Wine

Iraklio Wine Region

Posted by golfkat on May 17, 2023
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One of the primary reasons for visiting Crete is the Iraklio (Heraklion) Wine Region.

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and produces some of the most notable wines in Greece. The wine region is regarded as a top wine region in Greece, producing great wines that must be sampled. The region is home to almost two-thirds of Crete’s vineyards. The Heraklion wine area accounts for 80% of overall wine production in Crete. To discover this unique region, the territory is divided into four different PDOs and two major wine routes. The Minoan Megaron, one of the world’s oldest wine presses, is located in the deserted village of Vathypetro near Peza. In the Heraklion wine region, you are never too far away from a local winery. 

Heraklion is the largest city on the island of Crete, located in southeast Greece. The Aegean Sea surrounds the wine area from the north and south. Lassithi is located to the east, and Rethymnon is located to the west. To make it easier for visitors, the wineries are coordinated, and there are road signs along the wine route. The majority of the wineries are concentrated near Archanes, Peza, and Dafnoneno. Wine tourism is thriving in the Heraklion wine region, allowing visitors to interact with local wineries and get to know the region better. Some prominent sights along the wine routes are the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum at Myrtia, the Monastery of Agarathos, and Saint George Epanosifi.

The wines of Crete are among some of the most prestigious drinks in the Greek market. And there are more wine varieties than you can count. Wherever you go in Crete, you won’t be far from a local winery, especially in the region of Heraklion. Keep reading to discover the top wineries in Heraklion.  Liatiko, Dafni, Muscat of Spina, Malvasia di Candia, Pluto, Romeiko, Vilana, Vidiano, Thrapsathiri, Athiri, Kotsifali, and Mandilaria are the most common grape types in the Heraklion wine area. Cabernet Sauvignon is another foreign grape variety grown in Heraklion. White wines are often dry, with rich scents of sweet apple and apricot, as well as a fruity aftertaste, and are ideally served as a summer wine.

I am taking a combination tour of Knossus and Iraklio.

There are more than 11 distinctive local grape varieties and they all play a role in raising the profile of Cretan wines.  Most of the wines produced on the island, especially, on the west side are fresh and aromatic white wines. Vidiano, for instance, a rising Cretan wine is often referred to as a Greek Viognier.  Two of the most popular red wines from local varieties are Kostifali and Mandilari. They are often blended, though we did try them as single varieties

There are four Protected Designation of Origin areas in Heraklion that can be split into two wine routes: Archanes (reds) and Peza (whites and reds) on the road south-east beyond Knossos; Dafnes (reds) on the road southwest towards Phaistos; and Malvasia Handakas – Candia (whites) found along both routes.

I will let you know if the wine here is better than the mainland or Santorini.

What about Valentine’s Day?

Posted by golfkat on February 14, 2023
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February 14th must be more than cards, flowers, and candy.  And who is St. Valentine, and what is the Valentine’s Day massacre?  Though it sounds a little like my pal Andy Rooney, it might be interesting to find out why this day is what it is.  It is celebrated in a big way in Southeast Asia, as we found out firsthand.  Most restaurants are decorated, stores are full of special gifts, and people seem to step a little lighter on this day.

Valentine’s Day was named after two early Christian martyrs, both named Valentine.  It was Geoffrey Chaucer who began to associate it with love, romance, and courting.  Since the 19th century, handwritten notes evolved into greeting cards, heart shaped gifts, and flowers.  But the Greeting Card Association estimates that one billion cards are sent each year worldwide!!!  And you ladies beware  there are 119 males in their 20’s for every 100 females of the same age.  It is higher for Hispanics and Asians, lower for Blacks.  There are only 34 men aged 65 and over for every 100 women of the same age.

The Valentines that are honored are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Turni.  Over the years of history, myth, confusion, and church declarations, a tradition was born or should we say developed.  More confusing is that one of the Valentines sent the first valentine to himself!  He may have become a patron saint through self-promotion, depending on which story is believable.  But both ancient Roman and Christian scholars lay claim to its origin.

The most plausible story is that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Cupid is the most famous of Valentine symbols and everybody knows that boy armed with bow and arrows, and
hearts . He is known as a mischievous, winged child armed with bow and arrows. The arrows signify desires and emotions of love, and Cupid aims those arrows at Gods and Humans, causing them to fall deeply in love. Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of love and lovers. In ancient Greece he was known as Eros, the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. To the Roman’s he was Cupid, and his mother was Venus.

The massacre is the name given to the death of seven people during the Prohibition era in Chicago and battles between Al Capone on the South Side(Italians), and Bugs Moran on the North Side(Irish).  It was a complex plan by Capone to eliminate competition and may involve contract hit men from elsewhere.  The only survivor was a German Shepherd.  Shortly after, Moran, who suffered a tremendous blow, lost considerable influence, and in 1931, Capone was convicted of income tax evasion.

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

My first memories of Valentine’s Day were as a schoolboy.  My Mom bought a package of Valentines for us to take to school.  At our school, we made a large paper envelope or mail bag, complete with hearts and other decorations.  We exchanged Valentines on Feb 14, and the classroom other brought cookies or cupcakes, along with some red fruit punch.  I don’t think I got involved in flowers and candy until I was well into my college years.

