More belts,more shoes, more moolah!

In a recent discussion on the shoes & belt category it was brought to my attention that there are more people on the market for upscale items. Here are a few more selections for those who chose not to match shoe laces with t-shirt and call it styling.

"J" Good look putting me down with these Paul Smiths .

Women & Cigars...

I recently read an article that says law makers in Boston were planning to ban smoking all together. But since this proved to be unprofitable greedy city officials decided to tax single cigars & smokeless tobacco. The reason given was that they want to make any tobacco product to exspensive for teenagers. Saying since a pack of smokes is so much teens are looking for a new outlet. I seriously doubt teens are giving up Newports for a $12 stick.

I am confident enough without doing any research to say the teenage cigar boom has not gone into effect. But it is my opinion that the female cigar boom has. Theres nothing new about a woman and a cigar I know this. But Im not talking about Black & Milds. Im not talking about Big Bertha the butchers wife. Im talking corporate,young,bold,modern,sexy breadwinners. Women hold powerful positions in todays would. No longer are they intimidated by the alpha male territory controlled cigar lounge. At one time it was percieved that only Wall St. fat cats smoked cigars and hard working men rolled there own cigs. And once upon a time Demi Moore graced the cover of Cigar Afficionado. But I wonder what standard she set for or against the average female smoker?




The recession has many men purchasing a lot less cigars. And cutting fewer of the ones they already have. But women seem to be in a lot better earning situations. Male unemployment rates have exceded womens since November 2008. And cigar companies are targeting females smokers. Unlike Camacho, who is using sexy bikini clad women to sell cigars like beer, C.A.O. and Acid are aiming to please a females pallet. Among the most popular is the Blondie and Kuba by Acid. Smoking a cigar is relaxation, a symbol of success or a reward for a hard days work. Women Vice Presidents, CEO's and house wives deserve to sit and enjoy. But learn the ways of the den or face riducule.



Fellas can you handle a higher earning powerful independant women who on top of that smokes cigars? Do you feel like the cigar lounge is no place for lady types? If her cigar is bigger than yours do you feel like less of a man?

SYNDICATED CLOTHING

When I was a freshman in high school I would catch the train to N.Y. just to find some new hot shit to wear to school that I would absolutely be the ony one wearing. Tommy Hillfiger, Pelle, Parasuco...I had some of those but so did everyone else. It was 1992-1993 that I found these cool ass shirts called ECKO. Nice very graphic print tees and every shirts came with a free mix tape. When I say mix tape I mean an actual cassette with well know underground artists. Needless to say these shirts were to become very popular. And by then I had moved on.



Its hard being different especially when your not even trying. Its just in our blood not to stand in line with the mortals and try not to be noticed. People are campaigning against stem cell research & cloning but the damage has already been done. Your already being cloned to dress alike, talk alike, think alike and listen to the same songs over and over again. Its not the government you need worry about people...its the Mall!!!



Syndicated Clothing is where you go when you want to wear that new new before your favorite celeb. Before Jay-Z, Kanye or Lil Wayne gives it the "ok". The Mall and other non personality stores wait to see who wears what when and how. Syndicated told me it was hot weeks ago before I saw it in the new Mos Def video.



I do not own a single skull n bones or rock star tee(are they the same?). Sorry just not my thing. Over a year ago I found this print of the Versace face covered with a bandana. Inquired about it at Syndicate they had some of the very limited items already. And now have the largest Crooks & Castle selection I have ever seen from NJ to NY.

Recently my people over at Syndicated put me up on Play Clothes. Remember coming home from school and moms was like take of those good clothes and put your play clothes on? Well the theme on these is play clothes for adults. Come on you people dont really wear True Religion and Louie V. sneakers to the supermarket or get your oil changed? Maybe you do...

Normally my play clothes come from the Gap or Target. Mid quality for mid price. But I like these Play Clothes alot more. I picked up these two right here. Good money great quality shirts.I'll be the only one rocking these for a lil while until they catch on. http://www.playcloths.com/

http://www.myspace.com/syndicatedclothing

...and they got a great blog.

http://syndicatedclothing.blogspot.com/

Step into Spring!

Its no secret its going to be spring and then summer real soon. This happens every year and will continue until global warming says different. Summer has not meant the same since high school. As teenagers we looked forward to summer for the 2 1/2 months break. But as adults there is no summer break from work. You work and look forward to that vacation and if you really got it you go where its hot when its cold. Besides that a grown ups summer pleasure is buying new stuff for another season. Last years whatchumacallits just wont do.


