Thursday, March 31, 2011

Deal and Giveaway: A $55 Wine Enthusiast Voucher from BuyWithMe

Group buying site BuyWithMe is offering a $55 voucher for Wine Enthusiast for $25.

Click here to check out the deal.

Deal ends Sunday February 13th at 11:59 pm EST.

If you've never bought a voucher from a service like BuyWithMe, Groupon, LivingSocial or others I wouldn't be worried about whether it's legit.  If it seems strange I think I know how you feel.  I felt the same way the first time I heard about them.  But after taking advantage of a number of these deals I haven't had a deal go south on me.  You just have to read the terms of the deal and decide whether it works for you.

For this one I think the terms are favorable.  The $55 voucher can even be used towards shipping and some items qualify for free shipping if you order $95 worth of merchandise.

In conjunction with this deal, BuyWithMe has given me one voucher to give away - more on that at the end of this post.

I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of wine accessories for your consideration.  Here are some things that catch my eye:

Riedel Vinum Cabernet/Merlot/Bordeaux Wine Glasses (Set of 2)


For me, Riedel's Vinum line represents the benchmark against which all other wine glasses are measured.  The shapes of the stems and the styling is spot-on classic.

It's really difficult to catch Riedel stemware at a discount so this BuyWithMe offer presents a good opportunity to catch these glasses at a good price.

Ravi Instant Wine Chiller


If you're a white wine drinker -or- you live in a warmer climate the Ravi Instant Wine Chiller is a product you might find useful.  If you have a single temperature wine refrigerator (or wine cellar) and you want to take white wine out and enjoy it immediately, the Ravi can drop the temperature 10-20F.

If you keep red wine at room temperatures that approach 80F alcohol will tend to dominate.  Dropping the temperature down closer to 65F can really make the wine shine.  The Ravi can help in this scenario as well.

Full review here.

Screwpull Waiter Style Corkscrew


Corkscrews have to be some of the most overpriced/overthought wine accessories on the market.  Whenever someone comes at me with a winged device or anything that doesn't fit in your pocket I get scared.  Opening wine is easy - all you need is a waiter's corkscrew and you're set.

I like this one because Screwpull makes good stuff and the double-hinged feature is handy.  Check it out.

Riedel Merlot Wine Decanter


At their core, wine decanters are pretty simple devices.  You want to expose more surface area of the wine to air than what a wine bottle would normally provide -and- you want to give sediment an area to settle within so it doesn't wind up in your glass.  This one from Riedel costs only $25.95.  A good opportunity to snag your first wine decanter -or- stock up if you find yourself in situations where you need to decant multiple bottles simultaneously.

EuroCave Comfort 266 Wine Cellar (1-Temp) (Black - Solid Door)


Okay, it's a stretch to think you'd use a $55 voucher to buy a wine refrigerator that costs a couple thousand dollars.  But I bought one of these a few years ago and I've been very pleased with it.  The best way to get a deal on a EuroCave?  Call them up, ask for Marshall, and tell him you're ready to buy right now.  Ask them to give you the best deal possible.  Shoot for 15% off and free shipping and see what they say.  As with many retailers, it's difficult to get a great price -and- free shipping but it never hurts to ask.


Okay, here's how to enter the giveaway.  Just leave a comment below saying you'd like to be entered by 5 pm PST Friday February 11th 2011.  I'll then pass along the $55 Wine Enthusiast BuyWithMe voucher as a gift.

Prefer to keep it on the down low?  No problem - just drop me an E-mail saying you'd like to be entered in this giveaway: wellesleywinepress@gmail.com

To improve your chances of winning, include a link in your comment to a specific item on the Wine Enthusiast website that you think is a good play for use with this voucher.

Winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced Saturday morning.  Good luck, and please spread the word on Facebook and Twitter by using the buttons below.

Disclosure: I participate in both the Wine Enthusiast and BuyWithMe affiliate programs and BuyWithMe provided this voucher for me to give away.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/Me-2dwOUGcI/deal-and-giveaway-55-wine-enthusiast.html

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Witness Turns Your Mac and iPhone into a Burglar Alarm

If you own both a Mac and an iPad, it’s a fair bet that you also have a home stuffed with other electronic gear, the kind of gear that burglars like to, well, burglarize. Luckily, there’s an app for that.
It’s called Witness, and it turns your Mac into a motion-activated security camera. When running, it [...]

