Wine page 3

 Wine page 3 by ric gustafson

One nature influence on wine is climate. Climate determines if grapes exist at all. Grape vines thrive in temperate regions. Around 50 degrees, grape vines begin to grow. Below 50, grape vines remain dormant. When temperatures are 63 to 68, vines will flower. 

Microclimates include wind, cloudiness and precipitation. Photosynthesis is a process that produces sugar that grape vines need in order to grow. Four elements are needed. Chlorophyll molecules must be found in the vines leaves. There must be light. There must be a small amount of water. There must be carbon dioxide. 

Grape vines need the sun. Mountains and hillsides help. North facing slopes help. South facing slopes help in cool regions. 

Grape vine leaves can help or hurt. Without enough leaves, Leaves convert light energy to chemical energy. Without enough leaves, grape vines will produce more clusters than it can ripen. The result are grapes that are weak and lack in flavor. 

When grape vines have to work harder to grow because of lack of sun and water, they are stressed. Other hazards to grape vines include temperature swings and frost.

Next we will look at three important things grape vines need in order to survive.

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Matthew 7

 God Reflections: Matthew 7 by ric gustafson

The words of Matthew 7 come as Jesus is on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This event has been called the ' the Sermon on the Mount'. Jesus is talking about two different paths in life. 

Both roads in this story represent ways of living. The first road is the easy road. Crowds take this road. Take this road to be happy. This road is an easy choice. Following this crowd leads to a path filled with futility.

The second road is less traveled. There is a price to pay to walk along this narrow path. This road is a rewarding path. This road leads to fulfillment. 

Are you at a crossroads in your life?. Which path will you choose?. I pray your choice is the right one.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: I John I

God Reflections: I John I by ric gustafson

I John I says and purify us from all unrighteousness. God is in the cleaning business. We can take care of the surface in our lives. Yet, there is something that keeps us from true spiritual purity. Something much deeper in us needs to be addressed. 

We are not perfect. God knows that. God sends the Holy Spirit to work in us. God wants us to be honest with him. We must confess our sins. God will forgive us. God will cleanse and purify us. Why will he do this?. Because God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the miracle on Titanic page 15

the miracle on Titanic page 15 by ric gustafson

A steward wearing a dark cutaway jacket walked over to the table. " Good evening my name is Hughes". He smiled. " I will be your host this evening". As he handed out menus, he introduced everyone. " Tonight, we have oysters on the half shell, salmon mousseline, lamb chops and mint jelly".

As he filled everyone's water goblet, David wondered how he could talk to Charlene. She was sitting at the other end of the table with her brother. Later after people at the table had left, David had his chance. 

" Mother, I'll be right back".

She smiled as she talked with the steward.

He sat down next to Charlene. " How was your dinner?".

" Fine". She put her bible on the table. " The lamb chops and mint jelly was very good".

" I don't know much about the bible". David noticed it on the table. " I would like to learn more".

Charlene looked at her watch. " Why don't we meet on the deck in twenty minutes?".

" Sure". He walked back to his mother. 

David escorted his mother back to her room. " I'm going up to the deck to talk to Charlene".

" Ok, I'll see you in the morning".

research help: ' Murder on the Titanic' by Jim Walker

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 10

 Beatles Anthology page 10 by ric gustafson

My name is George Harrison.

When I was young, Liverpool was very busy. On the Mersey were ferry boats and steamers coming in from America or Ireland. I left Liverpool in 1963. There was still patches of rubble. I remember buses replacing tramlines. 

I started school at Dovedale Road Infant School. I don't remember much. I remember more from Dovedale Junior. I played football. 

While I was still at Dovedale, our family moved to Speke. We had been on a list for a new council house for years. Finally, we had a modern home with a bathroom and a kitchen. Our new house was at Upton Green number 25. Speke was on the outskirts of Liverpool. We were close to Widnes.

I had a happy childhood. There were always lots of relatives around. The radio was important in our home. We would listen to Irish tenors and dance band music. My oldest brother Harry owned 3 records. He also had a small portable record player. It played 33's and 45's. 

I enjoyed listening to Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and Slim Whitman.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wine page 2

 Wine page 2 by ric gustafson

Other than water and sugar, acid is important in wine pulp. When a grape ripens, it's sugar increases. It's acid content decreases. The challenge is to have a balance of the two. Acidity gives wine vivacity. Without acidity, dry wine seems dull and flat. A sweet wine tastes flabby without acidity. Wine without acidity spoils and does not age well. Too much acidity in wine tastes biting. 

Tannin is important in red wine. Like acidity, tannin needs to be balanced properly. Sometimes cheese is used to temper the harshness of tannin. When done properly tannin can be wine's structure and backbone. 

Tannin is also a natural preservative. Wine with tannin live longer. Tannin can be good ripe and bad unripe. Ripe tannin makes wine richly colored. Unripe tannin results in dry wine. 

Wine can be fruity. Wine can be sweet or dry. As far as acidity, it is a balancing act.

Next we will look at where great wine comes from?.

research help: ' the Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: John 10

 God Reflections: John 10 by ric gustafson

John 10 talks about a Good Shepherd. We are lost sheep. We need a Shepherd. Jesus is that Shepherd. Jesus came to give us life. Jesus will lay down his life for his sheep.

There is a thief who wants to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus loves us his sheep. He is the Good Shepherd. He comes to give us life. He wants to give us life in abundance. 

Why?. Because Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric