which will determine the usual course of hangover...or not.
In the meantime, I'll stick to the reds. They have antioxidants.
Medicinal reasons, you know!
I can't drink any of them. They ALL give me a headache. : (
dang, must be the sulfates! :o(
Me too. Sometimes I give them a soft melt 'til they flatten on the edge of our weekly bonfire, they make great ashtrays for those that enjoy an outdoor cigar, great gifts.
Additionally, we're really enjoying this unusually warm winter and we want to to do our part in keeping the planet warm. ;-)
I've always wondered how you do that. Do you place the bottle directly in the coals, hold it on a stick or what?
Well, the stick would certainly catch fire at the temps required to melt glass...you city types! ;-)
The glass cracks more often than not when cooling as there is no moderation of temps. But sometimes you can get lucky and lay a beer or wine bottle on a bed of hot flat coals and get something interesting.
I've seen some interesting ones, too.
And watch who you're calling "city type"! Chances are, I live in a smaller town than yours.
Where is the BARF ALERT!
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