Downtown Eugene, Oregon is decidedly more laid back and outdoorsy than much larger and more renowned Portland to the north. The University of Oregon's extensive in-town footprint and streets packed with local non-chain shopping make it a pedestrian
Mt. Beautiful Wines were showcased at our recent Wine Review Council in Temecula, California. Although some of the reviewers were familiar with these wines, this was my first introduction to this New Zealand grown and produced wine. After a two-
The diverse country at the bottom of the African continent has been making quite a quality name for itself in winedom in recent years – these daysSouth Africais the world’s ninth-largest wine producer – although winemaking here dates back to the 17
Carrie Wynkoop loves discovering and sharing great Oregon wine. But when she began her explorations over 20 years ago, she joined one wine club after another but was unable to find any exclusively focusing on Oregon, even though the state is a top
Established in 1858, sixth-generation family-owned Gundlach Bundschu Winery is located on the southwestern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in the Sonoma Valley's southernmost point. The winery's very own 320-acre Rhinefarm is situated on terr
The Valpolicellain Italy's Verona province is renowned for ancient palaces, fabled villas, architectural jewels like the Stelle Hypogeum Church, and Valpolicella wines that inspired Ernest Hemingway to writeAcross the River and Into the Trees. Pres
Sunshine you can count on, an Ice Cream Trail, a brew trail, historic Old Towns, and the oldest wine-growing region in the U.S. (surviving Prohibition)—these are some of the special treats awaiting visitors to the Northern California Tri-Valley are
A vast valley protected between two mountain ranges, northern Spain's La Rioja features terrain, wind conditions, and soil that differs from one village to the next. The River Ebro flows through it all from west to east flanked by the Cantabria Moun
Chile’s signature grape varietal arrived just before phylloxera hit Europe in the mid 19th century. With the country's new wine region just getting established, a few Carménère cuttings were imported and planted in the valleys of Santiago among Merlo
When even most wine connoisseurs think ofLatin Americaand the fruit of the vine,ArgentinaandChileof course immediately spring to mind. But to their east, inBrazil’s southernmost state ofRio Grande do Sul, lies a slightly smaller and lesser kn
A small city at the lower end of northern California, Paso Robles dates back to the Spanish mission era of the 18th century, and wine making may have here as early as 1797, but it wasn’t until six wineries were established throughout the 1940s that t
From a country that exports the most star soccer players and sets the bar for lavish Carnival celebrations the world over, it's easy to overlook Brazil as a major wine producer.
Encompassing nearly 2,500 miles along Brazil’s eastern border, six mai
Throughout the year, the calendars of wine lovers are filled with all manner of momentous dates, of harvests, vintage releases, festivals, and more. And since the 1980s, few have been more heralded than the annual third-Thursday-of-November release
Furmint is Hungary’s answer to otherless mainstream white wines gaining prominence lately, such as Austria’s Grüner Veltliner. Most widely grown in the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Region, thiswhite grape variety's name is derived from the wordfroment(w
The Thornton Winery in Temecula, southern California is now hosting the 29th edition of its “Champagne Jazz Series,” and while I might seem like a relative “newcomer”, I have been fortunate to attend shows for the last seven years, enjoying jazz i
Argentina's rich winemaking heritage dates back to the early 16th century, putting it in an entirely different league than neighboring new world producers Chile and Brazil. Spanish settlers planted the first specimens of vitis vinifera in monastic v
We were off to explore the Santa Maria Valley along the central California coast, and as I hopped into the backseat of my friends’ car, I was shown all the preparation they had prepared for the trip. There was a tablecloth, a napkin, a bottle of B
Along with sushi, teriyaki, tempura, and the like, Japan's classic, clear rice wine has become a widespread international ambassador for Japaness cuisine and culture. With origins in the 8th century and brewed in a fermentation process more akin to
Yountville, California embodies many of the quintessential images you undoubtedly have of Napa Valley. Its compact layout, clustered around Washington Street, is also perfect for biking not only on the streets but along the ever expanding Napa Valley