Stocks vs Gold, which is better?

The debate of whether it is better to invest in gold or stocks contines.  So let's check the numbers: 

Since January 1971, when the United States went off the gold standard, Gold has increased 12,618% for an annualized compounded rate of 9.21%, while the S&P 500 Index has a total return (including dividends) of 8,060%, or 8.33% annualized compounded return. GOLD WINS!

But wait! If you reinvest all dividends since January 1971, the S&P 500 has a total gain of 29,954%, or 11.02% per year annualized compounded return. STOCKS WIN!

I like to think of it as a Super Bowl contest where both teams score several touchdowns, and tie at the end!

Summary: Invest in both stocks and gold. They are a winning combination

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the value of the dollar has gone down.On thing can't be denied: both stocks and gold have outperformed holding hard currency.

 

 By the late 1960s, the number of dollars in circulation was too high to be backed by U.S. gold reserves so the government ended the gold standard to allow for more money to be printed.

Money supply (M2) in the U.S. has skyrocketed over the last two decades, up from $4.6 trillion in 2000 to $19.5 trillion in 2021.

The effects of the rise in money supply were amplified by the financial crisis of 2008 and more recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, around 20% of all U.S. dollars in the money supply, $3.4 trillion, were created in 2020 alone.

Gold cannot be printed. 

 

By Rob Longwell 

Wine Review: Lapis Luna Reserve Cabernet Franc, a Terrific Bargain

 

Lapis Luna Reserve Cabernet Franc 2020 is an amazingly good wine, especially for $20.  It appeals to many palates with deep raspberry and black cherry tones.

 Lapis Luna Reserve California red wine that is mostly Cabernet Franc with small amounts of Petite Sirah and Merlot, known for ripe dark fruit and spicy, herbal notes. It is a ggreat-value, fuller-bodied New World Cabernet Franc with a richer, fruit-forward style than many French examples.

Basic details

• Full name: Lapis Luna Cabernet Franc Reserve 2020.​
• Region: California, with significant fruit from Lake County and other North Coast vineyards.​
• Approximate price: Around 18–22 USD per 750 ml bottle at many retailers.​

Grapes and winemaking

• Blend: About 75% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petite Sirah, 8% Merlot.​
• Vineyards: Sourced from multiple sites; roughly half from Rosenthal Vineyard in Lake County, with additional lots from other California vineyards that are vinified separately then blended.​
• Style: Made as a concentrated reserve wine with deeper color, more structure, and noticeable oak influence compared with standard bottlings.​

Flavor profile

• Aromas: Black cherry, cocoa, cassis, and dark berry notes, with hints of spice and tobacco-like herbal character plus some oak.​
• Palate: Dark fruits (blackberry, plum, cherry), warm spice, and a touch of pepper or green tobacco, with medium to fuller body and a fairly long finish.​
• Structure: Moderate tannins and noticeable alcohol (around the mid‑14% range), giving a plush, ripe New World feel.​

Food pairing ideas

• Grilled or roasted meats such as burgers, steak, lamb, or pork chops.​
• Hearty dishes with herbs and spice, like peppery sausages, barbecue, or roasted vegetables with mushrooms.
• Semi-firm, savory cheeses, especially those that can handle some funk and spice
•  

The Label, The Art of Lapis Luna

The label bears mystical and inspirational symbols. The expression "Once in a Blue Moon" has been around for a long time. It means something very rare or something that hardly ever happens. The blue moon is a metaphor for something that is rarely seen. 

The art in the label is seen as a source of inspiration and inspiration. It depicts people reaching out their hands towards the blue moon. The label expresses this mysterious and symbolic worldview.

“Lapis Luna” is Latin and translates to “stone” (lapis) and “moon” (luna), so together it means “stone and moon” or “stone of the moon” depending on context. Luna can also refer to the Roman goddess with soft, silvery light, flowing garments, --a gentle nocturnal presence who illuminates and protects. 

In the 1600s, Herman Hugo (Belgian priest and author)  published  Emblem Book by copperplate engraving titled "Pious Desires" (a collection of allegorical illustrations with poems). The label reflects this work.

The Winemaker

The wines are made in Ukiah, Mendocino, California, and bottled in Mendocino or Lodi. The Lapis Luna series winemaker was Dave Rosenthal, who joined the company in 1972 and has been active in winemaking ever since.

He has a notable career having worked on the team of Andre Tchelistcheff *1 and is an excellent winemaker who has mastered the art of expressing California wine.

Currently, Nicole Walsh is the winemaker, involved in all stages of winemaking, and is a veteran with 25 years of experience. She majored in horticulture and viticulture at Michigan State University, one of the most prestigious schools for plant research

*Andre Tchelistcheff is known as one of the most influential winemakers in post-Prohibition America. Nicknamed "Maestro," he is especially credited with establishing the style of California's finest Cabernet Sauvignon.

Many famous winemakers and wineries, including the famous Robert Mondavi and Stags Leap Wine Cellars (which won first place in the 1973 "Judgment of Paris" award, beating out the top five Bordeaux chateaux), looked up to him as their mentor.

  

by Rob Longwell