Date: Fri 23-Oct-1998

By Previous Employees

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: JUDYC

Quick Words:

Chianti-Merlot-tannins-Small

Full Text:

WINE WISDOM: A New Season, A New Wine: Red

By Steve Small

Now that Labor Day is just a fond memory of the last days of summer, it is

time to turn my attention to red wines. As the nights cool, the grill is shut

down and the oven receives the bulk of the dinner cooking chores. Dishes like

beef stew and roasts naturally lend themselves to a nice bottle of red wine. A

handful of red wines are particularly popular today and I will attempt to

provide you with a brief overview of those wines.

Chianti should not be thought of as that cheap red wine that comes in straw

bottles. With the 1997 vintage just starting to appear on store shelves, there

are quite a few delicious Chiantis available in prices starting at around $8 a

bottle and going up from there. You can purchase Chianti (good), Chianti

Classico (better), or Chianti Classico Riserva (best).

Some of the most popular names are Ruffino and Antinori, but there are also

many, many more excellent Chiantis available from less well-known producers.

There are also some tasty wines labeled Sangiovese, which is the primary red

grape used to make Chianti.

Merlot seems to be the red wine of the moment. There are Merlots currently

available from just about every wine-making region in the world. The basic

Merlot flavor profile is a soft, medium-bodied red that while still dry has

very nice fruit flavors. Because there are so many Merlots now available, they

actually cover a very broad flavor spectrum. I have found Columbia Crest,

Forest Glen, Blackstone, and Beringer Founders Estate to be great examples of

what Merlot should be.

Before Merlot's explosive growth in popularity, Cabernet was the most popular

red wine. As a general rule, cabernet is usually a touch drier than Merlot and

can be a bit more tannic. Tannins are the tingle you get in the sides of your

mouth when drinking some red wines.

The best Cabernets can age for decades but most that sell for under $15 a

bottle are ready to drink right away. In the $20-a-bottle price range, Robert

Mondavi and Beringer are benchmark California Cabernets. For good values, do

not be afraid to try some Cabernets from Chile.

I have just skimmed the surface of the wonderful world of red wines. After you

have sampled the tasty Chiantis, Merlots, and Cabernets of the world, I can

then recommend Shiraz, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Barbera... Well, I have

run out of space but obviously not out of wine!

(Steve Small is the proprietor of Steve's Liquor Store, at 71 Main Street

South/Route 25 in Newtown.)

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

New Heights Vacation Bible School Returning

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 23-Oct-1998

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