A problem I have as far as footwear is I dont wear Nike. I have not worn Nike for over 15 years.
Nike has seemingly brainwashed people into going into a store programmed to buy there shoe. It has become the uniform. So in a quest to find something differnet in Nike World I have to look extra hard with a keen eye. This has worked to my advantage because it has opened my eyes to different brands like Penguin,Adidas,Vans,Lacoste and Cole Haan. I prefer a casual canvas over the famous Air Force Ones'.

I've never been a fan of over accessorizing with matching hat,shirt,belt,sneakers,socks,shoe laces,shades....Be cool son be cool. This summer & fall whatever beach city avenue I end up on I'll be sporting these cool walking shoes right here. The belts a cool look but thats its. Cargo shorts, a solid v neck tee and a medium bodied Nicaraguan cigar until I find a cafe to my liking.

Perfect for that time between lunch and 6pm when your just b.s.ing until the nightlife scene kicks in.

So why not Gucci loafs and belt or a Louis V. combo? I get a funny feeling when something as simple as shoes and a accessorie cost more than it cost to book the whole vacation. Id rather spend that cash and upgrade to first class or get balcony room instead of just that view. Thats just me. But if you just need to go Gucci check out the new time piece. Sapphire face with rubber strap but its digital. Not a bad price at $1350

Rocky Patel Cigar Lounge Coming soon..

Move over Club Macanudo Rocky Patel is getting in the lounge game! Cigar clubs in N.Y. may have no need to worry since Rockys' lounge will be located in Scottsdale, Arizona. And by the looks of these pics even if Rockys lounge was on Madison Ave. they would have little to worry. Mr. Patels cigar lounge does not protrude with opulence like Club Mancanudo or the Carnegie Club. Sticks being sold in the attached retail location range from $2 to $40 with member dues beginning as low as $50 up to$300. It seems like a comfortable environment for blue collar to Ceo cigar smokers. If you ever find yourself in Scottsdale with a cigar now you know where to go.

The vault front door looks nice.

Gencs,the after after party...

So after the Jypsea evening of models,photogs,egyptian seduction and eating fresh grapes from the vine comes to an end...I get the call. When cigar smoking gentlemen decide its time to get it in be prepared. Tonight Barrister Cigars would settle into Gencarelli's.

I happened to be in the area and in five minutes I was there. In 20 minutes everyone was there. In 30 minutes we owned the bar. Who dat?...we dat!


Serious Bok owes everyone a round! Thats my word.

Jypsea Evening

Last night I attended the Jypsea Spring Preview '09 at the Coffe Cave in Newark, N.J. Before this event I had never heard of the Coffee Cave. Its tucked away on Halsey St. away from the hustle of Downtown Newark. Not cave like at all with its two levels,coffee/juice bar and comfortable seating over looking the bar from upstairs. It was just a taste of a SoHo like atmosphere I hope Newark is ready for. But I know Newark is ready for Jypsea.


Minutes before the beautiful Models got to show off never before seen designs of a highly anticipated line people were still coming in the doors. It was a full house of a stylish crowd mature crowd. A few familiar faces who have been fans for awhile there trying to get first dibs on new hot items.

I was pleasantly surprised to get a first look at the first of the mens line.

A very entertaining evening with a large assortment of fresh fruits and libations fit for a king and queen. The Egyptian belly dancer(yes she was actually from Egypt) entertained us dancing to music from her home land. That was a nice touch I will never forget.

http://www.jypsea.com/index.html

Barrister,Brugal & Rocky Patel....

A special event at Barrister Cigars is always programmed right into my Blackberry calendar. The Barrister does not disappoint. Even if the Clippers are playing the Timberwolves just being here makes that game exciting. This week reps from both Brugal Rum & Rocky Patel visited the Barrister...... at the same time!

A head honcho from Brugal came with gifts, plenty of rum for the tasting & his beautiful assistant there to serve you. I would say the Brugal reps deserve an applause for the way worked for and came fully prepared for the large crowd of over 60 people.

Rocky Patel(rep. not pictured) did not disappoint either. With great deals on single cigars or boxes and plenty of gifts. These were deals I hope I'll see in my lifetime. There was an impressive raffle by both reps but there was one lucky guy who should have been in A.C. playing roulette. Instead he racked up prizes at the Barrister.

