Wine - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-29T00:14:47Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/WineA Look at Globetrotting Grenache Wineshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/grenache-garnacha-wine2024-03-12T05:44:19.000Z2024-03-12T05:44:19.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12399523879?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Step aside, predictable Pinot Noir! Cast aside that Cabernet comfort blanket! Shove Sauvignon Blanc to the side, because here we're throwing a sun-drenched fiesta for the underdog, the chameleon, the globetrotting wanderer of the wine world – <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/grenache">Grenache</a>! This ruby-shimmering grape deserves not just a sip, but a full-blown toast, a vibrant ode to its soul that whispers tales of Spanish hills and dusty Rhône valleys. So clear your palate, vino adventurers, and get ready to paint your taste buds with a kaleidoscope of Grenache and Spanish wines– it's an adventure fit for Dionysian dreams, all delivered just a click away at our <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">online wine store</a></strong>.</p>
<p>Grenache, our sun-kissed friend, has been roaming the vineyards for centuries, a seasoned traveler whispering secrets to winemakers from Spain to Australia, Sardinia to California. This adaptable wonder thrives in the heat, soaking up sunshine like a lizard on a rock, and transforming it into wines that explode with juicy fruit, earthy whispers, and a sprinkle of peppery sass. Imagine the Mediterranean sun bottled in a glass, the dusty caress of Provençal herbs clinging to your tongue, and the vibrant melody of ripe berries dancing on your palate – that's Grenache grape, amigos, pure liquid sunshine waiting to be unleashed.</p>
<p>Speaking of unleashing, let's get down to the juicy stuff, shall we? Buckle up, because I'm about to introduce you to five Grenache grenades that'll make you ditch the usual suspects and sing this grape's praises from the rooftops (or at least your cozy reading chair).</p>
<p>First up, <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/grenache/products/2021-yalumba-samuels-collection-bush-vine-grenache"><strong>Yalumba Samuel's Collection Bush Vine Grenache</strong></a> wine from Australia. This Aussie beauty has seen some things, its gnarled old vines twisting through Barossa Valley soil like time itself. Expect a punch of juicy raspberry and dark fruit, a whisper of sun-baked earth, and a touch of peppery fire – a complex tango for your taste buds that'll leave you gasping for more. <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">Order wine online</a></strong>, and let Yalumba paint your evening in shades of sun-drenched Down Under.</p>
<p>Next, we cross the ocean to Spain with <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/grenache/products/2020-borsao-tres-picos-garnacha"><strong>Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha</strong></a>. Don't let the Garnacha moniker fool you, this beauty is pure Grenache, singing with the soul of Spain in every sip. Think juicy cherries dancing with violets, a hint of minerality echoing the windswept Spanish old world plains, and a touch of spice that lingers like a flamenco dancer's fiery twirl with moderate tannin. Head over to our online wine store and let Borsao take you on a tastebud tapas tour through sun-drenched Spain with just a click – <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">order wine delivery</a></strong> service straight to your doorstep!</p>
<p>Now, we venture into the heart of France with <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/grenache/products/2021-mas-doix-les-crestes"><strong>Mas Doix Les Crestes</strong></a>. This Rhône Valley gem is Grenache red wine royalty, its grapes basking under the Provençal sun and whispering secrets of lavender and herbs to the winemaker. Imagine delicate red fruit mingling with sun-baked earth, a whisper of violet, and a finish as smooth as a well-worn leather armchair.</p>
<p>Ready for a Grenache twist from California? Buckle up for <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/grenache/products/2022-ochota-barrels-the-green-room-grenache"><strong>Ochota Barrels The Green Room Grenache.</strong></a> This Santa Barbara stunner ditches the expected fruit bomb and shows Grenache's elegant side. Think delicate strawberry and cranberry, a whisper of rose and earth, and a finish that lingers like a California sunset. Forget the Napa Cabs, and let Ochota Barrels introduce you to Grenache's Californian soul.</p>
<p>Finally, we return to Spain with <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/grenache/products/2022-bernabeleva-camino-de-navaherreros"><strong>Bodega Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros</strong></a>. This old vine beauty from Rioja is Grenache singing flamenco in a dusty cellar. Expect notes of dark berries, leather, and spice, a hint of tobacco smoke, and a finish that lingers like a whispered prayer in a stone-walled church. So, raise a glass to Spanish wine tradition, head over to our online wine store in the USA, and let Bodega Bernabeleva paint your evening with Rioja's soul.</p>
<p>This, vino adventurers, is just the first chapter in your Grenache Spanish wine odyssey. With countless regions, styles, and producers to explore, your palate is in for a fiesta! Remember, our online wine store is your trusty steed, ready to deliver bottles of sunshine and Grenache magic straight to your doorstep. So, raise a glass, explore, and savor the taste of this versatile, vibrant grape. And don't forget to visit our <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news">Bottlebarn blog page</a> for more grape-fueled adventures and delicious recipes to pair with your Grenache discoveries. Now get out there and paint your life red, one sip at a time! Cheers to Grenache.</p>
<p>Source by- <a href="https://www.atoallinks.com/2024/5-grenache-to-try-right-away/">https://www.atoallinks.com/2024/5-grenache-to-try-right-away/</a></p></div>6 Scintillating Sparkling Wines from Europehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/europe-sparkling-wine2024-01-23T15:05:00.000Z2024-01-23T15:05:00.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11780451299?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><br /> Raise a glass to the world of <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/sparkling" target="_blank">sparkling wine</a>! French Champagne is the most famous, of course, but there are many types of bubbly wine enjoyed around the world, and some of the best/most nobale hail from <strong>Europe</strong>. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to enjoy a glass with friends, there is a sparkling wine out there for everyone. Here are some of the most popular types that you can find at your favorite wine shop or <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all" target="_blank">online</a>. </p>
<h3><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/champagne" target="_blank">Champagne (France)</a></span></h3>
<p>The world´s most renowned bubby is produced exclusively in the <strong>Champagne</strong> region of <strong>France</strong> using the traditional <em>méthode champegnoise</em> with the grapes of pinot noir, pinot Meunier, and chardonnay. Known for its high quality, Champagne is often associated with celebrations and special occasions. Look for bottles with the "Champagne" label, as this indicates they have been produced in the Champagne region and adhere to strict production standards. Our online wine store offers a selection of Champagne types, including brut, extra brut, and vintage Champagne, to cater to all tastes and preferences. </p>
<h3><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/prosecco" target="_blank">Prosecco (Italy)</a></span></h3>
<p>For those looking for a light and refreshing sparkling wine, this excellent sparkling wine is made from the Glera grape in northern Italian <strong>Veneto</strong> and <strong>Friuli-Venezia Giulia</strong> regions (the latter of which is home to the eponynous village of <strong>Prosecco</strong>, near<strong> Trieste</strong>). Known for its fruity and floral notes, it´s perfect as an aperitif, pairs well with light appetizers such as cheese and crackers, and comes in dryer versions from sweet to dry..</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/asti?pf_pt_product_type=Sparkling+Wine" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Asti Spumante (Italy)</span></a></h3>
<p>Also from northern Italy (the <strong>Piedmont</strong> region, to be precise, and named after the city of <strong>Asti</strong>), for those with a sweet tooth this beloved sparkling wine has a unique flavor profile. Produced from the Moscato Bianco grape, it´s known for its refreshing and delicate fruity and floral notes and high sugar content, pairing perfectly with desserts or enjoyed on its own. It also has a relatively lower alcohol content (7-9 percent), it's an excellent option for daytime celebrations, picnics, or brunch. Our online wine store has a variety of high-quality Asti Spumante options that will suit your taste and budget.</p>
<h3><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/cava" target="_blank">Cava (Spain)</a></span></h3>
<p>A popular sparkling wine produced in the <strong>Catalonia</strong> region of Spain using the traditional méthode champenoise from a blend of local grape varieties, including Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo, cava is known for its crisp and refreshing taste. Enjoy it on its own or paired with a wide range of foods. Our wine store offers a diverse selection of Cava bottle, from the classic brut style to the rosé and sweeter options, to cater to all tastes. </p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/cremant" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Crémant (France)</span></a></h3>
<p>If you're looking for a high-quality sparkling wine that won't break the bank, this French bubbly is produced using the traditional method in several regions of France, including the <strong>Loire Valley</strong> and <strong>Alsace</strong>, and is made from a variety of grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Chenin Blanc. Crémant is a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of foods and is a great choice for celebrations and special occasions.</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/search?type=product&options%5Bunavailable_products%5D=show&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=sekt" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Sekt (Germany)</span></a></h3>
<p>Germany may not be known for its wine production, but it is home to some excellent sparkling wines, including Sekt. Made using the traditional method, it's crisp and refreshing and serves as a great alternative to Champagne. Made from a variety of grapes including Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, expecially in revions like Baden, Pflaz, and Mosel, Sekt comes in a range of dry and sweet options.</p>
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<p>Are you looking to expand your wine knowledge and become a connoisseur? <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news">Our blog page</a> offers a wealth of information on all things wine, from the history and culture behind each region to the latest trends and recommendations. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news/">our blog</a> is the perfect destination to indulge in your passion for wine. Join us and start exploring the fascinating world of wine today!</p>
<p><em><br /> <span style="font-size:8pt;">Source> </span></em><a href="https://newyorkcity.bubblelife.com/community/bottle_barn/library/3511536822/key/359138111/Types_of_Sparkling_Wine_from_Around_the_World"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>https://newyorkcity.bubblelife.com/community/bottle_barn/library/3511536822/key/359138111/Types_of_Sparkling_Wine_from_Around_the_World</em></span></a></p></div>A Profile of Balletto Family Vineyards in Sonoma, Californiahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/balletto-family-vineyards-sonoma-california2023-11-18T06:20:33.000Z2023-11-18T06:20:33.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12293802690?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>This winery is more than just a producer of fine wines in the heart of Sonoma County's picturesque landscapes. Balletto Family Vineyards is a story woven into the very fabric of this wine-rich region, and its tale is as captivating as the wines it crafts. Come along with us as we discover the secrets and stories behind Balletto Family Vineyards, a place where passion and tradition meet, and every Balletto wine bottle is a testament to the dedication of its maker. Browse our <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">online wine store</a></strong> for a curated collection of Balletto Family Vineyards wines.</p>
<h2><strong>Balletto Family Vineyards: Crafting Excellence from the Ground Up</strong></h2>
<p>Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, California, Balletto Vineyard stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a family devoted to the art of winemaking. Founded by John Balletto, this winery has humble roots that trace back to 1977 when the family began farming vegetables in the Napa Valley. However, their deep-rooted connection to the land soon led them to embrace a new venture: grape growing and winemaking in the Northern California. Over the years, their dedication bore fruit, quite literally, and transformed the Balletto Family Vineyards into a celebrated wine destination.</p>
<h2><strong>A Journey Worth Taking: Visiting Balletto Family Vineyards</strong></h2>
<p>For those eager to embark on a wine-filled adventure, Balletto Family Vineyards welcomes visitors with open arms. Located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the estate offers a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can explore the vineyards, tour the winemaking facilities, and indulge in tastings of their exceptional Balletto wines. To make the most of your visit, it's advisable to schedule a reservation in advance and check their website for the latest information on tours and events.</p>
<h2><strong>The Balletto Family Legacy: Crafting Fine Wines</strong></h2>
<p>What sets Balletto Family Vineyards apart is their unwavering commitment to producing premium wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley. Their vineyards are meticulously tended, and their winemaking process blends traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques by a talented winemaker. The result? A portfolio of wines that beautifully capture the essence of the region. As you dive into the rich tapestry of Balletto Family Vineyards, don't forget the convenience of our online wine store USA, where you can effortlessly <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">order wine online</a> to savor the essence of this remarkable winery.</p>
<h3><strong>Exploring Balletto's Wine Portfolio</strong></h3>
<p>Now, let's raise our glasses and delve into the exquisite wines of Balletto Family Vineyards, each offering a unique expression of this remarkable winery's dedication. At our wine store in the USA, you can conveniently access a handpicked collection of Balletto Family Vineyards' exquisite wines.</p>
<h4><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all/products/2018-balletto-bcd-vineyard-syrah"><strong>Balletto BCD Vineyard Syrah</strong></a></h4>
<p>This Syrah is a bold and expressive Balletto wine that reveals rich notes of blackberry, plum, and hints of black pepper. It's a testament to the family's mastery of this varietal, showcasing the Russian River Valley's potential for crafting exceptional Syrahs.</p>
<h4><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all/products/2020-balletto-russian-river-valley-zinfandel"><strong>Balletto Russian River Valley Zinfandel</strong></a></h4>
<p>The Zinfandel from Balletto dances on the palate with flavors of dark cherries, raspberry jam, and a touch of spice. It's a delightful example of the winery's expertise in capturing the essence of this beloved grape.</p>
<h4><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all/products/2022-balletto-chardonnay-teresas-unoaked"><strong>Balletto Vineyards Teresa's Unoaked Chardonnay</strong></a> </h4>
<p>Teresa's Unoaked Chardonnay is a refreshing and vibrant white wine. It's marked by bright citrus notes, green apples, and a crisp minerality—a perfect representation of Balletto's commitment to crafting elegant Chardonnays.</p>
<h4><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all/products/2019-balletto-vineyards-sexton-hill-vineyard-pinot-noir"><strong>Balletto Vineyards Sexton Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir</strong></a> </h4>
<p>The Sexton Hill single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a true gem in their collection. With aromas of ripe black cherry fruit, forest floor, and a silky texture with good acidity, it showcases the finesse Balletto brings to Pinot Noir.</p>
<h4><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all/products/2022-balletto-rose-of-pinot-noir"><strong>Balletto Vineyards Estate Rose of Pinot Noir</strong></a></h4>
<p>This Rosé is a delightful exploration of Pinot Noir's versatility. With its notes of fresh strawberries, watermelon, and a zesty finish, it's a wine that's perfect for any occasion. And for those seeking ease and speed for their special events, our online wine delivery ensures your favorite Balletto wines arrive at your doorstep promptly, allowing you to experience the Balletto magic from the comfort of your home.</p>
<p>Elevate Your Wine Journey with Balletto Family Vineyards. Balletto Family estate Vineyards stands as a true gem in the vibrant world of wine. Our <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/">wine store in California</a></strong> is your gateway to explore their exceptional range.</p>
<p>In addition to these exceptional Balletto wines, you're invited to explore the <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news">BottleBarn blog</a>, where you'll find a wealth of wine-related insight and suggestions. Our online wine store is a great place to learn more about the world of wine as well as experience it firsthand. Here, you'll discover an extensive collection of wines from around the world, each bottle telling a unique story of passion, terroir, and craftsmanship.</p>
<p>You can experience the heart of Sonoma County through Balletto Family Vineyards wines, where tradition meets innovation, and every sip celebrates life's finest moments. A toast to winemaking!</p>
<p>Source by- <a href="https://www.atoallinks.com/2023/winery-profile-balletto-family-vineyards/">https://www.atoallinks.com/2023/winery-profile-balletto-family-vineyards/</a></p></div>Cheese, Truffles, WIne, and History in Piedmont, Italyhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/cheese-truffles-history-and-wine-in-piedmont-italy2023-09-30T05:35:00.000Z2023-09-30T05:35:00.000ZVictor Blockhttps://tripatini.com/members/VictorBlock<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9622963661,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9622963661,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9622963661?profile=original" width="750" /></a><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Photos by Victor Block unless otherwise noted<br /> </em></span></p>
<p><br /> The platter that was set before me was covered with what resembled small piles of leaves from a fall lawn raking. The little brown, green and black heaps hardly invited sniffing, much less tasting. Yet sniff and taste I did.</p>
<p>Little did I know, before this introduction to “cheese wrapping,” that a gastronomic tradition in this corner of Italy is aging cheeses by encasing them in leaves. Nor was I aware that there are highly respected professional “cheese hunters” whose job is to seek out the best leaves in which to wrap locally made cheeses, and to know the exact amount of time each variety should be aged to bring out its best flavor. <br /> <br /> The opportunity to learn about one of the most unusual professions anywhere is among attractions of a visit to the <strong>Piedmont</strong> (<strong><em>Piemonte</em></strong>) region of northwestern Italy, with its capital and largest city <strong>Turin</strong>. But for me, its essence lies in the countryside, a lovely landscape of gently rolling hills blanketed by vineyards, and in small villages and towns that grew up around imposing stone castles in medieval times. Adding to the appeal are an enticing history and the fact that Piemontese food and wine, while not as well known as world-famous cuisines like that of <strong>France</strong>, in my opinion should be.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9622963700,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9622963700,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9622963700?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a></span><em><span style="font-size:8pt;">Rostislav Glinsky/Dreamstime.com</span><strong><br /> </strong></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><br /> Alba, Perched in the Piedmontese Alps<br /> </strong></span></p>
<p>Piemonte derives its name from the phrase <em>ai piedi del monte</em> (at the foot of the mountains), and the towering peaks of the <strong>Alps</strong> soar above the area (this mountainous splendor won Turin the 2006 <strong>Winter Olympics</strong>. And about an hour south of here, <strong><a href="https://www.visitlmr.it/en/route/alba/stroll-through-alba" target="_blank">Alba</a></strong> (population around 13,400), makes perfect home base for traveling throughout the region. Its nickname is “the town of 100 towers,” dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when aristocratic families competed to build ever-taller fortified towers to both provide protection from attack and demonstrate the family’s wealth and importance. While only four of the original structures still overlook the town, the name has stuck. Alba also boasts other enticing relics of its history. Among these are various medieval churches and other buildings; portions of the ancient city walls; and fragments of frescoes and other remnants of ancient Roman rule. There´s so much here that the old town is declared a <strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9622964281,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9622964281,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9622964281?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><br /> Outside Alba, the scenery becomes etched in the mind’s eye like a series of paintings. Roads wind through tiny towns, in places so narrow that when two cars meet, one must back up to a wider spot so the other can pass. Stone buildings line narrow cobblestone streets.Church steeples rise above a sea of red tile rooftops as if gazing out at the surrounding view. Many a hilltop is capped by an ancient castle, whose massive walls and turrets recall times of past grandeur.<br /> </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9622963897,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9622963897,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9622963897?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Pikappa/Dreamstime.com</em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Each Town Has its Own Intriguing Stories<br /> </strong></span></p>
<p>Along with their attractions, each town also has its own unique appeals and stories to tell. For example, <strong>Serralunga d’Alba</strong> is one of only 11 villages which may produce Barolo, ranked by many connoisseurs along with Barbaresco, as Italy’s most prestigious red wine.</p>
<p>Then there´s <strong>Grinzane Cavour</strong> and its 12th-century castle of the same name, which also have a strong connection with viniculture. Among exhibits in the fortress is the <strong><a href="https://www.castellogrinzane.com/en/enoteca-regionale-piemontese-cavour/" target="_blank">Piedmont Regional Wine Shop</a></strong>, which showcases and offers tastings of a sampling of the area’s vintages, plus several grappa brandies. Also intriguing is the ¨Masks Room,¨ whose soaring ceiling is painted with portraits, crests and a series of fantasy monsters and allegorical creatures that range in countenance from droll to macabre.</p>
<p>One proud claim to fame of <strong>Cherasco</strong> - founded in 1243 - is that <strong>Napoleon Bonaparte</strong> described it as “<em>le plus beau coin d’Italie</em>.” Even those who might not agree that the town is “the most beautiful corner of Italy” can appreciate the original star-shaped Roman bastion and the medieval architecture that abounds there. The town’s elegant porticoed arcades continue to protect pedestrians from sun and rain, as they did in the past. Among the sumptuous palaces is the early-17th--century <strong><a href="https://www.visitlmr.it/en/sightseeing/cultural-heritage/palazzo-salmatoris" target="_blank">Palazzo Salmatoris</a></strong>, where the Savoy family, which ruled northern Italy from the early 11th century (and went on to rule all of Italy) spent many a summer holiday. A graceful “Triumphal Arch” (above) was donated by a citizen to give thanks that the plague which wracked the region in 1630 spared the residents of Cherasco.</p>
<p>One larger place also very much worth a visit is <strong><a href="https://visit.asti.it/en/informations/tourist-services/" target="_blank">Asti</a></strong> (pop. just over 74,000), which traces its origins back to a Roman fortified camp built in 124 BCE. These days it´s the commercial capital of Piemontese wine - some 40 percent of the region´s production takes place in the surrounding countryside, and it´s also known in its own right for the sparkling white Asti Spumante - as well as truffles. Here, too, you´ll find remnants of ancient Roman walls and a UNESCO World Heritage medieval core. And by by the way, this is another ¨city of a hundred towers,¨ of which 15 remain and three are especially notable.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9622964481,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9622964481,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9622964481?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14pt;">Besides Its Wonderful Wine, Piemontese Food is Fantastico!</span><br /> </strong></p>
<p>Anyone who travels here is sure to leave with an appreciation of the importance of both food and wine in the lives of its people, and probably with a few extra pounds as well. Cheese and truffles - especially white truffles - hold a place of honor on many a dining table and in the local cuisine and culture.</p>
<p>Cheese-making (above) in particular is closely identified with the region, having flourished there since the first century CE. Many farmers continue to follow traditional family recipes, which often call for a mixture of milk from cows, sheep and goats.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9622964880,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9622964880,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9622964880?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><br /> <strong>Blessed Are the Cheesewrappers</strong></p>
<p>And a visit with a “cheese hunter” turned out to be one of the more unusual experiences of my trip. <strong>Gianni Cora</strong> (above) - whose family specializes in robiola, a soft cheese made from cow´s, goat´s, and sheep´s milk - described the local tradition of “maturing” cheeses by wrapping them in various kinds of leaves to both preserve and flavor them. The foliage which is employed for those purposes includes leaves from chestnut and fig trees, as well as cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables. I also encountered - but chose not to sample - cheeses wrapped in grass, tobacco leaves and goat hides. Gianni reported that each year he gathers and uses more than 100,000 chestnut leaves alone. (I didn’t inquire how he knew the number.) Explaining that about three dozen neighbors share his unusual profession, he claimed – without embarrassment at the pun – that he is recognized as the “Big Cheese” among them. </p>
<p>It had not taken long after my arrival at the destination to observe and experience first-hand that the Piemontese people are as serious about enjoying cheeses as Gianni is about doing his best to make sure they taste as delectable as possible. Most restaurants serve a wide selection of locally produced types. I observed diners discussing their selections with the server, asking for small samples before ordering, then nibbling on their choices with an enjoyment that was obvious even from across the room.</p>
<p>Enjoyment of Piedmont’s magnificent scenery, ancient towns and intriguing history might not be demonstrated so clearly. But this corner of Italy has much to recommend a visit to savor the flavors and many other attractions it has to offer. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>If You Go</strong></span><br /> <br /> Check out more info at <a href="https://www.visitpiemonte.com/en" target="_blank">VisitPiemonte.com</a>. Also, travelers to Italy from the <strong>United States</strong> and some other destination must present certificates that they have been vaccinated against Covid 19, and have received a negative swab test. For more information on entry requirements log on to <a href="https://www.italia.it/en/italy/practical-information/travel-document-italy" target="_blank">Italia.it</a>.</p>
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<p> </p></div>Why Sonoma, California Is the Ideal Getaway for Any Wine Loverhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/sonoma-california-wine-country-tourism-travel2023-09-08T06:07:11.000Z2023-09-08T06:07:11.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12219341293?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Sonoma County, with its picturesque landscapes and world-class wineries, is a haven for wine lovers seeking an unforgettable getaway. Nestled in the heart of California, this region boasts a rich winemaking history and a reputation for producing a lot of great wine. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or just beginning to explore the world of <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/sonoma-county">Sonoma wine</a></strong>, Sonoma offers an ideal escape filled with vineyard tours, tastings, and breathtaking views.</p>
<p>Steeped in history, Sonoma County holds a significant place in California's winemaking heritage. It was here that the state's first premium varietal wines were produced, leading the way for the flourishing wine industry that exists today. With its rolling vineyards, charming wineries, and passionate winemakers, Sonoma continues to captivate visitors seeking an immersive Sonoma wine experience.</p>
<p>Sonoma's allure extends beyond its incredible wines. The region's unique terroir and favorable climate create an ideal environment for cultivating a variety of grapes. From the rich and robust <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/cabernet-sauvignon">Cabernet Sauvignon</a> to the elegant and crisp Chardonnay, Sonoma showcases a wide range of varietals that delight any wine enthusiast worldwide. The area's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, along with its diverse soil compositions, contributes to the complexity and character found in each bottle.</p>
<h2><strong>Wineries to visit in Sonoma </strong></h2>
<p>When visiting Sonoma, you'll have the opportunity to explore a plethora of renowned wineries with wine tours, each offering a unique and memorable experience such as a Sonoma wine tasting or other great opportunities if you want to <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">buy wine</a></strong>.</p>
<p>Among the notable establishments and also popular wineries in any wine store in California, <strong>Beringer Vineyards</strong> stands out as a bastion of timeless elegance. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Beringer Vineyards welcomes visitors to indulge in their acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, which showcase the region's terroir and winemaking expertise.</p>
<p>Another must-visit destination is <strong>Jordan Vineyard & Winery</strong>, a historic estate that has been crafting exceptional Sonoma wines for decades. Jordan is renowned for its meticulously crafted Bordeaux-style blends, which strike a perfect balance between elegance and structure. As you explore their vineyards, barrel cellars, and tasting room, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for their dedication to winemaking excellence.</p>
<p>For Pinot Noir enthusiasts, a wine tour to <strong>Merry Edwards Winery</strong> is a true gem. Celebrated for its superb expressions of this delicate varietal, Merry Edwards Winery offers an intimate and immersive experience. Their Pinot Noir wines are characterized by their complexity, elegance, and distinct sense of place, reflecting the unique terroir of Sonoma.</p>
<p><strong>Ravenswood Winery</strong> is another prominent player in the Sonoma wine scene, specializing in Zinfandel. With a focus on old-vine Zinfandel, Ravenswood crafts great wine of exceptional quality and character. Known for their bold flavors, richness, and complexity, their Zinfandels capture the essence of the region and make for a perfect accompaniment to grilled cuisine.</p>
<p>Immerse yourself in the charm and history of <strong>Gundlach Bundschu</strong>, one of California's oldest family-owned wineries. Located in the Sonoma Valley, Gundlach Bundschu offers a delightful range of varietals, showcasing their passion for winemaking and commitment to sustainability. From their aromatic Gewürztraminer to their luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, each sip tells a story of the tradition of Sonoma County wine and craftsmanship. </p>
<p>As you explore these wineries, you'll witness firsthand the dedication of Sonoma's winemakers and the exceptional quality of their Sonoma wines. The region's diverse microclimates and soil compositions create the ideal conditions for producing a wide range of varietals, ensuring that every visit to a Sonoma winery is a unique and enlightening experience.</p>
<h2><strong>Where to buy or taste Sonoma Wines</strong></h2>
<p>Remember, even if you can't visit these wineries in person, you can still experience the exceptional wines of Sonoma by ordering wine online. Explore reputable wine store in California and <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">online wine delivery</a></strong> platforms to buy wine and have these remarkable bottles delivered straight to your doorstep. Embrace the opportunity to taste the flavors of Sonoma from the comfort of your own home, allowing your palate to journey through the region's remarkable offerings.</p>
