8-Bit Vinters creates wine for game nerds!

The Schulemeister is on record that my obsession with 8-Bit games is threatening our friendship. But here's something that he and his Geek Wine buddies can definitely understand.

As part of it's PAX coverage, Wired has posted up a quick tid-bit on a new wine maker named 8-Bit Vinters.

Acording to their about page they are up in the Walla Walla Washington "wine country".

There first vintage is called "Player 1" ('natch), here's what the website has to say about it:

The inaugural vintage of Player 1 displays the quality and diversity of fruit that is being produced in Eastern Washington. Player 1 is blended from various vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope, and Walla Walla Valley. 2007 was a moderately warm growing season with long, dry, sunny days that allowed for extended hang time during harvest. This wine shows an accessible and approachable style that is both fun to drink now and has the acidity and tannins to hold up for 5 years plus.

Appellation: Walla Walla Valley, Wahluke Slope, and Columbia Valley
Blend: 50% Syrah, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carmenere, 5% Malbec
Harvest Date: August and September 2007
Bottling Date: July 2009
Cooperage: French, American, and Hungarian for 18 to 22 months
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.74

As it happens, my brother lives up in Walla Walla (he's a former "Whitman" alum who could never leave). I'm going to see if he can score me a few bottles.

If I can I'll post an "un boxing / un corking" video for y'all to enjoy. If you can't wait that long, you can always order a few bottles for yourself from the companies website.

Art of the Arcade site explores the design wizardy of a bygone era.

After several months of posting retro game related bits and bytes over at the Retro Gaming Roundup official forums, the site's founderSo Cal Mike asked me if I'd like to start posting to the RGR blog. I'm going to start off my blogging stint here with a link to a classy site who's stated aim is exploring the exciting design work that existed in the late 70s and early 80s in the video game industry.

This Tumbler site is being maintained by Nick Dart, a designer out of the UK who describes himself as:

'a frustrated 24 year old arcade collector and designer, I decided to put Art Of The Arcade together to make people aware of the forgotten design and illustration work that took place in the golden era of arcade gaming in the 70’s & 80’s. The idea behind the site is to try and show this work in a new context, and give exposure to the designers that helped create a billion dollar industry and a new social past time.’

It appears that Nick has only recently begun posting images to this site, but the stuff he has up there is already worth a look. I've included a few images here to give you an idea. Check it out!














Source: Offword (via FromFiftyFive)