And nothing tops off a night of premium cigars & special edition rum better than Wo-Hop. How could I not go? If you dont know about Wo-Hop I'll tell you later.

Art: "...Of a cultural superego."

Marc Quinn
Siren
Gold
http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/quinn253x506.jpg

Though for many its old news, I find myself compelled to comment on the recent work of sculptor Marc Quinn, himself an institution in the British art scene. Widely known for his provocative sculptures inspired by antiquity, yet questioning the ideal, his recent solid-gold sculpture (110lbs) of model Kate Moss seems a culmination of his artistic viewpoint.

Housed in the British Museum, Siren depicts a straight-faced Moss whose envisaged calm sharply contrasts with the energy of her contorted body. Debates of taste set aside, the work is compelling for its suggested meaning, described by Quinn as the sculpture of a "cultural superego."

Like all his work, the sculpture questions beauty. Seeming to comment on contemporary society, the figure's pose presents two ideas of beauty, represented by the face and sex. It seems to attack the viewer with beauty; with its bombastic medium, suggestive pose, and confrontational stare. The ideas of sexual/physical and intrinsic beauty are presented, one can imagine, to provoke our own superegos. The residence of the works focal point brings to the fore of the viewer's mind "Where should i be looking?"

The work is clearly quite complex, as evidenced by medium, pose, subject matter, etc. Though initially offensive, one must look to the artist's body of work for guidance in interpreting the piece.

What do you think? Does the golden Kate tell us to...Live LUXE?

JYPSEA Spring '09 Line Preview & Launch Party!

Ladies If you are unfamiliar with Jypsea ~Eclectic Hand crafted Leathergoods then you are probably spending to much time trying to look like everyone else. Jypsea designs are hand crafted using high quality materials and never made in sweatshops. My favorite thing about this line is that there are one of a kind and limited editions that are actually limited editions. Imagine how your woman must feel when asked where did she get that accessorie and she can respond,"Sorry this is a one of a kind". Or ,"There were only 100 made in the entire U.S." That is a more powerful statement than being a walking billboard.

This weekend Jyspea designer & owner Terina "Meca" McKinney will preview her new Spring '09 line on March 21st. Not new to the scene at all Terina,an F.I.T. graduate & boutique art gallery owner, has been doing this since the age of 6. Terina is from your very own New Jersey but will take you to Egypt this Saturday. I cant wait, this promises to be a special event for men & women serious into fashion.

Event Info
March 21, 2009
Line Preview: 7pm-9pm
Fashion Show starts promptly at 7:30pm

The Coffee Cave
45 Halsley Street
Newark, NJ 07104
FREE ADMISSION

Dear Fashionista,
Just a few days from now, I will unveil the Spring 09 collection with Jypsea's first ever public line preview and launch party. Step into Egypt for the evening while your senses are indulged in luxe inspired by ancient times. It will be an evening you won't soon forget, with a little something for everyone. Yes, even the guys!

Looking forward to seeing Saturday at 7pm.

Best regards,

Terina "Meca" McKinneyJypsea ~Eclectic Hand crafted Leathergoods
For more info visit:http://www.jypsea.com/index.html

Esperanza Spalding!

Im not in the music business, but I love to play A&R. When your a fan this is when you discover an artist or group after they have already being discovered. Before millions of albums sold. Before the Oprah interview.Before the grammys. Before the D.J.'s tell you its cool to listen now. Before everyone jumped on the I gotta download that bandwagon.admit it...it feels good to say,"I told you to listen months ago." It wasnt long ago I was in the basement of Tower Records in N.Y. with less than one hundred other people to get a glimpse of this new talented cornbraided piano player vocalist. Alicia Keys performed for free for the small crowd like it was MSG. I said this girl is gonna be big!

And now recently another talent has caught my attention with the same hold that Alicia had on me then. Esperanza Spalding,that name just rolls of the tongue,23 years old and is making jazz beautiful and beautiful jazz. Esperanza which means "hope" in spanish is a base player and vocalist from Portland Oregon. Inspired first at just 4 years old by a performance by cellist Yo Yo Ma on Mr. Rogers
Neighborhood. Ms. Spalding graduated Boston College at the age of 20 and is now a professor teaching jazz there as well.
The fact is my Ipod is lacking in the jazz department. Gill Scott Heron had been holding me down for a long time. Esperanza is fresh, melodic,sexy & soulful. She will bring the cello the attention the piano has been recieving. With her music influenced by Brazilian,Cuban and Hip Hop rhythms she has what it takes to be mainstream and true to her fans. Enjoy this jazz protege in an intimate setting,home, car or lounge. Esperanza goes well with wine & is Roots approved.