<p>To truly indulge in the flavors of Sonoma, explore the local wine shops and tasting rooms. Discover hidden gems and boutique wineries as you wander through Healdsburg's charming streets or explore the vibrant wine scene in Sonoma Valley. If you're unable to visit in person, fear not! You can still enjoy the exquisite wines of Sonoma by ordering online from trusted wine stores. Experience the diversity and quality of Sonoma wines delivered right to your doorstep, allowing you to savor the region's finest offerings from the comfort of your home.</p>
<p>As you indulge in the remarkable Sonoma wines, let your taste buds embark on a journey of flavor and nuance. Delight in the bold and structured <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/sonoma-county/products/2021-goldschmidt-cabernet-sauvignon-katherine-alexander-valley">Katherine Goldschmidt Stonemason Hill Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon</a> or experience the elegance and complexity of <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/sonoma-county/products/2021-paul-hobbs-crossbarn-chardonnay-wa91">Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Chardonnay</a>. For Pinot Noir enthusiasts, <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/sonoma-county/products/2019-flowers-pinot-noir-sonoma-coast">Flowers Sonoma Coast</a> offers a delightful exploration of the grape's delicate aromas and vibrant fruit flavors.</p>
<p>Sonoma County is an idyllic getaway for any wine lover. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the region, enjoy Sonoma wine tasting sessions, learn everything before you buy wine, and discover its renowned wineries. Whether you choose to visit in person or <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">order wine delivery</a></strong>, Sonoma's wines and this wine country will transport you to a world of sensory delight. So, raise a glass, toast to the wonders of Sonoma, and embark on a wine journey that will leave a lasting impression.</p>
<p>We invite you to explore more about the world of wine and discover additional recommendations on our <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news">BottleBarn blog page</a>. Visit us to enhance your wine knowledge, find expert tips, and uncover new treasures waiting to be uncorked. Cheers to your wine adventures in Sonoma and beyond!</p>
<p>Source by- <a href="https://medium.com/@bottlebarn/why-sonoma-is-the-ideal-getaway-for-any-wine-lover-bb841cfb788f">https://medium.com/@bottlebarn/why-sonoma-is-the-ideal-getaway-for-any-wine-lover-bb841cfb788f</a></p></div>A 2023 Guide to Rosé Wine: 5 Bottles to Tryhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/rose-wine-wines2023-07-25T06:00:20.000Z2023-07-25T06:00:20.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><p>Rose wine is the trending white wine and is having a moment.</p>
<p>That's right, rose wine is no longer just a summery drink to enjoy on the patio. It's now a year-round favorite among wine lovers of all ages. And for the right reasons. Rose wine is refreshing, versatile, and can be enjoyed with a variety of foods. It is always available in every wine store.</p>
<p>In this article, we will discuss five of the most popular rose wines available in wine stores and <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/">online wine delivery</a></strong> in 2023. We will also provide tips on how to serve, enjoy, and <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/rose">buy rose wine</a></strong>.</p>
<p>So, whether you're a longtime rose wine lover or just getting started, read on for everything you need to know about this delicious and versatile wine.</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/rose/products/2022-martin-ray-rose-of-pinot-noir">Martin Ray Rose of Pinot Noir</a></h3>
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<p>Martin Ray Rosé of Pinot Noir is a rosé wine produced by Martin Ray Winery. Made from the Pinot Noir grape varietal, this wine offers a delicate pink hue. It is known for its fresh and vibrant flavors, often showcasing notes of red berries and citrus. Martin Ray Winery is recognized for their commitment to producing high-quality wines that reflect the character of the grape and the terroir.</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/rose/products/2021-bodegas-muga-rioja-rosado">Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado</a></h3>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12160601078,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12160601078,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12160601078?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="495" /></a></p>
<p>Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado is a rosé wine produced by Bodegas Muga in the <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news/rioja-offers-superb-tempranillo-and-more">Rioja region of Spain</a>. Made from red grape varietals like Tempranillo and Garnacha, it showcases a vibrant pink or salmon color. Known for its fresh fruit flavors, lively acidity, and elegant character, Bodegas Muga is renowned for their commitment to quality winemaking.</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/rose/products/2021-lucy-rose-of-pinot-noir">Lucy Rose of Pinot Noir</a></h3>
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<p>This rose wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley. It has a light pink color and a nose of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. The palate is crisp and refreshing, with flavors of red fruit and citrus.</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/rose/products/nv-moutard-brut-rose-de-cuvaison">Moutard Brut Rose de Cuvaison</a></h3>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12160601476,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12160601476,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12160601476?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="495" /></a></p>
<p>Moutard Brut Rosé de Cuvaison is a sparkling wine produced by Moutard Père & Fils Champagne house in the Champagne region of France. It is a brut rosé style Champagne, indicating a dry taste with minimal residual sugar. The wine incorporates red grape varietals, typically Pinot Noir, resulting in a pink or salmon color. Moutard Brut Rosé de Cuvaison offers elegance and complexity, reflecting the cool climate and chalky soils of the region.</p>
<h3><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/rose/products/2021-moret-brealynn-rose-of-pinot-noir">Moret-Brealynn Rose of Pinot Noir</a></h3>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12160601667,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12160601667,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12160601667?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="495" /></a></p>
<p>This rose wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes and grown in the Finger Lakes region of New York. It has a light pink color and a nose of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. The palate is crisp and refreshing, with flavors of red fruit and citrus.</p>
<h2><strong>How to Serve Rose Wine</strong></h2>
<p>Rose wine is an excellent choice for a summer day or light lunch. It is also a popular choice for picnics and other outdoor events. But you must serve for the most effective results.</p>
<p>Rose wine is best served chilled, at 50–60 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be served in a variety of glasses, but a tulip-shaped glass is ideal for showcasing wine aromas and flavors. Rose wine can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of foods, such as light appetizers, salads, and seafood dishes. It is also a popular choice for brunches and picnics.</p>
<p><strong>Here are some additional tips for serving rose wine</strong></p>
<p>Remove the wine from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to bring it to room temperature. Do not overchill the wine, as this will mute the flavors, and serve it in a chilled glass.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to pair the wine with food that complements the wine flavors. For example, a light rosé with delicate fruit flavors would go well with a salad or appetizer. A more full-bodied rosé with ripe fruit flavors would pair well with grilled fish or chicken.</p>
<h2><strong>Where to Buy Rose Wine</strong></h2>
<p>Rose wine can be purchased in most wine stores and online wine delivery retailers. When buying rose wine from a wine store, it is imperative to look for quality grapes. This wine was produced carefully and deliberately. There are many exemplary rose wines available on the market, so it is worthwhile to find one that you enjoy. <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">Buy wine online</a> and have it delivered to your door! </p>
<p><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news">Our blog</a> is the right place to learn more about wine, from the basics to the advanced. We're always adding updated content, so check back often.</p>
<p>Source by- <a href="https://www.ekademia.pl/@bottlebarnshop/post/2023-guide-to-the-rose-wine-5-bottles-to-try">https://www.ekademia.pl/@bottlebarnshop/post/2023-guide-to-the-rose-wine-5-bottles-to-try</a></p></div>How to Serve Syrah Winehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-serve-syrah-wine2023-04-01T07:42:10.000Z2023-04-01T07:42:10.000ZBottle Barnhttps://tripatini.com/members/BottleBarn<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11018857678?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Sometimes we want to drink a powerful wine, at these times Syrah is the best choice. Contrary to common thought, the true origin of Syrah wine lies in the Northern Rhone of France, not Shiraz, Iran. Despite the longstanding tradition of viticulture in Persia, there is no relation between Syrah and the wine that was once produced there. The fame of Syrah has however been extended to Australia, where it has become the country's most popular red wine variety.</p>
<p>It is a popular grape in warm regions, such as Barossa Valley in South Australia, very dark-skinned Syrah grape make one of the darkest-colored red wines, and most of them could be aged up to 10 years. In warmer regions, Syrah wines are medium to full-bodied, low tannic, and smooth with powerful aromas of black and white pepper, tobacco, leather, smoked meat, black olive, and jammy fruit flavors. </p>
<p>It boasts solid tannins, fresh fruit, cassis and blackberry smells, intense spice, and earthy fragrances in colder regions. France, for example, is an old-world country with a cooler climate than the new world. These French Syrah wines, such as <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news/rhone-wines-more-than-syrah-and-chateauneuf-du-pape">Northern Rhône</a></strong> ones have less tannin, with more acidity, and are more complex with earthy aromas than new world wines.</p>
<p>The discrepancy in the labeling of <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/syrah-shiraz">Shiraz and Syrah wines</a></strong>, which are made from the same grape, actually denotes the vinification style rather than the place of origin. Generally, countries with New World winemaking techniques, such as Australia and South Africa, categorize their intensely flavored wines as Shiraz, whereas the Old World Syrah producers opt to use the name Syrah. Nonetheless, when you want to <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/all">order wine online</a></strong> from the United States, don’t be surprised because they use both terms on red wine bottles depending on style.</p>
<p>So, the key issue nowadays is to identify the Syrah or Shiraz <strong><a href="https://bottlebarn.com/collections/red-wine">red wine bottles</a></strong> based on style rather than provenance. Even though there is no hard and fast distinction, Shiraz wine refers to fruit-forward, robust, tannic new world-style wines. Wines with rounded tannins, and savory, peppery, smokey tones scents, on the other hand, are typically termed Syrah.</p>
<p>If you are planning to serve Syrah wine at your next dinner party, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Initially, the temperature is the first element to be considered.</p>
<p>Properly serving wine at the right temperature is essential for optimizing its flavor and appreciating all the nuances it has to offer. While everyone's individual preference should be respected, it is important to note that serving a warm glass of Coke is no one's idea of enjoyment. Serving temperatures for wines are often misunderstood; many believe white wines should be served extra chilled and reds excessively warm. When wine is served at a temperature too cool, its taste becomes lackluster, thin, and aromatic. If it is served too warm, its flavors become unbalanced, and its alcohol content overpowers.</p>
<p>It is a common misconception that drinking wine at room temperature is the correct way to consume it. However, what we know as room temperature is much higher than the ideal drinking temperature for most wines, which ranges from 55-60F. If your wine does not feel cool to the touch, don't hesitate to ask for an ice bucket to keep it at the correct temperature for optimal enjoyment.</p>
<p>Preserving a constant temperature for wines, particularly Syrah, is quite a task since they can easily get heated in regular room temperatures. An efficient approach is to store the red wine bottle in the refrigerator for ten minutes, every hour while it is being consumed. This can help keep the serving temperature close to its ideal. However, it is important to avoid sudden changes in temperature such as using the microwave or the freezer, as it may lead to damaging the wine.</p>
<p>Determining the proper temperature for a red wine glass or bottle can be tricky. Utilizing bottle thermometers can help, however, a more practical approach is to take white wine out of the refrigerator twenty minutes prior to consumption, and for red wines, put it in the fridge 10-20 minutes before consumption.</p>
<p>An equally important point to remember is to serve the wine in a larger glass that would provide ample room for it to aerate. This is beneficial because it amplifies the aroma of the wine and tames the tannins and unpleasant odors like sulfur compounds. A good aeration process can make the flavor of the wine much better. To do this, one could <strong><a href="https://www.apsense.com/article/when-and-why-should-you-decant-wines.html">use a decanter</a></strong> which increases the contact of the wine with oxygen for about 15 minutes to 1 day. This process could be expedited by swirling the decanter or pouring the wine back and forth. An alternative is to use an aerator which adds oxygen to the wine and leads to aeration in a shorter amount of time.</p>
<p>And finally, be sure before you order wine online that Syrah wine is a full-bodied wine, so it needed to be paired with powerful dishes such as steak, braised red meat, grilled meat, or roasted lamb.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to check out <a href="https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news">our other blogs</a>.</p>
<p>Source by- <a href="https://bottlebarn.blogrip.com/2023/04/01/tips-for-serving-syrah-wine/">https://bottlebarn.blogrip.com/2023/04/01/tips-for-serving-syrah-wine/</a></p></div>The Jewels of Provence, France: History, Food, Wine and Peoplehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/provence-france-food-wine-untours2022-12-03T07:50:00.000Z2022-12-03T07:50:00.000ZVictor Blockhttps://tripatini.com/members/VictorBlock<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10068925265?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>photos: Victor Block</em></span></p>
<p><br />Some places are more than a destination, and topping that list is <strong>Provence</strong>. This <strong>Maryland</strong>-size region, nestled in <strong>France</strong>'s southeastern corner, immediately immerses visitors in a setting and lifestyle that cajole and captivate. And while the glitzy French Riviera has many advocates, my wife Fyllis and I limited our recent stay to what we what we call the “real” Provence. </p>
<p>It’s an area of tiny towns and even smaller villages. Mountain chains overlook valleys blanketed by a checker board of vineyards, orchards and olive trees. </p>
<p>Against this backdrop emerge the jewels of Provence that lie at the heart of its charm. These are history-rich hilltop villages of stone buildings crowding narrow, winding cobblestone streets and walkways, and compact tree-shaded squares lined by inviting sidewalk cafes.</p>
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<p>These casual brasseries represent one of four other factors that, to us, make a visit to this corner of France more than memorable. I refer to history, food, wine and people.</p>
<p>Phoenicians who arrived six centuries before the birth of Christ were followed by Greeks, and later by Romans. During the time that Rome held sway over this swath of fertile land, from about 100 BC until disintegration of its empire five centuries later, Provence became one of the realm’s wealthiest provinces. In the Middle Ages, the region was invaded by successive waves of fierce marauders.</p>
<p>Evidence of pages from this colorful past abound. In the town of St, Remy, remains of the once-grand Greek city of Glanum stand near a Roman triumphal arch and funerary monument. The two-tiered Roman amphitheater in Arles, which was built in 90 AD, once held more than 20,000 spectators who gathered to watch chariot races and gladiators engaging in bloody hand-to-hand combat.</p>
<p>Some of these well-preserved Roman antiquities continue to fill a variety of functions. For example, the arena in Arles hosts bull fights, concerts and other events, while plays and musical productions take place in Roman theaters in Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine. </p>
<p>Much of France’s renowned and well-deserved reputation for fabulous food and wonderful wine is based upon what is grown, made and cooked in Provence. It didn’t take long for Fyllis and me to appreciate each mouthful and every sip.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10069163298,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10069163298,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="10069163298?profile=RESIZE_930x" /></a></p>
<p class="graf graf--p" style="text-align:left;"><br />The vegetables on our plates, often seasoned with ubiquitous garlic and local olive oil, had recently been grown in fields close by, as had fresh-from-the-farm fruit. Regional specialty sweets like artisanal chocolate, candied fruits and nougat tempt the palate and challenge your next step on a scale.</p>
<p class="graf graf--p" style="text-align:left;">Restaurant food portions are large, and then some. One evening, after we ordered a steak to share at an outdoor café, the waitperson suggested, only partly in jest, that we move to a larger table which could accommodate the oversized slab of delicious meat.</p>
<p class="graf graf--p" style="text-align:left;">Wine has been made in this region for at least 2,600 years, first by the Greeks and then Romans. Provence is known predominately for rose wine, which accounts for about half of the local production. Some oenophiles also praise its spicy, full-flavored reds. As travel journalists, Fyllis and I felt obligated to sample both.</p>
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<p><br />Even given these pleasures of the past, and palate-pleasing flavors of food and wine, we found the people of Provence also to be among its most endearing treasures. Topping the list is their genuine friendliness.</p>
<p>At times when we struggled with our elementary school-level French, they used their elementary school English to offer help. When we encountered a car problem, an off-duty policeman cheerfully came to our rescue. If we looked lost while walking in a town, a local passer-by invariably offered assistance.</p>
<p>The genuine friendliness and welcoming attitude of the Provencales, as inhabitants are known, might be reason enough to visit this inviting corner of France. Given the many other enticements, it’s no wonder why the destination is placed high on many a travel bucket list.</p>
<p>Another factor that contributed to our enjoyment, and immersion in local culture and customs, was that we went there with Untours, a company with which we have traveled the past. It’s motto and goal, to enable participants to “Live like the locals,” are perfectly suited to a stay in Provence.</p>
<p>Untours provided us with a wealth of helpful pre-trip information, accommodations, a rental car and a first-day briefing by the on-site company representative. </p>
<p>We stretched our budget by enjoying some meals at our “home away from home,” and I don’t mean a hotel room. That’s a “no-no” for the company. Instead, where you stay becomes part of the travel experience.</p>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10069164457,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" style="padding:10px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10069164457,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="10069164457?profile=RESIZE_930x" /></a></p>
<p>During previous Untours trips, we were put up in apartments on a working farm, at a winery and overlooking the canals of Venice. In Provence, we stayed in a beautifully renovated century-old house in Pernes-les-Fontaines, a fortified Medieval town named for 41 ornate public fountains that began furnishing water to inhabitants in the 17<sup>th</sup> century.</p>
<p>The house interior is a tressure-trove of reminders of its history and that of Provence. Wall hangings and knickknacks display artifacts representing both the past and present-day life. In the enclosed yard, olive trees and a grape arbor hint at the gastronomic pleasures that abound. </p>
<p>Untours travels to 13 European countries and also offers canal, river and small ship sea cruises. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information about Provence, log onto <a href="https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en/">https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en/</a>. To contact Untours call (888) 868-6871 or log onto untours.com.</p>
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<p style="text-align:left;"> </p></div>All Was Bright for Southern California Wine Council's Holiday Tastinghttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/southern-california-wine-council-holiday-tasting2021-12-26T21:10:00.000Z2021-12-26T21:10:00.000ZLinda Stewarthttps://tripatini.com/members/LindaStewart<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9941024293,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /> </a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9940908070,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9940908070,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9940908070?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
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<p>Our <strong>Southern California Wine Council</strong> welcomed the holiday season by tasting and pairing four whites and four reds from the <strong>Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area</strong> (AVA), just over an hour east of San Francisco. With a climate consisting of warm days and cool nights, the area has been conducive to wine grape growing since the late 1800s. <strong><br /> </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9940935882,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9940935882,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9940935882?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="107" height="142" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9940981294,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9940981294,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9940981294?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="100" height="139" /></a></strong><strong>Omega Road Winery Gratia, 2019 </strong>($23) was our first tasting. <strong><a href="https://www.omegaroadwinery.com/brand/">Omega Road Winery</a></strong> is run by father-daughter team <strong>Ken</strong> and <strong>Alexandra Henkelman</strong>. A flavorful blend of Sauvignon Blanc, with light touches of Chardonnay and Torrontés (an Argentinian aromatic wine grape), reflect the wine’s name Gratia, which is Latin for grace. A floral bouquet is followed by flavors of citrus and green apple, with a hint of vanilla from the Chardonnay. This wine paired beautifully with crackers and cream cheese crowned with shrimp cocktail.</p>
<p><strong>Las Positas Vineyards Estate Verdelho, 2020</strong> ($35) is made from the Verdelho white grape grown in Spain, but most famously grown on Portugal’s island of <strong>Madeira</strong> and used to make the eponymous fortified wine. <strong><a href="https://www.laspositasvineyards.com/">Las Positas Vineyards</a></strong> has a wine philosophy that embraces Old World artistry to harmonize with New World character. This wine is a splendid example (and was one of my favorites) with its bright acidity, pear blossom aroma, and mango, pineapple, and ripe pear flavors, caressed lightly with honey. I paired this wine with pumpkin and pear soup topped with maple cream and prosciutto. The wine’s tropical fruitiness was complemented by the pear and maple cream and contrasted by the prosciutto’s saltiness. </p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9940992895,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9940992895,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9940992895?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="71" height="121" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9940993091,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9940993091,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9940993091?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="100" height="125" /></a></strong><strong>Murrieta’s Well Sauvignon Blanc, 2020</strong> ($50). <strong><a href="https://murrietaswell.com/wines">Murrieta’s Well </a></strong>was established by <strong>Louis Mel</strong> in 1884 with grape cuttings from two prestigious vineyards in <strong>France</strong> — <strong>Château d”Yquem</strong> and <strong>Château Margaux</strong>. <strong>Ernest Wente</strong> purchased the property in 1940 to be part of the Wente Estate. This is a crisp wine with a balanced acidity and floral notes. Flavors of kiwi and lime greet the palate, followed by a finish of minerality. A sui generis pairing of a <strong>Julia Child</strong> dish of baked cucumbers, feta cheese, and dill enhanced both the wine’s tropical fruitiness and its minerality. </p>
<p><strong>Garré Vineyard and Winery Reserve Chardonnay, 2019</strong> ($42). <a href="https://www.garrewinery.com/"><strong>Garré Winery</strong></a> is a family winery rooted in Italian heritage and traditions dating back to the early 1800s. Their reserve Chardonnay is lightly oaked with gentle aromas of toast and vanilla. The creaminess of the butternut squash ravioli and lobster ravioli pairing was a wonderful complement to the wine’s satin-like mouthfeel. The apple and pineapple flavors were enlivened by the sage butter sauce.</p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9941003080,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9941003080,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9941003080?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="109" height="168" /></a></strong><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9941030686,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9941030686,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9941030686?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="120" height="167" /></a>Omega Road Winery Petit Verdot, 2015 </strong>($38). Originating in <strong>Bordeaux</strong>, Petit Verdot is often used as a blending grape because of its bold body, robust tannins, and deep purple color. <strong><a href="https://www.omegaroadwinery.com/brand/">Omega Road Winery</a></strong> uses this grape to produce a single varietal wine. With a bouquet of violets and flavors of black fruit — boysenberry, blackberry, and black cherry — this wine bounded up to salute, but not compete with, a pairing of blackened Italian sausage with coconut BBQ sauce.</p>
<p><strong>Rosa Fierro Cellars Call Me A Cab, 2016</strong> ($40) was decidedly Wine Council’s favorite tasting. <strong><a href="https://www.rosafierrocellars.com/">Rosa Fierro Cellars</a></strong> was founded in 2014 by <strong>Rose Fierro</strong>, and the grapes for this wine (99-percent Cabernet, 1-percent Cabernet Franc) are hand-harvested from <strong>Thatcher Bay Vineyards</strong>. Five days before fermentation, the grapes are cold soaked with dry ice, and then aged in French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels for 32 months, which contributes to the wine’s delightful complexity. True to typicity (reflecting the varietal’s signature attributes), this full-bodied wine has earthy aromas of leather, pepper spice, and tobacco. Lush, assertive dark fruit flavors of cassis (black currant), blackberry, and black cherry, with notes of vanilla and chocolate were fully complemented by a pairing of Mediterranean spiced sliders of beef and lamb with sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary infused butter on sourdough bread. </p>
<p><strong>Wood Family Vineyards Viva Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 </strong>(38) Airline pilot <strong>Rhonda Wood</strong> and her husband <strong>Michael’</strong>s love for wine enticed them to purchase a vineyard property in the mid 90s in Livermore Valley, establishing <strong><a href="https://woodfamilyvineyards.com/">Wood Family Vineyards</a></strong>. Their Cab is a lovely ruby red in the glass, with earthy floral aromas. Balanced tannins and flavors of the varietal’s typical cassis (black currant) along with tart cranberry and ripe raspberry comfortably complemented the fraternal twin pairing of Mediterranean spiced sliders of beef and lamb with herbal compound butter served on olive loaf bread.</p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9941025252,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /> </a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9941026276,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9941026276,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9941026276?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="88" height="123" /></a></strong><strong>Darcie Kent Vineyards Firepit Petite Sirah, 2018</strong> ($36). With a five-generation Swiss family heritage of winemaking, <strong>Darcie Kent</strong> founded her eponymous vineyard from her art studio in 1996. In 2013, Darcie and her husband purchased and renovated the former <strong>Cedar Mountain Estate Winery and Vineyard</strong>, producing wine with a sixth generation, her two daughters. Darcie designs the artistic wine labels, and the label was the first thing I noticed about this wine with its inviting red-flamed fire bursting from a brick firepit set in the forefront of a vineyard’s rolling hills. Notes of chocolate and blueberry on the nose introduce the concentrated flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and herbs. Along with intense but not overwhelming tannins, this wine was expertly paired with Moroccan Dukkha spiced turkey Italian sausage sliders with fennel blossom and fresh cranberry/apple sauce</p>
