Meridian 2006 Chardonnay, California

Meridian Chardonnay is grown in the coolest regions of Santa Barbara County where classic, sought-after characteristics are typical. About half of this wine comes from our coolest vineyard, White Hills, so named for its rolling sand dunes. The soil keeps vigor in check so that yield is not huge, but fruit intensity is quite the opposite. The pineapple, floral, citrus and apple aromas typical of Santa Barbara County occur in abundance in the White Hills Chardonnay.

The other Santa Barbara County Chardonnays in the blend are from the Santa Maria Valley and the cool Los Alamos area to the south. They contribute floral, grapefruit and textural components to the blend. Designed to show off this lush fruit, the oak was kept to a minimum.

Exotic aromas mingle pleasingly in this wine and include notes of fresh cut flowers, lychee, vanilla and nutmeg. A dash of toasted almond brings about an intriguing mid-note. This is not a shy Chardonnay. On the palate expect flavors of pineapple, lime and grapefruit essence with a touch of oak, followed by a lengthy finish. Appellation Santa Barbara County

I feel like the recession has had some effect on all of us. Some are entertaining less, the trips are shorter, or more local, some are shopping in their own closets for long-ago purchases that may still fit and seem approprite.

Some of my friends are downright struggling; with the mortgage payment, the kids' expensive school and extracuricular activities, the tickets to games and plays they have "always" gone to...choices they must make and explanations they must proffer to their friends, colleagues and co-conspiriors. YIKES! It's not easy to observe.

I've been in recession mode for YEARS. My son, Andrew, dubbed my house wine "Windsor Kool-Aide" because we always had copious amounts of it chilled and ready to go here on Windsor Way. It is actually non-vintage Chardonnay from Meridian Vineyards coastal vineyard on the Central Coast of California, very tasty wine from near the Santa Barbara Coast.

Location, Location, Location

Richard Florida will be on NPR’s Talk of the Nation today, February 18, from 3-3:45pm EST:

On the next Talk of the Nation: To Richard Florida, this recession follows the first rule of real estate: location, location, location. When the economy turns around, where you live might be more important than what you do.

Tune in, and then share your thoughts with us.

Economist: $825B Plan May Avert 'Depression'

Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
Inman News

The House of Representatives is expected to vote today on an $825 billion stimulus bill that could save millions of jobs and prevent foreclosures, but which might also make the recession worse if the government's growing debt sends interest rates up and the dollar plummeting.

President Obama urged fast passage of the bill, saying new statistics being released every day "underscore the urgency of the economic situation."

"The American people expect ... us to put together a recovery package that puts people back to work (and) creates investments that assure our long-term energy independence, an effective health care system (and) an education system that works," Obama said.

House Republican Leader Rep. John Boehner called the stimulus plan "wasteful and unfocused" and said it would be "irresponsible to pass this massive debt onto our children and grandchildren." Boehner and other Republicans are pushing for an approach that puts more emphasis on tax relief and less on government spending to stimulate the economy.

H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, would earmark money for a range of federal programs and increase or extend benefits payable under Medicaid, unemployment and food-stamp programs. The bill also includes an estimated $165 billion in tax cuts for individuals and $110 billion for businesses.