Tag Archives: Reviews

Top New Books: “The Truffle Underground” By Ryan Jacobs Is Captivating

From a LitHub.com online article:

The Truffle Underground by Ryan Jacobs cover“Asking even seasoned chefs and truffle-industry insiders to describe what the fungus tastes or smells like,” Jacobs writes, “is a bit like asking a priest why he believes in God.” Readers not familiar with the pungent, one-of-a-kind flavor will come away even more intrigued. Those of us whose most frequent encounter with the fabled fungus is through truffle oil will also be disappointed. As Jacobs discovers, nearly all truffle butter and truffle oil sold in America is manufactured using chemicals rather than the real thing.

Part culinary exploration, part history, and part true crime, reporter Ryan Jacobs takes readers to France, Italy, and the Pacific Northwest in The Truffle Underground. “Even without criminal interference, the truffle’s journey from spore to plate is so fraught with biological uncertainty, economic competition, and logistical headaches that a single shaving could be understood as a testament to the wonder of human civilization.” Truffles are often referred to as diamonds, and the violent crime Jacobs’s chronicles reinforces that comparison.

The Truffle Underground by Ryan Jacobs chapter 1

To read more click on the following link: https://lithub.com/5-audiobooks-to-help-with-those-end-of-summer-blues/

Future Of Mobility: Sony And Yamaha Motor Unveil “Entertainment Vehicle”

From a Sony news release:

Sony and Yamaha Motor Partner to Develop SC-1 Sociable CartThe SC-1 is designed to transform what was a mere means of mobility into an all-new opportunity for entertainment. Sony and Yamaha Motor will deploy it to provide fun new diversions at venues such as golf courses, amusement parks, and commercial facilities.

Like its prototypes, the SC-1 features image sensors capable of vision beyond that of human capacity on all sides of the vehicle.

Tokyo, Japan— Sony Corporation announced today the joint development with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., of the SC-1 Sociable Cart, a vehicle that delivers a new mobility experience. Sony and Yamaha Motor plan to launch services using this model in Japan in fiscal 2019. The vehicle was developed solely for the purpose of providing a new mobility experience, and it will not be made available for sale.

To read more click on the following link: https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201908/19-077E/index.html

Central Coast Wineries: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery Delivers Quality Pinots And “Sparkling” Views

Boomers visited Laetitia on August 25, 2019:

Laetitia Winery Tasting Room August 2019Laetitia Vineyard and Winery in Aroyo Grande, Ca is known for its respected Pinot Noir and “seven unique sparkling wines”. Santa Rosa-based Vintage Wine Estates recently (February 2019) bought Laetitia for an undisclosed sum. Here is the wineries mission statement as posted on the website:

A deep and abiding respect for Laetitia’s estate-grown fruit is the mark of Eric Hickey’s winemaking. Beginning his hands-on training in the cellar at the age of 16, Eric has lived and breathed Laetitia all the way to the top, where he is now the Head Winemaker and the winery’s President. “I keep it simple,” he says, “and I stay eye-to-eye with Lino (Bozzano) because the interplay between us is what determines the wines’ quality. Everything done in the cellar starts with what we do out in the vineyard.”

We tasted the 2014 Brut Coquard Sparkling wine (rated 93 points). We appreciated its balance between sweet fruit and dry hazelnut. The view from our picnic table north of the tasting room was spectacular.

2014 Laetitia Brut Coquard

Laetitia Vineyard TrailThe property offers a Bocce Ball area to have fun with as you sample their extensive wine flights. Additionally, there is a hiking trail through the 1986-acre estate. Here is a description of the estate from their website:

The Laetitia Estate Vineyards were first planted to grapes in 1982 when French viticulturists found ideal growing conditions in the Arroyo Grande Valley for producing wines of similar character to those of San Luis Obispo Wine Trailtheir homeland in Epernay, France. Nineteen years later, the property would be acquired by Selim Zilkha, founder of a successful wind power development company and champion of environmental sustainability. Between his qualifications in renewable energy solutions and his passion for the pleasures of the harvest, Selim has developed Laetitia into the home of some of California’s highest quality, sustainably-produced wines.

As you exit Laetitia, a “San Luis Obistpo Wine Trail” sign explains just how dynamic this wine regain is.