To hear the talented Esperanza please visit: http://esperanzaspalding.com/

Micro-brew Review: Dogfish Head World Wide Stout

In keeping with my adventurous imbibing, I picked up Dogfish Head Brewery's World Wide Stout. To say the least, it was delicious.

At ~$9 for a single, 12oz. bottle it's about as luxurious as beer gets. But this isn't any beer; its a micro-brew from a well-lauded producer based in Maryland, USA. Perhaps best known for their gutsy, in-your-face India Pale Ales (IPA's), which show off-the-charts International Bitterness Units (IBU's) due to their scrumptuous hoppy character, Dogfish Head continues to push the envelop. The brew masters spare no effort in creating richly flavored, complex, exemplary beers that set a high bar for their counterparts.

This rare quaff was no different. Technically a stout, though reminiscent of some Belgian quadrupels, its unlike any other on the market today. On attack, you're greeted with a familiar coffee bitterness which then explodes into a hefty melange of chocolate, barley, caramel, and a hint of smokiness. Without a doubt, this is the good stuff! On the finish, the brew extends its delicious profile to a light sweetness enveloped in softly expressed hops. It beckons you to take another sip.

And if you thought the brew's 12oz. package to be meager, you were wrong. The beer is packed with such richness ( and alcohol :) ) that it would be ill-advised gluttony to consume more than the suggested serving.

Definitely seek out Dogfish Head products...you'd be hard-pressed to be dissatisfied, unless your an outright curmudgeon :). Cheers!

And...Live LUXE.

Spirit Review: Tuthilltown Manhattan Rye Whiskey

Having a passion for wine, its hard not to find an appreciation for other well-crafted libations. Most recently I finally decided to spring for a bottle of Tuthilltown Distillery's Hudson Manhattan Rye Whisky. Now, I'm not a cheapskate by any means, but I'm a big proponent of QPR; call me frugal.

As such, the squat 375ml half-bottle of whisky was difficult to wrap my head around, especially at a price ~$50. But hearing rave reviews from fellow conoisseurs I decided to grab it.

I was very happy I did. At first sip, I was pleasantly surprised by a syrupy sweetness on attack...akin to a simple syrup: light yet unctuous. This developed further into notes of orange zest and molasses accompanied by a warm spiciness and very soft tannin. The finish was devoid of any bitterness or off-putting taste...it was simply an extension of the whisky's pleasantly light notes.

So, in the end...Tuthilltown's Hudson Manhattan Rye proved a huge value...even @ $50 for a half-bottle. For more info, visit their website @ www.tuthilltown.com. Do seek out their products. And, do post your suggestions for any other great spirits, wines, etc.!

Live LUXE.

Blu~Door Cigar Lounge!

There's a new place to relax and enjoy a premium smoke in town. The Blu~Door Cigar Lounge just opened in Maplewood yesterday for a special invite only Grand Opening. The blue door opens to the general public today. I know the owner and he is passionate about quality & his cigars. If you happen to get there before me please share your experience. For more information go to http://www.bludoorcigarlounge.com/

Assaying Wine: Tasting

Our final installment of the Assaying Wine series, Tasting, will briefly discuss how one judges a wine on their palate. Enjoy.

So after you’ve looked at the wine and indulged in its various scents, its time to taste. Taking a sip, one pauses to notice the initial burst of flavor, called the “attack”. This obviously varies from wine to wine, but try to pay attention to what you are tasting, looking for the same types of flavors as aromas: earthiness, fruit, etc.

After the initial burst of flavor, the wine’s mid-palate shows through. The “mid-palate,” despite its name, is not a physical location in the mouth, but is instead the mélange of secondary notes found in the wine after the initial attack. Here we look for depth of flavor in the wine, also known as complexity. Does the fruity burst on attack become underscored by an earthiness? A wine which seems to lack complexity is said to be one-dimensional. Though this does not make the wine great, it can nonetheless be very enjoyable (e.g. a wine that sings of strawberry jam).

Pay attention to any changes that occur in the flavor of the wine, in addition to its structure.

