Tricks, Treats and sticky finger swindlers...

Another Halloween night has come and all the candy is gone!  For me personally, Halloween brings me great joy as I hand out teeth rotting goodies to children.  You're welcome dentists!  I overloaded our stash this year to well over 300 pieces of sweetness to quell the candy induced collection frenzy.  This however was not enough as well over fifty children came to our door this year.  They came decked out dressed as ninjas, firemen, witches, clowns, football players, cowboys and ghosts.  I enjoy seeing all the cool costumes and seeing their eyes light up as I give them a handful of candy.  I like hearing them say Happy Halloween, trick or treat or please and thank you as they grace our doorstep.  I like spooking them as I answer the door in costume and have our bushes rigged with eye popping sound effects.  For all of the fun though, there is always something that puts a damper on the night...

The sticky finger swindlers.

They attacked our candy stash with sly tricks of deception. The first tactic used tonight by a little girl was the "oh you have the cutest dogs can I pet them tactic".  I crouched down, with candy dish in hand, to contain the dogs so she could kneel down in the open doorway to pet them.  As she began to pet them with her right hand I noticed that her left hand had slipped into the candy bowl as she reached for a handful.  She thought she had me fooled!  In the end I still gave the little con artist two pieces of candy.   The second tactic used tonight by multiple larger groups was the "overload the doorway tactic".  The large groups crowd the door and try reaching into the bowl like it is a China Buffet food line.  Some succeed with their sticky little hands full before I have time to retreat into the entry way.  Then I open the door holding a few pieces of candy to disperse without the bowl available for the free for all.  This seems to work but in the end they still win!  Another group maneuver is to be the first to get the candy and then get behind the group and reach the bag through the crowd to get a second helping without actually being seen.  There is no real way to defeat this tactic unless you make them get in a single file line before approaching the door.  Good luck accomplishing that with children that are all hyped up on Red Bull and could strike out at any moment.  Never put personal safety in front of the candy stash!

In any event, Halloween still continues to be one of my favorite holidays!  I just have to try to stay one step ahead of the sticky finger swindlers.  At least I have 364 days to plan before next Halloween...

Wine of the Week

2009 Avalon Napa Valley Merlot

86 Points

An outstanding value Napa Valley Merlot from Avalon!  Known for their California and Napa Cabernets, this is their first vintage of Merlot using fruit sourced from the famed Atlas Peak Appellation.  This fruit forward wine displays bright fruit on the nose and leads to dark cherry and plum on the palate.  Medium bodied with great balance and soft tannin structure.  Perfect fit for pot roast and root vegetables, meaty red pasta sauces and wild game.

Rated and reviewed on 10/28/2010 by BS.

Suggested retail price between $10.99 - $11.99

Wine Markets, Crazy Deals and Packing Peanuts...

Wow!  Have you stopped by your local wine shop lately?  Next time you are there, definitely take some time to look at some great wines with deep discounts and great value pricing.  With the current economic situation, it is a great time to build up your wine collection on some great highly rated vintages with special deals as well as a great way to stock your cellars up for the holidays!

Wine is a moving industry...  I mean that it needs to maintain a steady movement on the store shelves to keep the vintages current, the wineries producing, the farmers harvesting and the customers happy!  Any hiccup or backup in the chain of supply and demand can create ripple effects that will influence the cost of wine at your favorite shop.  This being said, obviously the sluggish economy has been that hiccup that plays right into consumers hands.  Wine is high in supply but shifts in demand has yielded a buyers market.  Now don't get me wrong, demand is still at a high level as well, but the average consumer has shifted their buying patterns to coincide with their own economic situation.  A consumer who used to purchase a $30 bottle might now buy two $15 bottles.  A consumer who used to buy two $10 bottles a week might now be buying a three liter premium box wine.  This has allowed the higher priced premium wineries adjust their pricing to compete to sty within peoples price range.  A win win for consumers.

With so many options in the marketplace, the industry has put a premium on high quality wines at affordable pricing.  It has also set in motion many marketing strategies such as mail in rebates, wine label line extensions, new secondary brand labels and many new eye catching label and package changes.  This combined with value pricing work to capture a consumer and comfort them through these economic times.  It is a perfect time to try something out of the ordinary that's new and exciting!  This allows you to expand your palate and your wine collection without depleting the bank account.  It is also the perfect time to stay with your tried and true brands that have been there through it all and continue to offer great reliable quality at a great price!

Either way, whatever you decide is a victory for you!  Keep drinking, keep learning and have a great day!

P.S.  What the hell is up with packing peanuts!  Perfect shaped pieces of styrofoam death for young children, pets and the environment!

Wild games, gutsy calls, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's unflappable hair...

Wow!  What a week of wild NFL games, gutsy calls and another escape by Tom Brady's flowing locks of luck.  As another week goes by I realize more and more that the NFL is full of parity.  Every team this season seems to be up and down with no clear cut favorite, except the damn Jets and Steelers, but lets face it who really cares about the Jets and Steelers.  In New York, no one has time for the Jets as they will continue to mourn the Yankees loss until free agency starts and the checkbook opens yet again.  In Pittsburgh, fans are too busy worrying about quarterbacks in bathroom stalls to realize the Steeler season so far.  It seems to me that every team has had its moments and that this might be the year that multiple .500 teams get into the playoffs.  I love the fact that as every week passes I try to pick winners, watch games and then sit back in amazement as underdogs put up high scores, super powers struggle and teams win in the strangest ways.

This leads me to my favorite team, the New England Patriots...  I have always believed in Coach Belichick's decision making but seriously fourth and one and they go for it with the game on the line!  I can see putting the game in Tom Brady's hands, but his flowing locks of luck eventually might run out, and we need those locks in the playoffs.  Granted in the end it all worked out due to another shitty kickers leg.  Do you realize they only have one job?  However as I complain about kickers, they saved the victory for them today.  Whether it's a coaches decision, referee's call or a player's inability to do their job, this season will continue to be interesting until the very end!  I look forward to each passing week to see how the hell I can be shocked out of my seat and sent into a head banging swearing frenzy...  That is until I look over at my wife's face of disbelief and I return calmly to my spot on the couch!

Wine of the Week

2007 Banshee Napa Valley Cabernet

87 points

Glass staining garnet color leads the way to a fruity nose with notes of vanilla, leather and toast.  Voluptuous mouth feel of creamy blackberry fruit nuances, caramel and espresso integrate with well-structured tannins that melt away into a long finish on the palate.  Enjoy this wine now or for several years to come with braised beef, wild game or any of your favorite cut of grilled beef!

Rated and Reviewed on 10/24/2010 by BS

Wine can be found at bansheewines.com