Edna_Valley_at_Sunset Wikipedia Commons

Boomers

 

 

http://www.nadiawines.com/resources/wine-club/wineClub1463612468573cf43430aa61.09541936.pdf

Future Of Camping: Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicles Feature A Unique “Pull-Out Kitchen”

From an InsideEVS.com article:

Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicles Functional Pull Out Kitchen close upRivian has demonstrated a fully functional, pull-out kitchen that fits into the tunnel and will be a fantastic asset to people who enjoy camping. At first, we thought this might just be a gimmick, but the automaker has clarified that the optional add-on will be available for purchase. To top it off, a tent fits right in the electric truck’s bed.

Rivian refers to its upcoming vehicle lineup as “Electric Adventure Vehicles.” Its first two offerings will be the R1T electric pickup truck and the R1S electric three-row SUV. Since the company has fully revealed itself, there has been a regular influx of information supporting the “adventure’ theme.

Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicles Functional Pull Out Kitchen

 

To read more click on the following link: https://insideevs.com/news/366546/video-rivian-truck-cooking-wild/

Top Travel Destinations: Ancient History Of Girona, Spain Attracted Tourists For Centuries

From a Los Angeles Times article:

Parts of the Roman wall that remain from the first. The medieval wall that was built on top of it and on which you can circle much of the Old Town. The 11th century cathedral, which has the widest Gothic nave in the world. The near-pristine 12th century Jewish quarter, from which a thriving community was driven in 1492. The Arab baths, a symbol of the town’s early Muslim inhabitants. The marks left on buildings by cannons from Napoleon’s army. The bridge built by Gustave Eiffel in 1876.

The western bank is edged with houses, red and russet, yellow and gold. Beyond lies the Old Town, with its plazas and arches, towers and churches, cobblestoned streets, shadowy stairways and wild green gardens trying to prove real every romantic vision you ever had about historic Spain or Europe for that matter.

To read more click on following

https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-08-23/spain-game-thrones-barcelona-day-trips-girona-monserrat

New Travel Books: “Epic Bike Rides Of The Americas” From Lonely Planet (2019)

From inside the book as seen on Amazon.com:

Epic Bike Rides of the Americas Lonely Planet Finger Lakes Ride inside book

Epic Bike Rides of the Americas Lonely Planet coverThis definitive companion for cycling enthusiasts showcases 200 of North, Central and South America’s best and most celebrated routes, from epic adventures off the beaten path to shorter urban rides. Go bikepacking in Baja, road riding in Colombia, mountain biking in Canada and gravel riding in Pennsylvania.

Each ride is accompanied by stunning photos and a map and toolkit of practical details – where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more – to help you plan the perfect trip. Suggestions for similar rides around the world are also included.

Rides in Canada include:

  • The Cabot Trail (Nova Scotia)
  • Whistler Bike Park (British Columbia)
  • The Whitehorse Trails (Yukon)
  • Banff to Whitefish (Alberta)

Rides in the USA include:

  • Mountain Biking in Moab (Utah)
  • Great Allegheny Passage
  • Colorado Beer Ride
  • Glacier National Park Loop (Montana)
  • The Covered Bridges of Vermont

Rides in Central America & Caribbean

  • The Baja Divide (Mexico)
  • Oaxaca to Zipolite (Mexico)
  • Cuba’s Southern Rollercoaster (Cuba)

Rides in South America include:

  • The Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route (Ecuador)
  • Mendoza Wine Ride (Argentina)
  • The Lagunas Route (Bolivia)
  • To the Tip of Patagonia (Argentina)
  • The Peru Divide

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=epic+bike+rides+of+the+americas&i=stripbooks&crid=191XU7O536M9Y&sprefix=Epic+Bike+Rides+of+the+%2Cstripbooks%2C192&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_23

White Wine Reviews: Mr. Sommelier, What Exactly Makes This A Dry Wine?

