- Our Holiday Gifts to you
- Organic Wine News
- The Dishonest Butler
- Wine Trivia Challenge
- Laugh, Laugh & Laugh
- Tasty Recipe of the Month
- Véronique's Wine Club

December 2006

7 -- Pearl Harbor Day
15 -- Hanukkah
22 -- World Peace Day
24 -- Christmas Eve
25 -- Christmas Day
31 -- New Year's Eve

This year we're helping you choosing your gifts!
Baskets prepared by Ecoexpress.

Happy Holidays!

1/ 'Tis the season to be jolly -- and to help you do just that we have put together a lovely pack of wines, our Holiday Special:

It comprises one Muscadet, Château de la Fessardière, ideal for a plate of oysters, one Château Véronique, our all-time favorite red with which you can't possibly go wrong and a bottle of Blanquette de Limoux, the Champagne of the South! All three at your door for $49 only! Christmas is coming early this year!

2/ Everybody loves FREE SHIPPING! So we have created 2 coupons for your end-of-the-year purchases:

Organic Wine Company in the News & More

• This is very late notice but on THURSDAY Dec 7 at 7 PM (Pacific Time), Michel will be in Las Vegas to comment a wine tasting of the wines of la Bousquette, our ancestors' property. We will feature Château Véronique, Château Bousquette and Bousquette Prestige combined with an elegant dinner served by the Chef of the Texas Station Casino Steakhouse. LES KINCAID is the expert host who has aired this nationally syndicated show for several years. To listen, simply log on to www.crni.net (CRNI) at the required time and enjoy the fun with us for one hour!
  
• VEGNEWS, the eloquent magazine for vegetarians, has reviewed some organic/vegan wines in their December issue and elected our Pinot Noir Guy Chaumont. Mind you, they loved the 2003 which was so good it has since disappeared! You will have to make do with the 2004, not a bad choice either!
  
• Nothing to do with wine but take 5 minutes to watch a very nice movie here: A thoughtful journey through life.
  
• Another beautiful gift to yourself: watch Happiness is a voyage. Splendid pictures, inspiring words.

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Quickly, bring me a
beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say
something clever.
-- Aristophanes

Using the Dishonest Butler

Most of us have used a corkscrew -- but have you used the Oh-So wine opener? Also know as the "Dishonest Butler," this wine opener is that strange-looking, two-pronged opener with a small handle. The two prongs are a somewhat flexible and one is a little longer than the other.

After removing the foil or capsule from the top of the bottle, you place the bottle upright and insert the longer prong down between the bottle and cork. Since it is flexible, you bend it so you can insert the shorter prong into the other side (also between the cork and bottle).

When both sides are inserted -- a gentle rocking motion should push the prongs deeper into the bottle. When the handle is right at the top of the bottle, remove the cork with a clockwise twisting motion and pull the cork out.

So, why is it called the Dishonest Butler? It's because using this opener usually keeps the cork in good condition with little sign of opening. It is thought the dishonest butler would drink the good wine, refill it with cheap swill, recork it -- and the master would never know.

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Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.
-- Robert Fripp

Wine Trivia Challenge

Question #1: How many pounds of grapes does it take to make an average 750 ml bottle of wine? a.) 1 lb. b.) 1.5 lbs. c.) 2 lbs. d.) 2.5 lbs.

Question #2: About how many gallons of wine are produced from 1 acre of grapevines? a.) 500 b.) 700 c.) 800 d.) 1,000

Question #3: A 4 oz. glass of red wine has approximately 85 calories? a.) True b.) False

Question #4: Approximately how many gallons of wine are in a single barrel? a.) 55 b.) 60 c.) 65

TOP | ANSWERS

Be careful about reading health books. You may die
of a misprint.
-- Mark Twain

Laugh, Laugh, and Laugh Some More

Most of us heard, at one time or another, that "laughter is the best medicine." But that doesn't mean we should wait until we're sick to have a good laugh. Several medical studies have proven laughter actually works with your body toward good health. Following are several positive things that happen when you laugh.

• Your muscles relax
• Stress hormone product is reduced
• You forget about pain
• Your body’s immune system is improved
• High-blood pressure is lowered
• The heart and lungs are strengthened
• You feel better

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My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.
-- Orson Welles

Next-Day Triple Decker Turkey Sandwiches

If you like leftover turkey sandwiches -- you'll love this recipe. Take your next-day sandwiches to a new level!

• Ingredients
• 3 slices white bread
• Mayonnaise (enough to suit)
• 3 lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced
• 3 slices bacon (or turkey bacon)
• 3 slices cheddar cheese

• Preparation -- 1.) After you have prepped everything else, toast the bread slices. 2.) Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each slice. Layer bottom slice with lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheese and top with middle slice of bread; repeat second layer. Top with third slice of bread. Heat in microwave for 30 or until cheese is melted (or use toaster oven).

• Wine Paring -- Try a chilled Chardonnay Domaine la Batteuse, or a light red Beaujolais Château de Boisfranc.

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Veronique's Wine Club

We'll deliver 3 bottles of fine wine made from organic grapes to you each month! Talk about convenience and fun! We'll expand your wine repertoire by selecting three bottles of wine and shipping them directly to your home. Only $47/mo.

Each month, you'll try some of the best wines we carry. And, as a welcome gift with your subscription, you will receive an extra bottle of wine, FREE!

Click here for more information.

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Wine Trivia Answers
#1. d - 2.5 lbs.
#2. c - 800
#3. a - True
#4. b - 60