The structure of a wine is determined by the wine’s tannin and/or acid content, which determines the wine’s drinking window (more tannin/acid allows the wine to age further). The more drying a wine feels on the palate, the more tannic it is said to be. (High tannin is NOT what is meant when a wine is said to be “dry,” this is a comment on residual sugar content/sweetness.) In the same vein, the more the wine causes your mouth to water/pucker, the more acidity it has. If the wine seems to be devoid of these, it is said to be “fat/flabby.” A fat wine can also be enjoyable, but is nonetheless flawed, unsuited for further development and difficult to pair with food.

After judging the mid-palate, one turns to the finish of the wine. This is sensed after the wine is swallowed/ spit out into a spittoon. These residual notes round out the experience. Does the wine finish smoothly or with bitterness or alcoholic heat? Does a kick of fruit show up? Are the flavors long/short lived (referred to as a long/short finish)?

After experiencing the finish, one can make a judgment on the wines quality. A good wine is one which shows a mesmerizing nose accompanied by a complex, structured palate, leaving a long, beckoning finish. Remember: inexpensive wine is not always inferior, nor is expensive wine always superior.

A note on tasting: often you’ll hear tasters slurp the wine in their mouths and then swish it around before spitting/swallowing the wine. This is done to incorporate air into the wine, allowing its flavors to shine through. To do this, simply pull air into your mouth through your teeth while tilting your head slightly forward; then swish gently.

Now you’re well equipped to fully enjoy the many facets of wine. Go out and grab a bottle (or 2)!

Do let us know what you’re drinking & thinking!!!

As always…Live Luxe.

Goodtimes...

Aint we lucky we got'em! Thanks to Steve from Barrister Cigars for the Monetcristo Reserva & Big Country for poppin that bottle in celebration of my birthday.

My birthday is over but the party dont stop. Here are some exciting up coming events to keep you all busy and entertained. You work hard so why not turn what would be a movie night into an eventl? Concerts,sporting events & the theater can be costly but you have weeks sometimes months to plan ahead. And in these turbulent times its a good time to catch a deal on tickets.

Check out your very own N.J. Nets vs. the 76er's April 5th orNets vs. Orlando Magic April 11th. Both games buy on ticket get one free starting at $40! $220 tickets are...you guessed it,$110! Also check The N.Y. Knicks offer two tickets and meal for two for $99 through April 15th. Meal includes hotdogs,24 oz. soda & chips. Come on no one wants rack of lamb with minched herbs at a basketball game anyway.



Catch Robin Thicke and Jennifer Hudson at the Wamu Theater April 10th. Tickets start at $49.00. En vogue(yeah all of them) will be performing at B.B. Kings May 10th for $32.50 per ticket. Seal will entertain his fans at Radio City Music Hall on April 16th for tickets starting at $39.50. And always a favorite of mine is the comedy club. Everyone needs to laugh so hard you grab you stomach and bang you fist on the table every so often. Laughter is healthy and good for the soul. Anynight is a good night for comedy but the Hot97 April Fools day Comedy Show is a once a year event worth checking out. With Tracey Morgan hosting Im 99.9% sure its going to be hilarious. The name of the show is self explanatory but for the slow it is April 1st at the Wamu theater at Madison Square Garden.



Dinner and a movie is classic adult recreation quickly being replaced by cooking at home and Netflix. Nothing in my opinion can replace a night out on the town especially when the outcome is different everytime. Those movie theaters get smaller and smaller everytime I go. Sometime people go so much they feel like they are in there own living rooms...and they even act like it. Kill the repetitiveness,plan ahead,save for it and have a luxurious evening.

In the face of recession...Live LUXE

To echo the sentiments of many, including those of Serious, the current economic crisis affecting those the world over can certainly be disheartening. Coming after a period of seemingly wide-spread affluence & "conspicuous spending", the downturn has caused us all to re-evaluate our favorite past times & consumerism. In a recent CNN.com article, a consumer psychologist concisely stated our current mindset: we have moved from an era of conspicuous spending to a state of conscious consumerism.

Gone are the days of impulse luxury purchases. Instead, I hope, we find ourselves mulling over our spending decisions, purchasing luxury goods & services with an eye to stretching the value of each dollar. No we have not forgotten the enjoyment that life's luxuries can bring us, nor should we, but it has become imperative that we make informed purchases...even in the area of luxury goods.