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/03/witness-turns-your-mac-and-iphone-into-a-burglar-alarm/

INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER INTERSECTIONS INTUIT

On The Move : Morihiro Onodera of Mori Sushi Considers New Food Biz

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/30/morihiro_onodera_of_mori_sushi_considers_new_food_biz.php

SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED SYMANTEC SYNNEX SYNOPSYS

Why Does This Crazy Router Look Like a Wind Turbine? [Wtf]

The Japanese company Logitec, not the same company as Logitech mind you, is releasing this crazy router called LAN-WH450N/GR that has an antenna that looks like wind turbine blades. What the hell? The three antenna design supposedly lets the 802.11n router hit network speeds of 450Mbps. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/6HEF_LfpuhM/why-does-this-crazy-router-look-like-a-wind-turbine

MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS

Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony

So Microsoft doesn't like anticompetitive behavior, huh? Since when? Brad Smith, General Counsel for the Redmond rabblerousers, has posted a lengthy blog post outlining Microsoft's concerns with "a pattern of actions that Google has taken to entrench its dominance" in online search and ads, which he claims is detrimental to European consumers. Funnily enough, half the post is about Google's legal issues in the US, but we'll set that aside for now. What this boils down to is that Microsoft is finally taking the gloves off -- Google accused it of pushing other companies to do its dirty work -- and is now adding its name to the list of objectors to Mountain View's stranglehold on search in Europe. The European Commission is already taking a regulatory looksee at Google's tactics, so this isn't sparking off a new investigation, but it does add the glamor of two big names locking legal horns yet again. Hit the source link for Brad's exposition of Google's villainous wrongdoings.

Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-lodges-antitrust-complaint-against-google-with-europea/

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Mas Des Dames, Rose, Coteaux Du Languedoc 2009

Outside here in Minnesota it’s in the mid 20′s Fahrenheit with a thick snowpack. It is far from springtime here but a bit of spring can be had here inside a bottle of dry ros�. Every spring and summer I resolve to drink more ros� but for one reason or another rarely do. So I [...]

Mas Des Dames, Rose, Coteaux Du Languedoc 2009 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/Sofm980mQUI/

Johnny Herbert Mack Hellings Masahiro Hasemi Mike Harris

Let Your Cat Protect Your iPad

Bags of Love is a UK-based company that makes personalized gifts, including this iPad case.� The sleeve has a zipper closure, and it is made of high-quality wetsuit padding.� They’ll print the photo or drawing you provide on both sides of the sleeve for $56, or you can use a different picture on each side [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/03/28/let-your-cat-protect-your-ipad/

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Rumormongering : Word on the Street... EATALY IS COMING TO LA!

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/29/word_on_the_street_eataly_is_coming_to_la.php

ECLIPSYS EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS

2007 St. Emilion Grand Cru Class�

In this post you'll find an overview of the ratings of the 2007 St. Emilion Grand Cru Class� wines. We have gathered all ratings from Robert Parker, Decanter and Wine Spectator.

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/36/2007-st-emilion-grand-cru-classe/

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WordPress enables new iPad-optimized layout for its 18 million blogs

WordPress iPad themeWordPress has just announced the introduction of a 'pure HTML5' iPad-optimized theme. It has been automatically activated for all 18 million WordPress.com blogs, and self-hosted WordPress.org users can download and install the plug-in manually.

The iPad-optimized layout, which was developed with tablet publishing specialist OnSwipe, supports touch interactions, swiping, rotation and 'many other features of the iPad,' all with the power of HTML5. The theme is highly configurable, too. You can change the font typeface, choose from nine different 'skins' to match your existing blog theme, and you can set a 'cover' image. Of course, if you want visitors to simply see your normal blog theme, you can just disable the new iPad plug-in.

WordPress, which claims that it powers over 10% of the Web, says that it currently serves 750,000 pages views a day to iPad users -- a number that will surely explode over the next few years. What we're seeing here, first with Flickr last week, and now with the WordPress juggernaut firmly embracing tablet computing, is a resounding acknowledgment of a post-PC world. It's a very good sign of things to come, too; we expect there'll be a lot of tablet-optimized websites in 2011.

WordPress enables new iPad-optimized layout for its 18 million blogs originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/24/wordpress-enables-new-ipad-optimized-layout-for-its-18-million-blogs/

François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill

Identifying The Best Wine Writing

I've said before that I believe we are drifting through a "Golden Age" of wine writing. The primary evidence for this position is the exponential increase in the number of individuals writing about wine for public consumption. Surely this results...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/jEKN4CBFNMI/identifying-the-best-wine-writing.html

Mike Brown Paul Cooper Rick Burgett Ricky Carmichael

Mitoza is a fun, freaky Web toy with an artistic look

mitoza
While not a game per se, I found Mitoza intriguing enough to spend quite some time with it. You start off with a seed, and are then presented with two choices: you can either click a flower pot, or click a cute little birdie.

If you click the flower pot, a flower pot appears and the seed is planted inside. You're then presented with two further choices -- a water can or a bottle of fertilizer. Each choice you make causes your creation to morph, and presents you with two other choices.