From a Wall Street Journal online article by Lettie Teague

Dry White Wines Wall Street Journal Illustration by Heather Landis 2019There is no official definition of what constitutes a dry wine in the U.S. The amount of sugar left in the wine after fermentation or added afterward is, however, sometimes noted on a wine’s label, in grams per liter. According to Mr. Ramey, a wine generally considered dry would have less than 1 gram per liter RS (residual sugar), or 0.1%. Beyond that, a wine with 1% RS (10 grams per liter) is off-dry, and a wine at 3% RS (30 grams per liter) or above is sweet.

WHAT’S A DRY WINE? If this seems like a question with a straightforward answer, then you probably don’t work in a wine store or restaurant. Retailers and sommeliers tell me they are regularly asked to recommend dry wines by customers who don’t seem to know what they really want. These customers offer examples of the “dry” wines they favor—which often turn out to be technically sweet.

To read more click on the following link:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-you-sure-that-wine-you-ordered-is-actually-dry-11566492508

New James Bond 007 Film: Daniel Craig In “No Time To Die” Opens April 8, 2020

From an Esquire.com online article:

No Time To Die James Bond 007 Movie graphicNo Time to Die, as Bond 25 is called, will be out on April 8, 2020 in the U.S. and April 3 in the UK.

Directed by True Detective’s Cary Fukunaga, No Time to Die was delayed earlier this year when Daniel Craig injured his ankle on the set and underwent reparative surgery. Also starring Rami Malek as the main villain, the film will follow Bond after he’s left MI6, “when his friend Felix Leiter enlists his help in the search for a missing scientist. When it becomes apparent that they were abducted, Bond must confront a danger the likes of which the world has never seen,” according to the film’s official synopsis.

To read more click on the following link: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a28761356/james-bond-25-title-no-time-to-die-release-date/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_esq&utm_medium=email&date=082019&src=nl&utm_campaign=17826563

Trends In Food: Erewhon Organic Market Keeps Expanding By Keeping Prices (And Quality) High

From an LAMag.com article:

Erewhon Natural Food Stores Products“In the beginning, the company was so in rapture with health and wellness, that they’d get cashews from some exotic place and you’d end up spending 20-some dollars for a bag of nuts,” Widener says. “But I’d still buy a bag because I wanted to learn about it, and I felt better when I ate ‘em.” The supermarket-as-classroom ethos even influences Erewhon’s physical layout: the grocer builds shelves that are too tall so that customers will be forced to ask for assistance, thus building a relationship with salespeople.

Erewhon, a natural foods grocer based in L.A., has inspired cult-like devotion among those who can afford to pay four dollars for an avocado. On Instagram, a torrent of celebrities can be seen pushing bags of Erewhon produce to their Escalades, while beaming earth mother types with names like “healthjunky” cradle the chain’s green beverages. The store has even inspired a line of merch.

To read more click on the following link: https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/erewhon-shopping/?utm_campaign=Daily%20Update&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=75852994&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–GmpdOgZ2NYDU32TTOQ6Gqhus0hNfDfpCleCSES-n_3yZKwHpd-fTuBlp9BycKnouKgvoMgzjQ4d0ayP7fP4dN3E7daQ&_hsmi=75852890

Future Driving: Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio Electric Drive Is “Fun-Filled, Quirky Open Air Experience”

From a DesignBoom.com online article:

smart fortwo cabrio electric 2020 interiorthe result of its energetic design, both on the exterior and interior, ensures the smart ‘fortwo cabrio electric drive’ is fun-filled and quirky yet stylishly typical of the brand. at a size of 2.69 meters in length, 1.66m in width and 1.55m in height, the model delivers agile functionality for city mobility, even turning circles in less than 7 meters. however this time, smart has provided all this whilst offering electric economy with accelerating power and a fresh, open-air driving experience.

smart fortwo cabrio electric drive test: from weaving between bustling city streets to winding down swiss country roads, designboom test drove the smart ‘fortwo cabrio electric drive‘ around geneva, switzerland, and the surrounding area. in just 12 seconds ‘the roof opens.. and you can cruise almost silently through the city’, says dr annette winkler, head of smart. the folding soft top becomes a complete convertible with removable roof bars, combining an open-air element to smart’s already notoriously fun driving experience. the openness of the car’s design enables the driver to feel ‘the fantastic acceleration get right under your skin.

To read more click on following link:

 https://www.designboom.com/technology/smart-fortwo-cabrio-electric-drive-test-07-05-2017/