Wine making :2015 Version 5.0

Package Label From Vine'a ala francais

     Well, the Mayor had to make a decision: to oak or not to oak.   The vintage 2015 has been in stainless steel for about 10 months.  It's time for final aging and adjustments before bottling.  So: what to do?: get a 30 gal. barrique or not?  Bottle as it is or not?  Problem No. 1- there are no 30 gal. barrels available at reasonable prices right now because everything is going to large producers as they get ready for the 2016 crush(underway at present).  The Mayor likes some subtle oak flavor in his wine, so, next option:  add some oak in another form.  here come the sticks.
      My friend Jim sells barrels, lots of them.  He imports directly from France, and has done so for over 30 years.   He knows oak.  He began selling enhanced-aged, toasted, cut, oak strips for a few years.  I explained my predicament and he brought in his oak man to offer some solutions.  Given my amount and wine type, he suggested a medium toast, French oak that would give the wine just enough to taste but not too much to overwhelm Pinot fruit flavors. 
     Done.  We placed the sticks in the barrel and will wait 60 days, then begin a cycle of tasting until we arrive at our goal of subtle oakey flavors.
     We can't wait!

Book Review: Orville and Wilbur

Kitty Hawk- 1903 Wright Flyer Soars

    Author Fred Howard wrote a comprehensive and insightful biography of two of America's most famous brothers: Orville and Wilbur Wright.  These two invented manned flight at a time when scientists projected the skill would not come to mankind for a million years.   Mr. Howard was a aviation technology expert.  After flying during WW II, he went to work as a librarian at the Library of Congress; then at the Smithsonian Museum helping to edit and coordinate the Wright Brothers papers.
     As an editor for various scientific publications, author Howard became adept at separating facts from fiction, and also being able to translate weighty science theory into comprehensible English.   he worked for several publishing houses in this role.   He worked on this biography for over 15 years and wrote the wonderful story of two American men, who, without formal education, were able to conduct experiments with a only their imagination and determination as the foundation of their works.
     Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, sons of a religious minister, they were the essence of hardworking, can-do American citizens.   Beginning with bicycles, they worked on the concept of flight, studying bird flight, and earlier experiments of flying machines.  Early on, they married the physics of motorized propulsion and momentum with the lifting characteristics of a curved surface(wing).   After years of trying, they finally succeeded at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in the early winter of 1903.
     Author Howard tells the story in great detail.  He brings in the doubters(early guilters), the pretenders and charlatans,  and the also-rans.  Glenn Curtis, Charles Lindbergh,  Louis Bleriot', Alberto Santos Dumont, Octave Chanute, and the fakirs Augustus Herring and Gustave Whitehead.  This book was published almost 30 years ago, at a time when many citizens could recall the early days of flight.  It has much more detail than a more recent history published by historian David McCullough.
      Unknown to the average American is the aftermath of the first flight.  Legal wrangling over patent rights consumed much of the Wright brothers later years.   Many pretenders tried to steal the thunder of the Wrights accomplishments, claiming earlier flying success.  All adds up to a wonderful story told by an accomplished writer/historian.
5 Stars/ worth the effort

Wells Fargo to Stumpf: Give Us our Money Back, now.

       CEO of Wells Fargo was ordered by the board of directors to return his $41 million bonus.  Yes, $41million.  As the scandal of the illicit activity of the bank, i.e.. opening and closing customer accounts simply to generate sales, on his watch, has mushroomed into something much bigger.  It underscores the flagrant disregard for the rules and for ethics, both of which seem to be missing in the finance community these days.   The head of community banking will also lose her bonus, even though she has already retired.
       So, here we go again?  Banking business is a contributor to: 1) economic stress, 2) growth limitations, 3) stagnant business climate, 4) mistrust of banking system, 5) mistrust  of government regulators, 6) mistrust of elected politicians, 7) lack of hope for change in inequality among workers and management.
     Even Mr. Trump said that we are in a bubble Monday night during the debate.  Hard to say what he really thinks, but he said it as opposed to Hillary who clearly stated that we are growing, albeit, slowly.
     Wells Fargo has 265,000 global employees.  Is it hard to manage them all?  Of course, but that's business.  You're either in or out.   Man up, Mr. Strumpf: retire, quit, resign, whatever.  Just leave, you are an embarrassment.

Lake or Bay?

Looking Out Over San Francisco Bay as High Pressure flattens waves

        No, this is not lakeside in Tahoma; it's bayside at San Francisco Bay.  High temperatures and the lack of winds have created a balmy day over most of Northern California and especially the Bay Area, lots of the tech world we live in.
      A number of new wild land  fires have sprouted up, serving notice that fire season is not over.   But, we'll enjoy these days, even as rain is forecast for Sunday.

Too Big To Fail: Deutsche Bank?

     Well, there is more trouble for Germany's financial sector:  Deutsche Bank's stock has plummeted as the bank has been tagged as under pressure to raise capital funds to allay concerns about cash funds required by regulators.   The bank is trying to sell assets, including a stake in a Chinese bank where negotiations are continuing.
      Angela Merkel, a proponent of no taxpayer bailouts, may have some problems with the situation, given her position.  This comes on the heels of the US Dept. of Justice demanding $14 Billions with a B from the bank for its role in the banking crisis.  Bank spokesman says it will not pay this demand as discussions have only begun.
       This could be the end for Deutsche Bank, a bank that is not "Too Big" to fail.  It is becoming increasingly evident that these financial behemoths are, in fact, a drag on the world's economy.  They have too much power, take too many risks, lose control of their employees(see Wells Fargo), and are too cozy with regulators.  Does this affect Tahoma?  Yes, of course.  Fall out from this failure could reduce visits by Germany's tourists who love Lake Tahoe.
 

Sobranes Fire Report

In the hills above Big Sur River

A training Session in the valley

Training Class Photo: Fire for Effect

Radio Check

     The crews at Tassajara are ready and willing to tackle the challenges of wildland firefighting as the 2 month+ old blaze moves toward their location.  It has now become the most expensive fire in National Forest efforts to combat this naturally-occurring scourge.  It has been burning across central California's Los Padres National Forest for almost 10 weeks.   It is still only 60% CONTAINED.

Hillary is Endorsed By NYT

     So, finally, the "Old Grey Lady" puts its support in print-boldly, one could say.  The Sunday NY Times reaches 2 million + households and 3 X that number of readers, many of them Democrats, but many Repulsicans, too.  Almost the entire page of the editorial section was devoted to various support positions in favor of Hillary Clinton.  Whether emails or Bengahzi or Health Care attempts, the NYT editorial spells out its strong case for her election as the next President of the USA.
      Tonight, Monday the 26th of September, Hillary will debate the liar Donald Trump, standard bearer of the GOP, party of idiots and cowards(see Cruz and Rubio and Ryan).  The debate could be viewed by upwards of 100 million viewers- a substantial number of whom will be voting in 50 days.  It could be make or break for Mr. Bluster or it could also tighten a race that has befuddled experts for the entire year.   Mr. Bluster has never spoken to the voters for more than a few minutes; he can't focus that long unless there is somebody wearing a skirt involved.
     So, this could be really a test for the Darn Old, a test he is most likely to fail unless he steps out of character and attempts normal behaviors.  Good luck.
    See you tonight after the debate.