Why Man’s Best Friend is Probably (OK, Definitely) Not a Canine

They drink alcohol and love spicy food. What attributes could be better in a best friend? And of course, it’s not your dog. The animal in question is a tree shrew, the only mammal (besides us) who likes habaneros, jalapenos, spicy Bloody Marys, you name it. If its furry forehead breaks out in a sweat, it’s just fine as far as a shrew is concerned. According to a report in Atlas Obscura, tree shrews are very closely related to humans but are smaller than primates so they are easier to study. In recent research, scientists discovered that tree shrews are similar to birds: neither are affected by capsaicinoids, the molecules that make chilis hot. So break out the Carolina Reapers and the Ghost Peppers—we think these guys can handle them.

Because it’s nearly Halloween, we thought we’d ask: What makes orange wine orange?

A. Grapes coming into contact with beeswax during the aging process in special vats called qvevri

B. The coloration of the special clone of pinot gris grapes that can be used to make orange wine

C. Fermented oranges added to the wine during aging

D. The juice from a variety of white grapes is fermented with the skins and stems when the wine is made

In making so-called “orange wine”, rather than removing skins after white grapes are pressed (as is common when making white wine), the juice is fermented in contact with the skins and stems. During the enzymatic breakdown that follows long contact with skins and stems, juice that was formerly white is turned orange. This not only contributes to orange wine’s vivid hue, but also adds tannin as it does with red wine. Orange wine can trace its roots to the Republic of Georgia where it has been made for over 6,000 years, often in qvevri (pronounced KEV-ree), which are large clay pots that are used for fermentation. After being sealed (often with beeswax), qvevri are buried and left underground for about six months.

2014

The 6.0 Napa Valley earthquake happened in this year on August 24th at 3:20am. Damage was spread over 100 wineries and caused an estimated 362 million dollars. Wines from this vintage (collector’s items?) are starting… Continue reading

Why Man’s Best Friend is Probably (OK, Definitely) Not a Canine

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