August 30: Dog Days of Summer

Celebrate the Dog Days of summer with a visit to Heston Farm Winery.

Check out their Facebook page for a schedule of upcoming events http://www.facebook.com/hestonfarm

Impress the staff with some wine trivia:

In 1801, Thomas Jefferson spent 12% of his $25,000 Presidential salary on wine.

There are over 5,000 wine grape varieties in the world—many of which have multiple names.

The Book of Jonah is the only book in the Old Testament that contains no reference to wine or the vine.

The Romans mixed lead with wine to improve preservation, flavor, and texture. Unfortunately, lead is poisonous.

Of the wine sold in restaurants, 55% is red wine.

Red wine becomes lighter in color as it ages, but white wine becomes darker.

There are more chemical compounds in wine than in blood.

There are about 44 million bubbles in a bottle of sparkling wine.

90% of wine produced in America comes from California.

Airén is the world’s most widely planted grape variety in terms of area planted; it is grown primarily in Spain where it is used to make white wine and brandy.

And finally, a Latin proverb: “It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend; one’s present or future thirst; the excellence of the wine; or any other reason.”