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<p> </p></div>Are you In for an amazing Winery Tour? Grab a used tour bushttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/are-you-in-for-an-amazing-winery-tour-grab-a-used-tour-bus2018-11-27T22:07:55.000Z2018-11-27T22:07:55.000ZCharles Kaufmanhttps://tripatini.com/members/CharlesKaufman<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296642878,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296642878,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9296642878?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Are you thinking of what to do during the holiday? Well, a wine tour is an ideal thing for you. As you plan for the significant experience, Major Vehicle Exchange is readily available to sort your transport need by providing you with amazing secondhand tour buses. Used buses for sale are there for you ensuring that your tour remains memorable and worth the time. Before making a move, this what you need to know.</p><p>Why go for a wine tour?</p><p>Depending on where you have decided to visit with family members or friends, there are many reasons the tour is recommendable. You are likely to benefit from the benefits mentioned.</p><p>Entertainment is one of the primary reasons you need a wine tour, taking time for a long trip accompanied by some refreshing wine is the perfect way to enjoy the vacation. You can not forget the fact that entertainment is ideal after a long period of work or school.</p><p>Whether you plan to set up a wine store or a manufacturing plant or just general leaning on how the industry works, then a wine tour is here for you. It is important to note that a tour of the vineyards and manufacturing plants is an excellent deal for your company. General learning is guaranteed even if your main intention is having a good time.</p><p>Why choose used buses?<br />The best way to enjoy a wine tour is having a personal mean of transport. Whether a shuttle bus or a van, you are assured of the best experience ever. Owning a used bus is going to be an ideal idea for you. You can make stops at any time and place for photographs or just chilling instead of following the schedules of other transport means.</p><p>Affordability. <br />Used buses are cheap compared to new ones. You are assured of less value since the buses and vans are refurbished and certified for reselling.</p><p>Conveniency. <br />Imagine touring with different personal vehicles? Its dull and less fun experienced. A tour bus will accommodate your whole company hence giving you a room to enjoy with friends and families.</p><p>Comfort. <br />Buses have large space giving your company room for comfort and relaxation. Unlike confined cars, tour buses have enough room to sleep, stretch and even move freely making it ideal healthwise and having fun to the maximum.</p><p>What to consider when purchasing a tour bus? <br />Remember quality lasts. Make the right choice, and you will have a tour bus that will serve you for a long time. Have in mind that our company provides buses and vans for long and short distance tour. Have this factor on our fingertips. If you are going on a wine tour with a family, a van can do, but if you have a larger company, then a bus can do for you. Depending on the money you have,`you can have a tour bus or van of your choice.</p><p>Currently, Major Vehicle Exchange has 45 used buses for sales. With vans included, visit their official website and have a deal you won't regret. Nothing is fascinating like having an enjoyable and memorable wine tour.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNmDrQbMyys">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNmDrQbMyys</a></p></div>Tips For Choosing The Best Italy Wine Tours For Youhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/tips-for-choosing-the-best-italy-wine-tours-for-you2020-05-09T05:42:48.000Z2020-05-09T05:42:48.000Zalexa2https://tripatini.com/members/alexa2<div><p>Paris and Lile аrе undеnіаblу twо of the world’s grеаtеѕt сіtіеѕ but Itаlу’ѕ hеаrt lіеѕ іn France. Rolling hills tорреd with mеdіеvаl towns and wіndіng rоаdѕ lіnеd with cypress gіvе France a tіmеlеѕѕ арреаl but to rеаllу experience</p><p>France уоu’vе gоt tо еxреrіеnсе it’s wіnе. Going оn a wine tоur іn France tорѕ many Itаlіаn trip wіѕhlіѕtѕ but wіnе tasting іn France іѕ a bit dіffеrеnt than іn the Unіtеd States. On a recent trір tо Paris I got tо explore France’s rich hеrіtаgе on a рrіvаtе France fооd tоurѕ wіth Paris Organic Tours.</p><p><strong>A Fеw Things tо Know About Wine Tоurѕ іn Paris, France.</strong> </p><ul><li><strong>Geography</strong></li></ul><p>Paris іѕ ԛuіtе a big area аnd geography рlауѕ a bіg role on deciding whеrе to tour. </p><p>Most wineries аrе lосаtеd dоwn ѕіnglе lаnе, bасk соuntrу dirt rоаdѕ аnd саn bе dіffісult tо lосаtе еvеn with GPS; hаvіng a knowledgeable guide will make уоur trip go a whole lоt mоrе ѕmооthlу. Alѕо hаvіng ѕоmеоnе еlѕе tо hаndlе tо drіvіng leaves you frее tо fullу еnjоу thе wіnе. </p><ul><li><strong>Varietals</strong></li></ul><p>Wіnе іn France іѕ intensely rеgіоnаl, subtle changes in сlіmаtе аnd ѕоіl саn have a drаmаtіс affect on whаt еndѕ uр іn уоur glаѕѕ. </p><p><a href="https://253qv1sx4ey389p9wtpp9sj0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Stilton_Ruby_Port.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://253qv1sx4ey389p9wtpp9sj0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Stilton_Ruby_Port.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="500" alt="Stilton_Ruby_Port.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><ul><li><strong>Aрроіntmеntѕ and getting уоur wіnе hоmе</strong></li></ul><p>While thе fооd аnd wine tours in Italy tеndѕ tо bе a lot more саѕuаl than іt іѕ in thе US, most French wіnеrіеѕ require арроіntmеntѕ (whісh іѕ аnоthеr area having a grеаt lосаl guide соmеѕ іn handy).</p><p>France wіnе tours uѕuаllу оffеr a muсh mоrе іntіmаtе experience, аnd уоu’ll оftеn get to meet the wіnеmаkеr оr thе fаmіlу whо hаѕ run thе vіnеуаrd fоr generations.</p><p>Alѕо, уоu’rе bound tо find a few bоttlеѕ of wіnе уоu lоvе but be аwаrе thаt уоu’rе оnlу allowed to brіng in 1 lіtеr оf wіnе реr реrѕоn whеn entering thе United Stаtеѕ. Luсkіlу mоѕt wіnеrіеѕ іn Paris are able to ѕhір уоur wіnе home tо уоu (рrісеѕ are аррrоx 90 Eurо реr case) аnd they tаkе саrе оf all thе customs рареrwоrk.</p><ul><li><strong>Group vѕ Prіvаtе</strong></li></ul><p>There аrе mаnу grоuр <strong><a href="https://www.theinternationalkitchen.com/cooking-vacations/france/" target="_blank">food and wine tours france</a></strong> wіth lаrgе buses stopping аt more соmmеrсіаl wineries аnd рорulаr tоurіѕt ѕіtеѕ; thеѕе usually соmе with more сrоwdѕ especially during tourist ѕеаѕоn.</p><p>Also wіth a group tоur уоu’rе limited tо thеіr stops and thеіr tіmеlіnе. On a рrіvаtе tоur уоur France experience can bе tаіlоrеd to your wіѕhеѕ. Want to ѕреnd a lіttlе more time сhаttіng with the wіnеmаkеr or рull over to ѕnар a ѕhоt оf thаt particularly ѕсеnіс vіѕtа? A рrіvаtе tоur hаѕ the flеxіbіlіtу tо make thаt hарреn.</p></div>Wines Deep in the Heart of Texas from Becker & Fall Creek Vineyardshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/texas-wine-becker-fall-creek-vineyards2020-03-30T19:45:03.000Z2020-03-30T19:45:03.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerExterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerExterior.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="TexasWinesBeckerExterior.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><h1><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.beckervineyards.com/" target="_blank">Becker Vineyards</a></span></h1><p><br /> <span style="font-size:10pt;">It all began when the Becker family began searching for a log cabin to renovate for their Texas Hill Country getaway from their main residence in San Antonio. Inspired by travels abroad where they developed a passion for wines, the Beckers felt that central Texas was ripe for supporting more top quality vineyards. They purchased a cabin in 1990 on 46 acres of raw land and quickly discovered that native mustang grapes left over from German settlers grew abundantly in the fallow fields of deep sand and Precambrian granitic soils surrounding the property. It wasn't long before they planted their own vines yielding a first harvest in 1995.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerWineCollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerWineCollage.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="TexasWinesBeckerWineCollage.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">Intrigued by the complex sweetness of Viognier, Dr. Richard Becker and his wife Bunny visited the southern Rhône River valley of Provence with its hot, dry summers and soil of sand and limestone remarkably similar to Hill Country. They learned everything they could about the ancient varietal and were the first to commercially plant the grape in Texas. Another Rhône region highlight the Beckers fell in love with were the rows of vibrant lavender growing throughout the countryside. They soon replicated this back at their Stonewall Vineyard planting a three-acre lavender field in 1998 among their sunflowers, red poppies, blue bonnets, and zinneas creating an Impressionistic scene during early summer.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerLavenderHaus.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerLavenderHaus.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="1000" alt="TexasWinesBeckerLavenderHaus.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">The architectural design of their 1,800-square-foot Lavender Haus reception hall is replicated from a limestone barn at the L.B.J. National Park’s Johnson Settlement in Johnson City, Texas. The timber frame vaulted ceiling, native cypress walls, wrought iron chandeliers, and large limestone fireplace provide a remarkable backdrop for tastings and events. If you're visiting in person, lavender blooming season (April-May) is the perfect time for strolling the rows and browsing a myriad of lavender products in the tasting room including handmade lavender soap, eye pillows, sachets, lotion, and shower gel. They even host a lavender festival on the first weekend of May.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerWineTastingCollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesBeckerWineTastingCollage.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="1200" alt="TexasWinesBeckerWineTastingCollage.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">Becker Vineyards' 56 acres include a newly planted, two-acre Wine Club Vineyard of Sangiovese and Petite Sirah varietals. Their wine library opened in 2012, featuring a 20-year collection of the Beckers' private wine selection and single vineyard Cabernet barrel program. The 1960s First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, famous for her Texas wildflower projects, was a huge fan of Becker Chardonnay. Her letter of thanks, along with many other letters and awards, is on display in the main tasting room.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesFallCreekExterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesFallCreekExterior.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="1140" alt="TexasWinesFallCreekExterior.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><h1><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://fcv.com/" target="_blank">Fall Creek Vineyards</a></span></h1><p><br /> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Ed and Susan Auler's dream of running a vineyard began when they traveled to France in 1973 to source a strain of cattle to cross breed with their Angus herd in Texas Hill Country. They ended up spending 19 days of that trip savoring French wines ranging from Reims, Burgundy, to Rhone across the south of France to Bordeaux and Loire, leaving only two days to look at cattle. Two years later, the Aulers planted their first vines with the encouragement of Texas A & M and Texas Tech Universities. Their test plot grew from a quarter acre to 7½ acres by 1979, and Ed decided to give up his law practice formally establishing the winery a year later. Their vineyards quickly expanded to 400 acres overlooking the west side of Lake Buchanan.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesFallCreekInnCollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TexasWinesFallCreekInnCollage.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="1200" alt="TexasWinesFallCreekInnCollage.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">Named after the historic landmark waterfalls that flow up from subterranean springs and through the Auler Ranch into Lake Buchanan, Fall Creek Vineyards also has an onsite four-star Wine Country Inn at their Driftwood location, just steps away from the winery and tasting room. You have two master suites with King sized beds, a stunning rock faced fireplace in the sitting room, and a fully stocked kitchen accompanied by a private chef if you wish. If it's possible that you'd need a diversion from luxuriating in the middle of a vineyard under the expansive Texas sky, downtown Austin is just 25 minutes away.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Photos courtesy of wineries featured herein and Fredricksburgtexas-online.com. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting.</em></span></blockquote></div>A Southern California Wine Council Gathers for an End-of-Summer Reviewhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/wine-council-summer-wines-review-pinot-gris-noir-rose2019-09-21T01:30:00.000Z2019-09-21T01:30:00.000ZLinda Stewarthttps://tripatini.com/members/LindaStewart<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The lovely tropical garden of two of our members’ home in San Diego was the recent setting of Wine Council’s end of summer review of wines. We tasted a Pinot gris and a rosé from <strong>Cameron Hughes</strong> and a Pinot gris and a rosé from <strong>Mount Beautiful</strong>, plus three Pinot noirs from Talawind Ranch. Each member was assigned a wine to research and was asked to bring an appetizer or dish that would pair well with his or her assigned wine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009412453,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009412453,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="166" height="208" alt="9009412453?profile=original" /></a>We started our tasting with the two Pinot gris. <a href="https://chwine.com">Cameron Hughes</a> is neither a vineyard nor a winery, but rather a wine trader that sources its wine, in bottles or by the barrel, from various wineries all over the world. This 2017 Pinot gris Lot 631 came from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Lot numbers are assigned by Cameron Hughes to each wine they acquire - they began over ten years ago with wine labeled Lot 1. This medium-bodied wine is made from 100-percent Pinot gris grapes and was aged in stainless steel. The color in the glass is a pale straw; aromatics are pear with subtle tropical hints. On the palate, I found flavors of apple, pear, and a touch of minerality. Paired with shrimp ceviche, the wine took on touches of citrus flavors. ($12)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009412678,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009412678,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" width="195" height="156" alt="9009412678?profile=original" /></a>Our second Pinot gris tasting, a 2017 Mount Beautiful Pinot gris, is from North Canterbury, New Zealand. The first thing that stands out about this wine is its lovely golden champagne color. With a floral bouquet and flavors of juicy pear and crisp apple, it was a favorite of the council. The savory antipasto pairing contrasted nicely with the wine’s fruity notes. ($18) To learn more about this winery, read my article <a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/new-zealand-mount-beautiful-wine">Exploring New Zealand's Mt. Beautiful Wines.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413077,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><br /></a> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413077,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413077,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="212" height="170" alt="9009413077?profile=original" /></a>Two rosés were next on our tasting agenda. The 2017 Cameron Hughes Rosé Lot 639, from Arroyo Seco, Monterey County has a lovely pink-coral color. Made from the Valdiguié grape traditionally grown in the south of France, this wine has a floral, strawberry nose and flavors of ripe strawberries and crisp apples. This is a dry rosé with a hint of honey. Paired with crab stuffed mushrooms, its fruitiness was balanced with the saltiness of the seafood and the earthiness of the mushrooms. We all agreed this Valdiguié varietal was especially enjoyable. ($13)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> A 2018 Mount Beautiful rosé tasting followed. Made from 65-percent Pinot noir and 35-percent Pinot gris, it has a soft salmon color and a rose floral bouquet. The dominant flavors are strawberry and melon. The crisp, dry finish was contrasted with the creaminess of the paired selection of soft imported cheeses. ($18)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> We ended our council review with a vertical tasting (ordered by different vintages of the same wine type) of three Pinot noirs from <strong><a href="https://www.russianhillwinery.com/Vineyards#TalawindRanch" target="_blank">Talawind Ranch Vineyard</a></strong>. Located in the middle of the Russian River Valley, Talawind Ranch was originally a 20-acre horse ranch, named after the previous owners’ Arabian horse, Talafire. Patrick Melley of neighboring Russian Hill Estate Winery purchased the ranch and planted the majority of the land with Pinot noir grapes; three acres were planted in Sauvignon Blanc. The Russian River Valley appellation lies in the heart of northern California’s Sonoma County. Warm summer days that cool off in the early evening from fog that rolls in from gaps in the coastal mountain range, along with rich alluvial soil (eroded sediment deposited by water), make this cool climate especially conducive to growing Pinot noir grapes. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413696,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413696,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="139" height="174" alt="9009413696?profile=original" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>2016 Talawind Ranch Pinot noir:</strong> The color in the glass is a deep ruby – darker than expected for a Pinot noir. Aged in French oak barrels, it has aromas of spice and root beer. On the palate there are flavors of berry and dried red fruit. The nuanced earthy finish was complemented by the prosciutto and pear flatbread pairing. ($30)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009414090,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009414090,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" width="139" height="174" alt="9009414090?profile=original" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>2015 Talawind Ranch Pinot noir: </strong> Medium ruby in the glass, this wine is noticeably lighter in color than the 2016. Aromas are herbal and fruity. This is a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins and flavors of black cherries and red berries. The paired grilled peaches stuffed with homemade ricotta balanced the wine’s dark fruit flavors. ($30)</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413882,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009413882,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="132" height="176" alt="9009413882?profile=original" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>2014 Talawind Ranch Pinot Noir:</strong> This wine was aged in new French oak. With notes of black cherries and baking spice, this medium-bodied, ruby-colored wine has flavors of black cherries and purple plums. Structured with silken tannins, this wine paired well with creamy hummus and fresh tabbouleh. We enjoyed all the Pinot noirs, but this vintage was a favorite. ($30)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>Franciacorta: Italy's Answer to Champagnehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/franciacorta-italy-wine2016-09-24T09:29:59.000Z2016-09-24T09:29:59.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><img width="960" height="420" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5681" alt="christo_floating_piers2" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Christo_Floating_Piers2.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">A region within the province of Brescia in northern Italy's Lombardy region, <a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-franciacorta">Franciacorta</a> is renowned for panoramic village views, castles, and rolling hills that naturally inspire artistic expression and overall joie de vivre.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">For 16 days in 2016 during the months of June and July, over one million visitors "walked across water" on a pop up art installation on Lake Iseo called <a href="http://christojeanneclaude.net/mobile/projects?p=the-floating-piers#.V9rC1fHruUk"><em>Christo Floating Piers</em></a>. A 1.9-mile modular floating dock system constructed of 220,000 high-density polyethylene cubes covered with shimmering yellow fabric undulated just above the water's surface connecting the villages of Sulzano, Monte Isola, and the island of San Paolo.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Another more enduring work of art in Franciacorta is its namesake sparkling Pinot Noir-Chardonnay blend, made using secondary in-bottle fermentation a.k.a. Méthode Champenoise, the same process used in making Champagne.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="1024" height="479" class="aligncenter wp-image-5688 size-large" alt="" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/FranciacortaVineyard-e1473953730499-1024x479.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Many of us are familiar with Italy's better-known sparkling classics like Moscato and Prosecco, as well as France's Champagne, but Franciacorta remains an outlier across much of the globe due to its recent heritage and limited production.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Franciacorta's winemaking history dates back just 50 years, while Champagne stretches back nearly 350 years. Also, Franciacorta's 100 wineries on 5,400 acres, compared with 19,000 <em>vignerons</em> and Champagne houses on 80,000 acres in France gives the region 20 times lower production, resulting in only 11 percent being exported.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="865" height="521" class="aligncenter wp-image-5690" alt="franciacortabrut" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/FranciacortaBrut.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">But for what Franciacorta producers lack in volume, they make up for in distinction. <a href="http://www.franciacorta.net/en/">Consorzio per la Tutela del Franciacorta</a>, a collaborative community of growers, obsesses over quality, like improved standards for gentler grape-pressing techniques, and recently established aging periods for different styles ranging from extra brut to demi-sec. It also helps that Lake Iseo's moderating effects combined with warm, sunny, summer days followed by cool nights perfectly ripen grapes to retain ideal acidity levels vital for producing DOCG caliber sparkling wines.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/FranciacortaBottle-e1473954357479-1006x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="362" class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/FranciacortaBottle-e1473954357479-1006x1024.jpg?width=362" alt="FranciacortaBottle-e1473954357479-1006x1024.jpg?width=362" /></a></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Here's what I experienced with their <a href="http://www.bonfadini.it/2015/en/page-with-right-sidebar/">Nobilium Bonfadini Franciacorta Brut</a>: </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Straw yellow with golden tints, fine yet persistent effervescence that's complex and crisp, with hints of sweet cherry on the nose and honey on the bouquet. Bubbles are consistent and plentiful. A mélange of tart peach and strawberry runs strong on the palate, finishing with melon and lime zest, giving it depth. The resulting magical aroma and signature silky smooth mouth feel translates into a regal drinking experience.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><em>Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com, Wiki Media Commons, & Bonfadini Vineyards. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting. </em></blockquote></div>Wines of Southwest France are Closer Than You Thinkhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/wines-of-southwest-france-are-closer-than-you-think2016-09-01T11:58:16.000Z2016-09-01T11:58:16.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><img width="960" height="300" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5658" alt="gallery-terrain4" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gallery-terrain4.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Southwest France is defined by a wide range of geographical distinctions yielding diverse landscapes ranging from river plains, gently sloping hillsides, mountain foothills to sandy heaths each with their own unique microclimates producing a total of 300 grape varieties, 120 of which are native to the area.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Throughout much of Europe, the wine trade had its origins in 1189 when <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/347">Santiago de Compostela</a> was consecrated as a holy town by Pope Alexander III, encouraging waves of pilgrims over the ensuing centuries to make the ritualistic passage between northern Europe and Spain and taking them right through southwest France.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="960" height="300" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5659" alt="gallery-architecture1" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gallery-architecture1.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Just like fast food restaurants and truck stops cluster around today's highways, abbeys and monasteries flourished along this pilgrimage route welcoming travelers while in the process cultivating vines and developing vineyards. This route gradually evolved into an essential trade route for exporting native southwest grape varietials to the rest of the world.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="960" height="300" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5657" alt="gallery-workers1" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gallery-workers1.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">But like many wine growing regions, southwest France's difficult growing conditions went hand-in-hand with signature terroirs that yield distinctive flavors that can't be duplicated elsewhere. Historic integrity and ancient winemaking traditions were preserved for quite some time due to geographical isolation. In the days before bulldozers and bucket loaders, retaining walls needed to be built by hand from stone terracing very steep slopes for planting vines.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The passage of time and technological advancements increasingly made the lure of easier and more affordable grapes imported from elsewhere that much more attractive.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="960" height="300" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5660" alt="gallery-vineyard2" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gallery-vineyard2.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">For a time, it seemed that the aromatic richness and distinct flavors resulting from centuries of careful selection and cultivation by religious orders along this stretch of the <a href="http://santiago-compostela.net/">Camino de Santiago</a> would fade into obscurity.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">But starting in the 1980s, the French government realized that they had to do their part to preserve village economies based on reviving these indigenous grapes by investing in small vineyards committed to cultivating and restoring these hard- to-farm ancient terraces. Thanks to these efforts and increasingly sophisticated palates across the globe driving demand, "The last 30 years have seen appellations like Côtes de Gascognes, Madiran and Cahors getting more strongly export oriented", says Christophe Logeais, <span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://southwestfrancewines.com/">Les Vins Sud Ouest France</a></span> communications director.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="960" height="300" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5661" alt="grapes-loin-de-loeil" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/grapes-loin-de-loeil.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">This bodes well for lesser known grapes like the highly aromatic and intense <span style="color:#000000;"><em><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1056-fer-servadou">Fer Servadou</a></em></span> and the low tannin fruity and robust <span style="color:#000000;"><em><a href="http://fringewine.blogspot.com/2011/12/negrette-fronton-france.html">Négrette</a></em></span> making it into your glass outside of France.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ChateauBouscasse-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="389" height="518" class="align-left" style="width:316px;height:448px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ChateauBouscasse-768x1024.jpg?width=389" alt="ChateauBouscasse-768x1024.jpg?width=389" /></a><span class="font-size-3">The following wines are a great taste of what's now available in this regard from Southwest France at reasonable prices:</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="https://www.lesgrappes.com/vignobles-brumont-chateau-bouscasse-les-jardins"><b>Chateau Boucasse Les</b></a> <a href="https://www.lesgrappes.com/vignobles-brumont-chateau-bouscasse-les-jardins"><b>Jardins</b></a> <a href="https://www.lesgrappes.com/vignobles-brumont-chateau-bouscasse-les-jardins"><b>2011</b></a> - A distinctive golden straw hue belies soft fruitiness on the palate with a smooth mouth feel. Enough tannins to play well with ripe cheeses as well as meats like pork, lamb, and seafood, this fresh, aromatic wine has a touch of effervescence accentuating its silky mouth feel. Ripe greens and sweet peach with the slight acidity of lemons linger on the palate. Made from 80 percent Petit Courbu and 20 percent Petit Manseng, you get a refreshing biting citrus tempered by a slight fruitiness. A tightly bound minerality locks in the broader flavors.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DomaineDenSegur-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="350" height="465" class="align-right" style="width:291px;height:392px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DomaineDenSegur-768x1024.jpg?width=350" alt="DomaineDenSegur-768x1024.jpg?width=350" /></a></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/domaine-den-segur-2013-cuvee-germain-red-cotes-du-tarn"><b>Domaine D'en Segur Cuvee Germain</b> <b>2013</b></a> - This rich red is made with a <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot</span> <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">blend that's traditionally the foundation of many Bordeaux wines.</span> A dry mouth feel with rich, ripe fruit, this rougher mouth feel evokes just picked garden fresh green pepper. Strong yet finely tuned tannins give way to cinnamon on the nose with a bite of cherry on the finish.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ChateauBellevueLaForet-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="301" class="align-left" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ChateauBellevueLaForet-768x1024.jpg?width=301" alt="ChateauBellevueLaForet-768x1024.jpg?width=301" /></a><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ChateauBellevueLaForet-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"></a></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="http://www.chateaubellevuelaforet.com/chateau-bellevue-la-foret-fronton_en.html" target="_blank"><br />Chateau Bellevue La Foret Fronton 2015</a></strong> - A triple blend of <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">50 percent Negrette, 35 percent Cabernet Franc et Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15 percent Syrah, this wine has the distinction of receiving more awards than any other wine from Southwest France, including from the prestigious Concours General Agricole Paris. And it's easy to see why starting with its notable s</span>mooth velvety mouth feel with well balanced minerality. Fruitiness blossoms from the heft of ruby red grapefruit and watermelon with a slight citrus bite receding into a more refined touch of strawberry and kiwi. Finishes to a fine point of cherry and a hint of cloves lingering on the palate for some reflective tingling.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><em>Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting. Photos: southwestfrancewines.com and Steve Mirsky</em></blockquote></div>Exploring Wines of France and Spain by the Glasshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/wines-france-spain2016-02-23T12:39:02.000Z2016-02-23T12:39:02.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><img width="658" height="670" class="alignleft wp-image-5454" style="width:668px;height:671px;" alt="spain-france-map" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/spain-france-map-1.jpg" /></p><p></p><p>The act of drinking wines is to literally taste specific locations across the globe. I never cease to be amazed by how wines provide such an in depth lens into a particular country and culture. By far the best way to experience them is to of course travel where they're produced and visit the vineyards in person. But lack of time and/or money sometimes make this impossible. For those times, plan for some armchair traveling by tasting some reasonably priced and increasingly available local varietals from across the globe.</p><h2><strong>Beaujolais</strong></h2><p><br /> Bordered by <strong>Bourgogne</strong> to the north and the city of <strong>Lyon</strong> to the south, the <a href="http://www.discoverbeaujolais.com/region/">Beaujolais region</a>'s roughly 67 square miles of rolling hills and wide open plains define these fresh young wines. A small community of 2,600 winegrowers cultivate 12 appellations including Fleurie, Moulin-a-Vent, and Pouilly-Fuissé with the Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc at 98%. Most Beaujulais average between 12.5 to 13.5% alcohol, yet pack enough flavor for some excellent broad-based pairings.<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ClosdelaRoilette.png" target="_blank"><img width="328" height="315" class="align-left" style="width:275px;height:272px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ClosdelaRoilette.png?width=328" alt="ClosdelaRoilette.png?width=328" /></a></p><h3><strong>The Wines</strong></h3><p><br /> <em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/coudert+pere+clos+de+la+roilette+cuvee+tardive+fleurie+beaujolais+france">2014 Clos de la Roilette Fleurie</a></strong></em></p><p><a href="http://www.clos-de-la-roilette.com/">Clos de la Roilette</a>'s vineyards, situated in the village of Fleurie, cover 22 acres with an eastern exposure on one of the most coveted slopes in Beaujolais Crus. Named after <em>La Roilette</em>, a locally renowned racehorse, this 2014 vintage comes from 100% Gamay grown in limestone soil enriched with manganese, granite, and clay giving its overall flavor profile noticeable depth and structure. Grapes are picked at maximum maturity, yielding a vibrant red and juicy richness on the palate. Macerating with native yeasts and aging in large oak foudres brings out fresh cherry and raspberry notes with hints of leather on the nose. Finishes with pure minerality and subtle tannins.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Cheveau-1-e1456089639173.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="328" height="301" class="align-right" style="width:300px;height:276px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Cheveau-1-e1456089639173.jpg?width=328" alt="Cheveau-1-e1456089639173.jpg?width=328" /></a></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/dom+cheveau+les+champ+grillees+st+amour+beaujolais+france">2012 Domaine Cheveau Saint-Amour<br /> <br /></a></strong></em></p><p>Situated in the hamlet of Solutré-Pouilly, multi-generational <a href="http://www.vins-cheveau.com/cms2/">Domaine Cheveau</a>'s cellars were established in 1950 by<br /> André Cheveau. His son Michel followed and now Michel’s two sons Nicolas and Julien actively run this 34-acre estate. In addition to sourcing from local vineyards, Domaine Cheveau draws from grapes grown in Davayé in the Maconnais as well as Saint Amour in the Beaujolais. But regardless, all grapes are harvested by hand while fermentation occurs parcel-by-parcel <em>terroirs</em> in either barrel or stainless steel tanks. Soft tannins and distinctive fruitiness make it a standout for sipping straight up.</p><p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/christoph+pacalet+moulin+a+vent+beaujolais+france">Domaine Christophe Pacalet Moulin-a-Vent N/V</a></strong></em></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MoulinAVent.