There's no winning or losing, really. Each "game" usually lasts around four or five choices, at which point the plant/animal dies in some creative (but not too gruesome) way. At this point you instantly start over with a new seed.

The graphics are captivating; the whole thing has a cinematic feel to it, with a bit of artificial camera shake added for style.

All in all, it's a fun, peaceful way to spend a few minutes, and it might even make you think a little bit while you're at it.

Mitoza is a fun, freaky Web toy with an artistic look originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/28/mitoza-is-a-fun-freaky-web-toy-with-an-artistic-look/

Dido Diora Baird Gene Hartley Hans Herrmann

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Is Sushi Safe to Eat?: Radiation from Fukushima's nuclear power plant...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/28/is_sushi_safe_to_eat.php

Jimmy Button Josh Coppins KEY KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

Firefox 4 to be released March 22, will it beat IE9?

Firefox 4 logoFirefox 4 RC1 has survived the rigors of public beta testing and, come March 22 -- just five days away! -- it will drop its Release Candidate tag and become Firefox 4 final.

This isn't to say that Firefox 4 RC is bug-free, but it does mean that there are no significant issues that would warrant an RC2. The only real issue that the Mozilla Dev mailing list has been dealing with is Vietnamese localization, which looks like it will be bumped back to Firefox 4.0.1.

In other news, all eyes are now on Mozilla to see if it can match Microsoft's opening-day salvo of 2.3 million IE9 downloads. The last major release of Firefox, version 3, recorded 8 million downloads in 24 hours, a world record that might be hard to beat.

It's worth noting, too, that Firefox 3 supported Windows XP and Vista, which accounted for something like 90% of the PC market at the time. IE9's 2.3 million downloads are pretty impressive when you figure in the fact that it only supports Windows 7 and Vista -- which together only represent about 34% of the PC market. Believe it or not, Windows XP still accounts for over 55% of PCs, and given Firefox 4's support for XP, it would be shocking if it manages less than 2.3 million downloads.

As for why Microsoft dropped support for XP is another question entirely. In a few months we'll be able to see whether it made the right decision or not.

Firefox 4 to be released March 22, will it beat IE9? originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/17/firefox-4-to-be-released-march-22-will-it-beat-ie9/

SUN MICROSYSTEMS SYBASE SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED SYMANTEC

Amazon Appstore for Android hands-on review: Android Market is in trouble

Amazon Appstore vs. Android Market
Earlier today Amazon released its long-awaited Appstore for Android. Fundamentally it's very similar to Google's first-party Android Market or the third-party AppBrain, but it has a few Amazonian differences that could set it apart from the competition very quickly.

First and foremost, Amazon is promising to give away one paid app for free every day. Today it's Angry Birds Rio, and it only retails for 99 cents, but that doesn't really matter: people love free stuff. People will download stuff simply because it's free, even if they don't want it! The best bit (or worst bit) is that developers still get 20% of the usual retail price, which will be paid out of Amazon's pockets.

The next defining feature is Amazon Appstore exclusives. Angry Birds Rio, CoD:MW:Force Recon and other apps will be available only from Amazon. As we know from the console wars, exclusive titles aren't always a good thing, but who cares? Amazon simply wants unique selling points, and exclusive titles are definitely that.

It's not all good, though. We ran in to some rather serious bugs while playing around with the Amazon Appstore for Android app, and then there's the matter of having to enable installation from Unknown Sources before it will even install...

Continue reading Amazon Appstore for Android hands-on review: Android Market is in trouble

Amazon Appstore for Android hands-on review: Android Market is in trouble originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/amazon-appstore-for-android-hands-on-review-android-market-in-trouble/

Roger De Coster Sven Breugelmans Trey Canard Xavier Boog

Vital Updates : Top Cheffer Angelo Sosa Signs on as Consulting Chef at Revamped Malibu Inn, Slated to Reopen Soon

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/30/top_cheffer_angelo_sosa_signs_on_as_consulting_chef_at_revamped_malibu_inn_slated_to_reopen_soon.php

Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron

Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive hands on: surprisingly cool, but still US-only

Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive
When Amazon Appstore for Android launched last week, one of its primary features -- Test Drive -- was disabled just a few minutes after it opened. With no try-before-you-buy, no refund process, and 1-Click purchasing ready to strike at any moment, this caused some problems. Anyway, don't despair: Test Drive is now enabled.

Before you get your hopes up, Test Drive doesn't work with every app. The IMDb app works fine -- you can even watch movie trailers on it! -- but the Angry Birds games are sadly not enabled. Some games work surprisingly well, though, like Bubble Buster. There's very little latency, and the framerate is really rather good. The Test Drive experience is so true to life that you even get ads; how cool is that?

