Wine of the Week - Left Coast Cellars Cali’s Cuvee Pinot Noir

Franklin TN - The Wine of the Week is the Left Coast Cellars Cali’s Cuvee Pinot Noir.  From the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the cuvee (French for blend) is all Pinot Noir grapes from seven different blocks of vineyards from the Left Coast Cellars estate.  The aroma begins with bright red cherries with hints of tobacco and chocolate that follow.  This Pinot has a little more weight in the mouth than normal, especially given this is from Oregon.  Aging in French Oak adds the earthiness of the flavors but this is a nice, meaty Pinot Noir that ends with a medium dry finish.  If you plan to grill Salmon, this is the wine to accompany this fish.  However, because of the weight of this Pinot Noir, it will also go well with lamb and beef.  This wine received a 92 point rating from Wine Spectator.  You can sample this wine along with other Left Coast Cellars wines this Friday evening at Franklin Wine & Spirits, located in McKay’s Mill, 2 ½ miles east of I-65 from the Cool Springs Blvd. East exit.

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History of the Passenger Tire

The Evolution of the Passenger Tire

Dateline 3500 B.C.--Today man invented the greatest invention ever seen, THE WHEEL!

Thousands of years later, the wheel has come a long way. For one thing it is no longer made of wood and it is guaranteed that the ride is much smoother. What hasn't changed is the fact it is still one of man's greatest inventions. Could you even imagine where we would be today without it?

The early wheel was very simple...a solid curved piece of wood, then leather was eventually added to soften the ride, as time progressed it became solid rubber which led to today's tire--the pneumatic, or air inflated, radial tire.

The first wheels made of metal or wood were very durable but did not provide a very comfortable ride. The nearest thing to the first tire was a metal hoop. There were many individuals that made contributions in creating the tire as we think of it today.

Vulcanization and Charles Goodyear

Rubber was not always as useful as it is today. Early rubber did not hold shape; it would be sticky in hot weather and become inflexible in the cold.

In 1839 Charles Goodyear was credited with the discovery of the vulcanization process. Vulcanization is the process of heating rubber with sulfur. This transforms sticky raw rubber to firm pliable material which makes rubber a perfect material for tires.

The story of Charles Goodyear is a sad one, although he dedicated his entire life to making rubber a better form he would never profit from all his work. Charles Goodyear died bankrupt.

Forty years later a rubber company would honor his hard work by using his name for their new tire company.

Solid Rubber Tires

Soon, after the discovery of vulcanization tires were made out of solid rubber. These tires were strong, absorbed shocks and resisted cuts and abrasions. Although they were a vast improvement, these tires were very heavy and did not provide a smooth ride.

Today there are still types of tires made of solid rubber

Pneumatic Tires

The pneumatic rubber tire uses rubber and enclosed air to reduce vibration and improve traction. Robert W. Thomson, a Scottish engineer, first patented the air filled tire. Unfortunately the idea was too early for its time and was not a commercial success.

In 1888 John Boyd Dunlop of Belfast, Ireland became the second inventor of the pneumatic tire. Dunlop claimed to have no knowledge of Thomsons earlier invention.

The second time around the pneumatic tire caught the publics attention. The timing was perfect because bicycles were becoming extremely popular and the lighter tire provided a much better ride.

Bias Ply Tires

For the next fifty years vehicle tires were made up of an inner tube that contained compressed air and an outer casing. This casing protected the inner tube and provided the tire with traction.

Layers called plys reinforced the casing. The plys were made of rubberized fabric cords that were embedded in the rubber. These tires were known as bias-ply tires. They were named bias ply because the cords in a single ply run diagonally from the beads on one inner rim to the beads on the other. However, the orientation of the cords is reversed from ply to ply so that the cords crisscross each other.

Today you can still find bias-ply tires as authentic equipment for antique and collector cars, as well as for certain type of off-the-road tractor tires.

Radial Tires

Michelin invented radial tires in 1948 and they were first introduced in Europe that year. Radial tires are so named because the ply cords radiate at a 90 degree angle from the wheel rim, and the casing is strengthened by a belt of steel fabric that runs around the circumference of the tire.

Radial tire ply cords are made of nylon, rayon, or polyester. The advantages of radial tires include longer tread life, better steering and less rolling resistance, which increases gas mileage. On the other hand, radials have a harder riding quality, and are about twice as expensive to make.

Reading Your Sidewall - Understanding Tire Hieroglyphics

Understanding Tire Hieroglyphics

Franklin TN - There is a lot to learn from the sidewall of your tire. Although at first glance you may think you stumbled across tire hieroglyphics, you've actually found molded into the tires side its own user manual.

Tire Size

Example P205/55R16 91W

P identifies your tire as a Passenger Tire. The P stands for PMetric. If your tire size starts with LT rather than a P than it identifies the tire as a light truck tire.

205 identifies the tire section width, which is the measurement of the tire from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters. This measurement varies depending on the rim to which it is fitted.

(There are 25.4 millimeters per 1 inch.)

55 is the two-figure aspect ratio. This percentage compares the tires section height with the tires section width. For example, this aspect ratio of 55 means that the tires section height is 55% of the tires section width.

R indicates the construction used within the tires casing. R stands for radial construction. B means belted bias and D stands for diagonal bias construction.

16 The last dimension listed in the size is the diameter of the wheel rim which is most often measured in inches.

Load Index and Speed Rating

91 The load index and speed rating, or service description are the numbers that follow the tire size.

The load index tells you how much weight the tire can support when properly inflated. Load indices range from 74 - 150 for passenger tires with each numeric value corresponding to a certain carrying capacity. The carrying capacity for each value can be found on a load index chart. On each U.S. passenger car tire, the load limit is listed in pounds. European tires have the load limit listed in kilograms and sometimes pounds.