So before spending $100 on that bottle of highly rated wine, or $30 on that must-try cigar, or even $2K on that new bag...do your research. Be an educated consumer, seeking the highest quality-to-price ratio...surely it will only lead to greater satisfaction.

As always, we'll do our part to help you make those informed decisions. We'll prove yet that despite hardships, our enjoyment of life neednt stop. And we can continue to...Live LUXE.

Assaying Wine: Nose

Continuing our series on wine, we'll move on to a discussion of the aromatics of wine, also refered to as the nose ("bouquet" is usually reserved for the aromatics of older/more mature wines).

In wine, one "noses" (used as a verb here) the glass to detect the various notes to be found on the palate. You also smell the wine to detect any flaws: maderization &/or cork taint.

To do this, one gently swirls the wine in the glass, using your shoulder, not ur wrist. Or, you can place the glass on a flat surface &, holding the stem, move the glass in a small circle (the latter method is almost spill-proof...ALMOST :) ).

After swirling, which allows more of the wine vapor to be released into the air above the wine, stick your nose into the glass...really. Gently smell the wine and look for any subtleties. Some wines wil be very in-your-face, meaning you can pick up different notes immediately. Others will be more reserved, requiring you to meditate on what you're smelling.

So what are you looking for? Immediately, you want to look for flaws. Maderization, meaning when the wine has been stored in hot conditions, is belied by a wine with a mute (almost non-existent) nose, rife with the scent of alcohol. You'll hardly smell anything in the wine, but will be hit by a strongly alcoholic profile.

Cork taint is not bits of cork floating in your wine, those are harmless. A wine is said to be "corked" when a fungus, which naturally occurs in the cork tree, remains alive in the cork and affects the character of the wine. The smell of a corked wine is often described as a wet basement, but I think its more akin to rotten carrots. The scent or taste of rotten carrots in your wine is a definite indicator of cork taint...send it back!

If you find your wine free of the above flaws, then you're free to dive in.

In reds, the usual notes are: berries, floral notes, vegetal notes, chocolate, & earth notes. In whites, notes of apples, pears, earth, citrus, minerals, dried leaves, & flowers, are usual. When nosing your glass you may find that some notes are more prominent than others or that all are very delicately expressed. The former is said to be a "focussed" nose while the latter is said to be "elegant".

Well, hope you've enjoyed this basic, entry on assaying the nose of a wine. Now u can really dive into the full sensory experience of imbibing. Next time we'll discuss the actual drinking part!

Live LUXE.

Serious Birthday...

In an early celebration of my birthday Friday night I enjoyed drinks with a few friends. No cake,no ballons or ice cream. Serious style! Beer, hard liquor ,uncensored conversation,cigars and the "code." I never plan to celebrate anymore usually I plan to work but these last minute broo ha ha's are like therapy.

An amazing and generous turn of events is when I recieved a pleasant gift from a complete stranger. While we enjoyed our after the bar smokes another friend in the area shows up at the cigar lounge along with is younger brother who I have never met before.He is just as outgoing as the older & presented me with a very prestigious cigar as a birthday celebration/greeting gift. I thank you sir for the 1926 80 year Padron. Also thanks to A.S.R. for the limited Partagas that I enjoyed earlier.

"IT'S A RECESSION...EVERYBODY BROKE"

Hard times are upon most of us. You know what your problems are. Most likely they are the same as your neighbors. The slogan goes ,"when it gets tough the tough get going". But can the tough remain civilized when the well water runs shallow. We all must admit some adjustments must be made to deal with these economic conditions. Even if we are very comfortable it would be wise to prepare which I'm sure most of us were smart enough to do that is why the cigars are still burning and the wine still pouring. But no one can ignore the position America is in right now no matter how much or little it affects you.
So how have you chosen to maintain your luxe lifestyle recently? Has anyone resorted to smoking White Owls and drinking Mad dog 20/20? Have you lost patience for the slow sturdy pour of a great ale in a pint glass and now just turn up the bottle to the ceiling? Anyone buying gallon jugs of wine or 30 packs of malt liquor? Please do not misunderstand me my questions are not meant to ridicule anyone. I am not recession proof so I have adjusted as well. I don't eat out as much and I am not ashamed to clip a coupon. I just want to make sure no one jumps of the deep end in a panic.
In the event your favorite luxurious pastime should seem out of reach there are options. Cigar shops will usually run specials on smokes or sell variety packs. Some times you can get three to four smokes for the price of your usual. Take advantage of that. Sure you love that wine with the mountain grown grapes pissed on by goats who only drink the finest wines. Well make that wine for special occasions since its so special. Most liquor stores have free wine tasting's where you can, "properly assay the wine's character", and find something to your liking. This goes for cheeses,spreads and beer as well.
For those of us living high on the hog these times are to be taken advantage of. Its a great time to purchase a car with steep discounts. Also jewelry,loose diamonds and fine watches. How ever you handle yourself please make sure you maintain dignity. That may not be your usual cognac,beer or wine but still drink from the proper glass. Properly cut and light your White owl (remove the label) and think about your stash of Opus X at home. Treat those around you with the same respect, refrain from burping and bring something to the table. Real men don't steal & most don't borrow.