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="290" height="386" class="align-left" style="width:256px;height:349px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MoulinAVent.jpg?width=290" alt="MoulinAVent.jpg?width=290" /></a><br /> With a background in biochemistry and cooking, winemaker <a href="http://www.christophepacalet.com/">Christophe Pacalet</a> partnered with his uncle Marcel Lapierre in 1999 to form the Marcellins (the field) with the full intention of producing the best Gamay grapes using sustainable practices. All grapes are harvested manually at maximum maturity, picked and carefully sorted, and then stored overnight in a cold room for steeping the next morning. Next, stainless steel tanks are filled with grapes and saturated with carbon dioxide to dry ferment the resulting juices for 20 days using indigenous yeasts without adding sulfur dioxide. Pressing is done on a vertical wood press in typical Beaujolais style and then aged in French oak Burgundy barrels for 10 months before bottling. Deep ruby with pure violet and faded pink notes bely the pink granite with manganese seams of soil these grapes grow in. More on the spicy end of the spectrum, this Beaujolais still showcases mellow fruitiness and subdued tannins so typical of this varietal.</p><h2><strong>Garnacha</strong></h2><p><br /> The third most widely planted red grape in Spain behind Tempranillo and Bobal, Garnacha primarily grows in the Priorat, Calatayud and <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Pirineos-e1456090788252.jpe" target="_blank"><img width="225" class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Pirineos-e1456090788252.jpe?width=225" alt="Pirineos-e1456090788252.jpe?width=225" /></a>Rioja regions. This dark inky fruit (also spelled Garnatxa) yields deep powerful red varietals that in many instances reward cellaring. Unfortunately, depending on your point of view, a large quantity of Garnacha is often blended with better known varieties like Chardonnay or Pinot Noir to produce spicy whites and perfumy rosés. But never fear, plenty of bottles, including the next three, celebrate and showcase the full essence of pure unadulterated Garnacha.</p><h3><strong><br /> The Wines</strong></h3><p><br /> <em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/pirineos+garnacha+red+spain+aragon+somontano/2013">Pirineos Garnacha 2013</a></strong></em></p><p><br /> Situated in Spain's <a href="http://www.cellartours.com/spain/spanish-wine-regions/somontano.html">Somontano region</a> between the towns of Barbastro and Salas, <a href="http://garnachaorigen.com/product/pirineos-garnacha/">Pirineos</a> utilizes some more traditional methods in their vineyards like trellis training and cordon pruning. The soil here is a deep, sandy loam mixed with limestone and Winemaker Jesús Astrain Losilla capitalizes on the sharp contrasts in summer/winter and day/night temperatures, which provide an ideal ripening cycle. Harvested at optimal ripeness, fermentation and maceration last a total of four days before aging three months in American and French new oak casks. Sipping acquaints you with a voluptuous mouth feel, lavishly projecting complex and spicy cedar and vanilla notes with rich intense fresh cherry, blackberry, and raspberry lingering on the palate.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/CareGarnacha-e1456078642571.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="272" height="362" class="align-left" style="width:246px;height:340px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/CareGarnacha-e1456078642571.jpg?width=272" alt="CareGarnacha-e1456078642571.jpg?width=272" /></a></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://www.centraldelgourmet.com/Vino-Tinto-Care-Finca-Bancales-Reserva-2010-es488404a.htm">Care Finca Bancales Reserva</a></strong></em></p><p><br /> Founded in 1932 in Aragon and named after Cariñena, one of Spain's oldest designations of origin, <a href="http://www.carewines.com/en/">Care's wine making heritage</a> actually extends back to 3rd century BC, during Roman times. One hundred percent of the grapes used in Care's wines come from their own vineyards, comprised of four estates, the largest of which are Bancales and Cadillos, each covering 124 acres. In addition, Peña Negra and Zagalcerro vineyards are characterized by steep slopes embodying their wines' strength, personality, and character. With the <em>Bancales Reserva</em> you're getting one-hundred-percent Garnacha from 80-year-old vines. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at 29º Celsius and then macerated with skins for 21 days, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 14 months and then in bottle 17 months before being released. You get bright-red layered color with clean powerful aromas of ripe red and black fruits with balsamic notes. The finish continues on a more elegant level of fruit forwardness.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/UrbezoGarnacha-e1456078839802.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="217" class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/UrbezoGarnacha-e1456078839802.jpg?width=217" alt="UrbezoGarnacha-e1456078839802.jpg?width=217" /></a></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/solar+de+urbezo+garnacha+vinas+vieja+carinena+aragon+spain/2013">Urbezo Garnacha 2013<br /> <br /></a></strong></em></p><p>Located east of Rioja in the small domain of Carinena, all grapes for <a href="http://www.solardeurbezo.es/la_bodega/el_arte.php?lang=EN">Urbezo</a>'s wines come from their 247-acre vineyard. Now in their fifth generation, vines are still cultivated in a traditional and environmentally friendly way without resorting to pesticides, herbicides, pheromones, or manufactured fertilizers. Growing takes place at 2,000 feet above sea level in thick gravel soil with medium-size stones buttressed by a thick clay subsoil in the plots of La Pallaresa, Mingo López y Cascarrera. Urbezo holds fast to their philosophy that only hands on cultivation, pruning, and harvesting can guarantee optimal quality in the cellar. Their 2013 one-hundred-percent Grenache comes from “old vines” ranging from 42 to 65 years. Grapes are cold macerated, fermented for 15 days, and aged for three months in French oak barrels being bottled in March 2014. You get intense fruity aromas of strawberry and red mature fruit blended with light vanilla notes and full bodied yet well balanced mouth feel with good acidity on the palate.<br /></p><h2><strong>Loire Valley</strong></h2><p><br /> Renowned for magnificent chateaux steeped in history, <a href="http://www.loirevalleytourism.com/">The Loire Valley</a> situated in the heart of France, comprises five distinct wine regions of Pays Nantais, Anjou, Saumur, Touraine, and Centre-Loire clustered around the Loire River’s banks. Collectively, these regions showcase no less than 4,000 wineries, 170,000 acres of vineyards and 61 appellations of origin. The yield for this wine making powerhouse totals 380 million bottles per year. So it only stands to reason that winemakers here know a little something about production...namely Pinot Noir, the valley's predominant vine.<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sancere-e1456091112442.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="412" height="386" class="align-left" style="width:320px;height:297px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sancere-e1456091112442.jpg?width=412" alt="Sancere-e1456091112442.jpg?width=412" /></a></p><h3><strong>The Wines</strong></h3><p><br /> <em><strong><a href="https://1000corks.com/wine/Cedrick-Bardin">Côteaux du Giennois Rouge - Domaine Cédrick Bardin</a></strong></em></p><p><br /> Situated in the heart of Pouilly sur Loire on 25 acres straddling both banks of the Loire River, <a href="http://www.domaine-cedrick-bardin.fr/">Domaine Cedrick Bardin</a> has been at it for 15 years sustainably growing grapes in four separate terroirs defined by Kimmeridgian marl, limestone, clay sand, and flint. 2013 was a particularly cold late harvest year, creating the perfect storm for an unusually complex flavor profile in their Coteaux du Giennois Rouge. Harvesting of Gamay (80%) and Pinot Noir (20%) for this vintage was bumped to October 6. Malolactic fermentation at 20°C for three quarters of the yield in stainless steel tanks and one quarter in new oak barrels further exentuates the unexpected factor with intense black currant, liquorice, and raspberry notes unfolding into red fruit puree. At 12-percent alcohol, you get a strikingly clean, sharp bite on the palate<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/TouraineFXBarc-e1456079277558.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="249" height="355" class="align-right" style="width:211px;height:307px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/TouraineFXBarc-e1456079277558.jpg?width=249" alt="TouraineFXBarc-e1456079277558.jpg?width=249" /></a> moderated by balanced tannins.<br /></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-413040-0001-fx-barc-complices-de-loire-touraine-jus-de-gamay-loire-france">Jus de Gamay – FX BARC Complices de Loire</a></strong></em></p><p><br /> FX BARC owner François Xavier uses his longstanding connections in the Loire Valley's wine trade to source grapes from the best plots in local vineyards run by St. Nicolas de Bourgueil, Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur, and Touraine. Traditional vinification techniques capture a unique fruitiness polished by soft, round tannins. Relying more on other sources rather than his own vines allows him year-to-year flexibility in what he blends and how each wine tastes. In the case of his Jus de Gamay, you get a delicate mouth feel riddled with spices, red fruits, and a quiet punch to the mid-palate.<br /></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/jean+francois+merieau+gamay+de+touraine+le+bois+jacou+loire+france">Le Bois Jacou – Jean François Mérieau</a></strong></em></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MerieauGamay-e1456079426309.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="280" height="371" class="align-left" style="width:246px;height:330px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MerieauGamay-e1456079426309.jpg?width=280" alt="MerieauGamay-e1456079426309.jpg?width=280" /></a><br /> The <a href="http://www.merieau.com/en/pages/liens/">Vignoble des Bois Vaudons</a> (Vineyards of the Vaudons Woods), a 25-acre hillside estate on the Cher River's left bank, has been run by the Mérieau family for three generations. Its south-southeast orientation and rich, complex soils produce a range of wines varied and rich in color. Jean-François took over the family estate in 2000, making it his key initiative to work hands-on with cultivation, aggressively pruning many of the vines ranging in age from 10 to 60 years, and harvesting by hand. This extra care complemented by uniqueness of <em>terroir</em> most certainly defines Le Bois Jacou, another one-hundred-percent Gamay ruby red that's fruity yet pleasantly mouth filling delivering tons of bramble berry characteristics. This is a wine to drink young either on its own or with poultry dishes and cheeses.<br /> <br /></p><blockquote><span class="font-size-1"><em>Photos: Steve Mirsky. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting.</em></span></blockquote></div>Eugene, Oregon's Inn at the 5th Perfect for Exploring Willamette Valley Winerieshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/eugene-oregon-s-inn-at-the-5th-willamette-valley2018-10-02T13:08:54.000Z2018-10-02T13:08:54.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugenedowntowncollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugenedowntowncollage.jpg?width=1307" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="eugenedowntowncollage.jpg?width=1307" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">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 haven. Strolling here especially on weekends during the warmer months envelops you in the city's music scene like a sax player belting out tunes under a cavernous overpass enhancing the acoustics and gritty blues guitarists busking on street corners.<br /> <br /></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugenebeveragecollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugenebeveragecollage.jpg?width=1497" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="eugenebeveragecollage.jpg?width=1497" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">More formal cultural events range from the Oregon Festival of American Music to the Lane County Farmers' Market held every Saturday. A genuine counter cultural spirit pervades the city stemming from the Whiteaker district, a storied countercultural outpost on the northern edge of town where communal living and open mindedness still define daily living. Exploring this neighborhood also rewards you with key stops along <a href="https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/eugene-ale-trail/">Eugene's Ale Trail</a> and <a href="http://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/eugene-distillery-trail-debuts-seven-distilleries/">Distillery Trail</a> like Heritage Distilling Company and Falling Sky Brewing's Pourhouse and Delicatessen.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugeneskinnerbuttecollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugeneskinnerbuttecollage.jpg?width=1485" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="eugeneskinnerbuttecollage.jpg?width=1485" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Surrounded by the Cascades and situated next to the Willamette River, it's no wonder that outdoor activities reign supreme in Eugene. Birthplace of Nike and known as the "running city", lacing up your sneakers for a jog is commonplace but so is hiking the multitude of trails within striking distance of downtown including in-town Skinner Butte Trail winding past historic <em>Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson</em> house. Along <a href="https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/listing/ruth-bascom-riverbank-path-system-(willamette-river-trail)/981/">The Willamette River Trail</a>, a paved and multi-use trail system passes through a string of parks including Owen Rose Garden spanning 29 miles including five pedestrian bridges connecting both shores.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thlobbyexteriorcollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thlobbyexteriorcollage.jpg?width=1501" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="innatthe5thlobbyexteriorcollage.jpg?width=1501" /></a></p><h3><br /> Inn at the 5th</h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">The boutique hotel <a href="https://www.innat5th.com/">Inn at the 5th</a> in the heart of downtown adjacent to the E. Skinner Butte Historic District and across the street from the Amtrak train station offers immediate access to all of this. Ranked the No. 15 hotel in the U.S. by TripAdvisor's 2018 Travelers’ Choice awards and in the Top 25 U.S. Hotels for the second year in a row, your experience begins with door-to-door Mercedes-Benz transportation from the airport. Pulling up to the inn's front entrance, modern glass panel doors slide open inviting you into their naturally lit woodfloor lobby.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thbedroomcollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thbedroomcollage.jpg?width=1482" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="innatthe5thbedroomcollage.jpg?width=1482" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Check in presents you with choosing between a welcome glass of <a href="https://www.oregonwines.com/wineries/by-region/southern-willamette-valley-wineries/">Southern Willamette Valley</a> wine or locally craf beer. Sculpture, photographic prints, and paintings by local artists often depicting key aspects of Southern Oregon living strikingly define the public spaces and room interiors. Diorama-like displays above each bed headboard range from umbrella and boots to a Buddhist statute. Private balconies overlook the Garden Plaza while fireplaces beckon on chilly nights. Butler’s pantries where room service orders are delivered to your room via a separate door make in-room dining a delightfully unobtrusive indulgence.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thpendletonsuite.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thpendletonsuite.jpg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="innatthe5thpendletonsuite.jpg?width=1280" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">In partnership with Pendleton®, a sixth-generation family-owned Oregon business renowned for over 150 years of crafting blankets and woolen fabrics, Inn at the 5th recently unveiled a Pendleton Suite complete with a woolen blanket menu for selecting your night's covering. Historic photos of the Pendleton Woolen Mills adorn the walls and Pendleton fabrics abound on interior furnishings like upholstered window seats and pillows.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugenebiking.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eugenebiking.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="eugenebiking.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">For guests with an itch for adventure, perhaps the most dazzling amenity of staying at Inn on the 5th is a complimentary cruise bike always at the ready for heading down one of downtown Eugene's many bike lanes or only blocks away in the other direction onto the Willamette River Trail.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thpublicmarketcollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thpublicmarketcollage.jpg?width=1446" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="innatthe5thpublicmarketcollage.jpg?width=1446" /></a></p><h3><br /> 5th Street Public Market</h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Next door and an integral part of staying here is the <a href="https://www.5stmarket.com/">5th Street Public Market</a> filled with 25 artisan shops and eclectic eateries in a multilevel space with an open courtyard once occupied by the original Nike store. Provisions Market Hall, the anchor venue within the market stands ready to supply the most discerning picnic baskets with treats like Oregon hazelnuts, local cheeses, bread, and charcuterie. Shoppers scour the aisles for fresh produce, coffee, fresh baked pastries from their artisan bakery, locally raised meats, and a carefully curated selection of wines from the southern Willamette Valley and beyond.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thmarketramencollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thmarketramencollage.jpg?width=1454" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="innatthe5thmarketramencollage.jpg?width=1454" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Market Ramen and Winner Winner, two new open-kitchen eateries on the market's recently refurbished top floor, continue lead the dining scene here, along with their flagship sit-down restaurant Marche on the ground floor, celebrating Pacific Northwest bounty with a seasonally changing menu featuring dishes like chicken paillard and burrata and panzanella salad, all using locally grown and sourced ingredients.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thluxurytransportjpg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/innatthe5thluxurytransportjpg.jpg?width=1169" class="align-center" width="1169" alt="innatthe5thluxurytransportjpg.jpg?width=1169" /></a></p><h3><br /> Exploring the Wineries of the Southern Willamette Valley</h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Inn at the 5th's Oregon Wine Tour Package includes a bottle of red or white Sweet Cheeks wine, tote, and signature bottle opener accompanying a half-day wine tour. Tours begin at onsite Sweet Cheeks tasting room situated in the Garden Plaza and continue with luxury transportation to the rolling hills of the Southern Willamette Valley for tastings at three wineries, which may include favorites like:</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/antiquumvineyard.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/antiquumvineyard.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="antiquumvineyard.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><h4><br /> <a href="https://antiquumfarm.com/"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Antiquum Farm Winery</span></a></h4><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">The process and methodology here take precedence over the wine and owner/winemaker Stephen Hagen is quick to admit that some people in the industry consider him crazy. He does everything the hard way. "They don't see how using draft horses, grazing livestock and poultry in the vineyard, or infinite hours of meticulous hand labor can create a wine that is more unique, intense and full of life.” Hagen, like the many other small family run vineyards throughout the Valley, works the fields and harvests the grapes.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/antiquumplowing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/antiquumplowing.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="antiquumplowing.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Wheat grown between the vines is cut and piled in the rows smothering weeds while poultry scratching for the grain plants the next crop. Soils are also fertilized in the pre-1940s agricultural tradition with trained Katahdin and Dorper sheep rotationally grazing between the vine rows eliminating the need for outside fertilizers.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/antiquumsheep.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/antiquumsheep.jpg?width=995" class="align-center" width="995" alt="antiquumsheep.jpg?width=995" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Antiquum's two vineyard plots each produce a distinctly different crop of grapes. At an elevation of nearly 800 feet, their Big Field vines experience wide diurnal shifts challenging grapes to yield voluptuous fruit profiles with some of the lowest ph levels in a region renowned for high acidity thanks to thin Bellpine soils of silty clay loam over sandstone. Vines are challenged to root deeper yielding what Hagen considers the ultimate Pinot Noir, a union of deep, dark, powerful fruit coupled with rippling acidity and exotic flavor profiles.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">A quarter mile away in Turnbow Creek Valley, their other Little Field six-acre vineyard produces Pinot Gris. Its lower elevation keeps it consistently cooler with a vastly different soil profile perfect for slowly ripening acid and mineral-rich, texturally-driven white wines. Soils here are defined by the creek bed and river rock with deeper soils slowing the ripening to a bright, tightly focused varietal driven by acid and minerality.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/brigadoontastingroom.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/brigadoontastingroom.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="brigadoontastingroom.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><h4><a href="https://www.brigadoonwineco.com/"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> Brigadoon Vineyards</span></a></h4><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Nestled against the coastal foothills in a secluded canyon, Brigadoon is a 66-acre, multi-generational winery also embracing sustainable agricultural practices making their vines LIVE and salmon-safe certified. From soil preparation to planting and harvest, each family member takes part in the process from father Chris Shown as vineyard manager, his wife Sheree (often consulted with difficult blending decisions), and winemaker son Matt, who learned by working in the vineyards from age eight years, eventually earning a degree in horticulture at Oregon State University and working at other wineries as far afield as New Zealand.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/brigadoonvineyard.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/brigadoonvineyard.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="brigadoonvineyard.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">For such a small space, the vineyards here produce a surprisingly wide range of grapes with 2½ acres of Pinot Noir on the eastern exposure, along with a half acre of Riesling. On the other side of the creek, facing west is 3½ acres of Pinot Noir along with four acres of Pinot Blanc. Bellpine soils combined with elevations between 400 and 600 feet create ideal growing conditions for fuller fruit and flavor development without the higher sugar levels.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleywinemakers.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleywinemakers.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="broadleywinemakers.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><h4><a href="https://www.broadleyvineyards.com/"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br />Broadley Vineyards</span></a></h4><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Originally established in 1981 by Craig and Claudia Broadley, Broadley Estates continues into its second generation with their son Morgan and his wife Jessica. The winery's fabled 1994 'Claudia's Choice' Pinot Noir put Broadley on the map building a loyal following ever since.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleyproduction.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleyproduction.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="broadleyproduction.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Now principal wine maker and vineyard manager, Morgan utilizes meticulous farming practices with the philosophy that great wine is first made in the vineyard. Similar to Antiquum, Broadley utilizes sheep for weed control and sustainable organic fertilization. Pinot Noir grapes are harvested from several designated blocks including Claudia's Choice, Marcile Lorraine, and Jessica, named after their daughter. Additional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are sourced from hand selected local vineyards that share Broadley's viticultural standards.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleygrapes.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleygrapes.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="broadleygrapes.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Vineyards are situated on 33 acres on a cool North/East slope in the banana belt, a uniquely warm and dry area of the Willamette Valley just outside the small town of Monroe. Volcanic Jory and Hazelair clay soils make dry farming possible eliminating the need for irrigation affecting the wines' flavor profile with minerality and spice undertones.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleywinelineup.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/broadleywinelineup.jpg?width=896" class="align-center" width="896" alt="broadleywinelineup.jpg?width=896" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Two distinguishing production techniques at Broadley are the use of whole clusters in wooden fermenters infusing the wine with a richer, deeper complexity while exhibiting the fruit's full intensity and lyre trellis systems that split the vine canopy into two walls of grapes improving sun exposure and air flow for healthy ripening.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kingestateexterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kingestateexterior.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="kingestateexterior.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><h4><a href="https://www.kingestate.com/"><span style="font-size:12pt;">King Estate Winery</span></a></h4><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Although larger and more closely resembling a big league winery in the south of France or Napa rather than a small farm-based operation, King Estate is still family run and operated by Ed King Jr. and Ed King III. <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">King Estate is the Valley's top producer of Pinot Grigio but when visiting, keep in mind that t</span>heir onsite restaurant comes close to rivaling wine as the main attraction here.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kingestatedining.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kingestatedining.jpg?width=1400" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="kingestatedining.jpg?width=1400" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Originally an aviation electronics supplier, Ed King, Jr. established the winery in 1991, eventually growing into a <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">1,033 acre estate. Long before it was the gold standard, King</span> Estate adopted sustainable growing practices eventually becoming <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Oregon Tilth Certified Organic. Now they</span> a thriving raptor program, 14 acres of orchards, and an apiary producing over 100 pounds of honey per year.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kingestatebarrelroom.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kingestatebarrelroom.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="kingestatebarrelroom.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">A combination of Austrian peas, crimson clover, wheat, oats, and flowering perennials provide native ground cover between the vines. Fertilizer is supplied by a massive composter that produces a thousand tons per year powering the most clonally diverse Pinot Gris vineyards in North America across 314 certified-organic acres resulting in lower crop yields with greater intensity and complexity of flavor.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit. Photos: Steve Mirsky, Inn at the 5th, and the featured wineries.<br /></em></span></blockquote></div>Yountville, Deep In the Heart of Napa Valley's Essencehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/yountville-napa-valley-california2015-12-15T22:20:11.000Z2015-12-15T22:20:11.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/downtownyountville.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/downtownyountville.jpg?width=639" width="639" alt="downtownyountville.jpg?width=639" /></a><br /> Yountville, California embodies many quintessential visions you undoubtedly have when planning a Napa Valley excursion. It all started in 1836, when George Calvert Yount founded the town planting Napa Valley's first official vineyard. Today, vines<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/yountvillesidewalk.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/yountvillesidewalk.jpg?width=289" width="289" alt="yountvillesidewalk.jpg?width=289" /></a> stretch from the Mayacamas mountains to the Napa River. Yountville's compact layout, clustered around Washington Street, is also perfect for biking not only on the existing street grid but along the ever expanding <a href="https://vinetrail.org/en/">Napa Valley Vine Trail</a> which when completed will extend 47 miles from Vallejo to Calistoga.<br /> <br /> Yountville has the highest concentration of Michelin-rated dining in the valley, and a wide array of luxury hotels to stay in. When you need a break from wine tastings, be sure to drink in some culture at the <a href="http://napavalleymuseum.org/">Napa Valley Museum</a> and explore Yountville's sculpture-filled <a href="http://www.townofyountville.com/about-yountville/art-in-yountville/yountville-art-walk">Art Walk</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/VMarketplace.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" style="width:242px;height:265px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/VMarketplace.jpg?width=300" height="299" width="300" alt="VMarketplace.jpg?width=300" /></a></p><h3>Where to Stay</h3><p><br /> Despite growing exponentially within the past 10 years, Yountville's small scale historic architectural elements remain influencing newer development. An impressive example is 23-acre Vintage Estate featuring <a href="http://www.vmarketplace.com/">V Marketplace</a>, formerly a circa 1874 winery and now a lifestyle center listed on the National Register of Historic Places offering boutique shopping and dining. Chef Michael Chiarello’s flagship <a href="http://www.vmarketplace.com/napastyle/">NapaStyle</a> and signature <a href="http://www.vmarketplace.com/bottega/">Bottega</a> are two stellar examples. Walking the richly landscaped grounds with a continuously flowing, stone-lined stream and fountains at the center evokes the ambiance of a French country chateau.</p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Vintage-Inn-Grounds.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Vintage-Inn-Grounds-1024x728.jpg?width=668" width="668" alt="Vintage-Inn-Grounds-1024x728.jpg?width=668" /></a></p><p><br /> Two on-site luxury hotels, <a href="http://vintageinn.com/">Vintage Inn</a> and <a href="http://villagio.com/">Villagio Inn & Spa</a>, are situated on the estate as well. AAA-Four-Diamond Vintage Inn's 80 newly remodeled guestrooms and cozy, cottage-style villas with gabled roofs and plantation-style shutters invite guests to linger and luxuriate. Each room has either a private balcony or garden patio furnished with oversize Brown Jordan wicker furniture. Interiors are graced with acacia hardwood flooring accented by hand-woven Indian wool area rugs, original photography shot by local Napa Valley artists, and glass-front mini-refrigerators providing refined storage for the edible treats you're sure to accumulate during your stay.</p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Vintage-Inn-Entrance.jpg"><br /></a> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/vintageinnroom.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/vintageinnroom.jpg?width=534" width="534" alt="vintageinnroom.jpg?width=534" /></a></p><p><br /> Cozying in never felt so good with stone-framed wood burning fire places, vaulted<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/NapaAloft2.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/NapaAloft2.jpg?width=312" width="312" alt="NapaAloft2.jpg?width=312" /></a><br /> ceilings, and marble tiled bathrooms perfect for sinking into an oversize sunken whirlpool bathtub or soaking under a dual headed shower outfitted with carrara marble mosaic tiled floors. Complimentary in-room wine, nightly turn-down service featuring craft chocolates, and a full Champagne breakfast buffet await guests each morning. Wake up a little early before the sun rises and take a <a href="http://nvaloft.com/">Napa Aloft</a> hot-air balloon ride. Tours depart daily, weather permitting, from the V Market parking lot providing spectacular sunrise vineyard views. If you opt in, you'll still get your Champagne breakfast post-ride at <a href="http://www.pacificbluescafe.com/">Pacific Blues Cafe</a>.<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Spa-Villagio-Loft-Suite.