Pinot noir

July 23, 2008 - Leave a Response

Pinot noir is a red wine grape that grows in tightly clustered pine cone shaped bunches. The grape is really dark. The grape is chiefly associated with Burgundy, but is today grown all over the world. It prefers somewhat cool regions, such as the Burgundy region of Switzerland and northern France.

Pinot noir is fairly sensitive, because it has a thin skin that makes bunch rot and similar fungal diseases a constant threat. In addition to this, the vines have low resistance to leaf rool, fanleaf and downy mildew.

Pinot noir has been grown for many centuries and is believed to be only one or two generations away from wild vines. Its origin remains unclear. Genetically speaking, Pinot noir is very similar to Pinot gris and Pinot blanc, and it is also a close relative of Pinot moure and Pinot teinturier.

Wines made from Pinot noir will usually develop aromas the remind the drinker of raspberry, cherry and/or currant. The exact taste is however greatly affected by factors such as the terrain.

Pinot noir can be used for both still and sparkling wines, and is for instance utilized to produce Champagne, often accompanied by Pinot meunier and Chardonnay. Pinot noir is also occasionally used for rosé, and for white wines of the vin gris variety.

Vanilla orchid care

July 23, 2008 - Leave a Response

Vanilla planifolia needs frequent watering since it hails from moist, tropical parts of Mexico. Keep in mind that it as aerial roots and focus watering and nutrition on them. This is not a terrestrial orchid and that is important to think about when you think about vanilla orchid care.

When it comes to nutrients, vanilla orchids will appreciate urea-free fertilizer. The 20-10-20 variety is known to work well. Feed weak solutions and frequently instead of suddenly surprising it with a highly concentrated solution.

As mentioned above, Vanilla planifolia hails from the tropics and will appreciate a day temperature of 27-32º C (80-90º F). This can of course be hard to achieve in a normal home, but try to at least keep it in the upper part of your tolerable range. During the night, the temperature should ideally be decreased down to 15.5-21º C (60-70º F).

Great Video

July 23, 2008 - Leave a Response

Ha ha, this is really a wonderful video. I’m sure many of you have seen it already, but for the rest of you – enjoy! The music if from the rock musical Avenue Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

Minneapolis

July 23, 2008 - Leave a Response

Minneapolis is the largest city of Minnesota and the county seat of Hennepin County. It is however not the state’s capital; Saint Paul is. Together, Minnesota and Saint Paul form the core of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and are commonly referred to as the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is home to over 3 million residents.

Minneapolis developed around the prominent Saint Anthony Falls which is the only waterfall on the Mississippi River. In the late 1800s, Minneapolis turned into a remarkable centre for direct-drive waterpower. Lumber was purchased from the forests of northern Minnesota and no less than 17 saw mills where powered by the Saint Anthony Falls. Minneapolis was incorporated in 1867.

As Minneapolis grew, it became an important source of income not only for its inhabitants but also for many farmers of the Great Plains who could sell their grain to the new metropolis. Since the city was connected to the railroad system, the grains could be fairly easily transported to the flour mills of Minneapolis.

The name Minneapolis is attributed to the city’s first schoolmaster who created the name by combining mni, which means water in the Dakota language, with polis (Greek for city).