Our first "digi-novel"

Over Christmas break Mr. Lush and I read Level 26, a “digi-novel”. What's a digi-novel? Well, in a digi novel you log online every 20-30 pages or so to see a clip/scene that corresponds to the book. (you're given a code at the end of every few chapters to enter) The online scenes aren’t mandatory to understand the book, it just sort of adds something to it. The book itself is about the worst of the worst killer (a level 26 killer), and his sick twisted ways of getting one former FBI agent back to work on the case. (You can see more on the website itself) The book is by the creator of CSI and thus has a little mix of forensic evidence, although not as much as you'd expect basd on the shows. It was good and slightly disturbing, but not the kind of disturbing where you wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. There’s going to be 2 more books-one coming out this year and one coming out next, so it’s evidently done well in sales.

All in all, I liked the book and found the “digi-novel” aspect to be, well, a novel idea. Some of the scenes were good, and some were a bit useless (like going online to read a text message).  It does take away from the reader’s imagination because you’re given an image to adhere to, versus letting your mind create one based soley on the author’s words. But of course, it does add a little something to it as well and helps enhance the overall feel of the book, and gives you a break in reading to see a scene. Overall, I expect there to be more digi-novels in general; it seems like the kind of thing that will catch on - mixing media together - at least for a little while. We’ll see.

Why discount older vintages? Why ask why? Just buy!

Every year in the fall/winter, Schnucks (local grocery store) discounts certain wines by a hefty amount to make room for the next vintage. For example, I was there on Christmas Eve and saw a 2006 Gundlach Bunhschu Pinot Noir for just under $17- their regular price was in the high $30’s, so I picked up a bottle. I’d never had the Pinot, but have always liked Gundlach Bundshu wines, so I thought hey,it’s a great deal, might as well try it. (I will note, that sometimes their regular prices are a smidge marked up, so the discount may not be as great as it seems…but a quick search on their website reveals that they sell that wine for $34, so this really was half off)

It was amazing for the price….it reminded me of what I like about fuller bodied Pinots; rich, full dark berry flavors, a hint of smoke. Its was great, so I went back and got the last bottle they had, along with the Gun Bun Merlot, also discounted by 50% or more. They also had the 2006 Mount Veeder on sale for $21-a wine that normally sells for $35-45, and in fact is listed today on their website for $40.



In the overall wine drinking / aging plan, it doesn’t make any sense you’d discount your older vintage, particularly of a red, to make room for your newer vintage. I’m not sure why Schnucks does this, if its driven by the store or the distributors or what….but I sure do like it when I roll in and snag a great deal, so I won’t complain! So run, go to your nearest (nicest!) Schnucks and try to snag some great deals of your own today - I’ve already checked another Schnucks in Chesterfield for the same deal on the Gundlach Bundschu and they are already out, so hurry!!!

To everyone, have a safe and happy New Year!

I'll take "Regular Decanters for $1000", Alex

OK Wine Enthusiast, I'm all for pretty decanters but I think this might be going too far.
A) It, uh, well, uh, is a rather phallic symbol, don't you think?
B) Really? I need an instruction video to use it? and
C) Wow, between the shape of the decanter and the description, I might need a cigarette.


This elegant Riedel Eve decanter is an artful masterpiece, as well as an extremely functional wine vessel. The Eve decanter features a generously tall silhouette of almost 20 inches, and the unique design is reminscent of an elegant upright cobra waiting to drink the wine you pour forth. The person serving from this decanter can create a dramatic presentation, as it is necessary to turn the vessel a specific way to pour. No worries, though. Beautifully packaged in Riedel's signature black and red box, the EVE decanter comes with an instructional DVD narrated by Maximilian Riedel, which explains the pouring technique and cleaning instructions. Delight your guests and serve them a lovely red wine in this visual masterpiece. Mouth-blown of 24% leaded crystal. Recommended to hand wash. The sensuous, serpentine curves of Riedel's new lead crystal, mouth blown Eve decanter are not only seductive, but functional. This design tour de force double decants your wine as it flows through the coiled shape. Serving wine becomes a performance as the decanter's twist and turns require the same movement by you - turning the decanter in a slow 360 degree rotation to 'charge' the decanter and allow the wine to pour. EVE is a decanter that also speaks - it emits a sound akin to the gurgle of the King Cobra as the wine makes its trip through the curvaceous swirl of glass.