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Spa-Villagio-Loft-Suite.jpg?width=561" width="561" alt="Spa-Villagio-Loft-Suite.jpg?width=561" /></a></p><p><a href="http://villagio.com/spavillagio"><br /> Spa Villagio</a>, a 13,000-square-foot residential-style sanctuary adjacent to Vintage Inn offers sixteen state-of-the-art treatment rooms. As part of their "Signature Suite Experiences," you can revel in blissful relaxation a bit longer in one of their five private spa suites outfitted with fireplaces, jet-equipped infinity soaking tubs, steam showers, wet bars, private patios, and flat-screen TVs with Bose surround-sound systems.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/FrenchLaundryCulinaryGarden.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/FrenchLaundryCulinaryGarden.jpg?width=367" width="367" alt="FrenchLaundryCulinaryGarden.jpg?width=367" /></a></p><h3>Dining</h3><p><br /> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Distinctive dining in Yountville dates back to 1977, when Philippe Jeanty opened</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><a href="http://www.chandon.com/">Domaine Chandon</a>'s restaurant. Now still in the kitchen but at his own <a href="http://www.bistrojeanty.com/">Bistro Jeanty</a> down the street, top quality dining has mushroomed into</span> Michelin-star territory with <a href="http://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl">The French Laundry</a> and <a href="http://www.thomaskeller.com/bouchon-bistro-yountville">Bouchon</a> topping the list while Michelin-rated eateries like <a href="http://www.lucyrestaurantandbar.com/home">Lucy Restaurant and Bar</a>, and <a href="http://www.redd-wood.com/">Redd Wood</a> create <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">year round farm-to-fork dishes. French Laundry's three-acre vegetable garden, right across the street from its namesake restaurant, is open to the public, and a highly visible example of where all this fresh produce is sourced from.<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ReddWoodCharcuterie-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ReddWoodCharcuterie-768x1024.jpg?width=322" width="322" alt="ReddWoodCharcuterie-768x1024.jpg?width=322" /></a></span></p><h4>Redd Wood</h4><p><br /> Redd Wood, a more casual sister restaurant of <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Richard Reddington's <a href="http://reddnapavalley.com/">Redd</a>, is an osteria with ultramodern bar and clusters of tables benefiting from bright outside views thanks to knee-to-ceiling plate glass windows. To the left of the door as you enter, you'll see various cuts of meats</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">aging in a glass-door, walk-in refrigerator. A lit</span> copper buoy serves as the central lighting feature while the private dining room is flanked with magazine wall-art.<br /> <br /> A sure bet among other treats on the menu here is <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">building your own wood fired pizza masterpiece. It all starts with a finely blistered crust with </span></p><p><span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ReddWoodDish.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ReddWoodDish-768x1024.jpg?width=306" width="306" alt="ReddWoodDish-768x1024.jpg?width=306" /></a>satisfying chew and subtle smokiness topped with Neapolitan-style sauce (whole peeled tomatoes, salt, olive oil) fresh mozzarella, and basil. Next, pick from toppings including their in-house aged pancetta, goat cheese, smoked mozzarella, ham and bacon, Calabrian chili, and just picked arugula.<br /> <br /></span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Dining outside on the terrace is a highly contested seating option where at night you can truly look up into the sky</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">and identify the constellations along with a glass of wine from an impeccably curated 200-bottle list. Although heavily focusing on local varietals, roughly 50 percent lean Italian, including 21 by-the-glass offerings. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-garcia-yountville-2">Tacos Garcia</a>, a city-licensed taco truck sets up in a parking lot across the street alongside a dive bar lending an egalitarian ambiance to Yountsville's dining scene on this stretch of Washington Street.</span></p><h4>Lucy Restaurant & Bar</h4><p><br /> Ensconced within ultra posh LEED-Platinum-certified <a href="http://www.bardessono.com/">Hotel Bardessono</a>, Lucy Restaurant & Bar cultivates an equally inspired menu based on what's available from their kitchen-side garden. Executive Chef Victor Scargle <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">regularly leads garden tours identifying and harvesting herbs and produce like Persian limes, eight mint varieties, as well as salad greens and other vegetables.<br /> <br /></span> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lucyrestaurantsaladsoup.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lucyrestaurantsaladsoup.jpg?width=601" width="601" alt="lucyrestaurantsaladsoup.jpg?width=601" /></a><br /> And if they don't have it, local farms make up the difference in dishes like Schmitz Ranch Pork Chop and Liberty Farm Duck Breast. While Lucy does showcase Napa wines, its list specifically focuses on small vintners from around the world committed to organic and biodynamic practices.</p><h3>Can't-Miss Wineries</h3><h4>Jessup Cellars</h4><p><br /> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Jessup-Cellars.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Jessup-Cellars.jpg?width=422" width="422" alt="Jessup-Cellars.jpg?width=422" /></a>A standout among Yountville wineries, <a href="http://jessupcellars.com/">Jessup Cellars</a> turns out some stellar <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">small-production vintages expertly crafted by winemaker Rob Lloyd. You can explore their bold Cabernets, smooth Bordeaux–style blends, crisp whites, and rich Ports in their Tuscan-style tasting room across the street from Redd Wood. Like many Napa tasting rooms, art takes just as much of the stage as the wines. At Jessup, this is taken a step further with their artist-in-residence program allowing artists to spend time in Yountville performing in their gallery space. Regularly scheduled events include an Art House Short Film Series</span> featuring four award-winning shorts paired with a Jessup Cellars wine and chef Mike C’s wok-popped, flavor-infused popcorn.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/JessupCellarsWinemakingTeam.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/JessupCellarsWinemakingTeam.jpg?width=562" width="562" alt="JessupCellarsWinemakingTeam.jpg?width=562" /></a></p><p><span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><br /> Rob Lloyd's simple yet crucial wine making cornerstone is sourcing particular grapes from where they grow best in the Valley. This requires an intimate knowledge of micro climates that can only come from</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">years of walking vineyards during all seasons. Pinots, Chardonnay and Merlot grapes from Carneros Bay are a case in point. These cooler climate grapes benefit from ocean breezes which naturally slow maturation allowing proper ripening before they sugar up. “A longer hang time amply softens the skins before the Brix level gets too high,” says Lloyd. Conversely,</span> Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot are sourced from “up-valley” regions where it's hotter and drier. The best part is that Jessup's wines are richly concentrated and accessible when young yet poised for the benefits of cellaring.</p><h4>HALL Wines</h4><p><br /> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HALLSculpture.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HALLSculpture.jpg?width=350" width="350" alt="HALLSculpture.jpg?width=350" /></a>It will be extra-difficult to coax yourself farther afield after experiencing the benefits of having everything at your fingertips in Yountville, but it's well worth it to make the trek one town up Route 29 to</span> St. Helena's <a href="http://www.hallwines.com/">HALL Wines</a><span xml:lang="en" lang="en">. Run by Kathryn Walt Hall and her husband Craig, HALL's distinctive Cabernets and Sauvignon Blancs are among the big tasting attractions here, but as impressive as these wines may be, the tasting room is a work of art in and of itself. Entering is like being admitted to a contemporary art museum. Large outdoor sculptures like a 35-foot stainless steel <em>Bunny Foo Foo</em> and a larger-than-life-size head constructed of marble and lead tie in the surrounding vineyards, while glass paneled walls in the tasting room overlook it all, presenting the wines in a naturally lit gallery. Even the bottle labels are painted by local artists depicting distinctive characteristics of each varietal.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HALLTastingRoom.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HALLTastingRoom.jpg?width=550" width="550" alt="HALLTastingRoom.jpg?width=550" /></a></span></p><p><br />Roughly half the grapes HALL uses come from its estate vineyards; the other half are sourced from over 130 certified organic Napa vineyards. Rooted in a potent combination of hands-on and high-tech, winemaking here begins with handpicked grapes that are then sorted with a digital optical sorting machine outfitted with laser powered sensors to identify just the right grapes for predetermined flavor profiles.</p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><span class="font-size-1"><em>Photos: yountville.com, French Laundry Culinary Garden,Vintage Inn, HALL Wines, Jessup Cellars, and Steve Mirsky. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.</em></span></blockquote></div>An Edible Excursion in Virginia Through America's 'Historic Triangle'https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/virginia-jamestown-yorktown-williamsburg-food-culinary2018-07-21T10:32:52.000Z2018-07-21T10:32:52.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/historictriangle.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/historictriangle.jpg?width=750" class="align-center" width="750" alt="historictriangle.jpg?width=750" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> Renowned as one of the United State's most signature historic destinations, <a href="http://www.history.org/foundation/historic_triangle.cfm">America's Historic Triangle</a> (Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown Virginia) is packed with opportunities for gaining a more informed insight into how the American Revolution unfolded, shaping the world's great democratic experiment. The Historic Triangle is also becoming increasingly known as a mecca for craft food and beverages with historical tie ins as well as making history of their own.<br /> <br /></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/fifedrumexterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/fifedrumexterior.jpg?width=1022" class="align-center" width="1022" alt="fifedrumexterior.jpg?width=1022" /></a></p><h3><span style="font-size:14pt;"><br /> Where to Begin</span></h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Geographically equidistant between Yorktown and Jamestown, Williamsburg is an ideal home base for exploring America's Historic Triangle. <a href="https://www.fifeanddruminn.com/">Fife & Drum Inn</a>, the only bed and breakfast situated in the historic district, is just several blocks from Market Square, Governor’s Palace, and the sylvan campus of College of William and Mary, the nation's second oldest institution of higher education behind Harvard. Several blocks further and you're immersed in <a href="https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/">Colonial Williamsburg</a>, the world's largest living history museum.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/fifedrumroom.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/fifedrumroom.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="fifedrumroom.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Most of Fife & Drum's rooms besides their separate cottage accommodations are situated above the eateries and specialty shops of Merchants’ Square and are uniquely decorated with historically significant memorabilia like <span style="color:#171717;">letters to 1920's era merchant Webster Hitchens from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. concerning Colonial Williamsburg's restoration</span>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/fifedrumbreakfast.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/fifedrumbreakfast.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="fifedrumbreakfast.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> A breakfast buffet each morning features fresh-baked casseroles, fluffy biscuits with Virginia ham accompanied by fresh fruit, granola, hard boiled eggs, bacon, and locally roasted coffee from Aroma's just downstairs.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/colonialwilliamsburg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/colonialwilliamsburg.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="colonialwilliamsburg.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><h3><span style="font-size:14pt;">Colonial Williamsburg</span></h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Founded in 1632 as Middle Plantation, <a href="https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/">Colonial Williamsburg</a> served as Virginia's colonial capital from 1699 to 1780. Up until the 1920s, buildings and infrastructure remained remarkably intact, though in urgent need of restoration. Dr W.A.R Goodwin, a local reverend, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. kicked in more than $20 million restoring the Revolution-era buildings to their former grandeur.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chowningsexterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chowningsexterior.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="chowningsexterior.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Restoration of <a href="https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining/chownings-tavern/">Chowning's Tavern</a>, Colonial Williamsburg's signature dining venue, began in 1939 while surveyors were mapping out the Colonial Parkway tunnel beneath Market Square. Modeled after surviving taverns in England and Virginia, the new structure was among the first to step beyond the confines of traditional exhibit buildings. Today the menu's classic dishes include Brunswick stew, Welsh rarebit, "shepherd’s pye," and bangers and mash. More recent additions include a Fennel Roasted Shaved Pork Trencher filled with pepper relish, herb-laced serifina cheese, and roasted red pepper aioli. Desserts change with the seasons but may include sweet potato, honey-pecan and cheesecake graham cracker tarts and three flavors of Virginia's Homestead Creamery ice cream.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chowningscollage-1024x340.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chowningscollage-1024x340.jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="chowningscollage-1024x340.jpg?width=800" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> Served by the pint or quart in salt-glaze mugs, beers on tap include Old Stitch and Dear Old Mum, brewed by exclusively for the tavern by <a href="http://www.alewerks.com/">AleWerks</a>, as well as Leibotshaner Cream Ale from Pennsylvania served at Chowning’s since the 1930s. Grab a seat inside the historic tavern or outside at the Garden Bar and Grill in back under a decades-old scuppernong grapevine snaking its way over a sprawling trellis.</span></p><p></p><h3><span style="font-size:14pt;">Exploring the Best of Williamsburg's Craft Food and Beverage Scene</span></h3><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Outside Colonial Williamsburg, numerous food & beverage producers and artisan restaurants have been sprouting up like mushrooms. Here are some can't-miss venues to add to your list:</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/silverhand.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/silverhand.jpg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="silverhand.jpg?width=1280" /></a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://silverhandmeadery.com/"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> Silver Hand Meadery</span></b></a> <span style="font-size:12pt;">- Possessing the creativity of craft beer and the elegance of wine, mead is one of the most historic fermented drinks found on earth. Created by fermenting sugars found in honey with additional herbs, spices, and fruits added to create unique flavors, Silver Hand's meads typically range from 11- to 14-percent ABV, including Coffee Cantata, a blend of blueberry blossom and mesquite honey fortified with cold brew coffee sweetened with local Virginia wildflower honey and Dream By The Fire, a seasonal classic crafted with Virginia wildflower honey, freshly pressed Virginia apples, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. A member of the <span style="font-family:Georgia, Palatino;"><a href="https://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/williamsburg-tasting-trail">Williamsburg Tasting Trail</a></span>, founder Glenn Lavender is ever on the lookout to share his love and knowledge of this often overlooked beverage.<br /> <br /></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/aleworks.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/aleworks.jpg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="aleworks.jpg?width=1280" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="http://www.alewerks.com/"><b>AleWerks Brewing Company</b></a> - Alewerks has been a brewer driven operation since opening in 2006. At the time, Virginia's craft beer scene was in the throes of a rapid expansion that would eventually yield a total of the more than 200 breweries today. Brewmaster/owner Geoff Logan has been racking up awards for stalwarts like their tasty Shorty Time Social IPA and Paycheck Porter. None of it is filtered, and they recently doubled capacity to keep up with increasing demand while remaining a certified Virginia Green business.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amberoxcollage-1024x282.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amberoxcollage-1024x282.jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="amberoxcollage-1024x282.jpg?width=800" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.theamberox.com/"><b>Amber Ox Public House</b></a> - The Amber Ox gives you the impression that they built this location in Market Square from the ground up as a grand emporium for savoring the many craft brews on tap made by sister brewery Precarious Beer Project as well as other regional favorites along with artisanal Farm-to-Table dishes like Pecan Smoked Wings, Day Boat Rock Fish, and Southern Style Fritto Misto, deftly curated by Chef Troy and crew. Their wide open dining room overlooking Prince George Street nicely transitions to indoor/outdoor pub seating for more casual drinking and small plates. Their ever popular monthly Public House Beer Dinner series features five culinary creations expertly paired with eclectic favorites like Too Close to See, a kumquat gose or My Shadow is a Person, a Belgian dubbel.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/buschgardensfoodfestival.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/buschgardensfoodfestival.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="buschgardensfoodfestival.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/food-festival/"><b>Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival</b></a> - If you're visiting any time between May and July, <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Busch Garden's Food and Wine Festival is worth dodging the packed crowds to sample over 60 specialty foods representing each country and many others along with 30 wines, 25 craft beers and 20 unique cocktails not normally served in the park. O</span>pening in 1975 as an amusement <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">park themed around model European countries, it was originally called</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Busch Gardens: The Old Country</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">but changed in 1993 to</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Busch Gardens Williamsburg</span></span><span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><span style="font-size:12pt;">. Upon entering, you are in England and then continue over a bridge to Ireland. From there the journey continues through heavyweights like Italy and Germany which is the most extensive complete with classic beer hall due to the obvious heritage of co-founder August Busch of Anhueser-Busch. Each food and beverage stop during the festival includes planters filled with herbs and vegetables commonly used in each country's cuisine such as potatoes in Ireland or a pineapple plant and chili peppers in the Caribbean.</span></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/williamsburgfarmersmarket.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/williamsburgfarmersmarket.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="williamsburgfarmersmarket.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="http://williamsburgfarmersmarket.com/"><b>Williamsburg Farmers Market</b></a> - Every Saturday since 2002, the Williamsburg Farmers Market at Merchant's Square has been showcasing nearly 40 vendors offering produce and farm products grown or made in Virginia accompanied by live local music. Since no reselling is allowed, the same people growing and producing are doing the selling. Be prepared for some of the best dog watching in Williamsburg and come early if you plan to snag seasonal specialties like perfectly ripe strawberries or peaches.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/copperfoxexterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/copperfoxexterior.jpg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="copperfoxexterior.jpg?width=1280" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.copperfoxdistillery.com/"><b>Copper Fox Distillery</b></a> - Rick Wasmund, founder and master distiller at Copper Fox, recently established his second location in what was once a motor lodge on Route 143. A perfect example of adaptive reuse, doors that once opened to motel rooms now reveal larger retrofitted spaces housing distillery operations like the malting floor and copper pot still.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/copperfoxcollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/copperfoxcollage.jpg?width=1147" class="align-center" width="1147" alt="copperfoxcollage.jpg?width=1147" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">After visiting many American distilleries over the years, Wasmund was inspired to create fruitwood smoked whisky. After interning in 2000 with the masters at Bowmore Distillery in Scotland's Islay region, he returned to the States launching Copper Fox Whisky in Sperryville VA producing the world's first apple wood whisky. He was also first in the U.S. to use a kiln and traditional floor malting since Prohibition repeal. All grains including a six-row barley developed at Virginia Tech are locally grown by one farmer. Local fruit woods like toasted apple wood are used instead of peat to gently smoke and dry the grain enhancing the malt's smoky flavor. After tasting their full lineup don't forget dessert with their whiskey infused ice cream sandwiches.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginiabeercompanyinterior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginiabeercompanyinterior.jpg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="virginiabeercompanyinterior.jpg?width=1280" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.virginiabeerco.com/"><b>Virginia Beer Company</b></a> - A former financial analyst, consultant, and high school teacher turned professional brewer joined forces in 2010 opening Virginia Beer Company, a community-based, philanthropy-focused brewery situated in a former 1960s-era car dealership and repair shop on 401 Second Street.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginiabeercompanyproduction-865x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginiabeercompanyproduction-865x1024.jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="virginiabeercompanyproduction-865x1024.jpg?width=800" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Originally from Atlanta's Sweet Water Brewing, brew master Jonathan Newman leverages his creativity with a unique brewery-within-a-brewery production built with a large-scale 30-barrel brewing system accompanied by a smaller-scale five-barrel pilot system allowing regular experimentation. The taproom features 16 draft selections with at least half rotating on a regular basis giving space for seasonal favorites like <i>Blood Orange Deadbolt</i> or <i>High Heat Summer IPA</i>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginiabeercompanypatio.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginiabeercompanypatio.jpg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="virginiabeercompanypatio.jpg?width=1280" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">In addition to retaining the building's original industrial ambiance, bars and tables are built from reclaimed wood sourced from a circa-1907 barn. During warmer months, a roll-up garage door opens onto their 2,000 square-foot, pet-friendly beer garden for outdoor imbibing while a different food truck pulls up to the curb each week.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cochoncollage-1024x591.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cochoncollage-1024x591.jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="cochoncollage-1024x591.jpg?width=800" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="http://www.cochonon2nd.com/"><b>Cochon on 2nd</b></a> - Right down the street from the Virginia Beer Company nestled in a shopping plaza, Cochon on 2nd's kitchen centric philosophy is immediately apparent, with their eight-seat chef’s table overlooking Chef Neil Griggs' open kitchen where fresh dishes like warm goat cheese salad & tuna tartare are prepared tableside and wood-grilled entrees like Scottish salmon with sorrell sauce and rosemary-marinated rack of lamb are cooked outside on a Big Green Egg. Decor connects you to the Grigg's farmhouse upbringing, like planks from his grandparents’ barn in Suffolk, Virginia used on the bar and kitchen paneling. A vibrant lounge occupies the other half of the restaurant featuring craft cocktails and an extensive wine list.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/yorktown.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/yorktown.jpeg?width=1280" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="yorktown.jpeg?width=1280" /></a></p><h3><span style="font-size:14pt;"><b>Yorktown</b></span></h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Opening a little over a year ago, the immersive indoor exhibits and outdoor living history of the <a href="https://www.historyisfun.org/Yorktown-Victory-Center/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgKXooZia3AIViIvICh1ZAgcuEAAYASAAEgKc8fD_BwE">American Revolution Museum at Yorktown</a> convey a sense of the transformational and epic scale that the Revolution had on the United States. Immersive environments, short films, dioramas, interactive exhibits, and period artifacts like an exhibit case filled with paraphernalia found on board a war ship including rat sculls and smudgy tobacco pipes serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of life at sea.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/yorktowncooking.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/yorktowncooking.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="yorktowncooking.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">A living-history recreation of a Continental Army encampment outside is based on records from the Revolution-era farm of 18th-century farmer Edward Moss and includes tents for soldiers and officers along with slightly upgraded quarters for the surgeon and quartermaster.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Food ways of the time figure prominently in a recreated farm house with an orchard to the back where Muskovy ducks and hens wander the grounds. In a separate log kitchen, you can learn about period dishes and try your hand mixing ingredients, some of which are grown in the nearby kitchen garden. Interpreters cook over an open hearth demonstrating how vegetables and herbs were harvested and stored for future use. The museum's gift shop also features an extensive collection of historic culinary books.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/patriottours.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/patriottours.jpg?width=810" class="align-center" width="810" alt="patriottours.jpg?width=810" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Zipping up and down the bluffs of Historic Yorktown overlooking the York River on a two-hour guided Segway PT tour via <a href="http://www.patriottoursva.com/">Patriot Tours & Provisions</a> is the perfect way to explore in-town sites up close sans walking including the circa-1730 Thomas Nelson House, with cannon balls still firmly implanted in its exterior brick walls. It is here that General George Washington defeated British Commander Lord Cornwallis securing independence from England. Tours also explore Riverwalk Landing and the historic village along Main Street.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jamestownhistoric-1024x517.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jamestownhistoric-1024x517.jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="jamestownhistoric-1024x517.jpg?width=800" /></a></p><h3><span style="font-size:14pt;"><b>Jamestown</b></span></h3><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;" xml:lang="en" lang="en">Designated a National Historic Site in 1940 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, <a href="https://historicjamestowne.org/">Historic Jamestowne</a> originated in 1607 as James Fort and later developed into the 17th century city of Jamestown overlooking the James River.</span></p><p></p><p><span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Jamestown didn't immediately meet with success as North America's first permanent English settlement. Lack of access to food and rampant disease from 1609-1610 left only 60 colonists alive. Soon new arrivals grew the population above 500 making it a thriving settlement for a time, even becoming the Virginia Colony's capital until 1698 when it relocated to higher ground in what is now Colonial Williamsburg.</span></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jamestownsite1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jamestownsite1.jpg?width=839" class="align-center" width="839" alt="jamestownsite1.jpg?width=839" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><span style="font-size:12pt;">After multiple uses and reconstructions over the years, the site's lands are still revealing new discoveries, with the most recent archaeological site located beneath the floor of circa-1907 Memorial Church.</span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/williamsburgwinerycollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/williamsburgwinerycollage.jpg?width=1493" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="williamsburgwinerycollage.jpg?width=1493" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">On your way back up Route 617 towards Williamsburg, <a href="https://www.williamsburgwinery.com/">Williamsburg Winery and onsite Gabriel Archer Tavern</a> present the perfect place to stop for a break.</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en"><span style="font-size:12pt;">The tall ships <em>Susan Constant</em>, <em>Discovery</em>, and <em>Godspeed</em> led by Captain Gabriel Archer reached the shores of Virginia in 1607 exploring several sites along the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, including land where Williamsburg Winery, now stands before settling Jamestown.</span></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/gabrielarchertaverncollage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/gabrielarchertaverncollage.jpg?width=1433" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="gabrielarchertaverncollage.jpg?width=1433" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Fast forward to 1987, when the Duffeler family, inspired by visiting estates throughout Europe when living and traveling abroad, opened the winery eventually constructing a restaurant <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">on the footprint of an old shed that housed barrels and bottling equipment naming it Gabriel Archer Tavern</span>. <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Today the tavern features farm-to-fork favorites like</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Border Springs Farms lamb sliders</span> <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">and</span> f<span xml:lang="en" lang="en">arro risotto</span><span xml:lang="en" lang="en">. In addition to lettuce and herbs from their onsite half-acre produce garden and greenhouse, the Wessex Hundred culinary team partners with local farmers for fresh seasonal dishes that pair nicely with their wine lineup produced from</span> 40 acres of vineyards ranging from Merlot and Chardonnay to more obscure varietals like Traminette and Albariño.</span></p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit. Photos: Steve Mirsky, Fife & Drum Inn, History.org, & Visit Williamsburg.</em></span></blockquote></div>13th Annual Taste of Hope is the American Cancer Society’s signature culinary, wine, and spirits charity event in NYC on May 10, 2018!https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/13th-annual-taste-of-hope-is-the-american-cancer-society-s2018-05-01T05:33:16.000Z2018-05-01T05:33:16.000ZDebbie Rodriguezhttps://tripatini.com/members/DebbieRodriguez<div><p><strong>Thursday, May 10, 2018 / Manhattan</strong></p><p><strong>13<sup>th</sup> Annual Taste of Hope is the American Cancer Society’s signature culinary, wine, and spirits event, featuring some of New York’s most popular restaurants and beverage vendors. Guests enjoy a walk-around tasting where they can sample signature dishes, premier wines, and spirits. Now in its 13th year, the event has raised over $1.8 Million to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and goal of eliminating cancer as a major health problem.