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Barili Cellars of Washington State

Sometimes “smaller is better” when it comes to crafting limited amounts of premium wine. Serious wine lovers and connoisseurs are focusing their palates towards small producers who craft superior wines in small lots, using old world techniques, with limited non-commercial technology. Barili Cellars in downtown Spokane, Washington is one of those artisan venues who create “rare treasures of bottled delights.” A visit to their u

In 1999 Paolo and Allison Domeneghetti departed careers in the fine and culinary arts to focus on a unified passion of

bringing the best spirits to market using sustainable partnerships with producers and suppliers. Since then they haven't looked back adhering to their philosophy that culture, art and science are equally expressed through wine and spirits. The craft of production reveals just as much heritage as the way it may taste on the palate. Time honored traditions and just the right ingred

2012 Gay Vendimia

By Roy Heale

Mendoza is the fourth largest city in Argentina with a population of approximately one million people. It is the acclaimed capital of Agentina's wine industry and famous for the Malbec vintage. Mendoza is nestled in the foothills of the Andes, about 1000 meters above sea level and is also a center for skiing in the nearby mountain peaks during July, August, and September. Attractive streetscapes, the beautiful parks and lakes, and pulsing nightlife are establishing

I love Sauvignon Blanc in all its forms, but I especially enjoy the New Zealand style. So when marketing rep Catherine Seda recently sent me a sample of the Mt Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc to try, I quickly ripped open the mailer and threw the wine in the wine refir to chill it down a bit.

I know Sauvignon Blanc works well with many appetizers, including cheese and vegetable trays. Its crisp, herb, citrus and mineral-nuanced flavors are usually perfect with light salads or meals that have green

How hard can it be when just the two of you want to get away? No kids to pack for or consider…just stuff your essentials into a duffel bag and you’re off to reliving the passion of your first dates or honeymoon…right? Well maybe at first flush it seems that easy until you check into your hotel room and ultimately get down to deciding what to do. I’m assuming you were spontaneous enough not to bother with pre-trip research or formulating an itinerary. After all, it’s only the two of you with the

In the town of Barolo in the Piedmont region of Italy (©MRandin)

In his novel Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts wrote that “The Indians are the Italians of Asia”.

At first I thought that Roberts’ words were a liberal stretch of the imagination. But after various visits to Italy, I’ve come to realise that the two countries have more in common than just the enigmatic Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

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(L to R) Buzz Olson, Kimberly Olson, Etienne Cowper

It’s really cool when I get to spend some quality time with a really smart winemaker. Such was the case when I sat down with Etienne Cowper, winemaker for Tesoro Winery in Temecula Valley to talk a bit about him, the wines he loves, the region he is such an integral part of, and his summer releases.

Etienne has been a winemaker here, there and everywhere: New Mexico, Napa, and Temecula Valley to name a few. He’s worked at large wineries and small

A unique wine tasting phenomenon is going on in the Temecula Valley Wine Country, located about an hour north of San Diego.  While it’s not surprising that the wine aficionados here get together and drink good wine, eat good food, and discuss what they’re eating and drinking, it is interesting that there are several organized groups that meet not just for socialization but for the specific purpose of tasting and reviewing wines from all over the country and the world.  These groups are organized

The Moscatel of Setubal

Portugal is one of the most renowned producers of wine in the world and this large area of Setubal, influenced by proximity of the sea, soil poverty, and by low productions is the cradle of the famous Moscatel.

This large are of Setubal, influenced by the proximity of the sea, soil poverty and by the low productions is the cradle of the Moscatel. The Moscatel wine obtained from the Setubal peninsular region is constituted by the liquerous casta or grape variety.

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Undoubtedly the best way to experience other countries and cultures is to visit them in person. But no need to despair if lack of cash or time have you restrained! Virtual travel is alive and well especially with our ever burgeoning technological advances. But don’t just bury your head in your tablet or smart phone vicariously living off other traveler experiences. Create your own cultural journey by tasting it. Buy some Fleur de Sel salt harvested by hand off the coast of Brittany, sprinkle on

Most of the tourists visiting California are young and enthusiastic youths and they love to hang-out at a peaceful and lovely spots. Here are those secret destinations one can visit in California Tours.

1. Pacific Grove - Near Monterey

Pacific Grove is a coastal city located between Point Pinos and Monterey. It is known as America’s last hometown and is filled with Victorian type homes. Pacific Grove contains several habitat types including marine, littoral, pine forest and mixed oak woodland. The

California is one of the most popular tourist destinations when one is visiting The Unite States. The climatic condition is great and it has plenty of attractions for which the tourists flock to this beautiful state. There are numerous choices regarding the places one can visit. This west coast state boasts of thousands of travelers year round. Gorgeous beaches, national parks, waterfalls, the list of California tours just does not end and hence it is one the admirable tourist destinations in th

If an earthquake had started shaking southern California on a recent Sunday night, we might not have felt it at the Thornton Winery, in the Temecula Valley Wine Country, where guests were doing their own kind of shaking to the spirited, heartfelt beat of jazz saxophonist and singer, Mindi Abair. With her high energy vibe, Mindi was the ideal musician to launch Thornton Winery’s 24th Annual Champagne Jazz Series. Mindi and her talented band had everyone on their feet clapping, dancing and singing

Who doesn’t dream of tasting some of the best wines in the world in the very vineyards where the grapes are grown? Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a wine lover or simply wine-curious, you’ll find that there’s something for everyone in these European wine regions.

Loire Valley, France

The Loire Valley, with its magnificent châteaux and gardens, is one of the most beautiful parts of France. It is also one of the country’s most diverse wine regions, producing all types of wine: red, white, ros

If you are surfing the net looking for holiday ideas then you can stop right now as I have them! Just a short flight time from the UK and you can be in the beautiful country of Portugal. Apart from the obvious attractions which are great beaches and warm ocean waters, Portugal has a holiday type that will satisfy any traveller plus they are in the same time zone to the UK so no jet lagged felt here!

Wine Lovers:

Portugal has over 25 wine regions, spreading from the north right down to the south. Y

Winery sign post , Old Redwood Highway , Road to Healdsburg

Just a short drive from San Francisco from and you've entered a new world. In fact, drive 45 minutes north, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and you'll be in Sonoma County. Not sure if I've traveled across the Atlantic and landed in Tuscany. No, but Sonoma Counties wine country, rivals any in the world, and does have a "Tuscan" feel.

Sonoma County many times takes a back seat to it's "big brother" to the east, the Napa Valley. While Napa is

What, surprised? Yep, it’s true that Mexico’s about more than tequila and beer. In fact, vino here dates back to the 16th century, when vines were brought over from Spain – so never mind Argentina and Chile, Mexico is where this hemisphere’s wine heritage was sown, and the Western Hemisphere’s oldest winery, Casa Madero, is still in operation after 432 years. For various reasons – including, in the last century, the disruptions of the Mexican Revolution, and the beer and tequila preferences of