Perpetual Wine Calendar?

Perpetual calendars are cool things--but a perpetual wine vintage calendar? Now that is a VERY cool thing! 

If you are like me, you have tried over the years (without much success) to understand the logic of allowing certain wines to age and drinking other wines sooner rather than later. Well, look at this curious little thing I found in Provence. 

It is a perpetual calendar that organizes the main wines of France, by region and color, and then by year according to when each should be "conserved", "enjoyed" and "already have been drunk". All in french, of course. 

Just spin the dial and open the proper bottle--Cheers!

European Gladstone Doctor's Bag

In Europe, this particular style of bag is very popular with collectors. Created in the mid-1800s, this bag was designed to open wide with hinges that stay open for quick easy access, such as that needed by doctors working out on the road.

 Called a Gladstone Doctor's Bag, it is named after the man who was British Prime Minister at the time because, in a way that seems curious today, the creator was a big fan of the PM! 

The style has endured, been duplicated, and altered.  I once found an original Gladstone bag and was immediately asked to sell it to a neighbor whose daughter, Fanny, had just been accepted into French medical school. That bag now has a fine home.