</strong></p><p><strong>Sarabeth Levine , Culinary Honoree </strong></p><p><strong>Chef Antonio Prontelli , Survivor Honoree</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>For details & tickets: <a href="https://www.tasteofhopenyc.org/">https://www.tasteofhopenyc.org/</a></strong></p><p> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009256852,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="320" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009256852,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009256852?profile=original" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Exploring Frankfurt's Underrated Food and Culture Scenehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/exploring-frankfurt-s-underrated-food-and-culture-scene2017-07-17T12:27:56.000Z2017-07-17T12:27:56.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FrankfurtSkyline.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FrankfurtSkyline.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="FrankfurtSkyline.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">It isn't often that Frankfurt tops the list of Germany's must-visit cities due to its often misunderstood reputation as a staid financial services center. One of Frankfurt's most visible distinctions contributing to stereotypes like this is its impressive skyline most dramatically viewed from <a href="http://www.maintower.de/en/">MaiN ToWer</a>'s rooftop observation platform. While World War II bombings obliterated downtown's original architectural treasures and footprint, they also gave the city a clean slate for reconstruction largely funded through the <a href="http://marshallfoundation.org/marshall/the-marshall-plan/">Marshall Plan</a>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Roemer.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Roemer.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="Roemer.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Thankfully, Frankfurt’s historic old town and other surrounding neighborhoods' <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">narrow cobblestone lanes leading to small squares with fountains surrounded by ornately trimmed houses</span> were spared the same fate. <a href="https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Buildings/DomRoemer-Quarter-Frankfurt-s-new-historical-centre">Domrömer Quarter</a> is in fact currently experiencing a renaissance with 15 original reconstructions and 20 new buildings soon opening between Emperors’ Cathedral (“Dom”) and Frankfurt’s time-honored town hall (“römer”) anchored by the <strong>Stadthaus am Markt</strong>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Palmengarten.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Palmengarten.jpg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="Palmengarten.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The city's lush green riverfront promenade and an extensive array of parks & gardens like <strong><a href="http://www.palmengarten.de/#/de_DE/index/index">Palmengarten</a></strong> are perfect for cultural immersion particularly during summer. With 13 museums overlooking the River Main, Frankfurt’s museum district houses extensive collections, many of them in grand, time-honored villas surrounded by lush gardens, cozy cafés, and top-rated eateries like <a href="http://www.fujiwara-restaurant.de/">Fujiwara</a> and <a href="https://www.restaurant-parthenon.net/">Parthenon</a>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Apfelwein-Bembel-Collage-e1498525879912.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Apfelwein-Bembel-Collage-e1498525879912.jpg?width=1745" class="align-center" width="1200" alt="Apfelwein-Bembel-Collage-e1498525879912.jpg?width=1745" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">With residents originating from more than 190 nations, Frankfurt's international status shapes the diversity of its menus ranging from Persian to Tex-Mex, but for something uniquely Frankfurt, the apple wine ritual can't be missed. <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">While “<em>Epelwoi</em> pubs” are prevalent in the Rittergasse, Paradiesgasse, and Klappergasse neighborhoods,</span> <a href="https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Buildings/Old-Sachsenhausen">Sachsenhausen</a> is the epicenter for pouring apple wine (<span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><em>Stöffche</em>)</span> from a traditional stoneware jug (<em>Bembel</em>) into glasses (<em>Geripptes</em>). Typically served o<span lang="en" xml:lang="en">n wooden tables flanked by long benches,</span> you'll find yourself also ordering <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">beef with green sauce (<em>grüne Soße</em>),</span> a creamy concoction made from seven regional herbs and reportedly <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">a</span> favorite of celebrated poet <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe">Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</a>. Additional snacks like "h<span lang="en" xml:lang="en">and cheese" (<em>Handkäs</em>) and pretzels are also sold by roving merchants who make their rounds to the various pubs.</span></span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Kleinmarkthalle-1024x680.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Kleinmarkthalle-1024x680.jpg?width=1024" class="align-center" width="1024" alt="Kleinmarkthalle-1024x680.jpg?width=1024" /></a></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color:#000000;">Getting food on the run is a snap here with indoor market <a href="https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Shopping/Kleinmarkthalle">Kleinmarkthalle</a>, a culinary paradise open daily except Sundays featuring 156 stalls selling a wide range of fresh foods and produce. <a href="https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Shopping/Weekly-Farmer-Market-Konstablerwache">Bauernmarkt Konstablerwache</a> is Frankfurt’s largest outdoor farmers’ market. Held every Thursday and Saturday, it serves as a popular meeting place for locals not only doing their weekly shopping but sampling the latest regional wine vintages</span> or sweet treats like Frankfurt Crown Cake (<em>Bethmännchen</em>), a famous local treat made of marzipan.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsideaerial-e1498526701446.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsideaerial-e1498526701446.jpg?width=1091" class="align-center" width="1091" alt="innsideaerial-e1498526701446.jpg?width=1091" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Where to Stay</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Recently opened 4-star <a href="https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/germany/frankfurt/innside-frankfurt-ostend/index.html">Innside by Melia Frankfurt Ostend</a> (Eastend) was built from the ground up right across from the European Central Bank with the business traveler in mind but is also situated and filled with amenities leisure travelers appreciate. A street car stop right outside the front door whisks you to the city center within minutes or for more further afield trips, the Ostend central railway station is just several blocks away.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsideroom-1024x410.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsideroom-1024x410.jpg?width=1024" class="align-center" width="1024" alt="innsideroom-1024x410.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The hotel offers <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">168</span> bright sunlit <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">rooms and suites on six levels, outfitted</span> with wood floors and dining/living room areas perfect a quiet respite or enjoying a meal on your own. Rooms are outfitted with i<span lang="en" xml:lang="en">ndividually controlled air conditioning, motorized blinds, free soft drink mini bars, and open bathroom concepts with</span> glass-enclosed tile showers<span lang="en" xml:lang="en">.</span></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsidebathroom-1024x683.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsidebathroom-1024x683.jpg?width=1024" class="align-center" width="1024" alt="innsidebathroom-1024x683.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Decor dominated by monochrome white, black, and silver while indirect lighting creates eye-catching violet accents defining a modern vibe while a sauna, fitness area, and unconventional meeting break out space put quick productive brainstorming sessions within reach any time of the day.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsidedining-1024x404.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/innsidedining-1024x404.jpg?width=1024" class="align-center" width="1024" alt="innsidedining-1024x404.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Onsite <strong>Stock Avenue 81</strong>, a hybrid blend of restaurant, hotel bar and outside terrace, provides a trendy open atmosphere of floor to ceiling windows overlooking street activity outside. The menu includes international crossover cuisine with a local touch along with small plates like stuffed champignons and chorizo de Pamplona praline, perfect for pairing with their regional wine list and craft cocktails. A large video screen on the back wall, along with a sound system, transforms the space into a popular night spot on select evenings.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FrankfurtCityWalk.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FrankfurtCityWalk.jpg?width=480" class="align-center" width="480" alt="FrankfurtCityWalk.jpg?width=480" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Best Way to Start Exploring</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Guided city walks like those offered by <a href="https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/City-Tours2/Tours-for-individuals/frankfurt-city-walk">Frankfurt City Walks</a> are a great way to get an overview of the city before forging ahead on your own. The most hassle-free way to get around in town as well as the nearby Rhine-Main region is hopping on their super efficient <a href="https://www.rmv.de/en/">RMV network of trains and buses</a>. Daily and weekly passes give you an unlimited single ticket/single rate access to a single timetable applicable for all routes.</span></p><blockquote><span class="font-size-3"><em><br /> Photos courtesy of Frankfurt Tourism & Innside by Melia Frankfurt. Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.</em></span></blockquote></div>Washington State Wines - A Journey Along the Columbia Riverhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/washington-state-wines-a-journey-along-the-columbia-river2017-02-28T15:18:11.000Z2017-02-28T15:18:11.000ZLinda Milkshttps://tripatini.com/members/LindaMilks<div><p align="center" style="text-align:left;"><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009139659,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="298" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009139659,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" alt="9009139659?profile=original" /></a>The state of Washington consists of many diverse microclimates--from the rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula to the eastern portion of the state averaging around eight inches of rain. The craggy Cascade Range separates the western and damper portion of the state from the eastern and drier side. All of these microclimates provide the 900 wineries unique areas to grow more than 40 different varietals of wine, making Washington State the second-largest premium grape-growing region in the nation.</p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p>Recently, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Washington State Wine Trade & Media Tasting held at the stunning <b>Coasterra Restaurant</b> on Harbor Island in San Diego. With views of San Diego bay and sailboats elegantly gliding by, this was the perfect place to stand on the patio munching on appetizers and sipping lush Washington wines. An abundant antipasti tray and superbly crafted vegetable bowl wet our appetites and was followed by crab cakes, sliders, shrimp cocktails, and mini pizza slices.</p><p style="text-align:center;"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009139659,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /></a></p><p>All of this delicious food was the foundation for an afternoon of tasting critically acclaimed wines from 60 wineries of Washington State. Big red wines are my personal favorite, so when I was planning which wineries I should sample, I looked for those regions known red varietals. As I tell you about the wines I sampled, let me send you on an imaginary tour of these great wineries—a trip I plan to take in the future.</p><p> </p><p>One of the most spectacular parts of wine tasting in Washington is experiencing the variety of terrains in this state. With its mountains, lakes, rivers, and deserts, the setting is a visual candy shop of variety. This same variety provides 13 viticultural areas to be explored. The soil of glacial sediment from the Ice Age and basalt cast down by volcanic explosions influence the taste of the wine. On the eastern side of the Cascades, the sunny, hot days followed by cool nights lets the grapes ripen while retaining the right amount of acidity.</p><p> </p><p>As one who has spent a lot of time traveling the state of Washington, my favorite starting point is the Columbia River Gorge, a winding river surrounded by tall evergreens atop sharply rising mountains and gushing waterfalls. Starting your journey around White Salmon and Underwood Mountain, an area around 1,100 feet high, you can experience the cooler varietals like Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris. As you head east towards Lyle, sip on Primitivo, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Viognier, and Mourvedre.</p><p> </p><p>Enjoy the rustic beauty of <strong>Syn</strong><b>cline Winery</b>, located on a working farmstead, with a relaxed picnic area of tables, Adirondack chairs, and hammocks. I urge you to try the Mourvedre and Grenache, both earning high point from <em>Wine Enthusiast</em>.</p><p> </p><p>Heading still further east along the river, you experience grassy, rocky terrain and bluffs, where the grapes catch lots of sunshine and very little rainfall—a great place for Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel. This area is the location of Maryhill Art Museum and <b>Maryhill Winery</b>, home to outdoor concerts in the summer overlooking the gorge.</p><p> </p><p>Meander from this area to the Yakima Valley, the state’s first growing region with more than 100 wineries. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon reign supreme here, but more than 40 varieties flourish in this region.</p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009140064,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="117" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009140064,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" height="295" alt="9009140064?profile=original" /></a>The family of <b>Gilbert Cellars</b> has been growing fruit in this area since 1897 and now creates some spectacular wines showcased at Hackett Ranch. While I am a big red fan, their unoaked Chardonnay with lemon notes was one of the best I have ever tasted, and would be perfect with a Washington State Dungenous crab. Another wine I liked was the Left Bank Red Bordeaux Blend. This bold and structured wine is a great dinner wine and calls for a nice steak. Their Tempranillo Port was a perfect dessert wine--not cloyingly sweet—and begged for just one lovely truffle aside the glass.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Côte Bonneville Winery’s</b> winemaker, Kerry Shiels, told me that the vineyard, DuBrul Vineyard was named after Napoleon DeBrul, a tobacco baron, in honor of her great, great grandfather. DuBrul Vineyard produces some of the most respected grapes, having received the designation twice of Washington State Vineyard of the Year. Côte Bonneville’s tasting room is located in the former historic Grandview Train Depot in downtown Sunnyside. One of my favorites, Carriage House Red Bordeaux Blend, received 94 points from the <em>Wine Enthusiast</em>.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296621085,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="192" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296621085,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" alt="9296621085?profile=original" /></a></p><p> </p><p>As you travel, head to Red Mountain, named after the red cheat grass that fills the slopes in spring, and Horse Heaven Hills near Benton City (and near the Columbia River) is the smallest AVA in Washington and also the warmest region. This AVA is known for 93 percent of all wines being big, structured red varietals with lots of minerality. Best known are the powerful Merlots, Syrahs, and Cabernet Sauvignons.</p><p> </p><p><b>Hightower Cellars</b>, located outside Benton City, works by the theory, “get the best grapes and don’t screw them up.” High on my list of delectable wines is their Reserve Red Bordeaux Blend, consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. This wine packs a punch of full-bodied flavor with notes of pepper and violets.</p><p> </p><p>From the Red Mountain area, head east to the Walla Walla Valley. This high-desert valley has the largest number of wineries in the state. Known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Malbec, this area will truly delight those red wine taste buds. The Walla Walla Valley is unique in that it borders Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Cougar Crest Estate Winery</b>, located in Walla Walla, has another outstanding winemaker and owner, Debbie Hansen. The Estate Viognier I tasted had a great mouthfeel with flavors of apricot and was very crisp. It has been awarded 90 points by <em>Wine Spectator</em>. Unfortunately, I ran out of tasting time, but their Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon have won high awards of excellence and worthy of sampling. This winery has earned the label of having some of the top 100 wines in the world.</p><p> </p><p><b>Tamarack Cellars</b> located in Walla Walla Valley, voted Winery of the Year in 2009 by Wine and Spirits, showcases some exceptional wines at a reasonable price. Try their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon rated 92 Points Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast or their 2014 Merlot, with a 91-point rating by <em>Wine Enthusiast</em>.</p><p> </p><p>The contemporary <b>Tertulia Cellars</b>, also located in Walla Walla, gets its name from the Spanish word “tertulia” which means a social gathering of friends. Winemaker Ryan Raber introduced me to one of my favorites, the 2013 Carménere, a unique and powerful wine often used for blending. I loved the peppery, smoky, and chocolate taste. I also enjoyed the Great Schism Red Rhône Blend, with flavors of raspberries, currants, and vanilla—a light blend true to the Rhone region.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009140663,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009140663,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="256" class="align-center" height="307" alt="9009140663?profile=original" /></a></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Woodward Canyon Winery</b>, in Walla Walla Valley, featured an amazing Merlot with more aromatics than found in the Napa Valley. Lush and concentrated with notes of black cherry and herbs, this wine will hold up for a decade. Big and <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009140687,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009140687,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="165" class="align-left" height="263" alt="9009140687?profile=original" /></a>bold with notes of blackberry and herbs, the Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon has earned 92 points from <em>Wine Enthusiast</em>. Woodward Canyon Winery is located in a restored 1870’s farmhouse.</p><p> </p><p>Another trip will take me to Woodinville, Washington, with more than 100 tasting rooms. There are some magnificent wineries showcasing grapes from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Valley located in Woodinville, outside Redmond, Washington. These wineries are worthy of a trip on their own. I enjoyed <b>Januik <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009141258,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009141258,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="210" class="align-right" height="277" alt="9009141258?profile=original" /></a>Winery’s</b> Stone Cairn Cabernet Sauvignon with flavors of cherry, currants, and chocolate. <b>Lauren Ashton Cellars</b> Proprietor’s Cuvée Red Bordeaux Blend was given 95 points by Robert Parker and is luscious. <b>Mark Ryan Winery’s</b> Long Haul Red Bordeaux Blend shows earthiness with tastes of currants, plums, and spice.</p><p> </p><p>Washington State has so much to offer a visitor, and the wineries should certainly be a feature for any wine enthusiast.<br /><br /></p></div>Discovering the Wines of the Czech Republichttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/czech-wines2014-10-08T18:16:37.000Z2014-10-08T18:16:37.000ZHilarie Larsonhttps://tripatini.com/members/HilarieLarson<div><h2 class="blog-title"><a href="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/9923846_orig.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/9923846_orig.jpg?width=592" width="592" class="align-center" alt="9923846_orig.jpg?width=592" /></a></h2><div id="main-wrap"><div class="container"><div id="secondlistParent" class="weebly-area wsite-not-footer"><table id="blogTable"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><div class="blog-body blog-postlist"><div id="blog-post-196374716536854193" class="blog-post"><div class="blog-header"><h2 class="blog-title" style="text-align:left;"><span class="font-size-1"><em><span style="font-size:13px;"> photo: </span><span style="font-size:13px;">Øyvind Holmstad </span></em></span></h2></div><div class="blog-content"><span><span class="wsite-caption"><br /> <br /> Wines from the <strong>Czech Republic</strong> are a "secret" no more.</span></span><div class="paragraph"><br /> Do you know that a Czech wine was selected “Best White Wine” at the prestigious 2014 San <span style="font-size:13px;">Francisco International Wine Competition? </span></div><div class="paragraph"><br /> It seems the cat is out of the bag when it comes to the quality and character of these delicious wines from Eastern</div><div class="paragraph">Europe, thanks to the Petr Vacenovský 2013 Riesling winning double gold and best of show at the competition.<br /> <br /> Now, it used to be when I thought of this historic nation, I would think of handcrafted crystal, intricate garnet jewelry,</div><div class="paragraph">a treasure-trove of culture and architecture, and of course Pilsner, but after having an opportunity to try a selection of</div><div class="paragraph">Czech wines, I can now add vino to the list.</div><hr /><div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AVelk%C3%A9_%C5%BDernoseky%2C_%C5%BEernoseck%C3%A9_vinice_z_lev%C3%A9ho_b%C5%99ehu_Labe.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/5689976.jpg?1411081912" class="align-center" alt="5689976.jpg?1411081912" /></a><div> <em><span class="font-size-1">photo; Juan de Vojnikov/wikimedia</span></em></div></div></div><div class="paragraph"><br /> Viticulture and wine are nothing new to this region of the world. Like many parts of Europe, the Romans brought the</div><div class="paragraph">vine to the area and are credited with introducing Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling which are still grown today. During</div><div class="paragraph">the Middle Ages, the industry really took hold mostly due to the power of the monasteries. Importing grapes from France</div><div class="paragraph">and Germany, they began to establish vineyard designations and winemaking rules as far back as 1309. Although the</div><div class="paragraph">territory was conquered and occupied over the centuries, vineyards here supplied wines for the aristocracy of Europe</div><div class="paragraph">until phylloxera destroyed much of the vines at the turn of the 19th to 20th century.</div><div class="paragraph"></div><div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGrape_press_in_Pavlov.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/1069484_orig.png" class="align-center" alt="1069484_orig.png" /></a><div> <em><span class="font-size-1">photo credit: wineandvinesearch.com</span></em></div></div></div><div class="paragraph"><br /> Today, the Czech Republic has a small but thriving wine industry. The majority of the vineyards (96%) are located in the</div><div class="paragraph">southern region of Moravia (Mo-RAY-vee-ah) which is just north of the well known Austrian wine region, Weinviertel. A</div><div class="paragraph">small number of vineyards may be found in the northern region of Bohemia which is on the same latitude as the</div><div class="paragraph">Rheingau area of neighboring Germany.<br /> <br /> The nation itself is landlocked and the terrain is predominately rolling hills, with the White Carpathian mountains sheltering</div><div class="paragraph">the wine regions of the south. Soil types range from rich dark clay to gravel, marl and limestone.<br /> <br /> There are are about 18,000 winemakers in the country - many of them extremely small with production of only a few</div><div class="paragraph">barrels - continuing the age old traditions of local winemaking. They make wines for their own palates - bone dry and full</div><div class="paragraph">of crispy minerality with hints of spiciness. It’s not uncommon to see a group of local winemakers getting together on a</div><div class="paragraph">Saturday afternoon to sip and critique each other's product.</div><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">The majority of production is white wine - around 60% - with red and rosé making up the balance. With larger producers</div><div class="paragraph">looking to export more of their product, they are now producing wines from dry to off dry as well as the popular sweet,</div><div class="paragraph">dessert "straw wines." (For more on this wine style,<a href="http://www.northwinds-wine-blog/archives/04-2014" target="_blank" title="Links active once published"> click here)</a><br /> <br /> Many of the grapes grown here are familiar names:, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Cabernet</div><div class="paragraph">Sauvignon. Just as fabulous, but perhaps not household names (yet!) are: Müller-Thurgau, Blaufränkisch (Frankovka),</div><div class="paragraph">St. Laurent (Svatovavnnecké) and Welschriesling (Ryzlink Vlassky).</div><div class="paragraph"><br /> A system of quality designation, based on the French AOC and Austrian DAC, regulates things such as where the grapes</div><div class="paragraph">are grown, hand harvesting, oak barrel usage, alcohol levels and many other factors. This ensures that the wines labeled</div><div class="paragraph">with a regional VOC (Vina Originální Certifikace) mark have a guaranteed level of quality and reflect the best attributes of</div><div class="paragraph">Czech wines.</div><div class="paragraph"></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap"><table class="wsite-multicol-table"><tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"><tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"><td class="wsite-multicol-col"><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-medium"><a href="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/5870074.jpg?1411087811" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/5870074.jpg?1411087811" class="align-center" alt="5870074.jpg?1411087811" /></a><div><em>Our hosts Vojtěch & Barbora are great ambassadors</em></div><div><em>tfor the Czech Republic</em></div></div></td><td class="wsite-multicol-col"><div class="paragraph">Our hosts for this wonderful tasting were Vojtěch</div><div class="paragraph">Kacerovský and Barbora Skokanová, both of the</div><div class="paragraph">Czech Tourism Board. </div><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph"><br /> The majority of the selections were from the </div><div class="paragraph"><a href="http://www.vinozczech.com/" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">Vino z Czech</a> (or Wines of Czech), which is the leading</div><div class="paragraph">US importer of wine from Moravia. Every wine is</div><div class="paragraph">selected by top Czech sommeliers to showcase the</div><div class="paragraph">best the country has to offer and to highlight the</div><div class="paragraph">typicity of the region.<br /> <br /> The focus, according to Vojtěch, is on wines that</div><div class="paragraph">compliment food and, like any of our Wine</div><div class="paragraph">Review Council tastings, that is something </div><div class="paragraph">that is never in short supply!</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap"><table class="wsite-multicol-table"><tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"><tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"><td class="wsite-multicol-col"><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/6844921.jpg?1411082708" alt="Picture" /></a><div>Walnut baklava & ginger cookies</div></div></td><td class="wsite-multicol-col"><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/284532_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" /></a><div>Fresh sushi</div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/3154445_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" /></a><div>Spicy crab salad</div></div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap"><table class="wsite-multicol-table"><tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"><tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"><td class="wsite-multicol-col"><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/5769364.jpg?1411082828" alt="Picture" /></a><div>Persian-style dolma with dill and</div><div>creamy Brie</div></div></td><td class="wsite-multicol-col"><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"></div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-thin"><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/2574165_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="paragraph">There’s a distinctive feature that can’t go unnoticed - the absolutely captivating labels on the Vino z Czech vintages. </div><div class="paragraph">Every one bears artwork by the famous Art Nouveau artist <strong>Alphonse Mucha</strong>. These sensuous depictions of female</div><div class="paragraph">beauty are not only eye-catching, but also reflect the artistic integrity of the wines themselves. <span style="font-size:13px;">(For more on the Art Nouveau movement in the Czech Republic, see below)</span></div><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph"></div><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/3325061.jpg?1411084381" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Spicy Grüner Veltliner</span></span><br /><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Our first wine was the Grüner Veltliner Michlovský 2011 ($16) - Fragrant dried apricot, sweet grass and white pepper</div><div class="paragraph">with ripe red apple and lemon balm on the palate - showing a slight hint of effervescence. Clean and minerally, it</div><div class="paragraph">paired well with a spicy crab salad and the bacon-and-onion tart.</div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/5335862.jpg?1411085385" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Wine & food - perfect!</span></span></div><div class="blog-content"><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Next, Welschriesling Spielberg 2013 ($23). This variety is not related to the famous Riesling grape, even though the</div><div class="paragraph">names are similar. All white flower blossoms, sweet grass and honey with touches of pepper and lemon peel. Great</div><div class="paragraph">paired with that onion tart, and gobs of brie.</div><div class="paragraph"></div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/4281067.jpg?1411083603" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Czech Pinot Blanc</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph"><br /> Two examples of Pinot Blanc followed. Here’s a hint - if you enjoy Pinot Gris/Grigio, give their ‘relative’ Pinot Blanc a try!<br /> <br /> Pinot Blanc Vyskocil 2009 ($23) showed unexpected tropical character - kumquat, perfumey guava, ripe peaches, light</div><div class="paragraph">honeysuckle and spicy clove/nutmeg. Paired beautifully with brie, Comte cheeses and sushi - especially the cucumber</div><div class="paragraph">roll.</div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/4395508.jpg?1411085312" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Alphonse Mucha labels</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Pinot Blanc Spielberg 2009 ($34) was quite different - lots of ripe apple and stone fruits with an abundance of dusty</div><div class="paragraph">rose aromas. Off dry, the finish was long, clean and supple with more baked apple and honey notes. Once again, it</div><div class="paragraph">was terrific with the sushi and the onion tart, too.</div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/7048474.jpg?1411083754" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Refreshing Riesling</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Now, on to Riesling Michlovsky 2011 ($19) Classic Riesling with crunchy green apples, linden flowers and a passing whiff</div><div class="paragraph">of petrol! Plump apricots on the palate with a slight, refreshing touch of ‘fizz’. Perfect with the sushi, Persian dolmas</div><div class="paragraph">with rice, veg and dill and, believe it or not, a walnut baklava! </div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/468569.jpg?1411083811" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Rivaner, aka Müller-Thurgau</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Rivaner Valtice 2011 ($16) Rivaner is the local name for Müller-Thurgau and, if you enjoy off-dry wines from the Rhine, t</div><div class="paragraph">his will be your new favorite! Soft, supple apple and ripe, ripe pear flavors make this an easy sipping wine. I loved it</div><div class="paragraph">with the crab salad and the sushi and the hot, spicy Sriracha chicken wings found a refreshing friend in this wine.</div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/6881099.jpg?1411083889" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Great with food or on its own.