Topic: Vintage

The hosts discuss the history and current market value of vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders, noting that prices for high-end units have risen significantly over the last decade. One host describes owning a 10-inch Teac multi-track machine while the other recalls an early Teac mixer with a built-in four-track recorder from the late 1980s. They reference specific models like the Sony 777 and the Reeboks as they compare notes on legacy analog recording formats.

Baron Dirty Dick Bangs of Washington DC requested wine recommendations for his sons' birth years. John Dvorak provides insights on Bordeaux vintages, specifically praising 2016. The Baron also describes the "hysteria" in Montgomery County, Maryland, where his family was required to get COVID tests that resulted in a sinus infection.

Sir Destro of Helena, Arkansas, donated $333.33 after selling a portion of his vintage toy collection. He proposed a new way to measure the show's seasons based on four-year presidential cycles. He also gave a shout-out to Sir Rocketman, Baron of the Bay, noting his periodic returns to the community.

A discussion on wine focuses on the aging potential of different vintages, noting that many American wines do not age as well as European Bordeaux. The hosts explain that cheap "box wines" often contain preservatives that prevent them from turning into vinegar. The conversation covers the 2016-2018 vintages in the Willamette Valley and the general chemistry of wine production.

Michael Ashmore donates $250 and requests a "pre-crime" jingle. This leads to an extensive "tip of the day" regarding Cru Beaujolais wine. The host recommends the 2015 vintage as one of the best since the 1940s and lists specific regions like Fleurie, Brouilly, and Morgon as high-quality options.

John C. Dvorak provides advice on purchasing wine, explaining the concept of limited vintages and why specific recommendations like the 2012 Los Vascos Grand Reserve sell out quickly. He also recounts an interaction with a listener regarding a 2008 Chateau Montrose.

Jonathan Meyer and Christopher Tropp are officially knighted during the ceremony. Following the knighting, the hosts discuss culinary pairings for lamb, recommending 2015 Beaujolais as an exceptional vintage that rivals the legendary 1947 year.

Adam Curry and Tina the Keeper begin planning a three-week "No Agenda" tour of Australia and New Zealand for late July 2017. The proposed route includes Perth, Melbourne, Auckland, and Sydney, though Dvorak warns the itinerary is too aggressive. To help fund the trip, Curry considers selling his collection of vintage electronic gear and "stellar pieces of technology from yesteryear."

A personal anecdote regarding a restaurant offering a glass of 2004 Dom Perignon for $55, which is identified as a significant markup given the retail bottle price. The concept of "grower champagne" is introduced as a more sophisticated alternative to mainstream luxury brands.

Judy Schwartz donated to reach a $1,000 lifetime total, earning the title Dame of Bernie Village. In response to her request, John Dvorak recommends Taylor's Vintage Port for her ceremony. The hosts also discuss the recipe for "Depression Slave Stew," a cost-effective meal made with cheap cuts of chuck steak and wine, which has become a popular topic among the audience.

A discussion regarding a 26th wedding anniversary gift, specifically a New Brownsfeld side-burner smoker from Texas. The conversation covers the technical merits of different vertical bullet-style smokers, including the Brinkmann brand, and mentions celebrating with a magnum of 2,000 Croft vintage port and brisket in Austin.

A collector in Austin has refurbished a massive vintage AM transmitter originally from station KSFO, modified for amateur radio use. The setup includes classic vacuum tubes and an old-fashioned mixing board with large pots and VU meters. The equipment recalls the era of "slip queuing" records using felt pads and manual gear shifts on turntables before modern digital automation.

Adam Curry broadcasts from Caldwell Airport in Boise, Idaho, stationed in front of a hangar belonging to Vintage Airframes. The facility is currently restoring the Dottie Mae, a famous P-47 aircraft that was recovered from a lake after 40 years. The region is experiencing extreme heat and heavy smoke from local wildfires.

The hosts conclude the episode from Boise, Idaho, thanking their local hosts at Vintage Airframes. They provide a final update on the Hot Pockets 2009 Tour and direct listeners to the show's website for donation information and upcoming meetup details in Salt Lake City.

A listener brings an original copy of one of John C. Dvorak's early computing books to a meetup, complete with a five-and-a-quarter inch floppy disk. Dvorak reflects on his prolific output of technical books during the early PC era and the durability of old magnetic media.

An anecdote about a professional wine tasting reveals the "manufactured taste" of high-end Gallo wines. The discussion covers marketing tricks used by large wineries to hook consumers with high-quality early vintages before reducing the quality of ingredients in later releases.

A bottle of 2005 Chateau Canon from the Canon Fransac region of Bordeaux was discovered on the restaurant menu for $60. The wine is noted for its rarity and distinctive flavor profile. The meal concluded with a dessert featuring banana, strawberry, and kiwi infused with basil oil, which is described as an exceptional flavor combination.

A discussion on shopping habits contrasts "power shopping" with the slower, more methodical approach often attributed to women. Anecdotes involve a trip to vintage clothing stores in San Francisco and the physical burden of "heavy" grocery runs for items like milk and orange juice. The hosts also mention the necessity of bulk buying household staples like toilet paper at Costco.

During the Rubicon dinner, the pair ordered a 1900 vintage Armagnac, which led to a dispute with the staff regarding its authenticity. Despite the waiter's claims that the date referred to a solera system, the bottle label confirmed it was distilled in 1900. The segment concludes with a complaint about the waiter pouring the final remnants of the bottle into only one of their glasses.