W Speed ratings are represented by letters ranging from A to Z. Each letter coincides to the maximum speed a tire can sustain under its recommended load capacity. For instance, S is equivalent to a max speed of 112 mph. Even though a tire can perform at this speed, we do not advocate exceeding legal speed limits.

Speed Symbol Speed (km/h) Speed (mph)

A1 5 3

A2 10 6

A3 15 9

A4 20 12

A5 25 16

A6 30 19

A7 35 22

A8 40 25

B 50 31

C 60 37

D 65 40

E 70 43

F 80 50

G 90 56

J 100 62

K 110 68

L 120 75

M 130 81

N 140 87

P 150 94

Q 160 100

R 170 106

S 180 112

T 190 118

U 200 124

H 210 130

V 240 149

W 270 168

Y 300 186

(Y) Above 300 Above 186

DOT Serial Number

The "DOT" symbol certifies the tire manufacturer's compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards.

Below is a description of the serial number. Starting with the year 2000, four numbers are used for the Date of Manufacture, first two numbers identify the week and the last two numbers identify the year of manufacture.

Prior to year 2000 three numbers are used for the Date of manufacture, first two numbers identify the week and the last number identifies the year of manufacture. To identify tires manufactured in the 90's a decade symbol (a triangle on its side) is located at the end of the DOT serial number.

Driving Tips for Wet Roads

Driving in the rain can be dangerous; in fact thousands of car accidents each year are caused by wet driving conditions.

Routinely Check Your Tires

It is a good idea to always check your tires before you hit the road. To ensure your tires are working at their best, make sure you do the following routine maintenance:

Keep your tires properly inflated. The correct air pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle placard located on door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owners manual. The number listed on the side of the tire is not the recommended air pressure for your tire -- it is the maximum air pressure for the tire.

You should check your tire's air pressure at least once a month.

Check the tires tread depth. Tires should have minimum 1/16 inch tread depth. Proper tread depth will help prevent skids and hydroplanning.

Have your tires rotated at least every 6,000 - 8,000 miles. This will aid in detecting alignment problems and help prevent irregular wear.

Slow Down

As rain falls, it mixes with grime and oil on the road creating slick conditions perfect for skids. The best way to avoid skidding is to slow down. Driving at a slower pace allows more of the tires tread to make contact with the road, which leads to better traction.

Recover From a Skid

Skids can even happen to the most cautious drivers. If your car does skid, remember not to slam on the brakes, and do not pump the brakes if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Instead apply pressure to the brakes in a firm manner and steer the car in the direction of the skid.

Keep a Safe Distance

It takes about three times longer to break on wet roads than on dry roads. Since more distance is required to brake, it is important not to tailgate. Keep a little more than two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Recover from Hydroplaning

When it rains, water creates a barrier between the road and your tires. The liquid film that forms can cause you to loose traction and glide or hydroplane across the waters surface. If this happens, do not hit the brakes. It is better to take your foot off the gas, hold the steering in place, and lightly apply the breaks. If you have a manual transmission, push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own.

Franklin Wine and Spirits "Wine of the Week"

We wanted to celebrate our working together with HobNob Franklin by this selection for our first Wine of the Week.

• 2009 Hob Nob Cabernet Sauvignon – Dark red color expresses itself in the dark fruit aromas of blackberry, cassis, and other black fruits.  The taste is fruit forward with the same black fruits of the nose.  A medium finish that is slightly dry.  A wine that tastes better than its retail price of $14.  This wine goes with grilled steak, roasted lamb, and dark chocolate (nice to know around Valentine’s Day) and  is available at Franklin Wine & Spirits.  Have a Good One!

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Franklin, TN – Lexus of Nashville will serve as the host for the 4th Annual “No Veteran Left Behind” event, benefiting We Are Building Lives. The special event which includes a wine tasting and live musical entertainment will take place Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. VIP ticketholders will enjoy a special vintner tasting of some of the most incredible wines while listening to live acoustic music. Individual tickets start at $75, while the $1,000 Event Sponsor packet offers a special value including 10 VIP tickets, special seating and a personalized event poster.

“It’s going to be a great evening for an incredible cause,” says Ira Blonder, We Are Building Lives Board Member.  “We are so fortunate to have individuals willing to serve and protect our country. Now it’s our turn to help and serve them.   Events like this allow us the means to offer them the assistance they need.”

The annual event is designed to support We Are Building Lives, a not for profit organization that supports Nashville’s homeless veterans. “Returning veterans, who survived the war, desperately need our support,” comments Blonder. “Our organization is committed to assisting Nashville’s veterans through a variety of programs to transition them to become productive members of the community. Events like the ‘No Veteran Left Behind’ provide the much needed funds to bring these programs to those who helped serve and protect us on the front line.”

The military’s veteran services are significantly understaffed and struggling to meet demand.  Over 95 percent of the funds donated to We Are Building Lives go directly to the individuals they serve. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.WeAreBuildingLives.Org or call 615‐370‐5773.

About Us:

Our Mission: Building Lives is committed to assisting our veterans rebuild their lives in thanks for preserving our right to live in freedom in the United States of America. Our goal is to reduce recidivism among veterans, who are prison releases or homeless, one veteran at a time.

We Are Building Lives, a 501 (c) 3 non‐profit organization, was formed by a group of middle Tennessee business leaders, who recognized the severity of Nashville’s homeless veteran’s situation. Most regrettably, over twenty percent of Nashville’s homeless are honorably discharged veterans. We Are Building Lives is committed to assisting Nashville’s veterans by providing one on one mentoring, health and psychological care, employment, transportation, housing, and financial education. Our singular goal is to support and transition them to become productive members of our community.

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