</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Rouci Stapelton and Springr 2007 ($40) A blend of Pinot Noir and St. Laurent (the most widely planted red grape in the</div><div class="paragraph">Czech Republic - also popular in Austria). Earthy and velvety, red plum with caramel, black pepper and milk chocolate</div><div class="paragraph">undertones, the palate is full with dried strawberry, black raspberry and ripe rich cherry. If you like a fruity, lighter red</div><div class="paragraph">wine like Beaujolais, this is right up your alley. I loved it with a spicy ginger snap cookie, the spicy wings and Comte</div><div class="paragraph">cheese. Super sipper, too.</div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/9803822.jpg?1411083967" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Blauer Portugieser</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">Our final wine was a "mystery treat," selected by the sommelier back in the Czech Republic.<br /> <br /> Modrý Portugal 2012 from Vinárství Vyskocil is made with the grape variety Blauer Portugieser. The deep garnet color is</div><div class="paragraph">reflected in the nose and on the palate - lots of super juicy, purple fruits and soft baking spices, red licorice and black</div><div class="paragraph">plum - reminiscent of a Christmas pudding in a glass.</div><hr /><span><a title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/34231.jpg?1411084031" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span class="wsite-caption">Hair of the dog!</span></span><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">To finish the event in true Czech tradition, we each had a ‘wee dram’ of a local digetsif called Becherovka. And a tiny sip</div><div class="paragraph">is all that’s needed. Although the locals tout this as a ‘cure all’ and a great pick-me-up for the ‘morning after’, I think I’ll</div><div class="paragraph">stick with my new-found friends - the delicious and intriguing wines of the Czech Republic.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <font size="1">NOTE: All wines tasted at this event were provided by the sponsoring wineries/distribuotrs. Please see my page ' Submissions, Reviews, Invitations &</font></div><div class="paragraph"><font size="1">Disclaimers at <a href="http://www.northwindswineconsulting.com" target="_blank">www.northwindswineconsulting.com</a> for more information.</font></div><div class="paragraph"></div><hr /><h2 class="wsite-content-title">What is Art Nouveau?</h2><span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APrague_Praha_2014_Holmstad_flott_jugend_metall-glass_Bohemia_metall-_and_glassworks_art_nouveau_style_Obechni_Dum_temporary_exibition_-_49.jpg" target="_blank" title="Links active once published"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/7/7/2/1/7721795/7370255_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a></span></div><div class="blog-content"></div><div class="blog-content"><br /><div class="paragraph"></div><div class="paragraph">The distinctive designs of world renowned Czech artist Alphonse Mucha are a true representation of the Art Nouveau</div><div class="paragraph">style.<br /> <br /> This undulating, sensuous artistic movement began in Europe in the late 1800’s and continued into the early years of the</div><div class="paragraph">20th century. Using nature’s graceful, flowing lines as its inspiration, the style infiltrated all the arts, and beyond, from architecture</div><div class="paragraph">to fashion, from everyday household items to the painting, sculpture and art glass, “The New Art” took the world by</div><div class="paragraph">storm.<br /> <br /> Mucha was, and continues to be, one of the most recognizable proponents of the period and his homeland of the</div><div class="paragraph">Czech Republic has respected and preserved many architectural representations. <br /> <br /> More information: <a href="http://www.czechtourism/a/art-nouveau/" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">www.czechtourism/a/art-nouveau/</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p></div></div></div></div>Exploring Germany's Rheingau Regionhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/exploring-germany-s-rheingau-region2017-04-04T20:01:55.000Z2017-04-04T20:01:55.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/rheingau-e1490278240761.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/rheingau-e1490278240761.jpg?width=987" width="987" alt="rheingau-e1490278240761.jpg?width=987" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">All within reach by an hour train ride west of Frankfurt along the Rhine River, Germany's <a href="http://www.germanwines.de/tourism/wine-growing-regions/rheingau/">Rheingau</a> is a patchwork of historic villages, vibrant cities, and the country's most distinctive Reisling wine-growing region.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weissbaden-e1490278316943.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weissbaden-e1490278316943.jpg?width=697" width="697" alt="weissbaden-e1490278316943.jpg?width=697" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Wiesbaden</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><br /> Gateway city Wiesbaden serves as cultural and transportation hub to the Rheingau. Even if you're exploring by foot, the 200-mile <a href="https://www.rheinsteig.de/en/the-rheinsteig/home/">Rheinsteig hiking trail</a> head begins next to the Baroque palace of Schloss Biebrich on the banks of the Rhine taking you past numerous vineyards, palaces, castles, and monasteries along its way to Bonn. While this approach will of course be more arduous, your intrepid spirit will be rewarded by a richer more personal connection to the landscape and people around you. Grape picking season in autumn gives you more in depth exposure to vintners when they open their doors for tastings and festivals.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/kurhaus-e1490278395761.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/kurhaus-e1490278395761.jpg?width=992" width="992" alt="kurhaus-e1490278395761.jpg?width=992" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Wiesbaden's most readily apparent panache is its attractive mix of old-world charm and vigor of a modern metropolis. Elegant villa districts, a magnificent State Theatre, extensive parks like "Bowling Green," with cascade fountains and walking paths situated right next to the <a href="https://www.wiesbaden.de/microsite/kurhaus-en/organiser/rooms/casino.php">Kurhaus and Casino</a> reflect a time honored grandeur. Inaugurated by Kaiser Wilhelm II when it opened in 1907, Kurhaus's marble floored grand pillared events & concert venue contains 12 halls and salons featuring one of Europe’s oldest and most architecturally ornate casinos.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weissbadenmineralwaters-e1490231660392.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weissbadenmineralwaters-e1490231660392.jpg?width=846" width="846" alt="weissbadenmineralwaters-e1490231660392.jpg?width=846" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">You'll soon discover that Wiesbaden has a rich spa culture, dating back to the Romans, that wasn't popularized until the mid-1800's, when elites like Russian Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Elisabeth, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Johannes Brahms began soaking in the therapeutic effects of the city's 26 thermal springs. Today spas like <a href="https://www.wiesbaden.de/microsite/mattiaqua-en/thermalbad-aukammtal/index.php">Thermalbad Aukammtal</a> and the <a href="http://www.wiesbaden.de/microsite/mattiaqua-en/kaiser-friedrich-therme/">Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme</a>, as well as more private under-the-radar places like <a href="https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-wiesbaden/spa">Das Badhaus Spa</a>, which originally opened in 1486 and now part of <a href="https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-wiesbaden">Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock Hotel</a>, attract thousands from across the globe.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/orthodoxchurch-e1490231940484.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/orthodoxchurch-e1490231940484.jpg?width=591" width="591" alt="orthodoxchurch-e1490231940484.jpg?width=591" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">During summer, <a href="http://www.wiesbaden.de/microsite/mattiaqua-en/frei-hallenbaeder/freibad-opelbad/">Opelbad Bath</a>, a 15,000-square-meter, Bauhaus-style spa on Wiesbaden's Neroberg Mountain, offers spectacular views of the Rhine Valley and Taunus foothills in the distance. The most scenic and expedient way to reach the top of Neroberg in just under four minutes is aboard the <a href="https://www.wiesbaden.de/en/tourism/themes-tours/city-tours/sightseeing-tours/neroberg-mountain-railway.php">Nerobergbahn Mountain Train</a>, Germany's oldest hydro-powered cable car dating back to 1888. A Russian-Byzantine-style Orthodox Church crowned with five golden onion domes is another can't-miss landmark seemingly placed there out of a fairy tale. Still used for church services to this day, it originally opened in 1855 as a tomb for the mortal remains of Duke Adolph’s wife Grand Duchess Elisabeth Michailovna and her child.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cafemaldaner.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cafemaldaner.jpg?width=867" width="867" alt="cafemaldaner.jpg?width=867" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">When you're back in town craving a sweet treat, <a href="http://maldaner1859.de/">Café Maldaner</a> preserves the traditional coffeehouse ambiance that originated here in 1859. Plush sofas and chairs overlooking the wide variety of artfully prepared treats on display behind the glass of their impressive cake counter make you want to linger and get social. If you're in town Wednesday or Saturday, an open-air market on Dern’sches Gelände square features a wide array of fresh produce and hand crafted specialties.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Rüdesheim</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">A historic village featuring medieval architecture built into a hillside, with the Drosselgasse serving as the main thoroughfare, flanking the river on one side with boutique shopping, eateries, wine taverns, and beer gardens on the other connecting to narrow lanes trailing off to vineyards rising up in the distance, Rudesheim offers plenty to explore within its compact street grid.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/rudesheim.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/rudesheim.jpg?width=668" width="668" alt="rudesheim.jpg?width=668" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Near the train station you can catch a cable car/chairlift taking you up to Niederwald Monument overlooking the Rhine Valley. This supremely ornate, 125-foot hilltop memorial built between 1877 and 1883, commemorates Germany's unification after the Franco-Prussian War. Passing right behind the monument and into the forest, the renowned Rheinsteig hiking trail continues onward towards <a href="http://www.niederwald.de/en.html">Hotel & Restaurant Jagdschloss Niederwald</a>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/neiderwaldmonumnet.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/neiderwaldmonumnet.jpg?width=742" width="742" alt="neiderwaldmonumnet.jpg?width=742" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Be sure not to miss <a href="http://www.smmk.de/pages/en/welcome.php?lang=EN">Seigfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet</a>, located in a 15th-century noble manor. It boasts over 1,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing more than 350 mechanical instruments dating from the 18th to 20th centuries; you can see and listen to self-playing devices ranging from delicate music boxes to self-playing pianos and organs. The museum is also home to the world's largest doll automaton calliope ever built, containing 27 automatic dolls, each one playing a different instrument. A workshop filled with tools for repairing essential components like cardboard music cards, piano rolls, and musical box plates occupies one corner of the museum's second floor.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/seigfriedsworkshop.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/seigfriedsworkshop.jpg?width=732" width="732" alt="seigfriedsworkshop.jpg?width=732" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The engineering genius behind these devices is all the more amazing, considering they were created during an era of limited technology. Just keep in mind that guided tours need to be arranged in advance.<br /> <br /></span></p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a30MFD0Bgnk?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><br /> Staying at hotel <a href="http://www.hotel-altdeutsche-weinstube.de/en/welcome">Altdeutsche Weinstube</a> means you are only a block away from the Drosselgasse, with a wide selection of rooms to pick from, run by the fifth-generation Ehrhard-Malgouyres family. Wrought-iron ornamentations and leaded stained glass windows invite you to gather in their onsite “Weinstube” where a French chef de cuisine creates regional and French delicacies with in season market fresh ingredients like <em>Ingelheimer</em> asparagus during summer, chanterelles and different pumpkin dishes in autumn as well as roast duck and goose during winter. Wines on their list feature vintages from their family owned Carl Ehrhard wine estate.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/altduechecollage-e1490469198778.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/altduechecollage-e1490469198778.jpg?width=1404" width="1200" alt="altduechecollage-e1490469198778.jpg?width=1404" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Another dining option for authentic German favorites and biodynamic wines is right up the street at <a href="http://www.weingut-jakob-christ.de/">Weingut Jacob Christ</a>. Chef Dagmar and her winemaker husband Rainier Hass combine assets conjuring seasonal creations from local ingredients like the greens in their salads to pork in their bratwurst pate, sausages, brook trout, and Hessian goat and sheep cheese specialties. Their vegan organic wine selection draws from off-the-radar Reingau grapes, reflecting subtleties of the region's ever changing climate. Rainier believes that climate change is now impacting flavor profiles much more than other terrior attributes like soil and vine age.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weingutjacobchristcollage-e1490458011868.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weingutjacobchristcollage-e1490458011868.jpg?width=1332" width="1200" alt="weingutjacobchristcollage-e1490458011868.jpg?width=1332" /></a></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bingen-e1490233089330.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bingen-e1490233089330.jpg?width=990" width="990" alt="bingen-e1490233089330.jpg?width=990" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Bingen</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Accessible by ferry across the river from Rudesheim, Bingen is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Nahe Rivers. This medieval, UNESCO World Heritage village is perched high on a ridge surrounded by many architectural treasures like the Mouse Tower, a former toll station overlooking the Rhine, and the historic home of St Hildegard of Bingen, a famous 12th-century Abbess of mythical proportions who advised emperors and bishops. Bingen's <a href="http://www.romantic-germany.info/holiday-regions/rheinhessen/travel-highlights/infrastruktur/Historisches-Museum-am-Strom_Bingen-am-Rhein/deskline-details.html">Museum on the River</a> located in a re-purposed factory hall dating back to 1898 dedicates more than 300 square meters of exhibit space to the saint, featuring models of long obliterated monasteries, paintings, original documents, and audio accounts that put the visionary world of Hildegard into perspective.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hilldegardbingenmuseum.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hilldegardbingenmuseum.jpg?width=1000" width="1000" alt="hilldegardbingenmuseum.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">While strolling along Bingen's pedestrian riverfront walkway, you're sure to see a well preserved 500-plus year old freight crane on display that also lights up at night. Right next door is German steakhouse <a href="http://zollamtbingen.de/">Zollamt</a> occupying a former customs office built in 1906. The menu here specializes in "shock heated" Kobe and other prime cut steaks sizzled in a uniquely designed grill/oven combo searing meat up to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit via an intense combination of convection and open fire. A tasty dark outer crust with an extremely tender and juicy interior make it to your plate every time. Weather permitting, their spacious outdoor terrace overlooks Castle Ehrenfels, Niederwald Monument, and Rüdesheim across the river.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bingenrestaurant.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bingenrestaurant.jpg?width=1000" width="1000" alt="bingenrestaurant.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Since vineyards span the hillsides across the Rhine as far as the eye can see, you may assume that winemaking isn't as prevalent in Bingen, but look to the backside of Elisenhohe heights particularly from St. Rochuskapelle Church and you'll see vines stretching to the horizon. <a href="http://www.weingut-hemmes.de/">Hemmes Winery</a> is a hidden gem right in the village making craft wines in a re-purposed school house. Award wining winemaker Frank Hemmes and his family also bring sustainability to their production using geothermal heat.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bingenvineyards-e1490468303833.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bingenvineyards-e1490468303833.jpg?width=1000" width="1000" alt="bingenvineyards-e1490468303833.jpg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Eltville</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">This small village becomes a destination when staying at <a href="http://www.hotel-tillmanns.de/">Park Hotel Tillmanns</a>, a luxurious, family-run hotel in a stately 18th-century French country home completely renovated and refurbished in 1995-1997. Within walking distance to a miles-long pedestrian pathway along the Rhine and just around the corner from the Eltville train station, airy sun filled rooms, some with private roof terraces or park/river views, make it feel like your home away from home rather than just a place to hang your hat.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/parkhousetillmanns.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/parkhousetillmanns.jpg?width=674" width="674" alt="parkhousetillmanns.jpg?width=674" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">An extensive breakfast buffet is included in their spacious downstairs sun porch, which also has a casual self-service bar in the corner for some evening tippling. A private terrace outside beckons when weather permits. Owner Benjamin Gillert parlays his ten-year culinary background along with his stints as sommelier and event designer into lovingly running the property. His wife Anna Schneider along with the rest of his family are fully integrated into every aspect of running the hotel making sure no detail goes unnoticed.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/parkhotelcollage-e1490470374118.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/parkhotelcollage-e1490470374118.jpg?width=1298" width="1200" alt="parkhotelcollage-e1490470374118.jpg?width=1298" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">A quick cab ride from Park Hotel Tillmanns, <a href="http://www.hotel-zum-krug.com/">Weinhaus Zum Krug</a>, an inn with accompanying farm-to-table restaurant features a menu built on straightforward dishes made from the fresh local bounty. Third generation Chef Josef Laufer operates under the motto of "the diversity of the simple is our demand and goal". He keeps it all very personal juggling roles as chef, host and sommelier with his guests. Dishes like Wispertal trout and fried potato goat cheese dumplings or venison chops are rooted in traditional cookery while enhanced with new approaches toward presentation and flavoring.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/zumkrugcollage-e1490455958667.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/zumkrugcollage-e1490455958667.jpg?width=1275" width="1200" alt="zumkrugcollage-e1490455958667.jpg?width=1275" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Must-See Wineries</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Reisling is the dominant grape in the Rheingau, ranging from extra dry to sweet pairing just as well with traditional German fare as sushi and other international dishes. Although Germany's smallest wine region, it's also the most compact with nearly 8,000 acres of vineyards packed close beside villages making exploration as easy as wandering up lanes until they turn into gravel roads leading past miles of vines. However, keep in mind that you'll need a car or bike to expediently visit the following vineyards:</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/schlossjohannisbergcollage-e1490470869538.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/schlossjohannisbergcollage-e1490470869538.jpg?width=1382" width="1200" alt="schlossjohannisbergcollage-e1490470869538.jpg?width=1382" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="https://www.schloss-johannisberg.de/en/"><strong>Schloss Johannisberg</strong></a> - Vineyards have surrounded the winery castle here over the last 1,200+ years making it the world’s first Riesling estate. Originally founded under the Benedictine order, Johannisberg's longstanding winemaking heritage is now on display in <em>Bibliotheca Subterranea</em>, a locked vault within the winery's cellar catacombs serving as a famed treasure chamber of centuries-old wine rarities. Grapes from their vineyards totaling nearly 200 acres are still hand picked ensuring they're harvested at precisely the right degree of ripeness giving credence to their motto of "quality is determined in the vineyard, not during vinification".</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/schlossvolradcollage-e1490455165422.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/schlossvolradcollage-e1490455165422.jpg?width=923" width="923" alt="schlossvolradcollage-e1490455165422.jpg?width=923" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.schlossvollrads.com/schloss/?lang=en"><strong>Schloss Vollrads</strong></a> - Art, culture, and of course extensive wine cellars complement each other in a big way on this estate. A tower house, their premier landmark building built in the 14th century, surrounded by a pond that can only be reached by a stone bridge. A 2-winged manor house was built on the grounds in 1684 where the Greiffenclau family lived up until 1997. Riesling remains the only grape variety used at the winery but showcases the entire range of designations from Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese to Eiswein. The estate offers guided tours with tastings, a wine bar, shop, and hosts various special events with a regular concert stage for the <a href="https://www.rheingau-musik-festival.de/en/events/?no_cache=1&cHash=5f675c885e87a8135d46d747051c34e9">Rheingau Musik Festival</a>.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/klostereberbachcollage-e1490457130578.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/klostereberbachcollage-e1490457130578.jpg?width=1360" width="1200" alt="klostereberbachcollage-e1490457130578.jpg?width=1360" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://kloster-eberbach.de/en/monastery"><strong>Kloster Eberbach</strong></a> - Once a Cistercian abbey, Eberbach Monastery remains to this day a meticulously preserved monument to classic European Middle Age architecture. The monastery‘s growing wine making prestige over the last 9 centuries solidified the community's wealth. Grape varieties include Riesling, but also branch out to Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Their wine estate boasts over 1 million vines on the steepest slopes in the Rheingau with 150 acres planted on over a 35% pitch. Their <a href="http://kloster-eberbach.de/en/hotel-gastronomy">onsite restaurant as well as several lodging options</a> make lingering a bit longer all the more attractive.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/henkellcollage-e1490471642382.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/henkellcollage-e1490471642382.jpg?width=1401" width="1200" alt="henkellcollage-e1490471642382.jpg?width=1401" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="https://www.henkell.com/en/sparkling-wine/">Henkell</a> -</strong> Headquarters of world renowned sparkling wine producer Henkell is just outside downtown Weisbaden. Open for tours, it boasts a grand marble hall upon entering with a rotating collection of paintings on the walls. Further exploration reveals their extensive production and bottling operation and vaunted cellars several floors below. Founded by Adam Henkell in 1832, they still to this day successfully combine the artful composition of French Cuvée with the precision consistency of German craftsmanship that's now exported to more than 100 countries.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span class="font-size-3"><em>Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit. Photos and video courtesy of Steve Mirsky, Altdeutsche Weinstube, and Park Hotel Tillmanns</em></span></blockquote></div>Greek Wines: Ancient & Intoxicating to Body & Mindhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/guide-best-greek-wines2014-09-02T00:00:00.000Z2014-09-02T00:00:00.000ZKarsten Boonehttps://tripatini.com/members/KarstenBoone<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008873671,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008873671,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="400" class="align-center" alt="9008873671?profile=original" /></a><span class="font-size-3">This year I have fallen, head over heels, for nuanced seducers and seductresses, earthily robust, sometimes slightly bubbly, always true to their origins, offering sensations of mountain and sea. Bracingly refreshing, sometimes rounded, feminine whites, powerful masculine reds: I am speaking, of course, about today’s Greek wine, much of which is made by the men and women in the photo above. Since the late 1970s Greek winemakers have reborn Greek wine. I can still find retsina a truly acquired taste, but now I find more wines that appeal across the board. </span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008873088,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008873088,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="306" class="align-right" height="221" alt="9008873088?profile=original" /></a></p><p>What I love about Greek wine is its taste of the sea, its history (Bacchus, after all, is the god of wine), its uniqueness (Greece has 330 or more indigenous varietals), and the challenge of pronunciation. What I really love about Greek wine is its nuance and the emergence of world class wine from some 630 wineries. Taste a Greek wine and you immediately are transported to the place—whether the wind-swept rocks of Santorini or the mountains of <b>Naoussa</b>, in northern Greece. Sharing California’s latitudes, fronted by the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, the wines have a crisp natural acidity, an earthy minerality. </p><p>Recently, Naoussa wineries and the Greek Agricultural Ministry invited us to try 22 wines from 13 Naoussa wineries. It would take too much to review each wine individually—rather let me tell you about some of the varietals and wineries.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008874057,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008874057,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="128" class="align-left" height="213" alt="9008874057?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Trojans Drank this Wine</strong></p><p>Start with the vines that are unique to Greece, resurrected ancient varietals and a few that have flourished for 2,000 years. On the <b>whites</b>: <b>Assyrtiko</b>, slight perfume on the nose with some grapefruit flavors, similar to Sauvignon Blanc. <b>Athiri</b>, crisp with high acidity, bringing fresh citrus flavors. <b>Malagouzia</b>, an ancient white variety with a slight muscat aroma, slight bubbles, rich and fruit filled. Similar to a sassy Arneis or Roussane.</p><p>The <b>reds</b>: start with <b>Limnio</b>—Plato’s favorite wine, Trojan soldiers in the Odyssey relaxed with this 6000-year-old red varietal. The color of ruby cabernet, tasting of ripe currants, bay leaves, pepper and cinnamon. Similar to a Nebbiolo—only more robust. Move on to <b>Xinomavro</b>—(for pronounciation, try “so no mav ro” and a memory trick: Sonoma fro—if you say it fast). This is Naoussa’s main red varietal. Depending on the vineyard and the winemaker, Xinomavro has a breadth of incarnations, from relatively light Nebbiolo styles to rich, deep, cabernet sauvignons, and spicy, rich Syrahs. </p><p>As I said, we tried more wines in two hours than anyone other than a competition judge should attempt, but it told me this: there was nary a wine I wouldn’t buy, if I could find it. The Naoussa wineries are consistently good, each producing a different variation on the vine—depending on soil and winemaker. These grapes are almost all grown on small lots, many an acre or less, so they will be combined into their final product. If you can find a <b>Xinomavro</b> or <strong>Assyrtiko</strong> from <a href="http://dalamarawinery.gr/main.php?action=open&id=1&lang=en" target="_blank">Dalamara Winery</a>, <a href="http://www.diamantakos.gr/" target="_blank">Diamatakos Estate</a>, <b><a href="http://www.elinos.gr/en/index.php" target="_blank">Elinos S.A</a></b>., <a href="http://www.chrisohoou.com/" target="_blank">Estate Chrisohoou</a>, <a href="http://www.ktimafoundi.gr/en/" target="_blank">Foundi Estate</a>, <b>Karydas Estate</b>; <b>Kelesidis Estate</b>, <a href="http://www.kiryianni.gr/" target="_blank">Kir-Yianni Estate</a>, <b>Kokkinos Stavros</b> <b>Vineyard</b>,<a href="http://www.portocarras.com/domain-porto-carras.html" target="_blank">Domanine Porto Carras</a>, <a href="http://www.wine-days.gr/en/index.htm" target="_blank">Melitzanis Winery</a>, <b>Thymiopoulos Vineyard</b>, or <a href="http://www.vaeni-naoussa.gr/en/vaeni/index.htm" target="_blank">Vaeni Naoussa Co-Op</a>, buy it. </p><p></p><p><strong>Perfect with Seafood </strong></p><p><b>Domaine Porto Carras</b> is a wine resort occupying a peninsula in northern Greece. Home to <b>Melissanthi</b> (a fresh white wine blend of Assyrtiko and Athiri), crisp, high acidity, perfect with sea food. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008874456,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="182" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008874456,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" alt="9008874456?profile=original" /></a>The peninsula has several four and five star hotels, vineyards everywhere, and world class wines, including many French varietals. </p><p>I especially liked <b>Domaine Diamantakos</b>’ 2008 Xinomavro, mildly tannic with fresh acidity, similar to a Barolo. Refreshing and earthy, aged 12 months in oak, perfect with steak, lamb or dolmas. <b>Estate Chrisohoou</b>’s 2010 Xinomavro 30 year old vines grow on the slopes near the city Naoussa. Softer tannins than the Diamantakos, reminiscent of Nebbiolo. <b>Dalamara Winery</b>’s 2011 Xinomavro is rich, deep, organic and closer to a cabernet sauvignon. </p><p>As the wine world grows even more global, I have found that indigenous Mediterranean varietals, whether Greek Athiris, Basque Txakolis, Italian Cortese, or Spanish Tempranillos invariably beckon and reward me. There are some I struggle to pronounce, but each offers the extra benefit of palate travel—cheaper than an airline ticket. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008873891,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008873891,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="172" class="align-full" height="154" alt="9008873891?profile=original" /></a></p></div>The Widest Diversity of French Wines Comes From Roussillonhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/wine-roussillon-france2017-01-15T20:31:23.000Z2017-01-15T20:31:23.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rousillion-1024x505.png" target="_blank"><img width="659" class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rousillion-1024x505.png?width=659" alt="rousillion-1024x505.png?width=659" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Surrounded by mountains and numerous topographical features resulting from a turbulent geological past, <a href="http://winesofroussillon.com/">France's Roussillon wine region</a> is cradled in a massive amphitheater-like bowl nestled in the South of France between Spain and <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">narrow valleys spidering outward among the Pyrenees</span> and Corbières Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. Distinct micro climates, many of which have earned their own AOP certification, receive more than 320 days of sunshine per year balanced by heavy autumn rains. Combine this with soils defined by clay, limestone, schist, and gravel and you get the perfect array of terroirs seemingly custom made for the more than 23 different Roussillon grape varieties to reach their optimal potential.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rousillionwines-1024x506.png" target="_blank"><img width="1024" class="align-center" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rousillionwines-1024x506.png?width=1024" alt="rousillionwines-1024x506.png?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The best part is when winemakers get their hands on the juice crafting a bevy of elegant wines. Capitalizing on this unique patchwork of micro-terroirs, Roussillon's small community of 2,200 winemaker families, 25 cooperative cellars, and 345 private wineries produce everything from dry still wines and Vins Doux Naturels (Fortified Sweet Wines) to the classic dry reds & rosés representing 87% of the region’s exports.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DomainelaTourVielle-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="401" height="535" class="align-left" style="width:374px;height:497px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DomainelaTourVielle-768x1024.jpg?width=401" alt="DomainelaTourVielle-768x1024.jpg?width=401" /></a> <span class="font-size-3">Apparently, many of us are appreciating this value coming from a diversity of terroirs, low-yielding vines, and strictly adhered-to organic viticulture. The Roussillon's top quality bold reds have experienced a whopping 177% increase in export volume to the USA since 2010.