Assaying Wine: Appearance II

As promised, we’ll follow-up the previous wine entry with a further discussion of how to judge a wine’s appearance in the glass. Here we’ll discuss the hue of the wine; an aspect that can provide us with loads of information. Without further ado…

In reds, a black or deep, inky hue is indicative of extended contact with the skins and high extraction (it gets tricky here, however, since, if the grapes were not fully mature, the wine may still show a deep coloration due to extraction of pigments from the grape skins, but lack a rich flavor--this is where smell and taste come in, a later post in this series.)

In white wines, a saturated, golden appearance usually belies a full-bodied, full-flavored wine, whilst a paler, straw-like hue usually indicates subtlety and a more delicate character.
In making age considerations, there are two colors which are great indicators: rust & umber for red & white, respectively. The appearance of a rust-like coloration in a red wine is indicative of oxidation, hence increased age. The older the red, the paler, more rust colored it will be (again, this is not a definite because vintages and grape quality vary...you may have a 20 year old Bordeaux from a classic vintage appear much deeper in color than a 10 year old wine from the same region of a lesser vintage). Rust coloration is usually found at the robe of the wine when looking at it in the glass. Generally speaking, the wider this band of rust color, the older the wine.

In whites, aging/oxidation causes a darkening of color. Here, you can imagine hints of umber mixed into the general color of the wine. Again, the greater the degree of umber coloration, the older the wine. Some whites, with extended aging, take on a brown-ish appearance like that of an aged Cognac.

Well, that's a basic explanation of what it is to judge a wine's appearance. One last assertion (without getting scientific), LEGS MEAN NOTHING regarding the quality of a wine; its an antiquated idea, long defunct. Commenting on a wine's legs is a sure-fire way to label yourself as a novice.

Stay tuned for the next wine entry discussing the nose, or aromatics, of a wine. Pretty soon you’ll be tasting and judging wine like a pro. As always, its our goal at Luxe Kultur to enrich the lives of our readers. And, being able to appreciate the many levels of wine can only improve your experience...of life.

Until next time: live LUXE.

Assaying Wine: Appearance I

As a first post, its natural that I begin by discussing a topic for which I have great zeal: wine.

Essential to those not living under a rock (if you're reading this, consider yourself rock-free) is the ability to properly judge a wine's character. Several steps are involved in coming to a qualifying conclusion, but we will begin today with the first: judging the wine's appearance in the glass. This will itself be a two part post, the first dealing with basic preliminary information & the second getting more in-depth. Thus, without further adieu…

To properly assay a wine's character, a clear glass/crystal vessel, free of etching or coloration, should be used. Its cross-sectional shape should be U-like, while narrowing toward the mouth of the glass. A stem is helpful, as it allows you to hold the glass, while looking at its contents simultaneously. Newer, bulbous, stem-less wine glasses can be used, but make appreciating a wines appearance a clumsy task.

The wine should only be poured as high as the widest part of the glass, allowing room to swirl and tilt the glass. When looking at wine, color is of paramount interest. With the glass tilted away (preferably against a white background), causing the wine to form a tongue-like shape, one can truly appreciate the wine's coloration. There are usually three areas of color to note: the deepest area of color, the middle, and the outer rim of the wine, a.k.a. the robe.

When looking at these areas, one should judge a. concentration of color (an indicator of body and/or flavor component concentration/extraction; depth of color= richness) b. transparency (another indicator of extraction; more transparent=less extracted/concentrated flavors) & c. hue.

This last consideration, hue, is oft times given the most attention as it helps to determine the age of the wine as well as its richness or lack thereof.

Stay tuned for part II wherein we’ll discuss appearance in more detail. In the mean time…

Live LUXE.