wine tourism (63)

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

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5 Europe Bucket-List Wine Regions

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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.

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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

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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

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In Mexico, Good Wine? You Bet, Amigos

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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

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Port Houses & Events in Porto, Portugal

Tourists who are intending to do tourism in Portugal generally complaints about scarcity of reference materials. However, there is information about tourism in Portugal that are scattered around the web in small blocks especially when it comes to Porto Portugal attractions. It is not easy to switch from one website to another to gather as many information about Porto Portugal attractions. Nevertheless, there are of course some websites and blogs that publish useful information just about tourism

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Santi Moscato: More Than A Dessert Wine

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I'm always impressed when a wine visually reflects its terroir. You actually begin getting to know it just by pouring. My most recent instance of this was when I tasted Santi Moscato Montedoro 2010. Santi Moscato grapes are grown in Italy's Trentino region on foothills of the Dolomite Mountains. The word “Montedoro” is derived from the golden hue reflected on the pointed spires of these mountains at sunset.

Upon first taste, this wine has enough sugar to lull you into the assumption that it can o

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Muscadine: Southern U.S. Wine at Its Best

muscadinestillpond-300x224.jpg?width=300Muscadine is a type of grape mostly indigenous to the Southeastern United States but also found from Delaware down to Georgia and as far west as Texas. Not only do they grow best in humid climates within this region, their distillation into wine is exclusive to this area as well. The first European settlers in America were introduced to Muscadine by the Natives. Sir Walter Raleigh is considered the first in 1584 and the “Mother Vine” is still living today on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

Also k

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Who would know that there are still some wine regions and vintners in France that American’s don’t know enough about? I do now, and soon you will too. I got an intriguing email on a Monday evening asking if I’d like to come meet one of the most influential and visionary French vintners -- Gerard Bétrand – on his turf – in the South of France., and by the way would I like to attend his annual Jazz Festival while I was there? The catch was… I would need to drop everything and hop on a plane in 24

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Far Out Wineries of Paso Robles, California

So what do you get when you take a handful of diverse people like chefs, photographers, investment bankers,  hippies, actors,  financiers, studio drummers, brew masters, wine importers, engineers, developers, and an attorney-- place them on land in the gnarly limestone hills west of Paso Robles… and let each one craft their own unique vision of the perfect wine experience?  Well, in short, you get the Far Out Wineries group, and it is my recommendation you start planning your trip now.

 

When I fi

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9296545883?profile=originalThe Wine Seekers' Guide to the Livermore Valley, by Tom Wilmer was not written for the wine snob. The book is aimed at those of us who don't understand the intricacies of the grape. I found the guide provided clear and helpful information in an easy to read format.

The book serves as the first exclusive guide to this little-known California wine region, introducing more than forty wineries, the owners and winemakers, and their superb wines. The paperback makes it easy to plan a tour as it provide
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Mancation - On Becoming Unforgettable to Her

OK, this will border on being a relationship advice column. Those who know me will say that I am the last person to ask for advice. I respond that every dog has its day.

I have discovered the perfect gift for your special person. If this can't get you out of the doghouse, then it is over.

Near Buellton, at Highway 246 off the famous California Highway 101, is a road going into the beautiful La Purisima Hills. At the top lives a persevering woman that established from nothing the Gypsy Canyon Viney

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Italy, The Best Selling Destination in Europe

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Recommend Magazine, one of the leading travel trade publications of North America, recently issued their 14th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, in which Italy was, for the 6th year, awarded as the Best Selling Destination in Europe.
“We are honored to have received this recognition once again,” says Ricardo Strano, North American director of the Italian Government Tourist Board. “While I, of course, believe Italy to be the most charming and interesting destination in the world, it is nice to be the
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La Jolla Wine Tours

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Where are La Jolla’s best restaurants?

Our eclectic food and wine scene can be a bit overwhelming for the first time visitor, but Shira Wiseman will be happy to help you get the lay of the land.

This local foodie offers culinary walking tours of the village and, in the process, helps fellow San Diegans and out-of-towners find our best food and wine gems.

Her three-hour excursions include four to five stops, including local restaurants, a purveyor of chocolates, and a little-known source for gourme

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My Favorite Tastings at Sun Wine Fest 2011

9008591462?profile=originalThis past weekend’s Sun Wine Fest at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Casino was a bonanza of top chefs demonstrating their skills on stage to packed audiences, a surprising variety of beer & liquor tastings, and of course a vast treasure trove of wine sampling. My strategy for this 2-day event was to spend Saturday roaming at will without an itinerary. I wanted to give myself the “kid-in-the-candy shop” experience first and then get more focused on specific brands on Sunday. This turned out to be smar
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Mendoza's Gay Vendimia (Wine Festival) in March

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Located in the Andes mountain range of Argentina, Mendoza is a year-round vacation destination. Renowned globally for being the capital of Argentina's wine making industry----especially the renowned Malbecs---Mendoza is also a center for skiing in the higher peaks during July, August, and September. The annual Vendimia wine festival in March is the highlight of the year with festivities for all ages and a spe

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Sparkling Champagne Meets Lively Paris

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNUpl-GKCX1YyDTDWYJEw8m5ZZIJm0_-UIY05ac0dXz_zG-V1SWine appreciation has reached new heights in Paris, producing a region prolific in wine bars, champagne tasting workshops at prestigious Parisian wine merchants, and other popular champagne-related activities.

Hervé Rousseau opened the Flûte l’Étoile in Paris after testing his restaurant concept in the New York with two Flûte bars. His recipe includes a lounge atmosphere that gives guest a VIP welcome, great finger foods, exciting and diverse venues and both charitable and educational events.
Cust
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New Mexico Wineries Tours

Those of you who are planning on visiting New Mexico or live in the area and want to try a day out of testing wines can do so when they take a tour of the New Mexico wineries.
There are many NM wineries located all over the state of the New Mexico,
many of which are located in the Albuquerque area. If you are looking
for a way to sample the best wines in this region, then you owe it to
yourself to check out the local New Mexico wineries to see which is the best wine for you.

When you visit the NM win

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You have to love a wine tasting adventure that is nestled between a national forest and the sparkly Pacific Ocean. A destination that doesn’t get the proper respect it deserves yet continues to strive to showcase its fine wineries, classic beach culture, and amazing culinary scene. When you can just hop in the car for a short drive from the LA, Inland Empire, or San Diego area, experience year round temps in the 70’s, and take an easy, breezy 2 -day break… what could possibly be keeping you back

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I have a tale of two cities to share with you today. This is a tale of a city by the sea and at the same time a city that stretches into gentle foothills and rugged mountains. A city whose reputation is built on fine wines, culinary greatness, and adventure- based activities that range from the urban divine, to the salty ocean, to the rolling mountains. You might come for the Pinot as I did, but you’ll leave touched by the style and grace of a user-friendly community that is at the top of its ga

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