</span></p><p></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/dom+la+tour+vieilles+pinede+collioure+languedoc+roussillon+france/2014">Domaine La Tour Vieille, Collioure Rouge La Pinede 2014</a></b></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Vineyards producing the grapes in this 75 % black Grenache 25 % Carignan blend are situated on slopes in Pyrénées foothills just as they plunge towards the Mediterranean Sea. Manual harvesting and the treading of grapes that <a href="http://www.latourvieille.com/en/">Domaine La Tour Vieille</a> sources noticeably impacts this velvety supple vintage. Entirely aged in concrete vats and bottled following harvesting in June, you get a rich cinnamon and plum on the mouth feel while black currant and cloves burst forth on the palate. Powerful tannins and minerality partner up just right delivering a sharp spicy kick to the back of the throat spreading out across the mouth defining an intense character. Pairs wonderfully with fish dishes but also promises to cellar well and evolve in boldness & structure over the coming years.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/chateausaintroch-1-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="393" height="524" class="align-right" style="width:331px;height:413px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/chateausaintroch-1-768x1024.jpg?width=393" alt="chateausaintroch-1-768x1024.jpg?width=393" /></a></span></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/st+roch+sec+kerbuccio+maury+languedoc+roussillon+france/2014">Château Saint Roch, Maury Sec 2014</a></b></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">It's a common misconception to automatically associate fortified sweet wines with the Maury appellation. The truth is that dry reds full of character like this Chateau Saint-Roch cuvée Kerbuccio are just as common. Black schist and marl soils set up an ideal growing substrate for</span> <span class="font-size-3">this 60% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre blend made with manually harvested grapes. 30% of the wine is aged in 500 litre barrels for 6 to 9 months while the rest is aged in full concrete vats. Smoky on the nose, a deep dark rich berry strongly reveals dark chocolate and tobacco on the palate. Bracing tannins give it well defined structure deeply penetrating to the core of the mouth feel while an electrifying astringency showcases the more finely tuned aspects of this bolder wine.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Bila-Haut-e1483671605303.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="391" height="439" class="align-left" style="width:293px;height:324px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Bila-Haut-e1483671605303.jpg?width=391" alt="Bila-Haut-e1483671605303.jpg?width=391" /></a></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/m+chapoutier+dom+de+bila+haut+l+esquerda+cote+du+roussillon+village+lesquerde+languedoc+france/2013">M. Chapoutier- Domaine de Bila-Haut, Côtes du Roussillon Villages L’Esquerda 2013</a></b></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">In Catalan, L’Esquerda means “fault in the rock” and as is the case with this <span lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr">Côtes du Roussillon Villages,</span> takes you to the core of Roussillon’s granitic soils by simply taking a sip. Vineyards in plateaus and hills 350m above sea level fueled by granite sand limestone soils yield a unique tasting experience with this Syrah, Grenache, Carignan blend with 10% aged in oak while the other 90% in concrete tanks. Astringency out front displays chocolate and complex berry while its multi-layered complexity makes it pair well with a wide variety of cooking styles and ingredients like salt, char, roasted vegetables, and cheeses. Consistent across the palate, pairing with foods empowers and accentuates many ingredients like a magical gravy creating a delightfully well rounded flavor experience.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/HechtBannier-768x1024.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="357" height="475" class="align-right" style="width:292px;height:335px;" src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/HechtBannier-768x1024.jpg?width=357" alt="HechtBannier-768x1024.jpg?width=357" /></a></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"></p><p lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr"><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-72388-2011-hecht-bannier-cotes-du-roussillon-villages-france">Hecht & Bannier, Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2011</a></b></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://hechtbannier.com/">Hecht & Bannier</a> owners Gregory and Francois personally visit appellations each year testing out wines for their blends ultimately selecting grapes from both cooperatives and individual highly esteemed Domaines. Not being tied by contract to any producer gives them the freedom to source from terriors that best suit their winemaking objectives including certified organic when possible. This mightily diverse Cotes du Roussillon blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Lledoner Pelut is shaped by a 3-way aging process of 30% in concrete vats, 40% in demi-muid (500 liter barrels), and 30% in oak barrels. <span lang="fr-fr" xml:lang="fr-fr">With an</span> intense ruby hue, this wine exhibits a dense mouth feel with tannins balancing a black berry fruity spiciness. A dark presence permeates the overall flavor experience with spicy grape, chocolate, and tobacco notes that linger all the way to the finish.</span></p><blockquote><span class="font-size-3"><em>Photos courtesy of Wines of Roussillon & Steve Mirsky. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting.</em></span></blockquote></div>Heading Down Under for New Zealand Wineshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/heading-down-under-for-new-zealand-wines2017-02-13T20:47:25.000Z2017-02-13T20:47:25.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/newzealandwines.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/newzealandwines.jpg?width=716" width="716" class="align-center" alt="newzealandwines.jpg?width=716" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes - rugged mountain ranges, lush rainforests, and tranquil coastlines. What you may not know is that New Zealand’s unique <em>terroir</em> yields crisp, vibrant, and lively wines reflecting the very essence of this island country. Recent harvests were not only markedly bountiful (34 percent above usual yields) but grapes were exceptionally high-quality. Small estate wineries like <a href="http://catalinasounds.co.nz/">Catalina Sounds</a>, <a href="http://www.crowded-house.co.nz/">Crowded House</a>, and <a href="http://nannygoatvineyard.co.nz/">Nanny Goat</a> were direct beneficiaries of this good fortune, and took advantage of exceptional fruit to craft the following tasty lineup:</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/catalinasoundsvineyard.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/catalinasoundsvineyard.jpg?width=733" class="align-center" width="733" alt="catalinasoundsvineyard.jpg?width=733" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/crowded+house+sauv+blanc/2015">Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc 2015</a></b></span></p><p class="western"></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size:medium;">The name Crowded House represents New Zealand's crowded yet unique Marlborough wine growing region as well as <a href="http://www.crowded-house.co.nz/">Crowded House Winery</a>'s mission to stand out in a crowded world of wine. The philosophy of winemaker Peter Jackson (no, not the filmmaking Peter Jackson)</span> <span style="font-size:medium;">is to keep it simple s</span><span style="font-size:medium;">ourcing top quality grapes from local vineyards. "I believe the most critical decision a winemaker makes is deciding when to pick. Once harvested, my role is to simply steer the fruit in the right direction in order to bes</span><span style="font-size:medium;">t express the vibrant fruit flavors that Marlborough is renowned for while respecting subtle differences as well," says Jackson.<br /> <br /></span></p><p class="western"></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Crowed-House-Sauv-Blanc-2015-1024x956.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Crowed-House-Sauv-Blanc-2015-1024x956.jpg?width=470" class="align-center" width="470" alt="Crowed-House-Sauv-Blanc-2015-1024x956.jpg?width=470" /></a></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The impact of summer drought that hit Marlborough in the summer of 2015 resulted in low crop yields but also grapes with excellent concentration and flavor. Specifically sourced from vineyards in the Wairau Valley and Southern Valleys sub regions, bright and focused aromas of guava, citrus, black currant, and sweet crushed herbs figure prominently on the nose while a solid minerality keeps the fruitiness at bay. A soft acidity with tart citrus lingers on the palate with well balanced astringency carrying the fruit flavors to a long pure finish. Equally enjoyable paired or on its own.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/nannygoatvineyard.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/nannygoatvineyard.jpg?width=609" class="align-center" width="609" alt="nannygoatvineyard.jpg?width=609" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-18812-2015-catalina-sounds-sauvignon-blanc-marlborough-new-zealand">Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc 2015</a></b></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Inspired by the majestic Catalina amphibious flying boats that played a vital role across the South Pacific during and after World War II, Catalina Sounds Winery wanted to evoke a lofty New Zealand historical icon in its branding. In fact, the winery <a href="http://www.nzcatalina.org.nz/">helps sponsor the maintenance and display</a> of several originals for posterity.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/catalinasounds-e1486262097735.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/catalinasounds-e1486262097735.jpg?width=711" class="align-center" width="711" alt="catalinasounds-e1486262097735.jpg?width=711" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">In the spirit of revering the majestic grace of this plane as it once flew over Marlborough Sounds, <a href="http://catalinasounds.co.nz/">Catalina Sounds Winery</a>'s production steps outside the norm to showcase the purity and vibrancy that the region's climate and landscape are naturally blessed with. Drought conditions again produced low yields but excellent flavor concentration. Sourced predominantly from their Sound of White vineyard in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley, this vintage showcases a restrained yet powerful aromatic mix of herbal notes complemented by a well balanced minerality giving structure to the fruit. Tart apple and sweet fruit meet their match in this palate pleaser that's astringent on the finish. Makes a notable golden flourish in the glass while swirling.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/newzealandvintner.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/newzealandvintner.jpg?width=732" width="732" class="align-center" alt="newzealandvintner.jpg?width=732" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/catalina+sound+pinot+noir+marlborough+new+zealand/2015">Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir 2015</a></b></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">This Pinot blends 55 percent of its fruit from Sound of White vineyard and the remainder from Omaka Valley's Clayridge Vineyard. Fruit for this one is hand-harvested and de-stemmed into open fermenters. "Hot barrel ferments" are then drained into new French oak barriques, producing an essence of savory char. "Our growing season was dry, warm, and long, without excessive heat making it ideal for elegant flavor development while retaining natural acidity," says winemaker Peter Jackson. "Once harvested, the parcels were gently handled and really left to themselves to express each vineyard site as clearly and as naturally as possible. Ten months of oak aging afforded the wine time to soften and integrate prior to blending and bottling."</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/crowdedhousevintners.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/crowdedhousevintners.jpg?width=464" class="align-center" width="464" alt="crowdedhousevintners.jpg?width=464" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">You get a classic Pinot balance of oaky stone fruit on the nose. Its deep garnet red has an enticing mix of red and dark berry fruits rising to the forefront with gentle dried herb notes in the background, soft lingering tannins, and a rich well defined bramble berry with mild spiciness and a slightly salty touch evoking Marlborough Sounds surf and breezes. <b><a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/nanny+goat+pinot+noir+central+otago+new+zealand/2014">Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014</a></b> Named after the nimble and sure footed wild goats that roam the mountainous terrain of Central Otago, <a href="http://nannygoatvineyard.co.nz/">Nanny Goat Vineyard</a>'s mission reflects their determination to adapt and thrive in the rugged terrain and extreme climates that shape the vineyards' terroir.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Nanny-Goat-Pinot-Noir-2015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Nanny-Goat-Pinot-Noir-2015.jpg?width=512" class="align-center" width="512" alt="Nanny-Goat-Pinot-Noir-2015.jpg?width=512" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Winemaker Alan Peters-Oswald sources grapes from New Zealand's Central Otago region, giving this lightly oaked Pinot a deep ruby with a youthful purple hue on the rim. Numerous small parcels of fruit were hand harvested and then fermented using indigenous yeast with the cap plunged three times daily at its peak ensuring gentle extraction of color and tannin. Twenty percent of the ten-month oak maturation takes place in new French oak barriques, with the remainder in one- to five-year old. You are greeted on the nose with suggestions of bramble and spice, gradually opening up to reveal more subtle floral notes complemented by mellow tannins with a fruit forward smooth drinking appeal. Rich darker elements of black cherry and plum linger long on the palate.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span class="font-size-3"><em><br /> <span class="font-size-1">Photos courtesy of Crowded House, Catalina Sounds, & Nanny Goat Vineyards. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting.<br /> <br /></span></em></span></blockquote></div>A Toast to Spain's Ribera del Duero Wine Countryhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/a-toast-to-spain-s-ribera-del-duero-wine-country2016-12-30T15:00:00.000Z2016-12-30T15:00:00.000ZIberia Airlineshttps://tripatini.com/members/IberiaAirlines<div><p><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3261/2550977179_bfc65e6e8b_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3261/2550977179_bfc65e6e8b_b.jpg?width=1024" width="1024" class="align-center" alt="2550977179_bfc65e6e8b_b.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p><br /> It’s that time of year again: <em>la vendimia</em>, the harvesting of grapes in various parts of Spain, from Jerez to Rioja and Rías Baixas to Penedés. And north of Madrid, winding 115 kilometres (miles) through the heart of the region of <strong>Castile-Leon</strong> (and of the entire Iberian peninsula, for that matter), the Duero River traces a route through not only some of Spain’s finest vineyards, but some extraordinary cultural, historic, and natural heritage. In short, a European wine country package par excellence.<br /> <br /> <span id="more-4910"></span></p><p>Bridging the provinces of <strong>Segovia</strong>, <strong>Burgos</strong>, <strong>Soria</strong>, and <strong>Valladolid</strong> and including more than 30 wineries as well as historic villages and towns of golden stone (most central of which is counted Aranda del Duero, in Burgos), home to many dozens of distinguished monument and museums as well as a lovely variety of lodgings, restaurants, and spas.<br /></p><p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/An_underground_wine_cave_in_Aranda_de_Duero_-_Spain.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/An_underground_wine_cave_in_Aranda_de_Duero_-_Spain.jpeg" class="align-center" alt="An_underground_wine_cave_in_Aranda_de_Duero_-_Spain.jpeg" /></a></p><p><br /> Highlights include Valladolid province’s exquisite 12th-century <strong>Santa María de </strong>Valbuena Abbey and another, the Augustinian <strong>Santa María de La Vid</strong> in the province of Burgos; the 16th-century <strong>Collegiate Church of our Lady of the Assumption</strong> in <strong>Roa de Duero</strong>, Burgos; majestic, crenellated <strong>Peñafiel Castle</strong> with its <strong><a href="http://www.turismopenafiel.com/recurso.php?m=3&nv=0&id=208&lang=en" target="_blank">Provincial Wine Museum</a> </strong>(top); <strong>Haza</strong>‘s evocative ruins of castle and town walls; the 16th-century Plateresque <strong>Avellaneda Palace</strong> of the counts of Miranda in <strong>Peñaranda de Duero</strong>; the mediaeval underground wine caves of <strong>Caleruega </strong>and<strong> Aranda </strong>(above); <span> the </span><strong><a href="http://www.parquedelalana.com/interior.php" target="_blank">Sheepswool Interpretations Centre</a></strong><span> near the Burgos town of <strong>La Horra</strong>; Soria’s </span><strong><a href="http://www.parqueromanico.com/principal/" target="_blank">Romanesque Theme Park</a></strong><span>, (a project centred on the regions rich heritage of Romanesque architecture); and the </span><strong>Hoces del Río Riaza Nature Reserve </strong><span>in northeast Segovia.<br /> <br /></span></p><p>And of course as you would expect in a land that produces such luscious fine wine, the eating is exceptional in these parts. The Ribera del Duero reds and rosés make a perfect pairing for the local suckling lamb, prepared in woodburning ovens, as well as its savoury sausages, its roasted peppers, <em>sopa castellana</em> (Castillian garlic soup), mushroom scrambled eggs, roast lamb cutlets with vine shoots, game dishes of rabbit hare, and pheasant; and sweets such as <em>empiñonados</em> (almond and pine nut cookies); creme-filled puff pastry; and <em>yemas</em> (a kind dense tartlet based on egg yolks).</p><p><br /> Fall of course is a spectacular time to visit (as is spring), though really this is one of those regions where every season has its charms. But when planning a visit you might want to pay special attention to the local festival calendar (see website below), like for example Semana Santa (Easter week) in Roa and Aranda del Duero; August’s San Roque and Assumption festivals in Roa; Mediaeval Week in San Esteban de Gormaz; and Fiesta Romana in Baños de Baldearados, Burgos, celebrated in August in honour of the Roman god of wine Bacchus.</p><p><em><br /> More information in English: <a href="http://www.rutadelvinoriberadelduero.es/ingles/inicio.html" target="_blank">www.RutadelVinoRiberadelDuero.es</a>.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><span class="font-size-1"><em>photos | <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/freakland/2550977179/sizes/l" target="_blank">David Sanz</a>, <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_underground_wine_cave_in_Aranda_de_Duero_-_Spain.jpeg" target="_blank">David Adam Kess</a> </em></span></p><p><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-1"><em>from our blog <a href="http://love2fly.iberia.com" target="_blank">Love2Fly</a></em></span><br /></p></div>Happenings in California's Temecula Valley Wine Countryhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/temecula-valley-californbia-wine-country2016-11-10T19:00:00.000Z2016-11-10T19:00:00.000ZLinda Stewarthttps://tripatini.com/members/LindaStewart<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009097066,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009097066,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="566" class="align-center" height="145" alt="9009097066?profile=original" /></a>Members of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) gathered in the Temecula Valley for their SoCal regional area meeting to showcase two area wineries. We had lunch and a winery tour at Mount Palomar Winery and we visited Europa Village to learn about the progress of the future Europa Village Wineries, Resort and Spa.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009096699,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009096699,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="145" class="align-left" height="181" alt="9009096699?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009097498,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009097498,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="228" class="align-left" height="182" alt="9009097498?profile=original" /></a><strong>Annata Bistro/Bar, Mount Palomar’s</strong> full-service bar and restaurant, opened in 2015. Italian for vintage, Annata has lovely views of the valley; serves lunch during the week, and dinner Friday through Sunday; and offers live music and dinner special events. We were treated to fabulous starters of hummus, marinated olives, and lamb and beef kabobs served with a marvelous flavorful tzatziki sauce. That certainly could have been a meal for us, but we joyfully continued with our choice of entrees. I selected the steak and fries. My perfectly cooked medium rare steak was topped with fresh sautéed mushrooms and Alfredo sauce, perched on a lake of demi-glace. The fries were served with a tasty truffle aioli. A pomegranate martini and ginger crush cocktail complemented our delicious meal.<br /> <br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009098467,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009098467,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="193" class="align-right" height="193" alt="9009098467?profile=original" /></a></p><p>James Rutherford, Mount Palomar’s winemaker, gave us a tour of the barrel room. He reminded us of the complexity of the differences between red and white wines. More than the color, it’s the process of the winemaking that brings out their individual characteristics. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009099252,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009099252,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="147" class="align-left" height="184" alt="9009099252?profile=original" /></a>Rutherford comes from a distinguished pedigree of vintners and winemakers. His family roots are from the first settlers and winemakers in the Napa Valley, and the town names of Rutherford and Yountville pay homage to this legacy. There are 25 wine grape varietals grown on the Mount Palomar estate, and in their tasting room you will find 20 of these varietals available for your enjoyment. For cream sherry aficionados, Mount Palomar makes the fortified dessert wine in whiskey barrels using the traditional Solara process, whereby the longer aged wine is continually blended with newer aged wine. This “fractional blending” in an outdoor setting creates the sherry’s creamy butterscotch and rich nutty flavors. </p><p>Visit <a href="https://www.mountpalomarwinery.com/trips">https://www.mountpalomarwinery.com/trips</a> to receive a two-for-one wine-tasting coupon good Monday through Thursday.</p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009099292,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009099292,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="250" class="align-right" height="200" alt="9009099292?profile=original" /></a><strong>Europa Village</strong> has a remarkable cultural concept and imaginative vision to create three separate Old World-Style wineries, based on the romantic wine regions of France (C’est La Vie Winery), Spain (Bolero Cellars), and Italy (Vienza Winery). General manager John Goldsmith along with Dean Thomas, Europa Inn chef; Ben Drake, vineyard manager; and Gregg English agent du vin, reported to our group on the progress of the resorts and spa reality while we sampled some of Europa’s exceptional wine.</p><p>Construction has begun to prepare the land for the three winery resorts, which will include an Italian hotel villa and European spa. Chef Dean has been busy creating extraordinary farm-to-table fare for the Inn at Europa and gourmet dinners for Europa Village special events from the bounty harvested from the garden at Peltzer Farms. Along with planning cooking classes and technique courses, Chef Dean is excited about Europa’s future culinary plans for several professional kitchens and European deli. </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296618493,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296618493,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="170" class="align-left" height="212" alt="9296618493?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009100661,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009100661,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="164" class="align-left" height="205" alt="9009100661?profile=original" /></a>Among the wines we tasted: Annabel Brut sparkling wine, which is named after the mother of owner Dan Stephenson. Knowing this lively, bubbly, floral effervescent wine is a loving memorial makes it all the sweeter to drink. C’est La Vie Viognier has that lovely floral nose and herbal peach flavor. Vienza Vendetta, a Super Tuscan blend of 70-percent Sangiovese and 30-percent Cabernet Sauvignon, is a rich, spicy, berry wine and would be perfect to serve at a barbeque. Bolero Cellars Tempranillo has a rich cherry flavor that makes it the supreme accompaniment to Spanish tapas.</p><p><br /> Check out Europa Village’s website for more information: <a href="http://www.europavillage.com/visit/">http://www.europavillage.com/visit/</a></p><p></p></div>Ranches Fit For A Royal Tourhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/ranches-fit-for-a-royal-tour2016-09-26T20:11:18.000Z2016-09-26T20:11:18.000ZSam Wardhttps://tripatini.com/members/SamWard<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009091674,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009091674,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009091674?profile=original" /></a></p><p><span>With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touring British Columbia this week, Canada expert Ranch Rider has put a horsey twist on the royal itinerary, the activities at its handpicked list of BC ranches mirroring those on William and Kate’s schedule. </span></p><p><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092277,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092277,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009092277?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p>The Yukon also features on the famous foursome’s regal calendar, and as the tour operator offers add on fly drives to “The Land of the Midnight Sun,” adventurers can expect an action packed 2017 Ranch Rider holiday in the Great White North.</p><p><span><span>Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider comments, “Our Canada collection has been popular with UK travellers over the 2016 ranch season, but this being Princess Charlotte’s royal tour debut, BC could soon be taking the top slot on our 2017 bookings list.</span></span></p><p><span><span>Known as ‘Super, Natural British Columbia,' the province is blessed with amazing geographical diversity, which means there is an equally amazing variety of places to see and things to do. From cosmopolitan Vancouver, once described as “Manhattan with mountains,” to its rainforest, desert and snow capped peaks. Our ranch holidays allow guests to discover the beauty of British Columbia, view its abundant wildlife and share its rich tapestry of cultures, the royal tour opening up a whole new world of possibilities for adventurers.”</span></span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092652,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092652,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009092652?profile=original" /></a></p><p>William and Kate will be travelling to Bella Bella to explore the Great Bear Rainforest: the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world home to the Kermode Bears (Spirit Bears).</p><p><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/chilcotin-ranch/" target="_blank"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092497,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009092497?profile=original" /></a></p><p><span>Opt to hit the trail and join a BC Grizzly Bear Tracker Trip. Set off from the <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/chilcotin-ranch/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Chilcotin Guest Ranch</span></a></span></strong> on horseback; a thriving population residing in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Let your camera roll as you watch the bears from atop your mount, their behaviour completely undisturbed. <strong>Three nights from £1,650pp (two sharing)</strong> including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, transfers and taxes. Excludes gratuities left to discretion and return flight from £899pp. 2017 departures: June to October.</span></p><p><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092067,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092067,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009092067?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p><span>The Royals will also be including <strong>Okanagan wine country</strong> on their itinerary. A regular pit stop on Ranch Rider’s BC self-drives, the tour operator suggests visiting Mission Hill, the family estate world renowned for its award winning wines, stunning setting and architecture. ‘Terrace,’ its sixty-seat restaurant overlooks Lake Okanagan and was once named as one of the five best winery restaurants in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. <strong>Seven night self drive in British Columbia <span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/self-drive/british-columbia-option-1/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;">from £659pp</span></a></span> (two sharing)</strong> including accommodation and car hire.</span></p><p><span><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/siwash-lake-ranch/" target="_blank"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009092885,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009092885?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p><span>Alternatively, book a six night stay at the <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/siwash-lake-ranch/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Siwash Lake Luxury Guest Ranch</span></a></span></strong>, in south central British Columbia, and soar across the skies on an optional ‘heli-wine’ tour. Fly due west over to the mighty Fraser River, then follow it south; steep valley walls, hoodoos, Jack Jones Rapids and golden grasslands viewed from above. Wine tasting at the Fort Berens Winery in Lillooet is included part way through the adventure. Located at the start of the province’s historic Gold Rush Trail, the town is situated in one of British Columbia’s newest emerging wine regions. </span></p><p><span><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/siwash-lake-ranch/" target="_blank"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296617854,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9296617854?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p>A regular haunt for ‘foodies,’ enjoy unlimited riding across the ranch’s 80,000 acres and pack a gourmet lunch in your saddle bag. At the end of the trail expect five star dining complete with a choice of vintage wines. <strong>Six nights from £5,140pp (two sharing)</strong> including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £235 and return flight from £899pp. 2017 departures: June to October.</p><p><span>Before departing Canada, William and Kate will return to British Columbia to visit Haida Gwaii. Formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, the archipelago located off the Northwest coast of British Columbia is one of the richest biological and cultural areas in North America. a canoe trip and visit to ancient Haida villages on the royal itinerary.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/echo-valley-ranch/" target="_blank"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009093492,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009093492?profile=original" /></a></p><p><span>You can also combine cultural tours and water based adventures at the <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><a href="http://www.ranchrider.com/ranches/echo-valley-ranch/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Echo Valley Ranch & Spa</span></a></strong></span>, the property located in Canada’s Cariboo wilderness. Go white water rafting on the legendary Thompson River and experience the thrilling Jaws of Death rapid and back at the ranch embrace First Nation’s culture with resident Gitxsan artist, Michael Blackstock. Etched into the surrounding trees, Michael’s creative works honour the living spirit of spring water. Book a tree carving tour or a take yourself on solo spiritual journey using the ranch’s self-guided booklet. <strong>Six nights from £1,367pp (two sharing)</strong> including accommodation, meals, half-day's riding each day, unlimited fly fishing, nature hikes and much more, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire and return flight from £899pp. 2017 departures: May to November.</span></p><p><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009093086,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009093086,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009093086?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p><span>Add on a self drive in British Columbia or The Yukon from £659pp (two sharing) including accommodation and car hire. </span><span><strong>Ranch Rider</strong> (01509 618811; </span><a href="http://ranchrider.com/" target="_blank">ranchrider.com</a><span>) ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>