Continue reading Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive hands on: surprisingly cool, but still US-only

Amazon Appstore for Android Test Drive hands on: surprisingly cool, but still US-only originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/28/amazon-appstore-for-android-test-drive-hands-on-surprisingly-co/

ELECTRONIC ARTS ECLIPSYS EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK

Royalty redefined at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo

Visiting Egypt is like visiting another world where love, lust and passion were the rulers. Visit Four Seasons Hotel at Cairo whose Royal Suite easily makes its place among the topmost lavish suites of the world. The suite has an area of 5,597 square feet and takes up an entire floor of the hotel. This [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/h6aQunaZjao/

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Tax time also a chance to combat Illinois hunger

Source: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2011/03/tax-time-also-a-chance-to-combat-illinois-hunger-.html

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Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/02/scallop-entree-jasnieres-2004.html

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Let?s Get Fizzacle!

Sure, bubbly is boss on New Years and even at celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries, but why not add its charming sparkle to silly-sweet St. Valentine?s Day? I can?t think of a lustier toast ? except for maybe Bedrock?s ravishing Ode to Lulu ros�, or a sinful zinfandel, or ?. Here?s my go-to list: NV [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/lets-get-fizzacle/

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Rule Your Computer From Afar by Setting Up Wake-on-LAN [Video]

Wake-on-LAN isn't a new technology, but with the increasing number of smartphones making their way to the market, it's high time we looked at how you can make a home theater PC, or any hard-wired system in your house, wake up from anywhere with free tools and bit of tinkering. Here's how to get started. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/0eCDRDVNvgU/rule-your-computer-from-afar-by-setting-up-wake+on+lan

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Bordeaux Tasting Reveals Affordable Gems

Sandwiched between the heralded 2005 and 2009 Bordeaux vintages lie three years I've bought very little of. Not so much because they're not good, but just because there's been so much positive hype about the '05s and '09s. A guy only has some much attention to devote to a region.

Vintage variation is a tricky thing for me on a number of levels. More experienced folks will tell you it's not a matter of good and bad - it's more a matter of appreciating vintage variation. Further, the way Bordeaux is priced, better vintages fetch higher prices. This is different than domestic wines and different from most regions. This presents an opportunity to pick up wines from quality producers in "off" vintages at a good price.

Bordeaux is a tricky thing to publicize and market. In one sense it's the noblest of wine regions, but in another I rarely find myself with a taste for Bordeaux on a weeknight - or even a weekend night for that matter. It's this quirky quandary - brand recognition many regions wish they had yet too fancy for many occasions and relegated to high holidays. Too much tradition for its own good?

Below high flying names costing $50 and up are Bordeaux Superieur wines costing $20 or less. As part of an live online tasting through TasteLive, Planet Bordeaux offered up five 2006-2008 Bordeaux to wine bloggers across the United States to get together online and concurrently share their thoughts.

Here are my notes:

2006 Chateau La Gatte La Butte
$15
13.5% Alcohol

100% Merlot from old vines. Light magenta. Cherries and earth on the nose. A little Leuden's cough drop action. Earth too with undeniable Bordeaux markings. On first sip I get a twinge of acidity in my cheeks and even my ears. Comes together really nicely. Well balanced. Great start.

http://chateaulagatte.com
88+/100 WWP: Very Good

2008 Chateau Lugagnac
$16
13% Alcohol

On the nose I get burnt earth, cocoa, some fruit. Grippy tannins. Surprisingly hot for only 13.5%. Needs some time to settle down, but still a pretty nice wine.

http://chateaulugagnac.com
87/100 WWP: Very Good

2008 Chateau de Terrefort-Quancard
$14
13% Alcohol

Tightly wound with tart cherry fruit and harsh tannins. Should improve with time but for now it's one of the more challenging wines in the lineup.

http://chevalquancard.com 
84/100 Good

2007 Chateau de Parenchere Cuvee Raphel
$15
13.5% Alcohol

Medium-full bodied with a really enticing nose. A nice combination of fruity and savory components. Velvety mouthfeel. Low-medium acidity. Doesn't beg for food the way the others do but I think it's versatile enough to play well in a lot of settings. My wine of the night.

http://parenchere.com 
90/100 WWP: Outstanding


2008 Chateau Penin Tradition
$15
13% Alcohol

Made in a soft, easy drinking style. Limited aromatically.

http://chateaupenin.com
82/100 WWP: Good

My thanks to the folks from Planet Bordeaux for supporting wine bloggers with this tasting!

Samples for review.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/b179Djo0dI0/bordeaux-tasting-reveals-affordable.html

MANTECH INTERNATIONAL MAXIMUS MCAFEE Michael Byrne