I would imagine that the schools would try to downplay the day as a religious holiday now.  But I recall this day contained much anticipation and excitement for us.  I am happy that the school authorities allowed us to celebrate as we did.

Internet dating employs over 4300 people and pulls in $489 million in revenues.  2.2 million marriages take place each year in the U.S., which is 6000 per day.  Per capita consumption of candy in the U.S. was 25.7 pounds in 2004, although it is slowly declining.  There are 21,667 florists nationwide, employing over 100,000 people.  There are over 28,000 jewelry stores in the U.S. And Loveland, Colorado is the most famous postmark for a V Day card.

The most famous quotation:  How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  Popular movies for V Day are  Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Roman Holiday, From Here To Eternity, Dr. Zhivago, The English Patient, When Harry Met Sally, and Shakespeare In Love.  According to retail statistics, Americans spend $30 million per year on Valentine’s Day.  So, go get your flowers, candy, chocolates, and diamonds before it’s all gone!  Frommer lists the Inn at Torrey Pines (La Jolla), Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Costa Rican rainforest,  Vancouver, The Bahamas, Maine, Molokai, Barcelona, Patagonia and Boston as the most popular for V Day.

As adults, the famous love couples seem to get special attention:  Bogie and Bacall, Romeo and Juliet, Taylor and Burton, Woodward and Newman, Pinkett and Smith, Antony and Cleopatra, Parker and Barrow, Luci and Desi, Jackie and John, Josephine and Napoleon, Eleanor and Franklin, Burns and Allen, Yoko and John.  I have mine, and I hope all of you either have or will find yours today or someday soon.

I imagine V Day must now encompass a wide variety of cards and celebrations, with LGBTQ, and other social arrangements heretofore unknown to the card and hospitality business.  But however, you celebrate, just let someone in your circle know you are thinking of them!!!

Just make it a very happy day!!!

Well, Plans Do Change

Posted by golfkat on February 2, 2023
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Food, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

My trip to the Lisboa area, and Porto are, as they say, “Up in the air” for now.  My friend has not yet closed on her beach home in Cascais, due to many issues related to closing the sale.  So, as always, I have a Plan B just in case.

So, after a few days in Munich, I will either take the train to Slovenia, then maybe on to Athens, or perhaps make a little side trip to Albania.

The train from Munich to Ljubljana is rather short, just over six hours.  And very affordable.  It takes about the same amount of time as flying.  In fact, travel experts are suggesting I fly into Venice, and take the bus!  I don’t think so!

Actually, I ended up in Lisboa on Monday.  I decided that heading south was a better idea.  The people and food in Lisbon are very interesting.  Then after stuffing myself full of lobster, and fresh seabass, I decided to fly up to Porto.

Why?  It is the home of Port wine, at one time quite a favorite.  In fact, you may remember that Mr. Mike and I chased all over the southern Portugal area for vintage ports.  It turns out that one of them, the 1963 Quinto do Noval is the envy of every port drinker in the world!!

I just did not realize Porto is the second biggest city in Portugal, and just seems too busy for my liking. I was expecting a sleepy little port village, but instead, it is the hotbed of growth and construction.

So, I am headed out of here tomorrow for Warsaw (to visit a refugee camp), Munich, then close the trip in Istanbul. 

I apologize for not sending this in November while I was in Europe (with a bad cough).  I was sick for another two weeks after returning home.

Portuguese Wine Basics

Posted by golfkat on November 11, 2022
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

First some wine basics for the region:

  1. DOC (or DOP): DOC stands for Denominação de Origem Controlada and means the wine comes from a strictly defined geographical area with recommended and permitted grapes and maximum vine yields (to control quality). Technically there are 31 DOCs in Portugal, although 3 of them overlap, making it seem more like 28.
  2. Vinho Regional (or IGP): The entirety of Portugal is divided into 14 regional wine (“vinho regional”) areas that have less strict rules for controlling which types of grapes are used as well as maximum vine yields. While this implies that the wines will not be as high quality, many creative and pioneering producers in Portugal use the Vinho Regional designation to create excellent wines using grapes or blends not allowed in DOC.
  3. Vinho (Wine): This is the most basic classification of Portuguese table wine. Chances are you won’t see this outside of Portugal.

Alentejo is among the wine regions most vulnerable to climate change, so while it still produces its famed wine, visiting it makes for a worthwhile experience. There are many grape varieties in the region as wine is among its most valuable products. Alentejo really loves its wines because they have a cork industry, too. The rich blend of Vinho do Alentejo makes it easy to understand why this region in Portugal is highly respected and why it should be protected.

Portugal’s Alentejo region boasts miles of uninterrupted beach. – Janina_PLD/Adobe Stock

When Arlindo Serrão wants time on the Portuguese coast, removed from the tourist crowds of the cities and more popular beach destinations in the country’s far south, he leaves Lisbon for a special stretch of coast in the Alentejo region.

“People are calling Alentejo ‘Europe’s best-kept secret,’ but I don’t know for how long it can remain like that,” said Serrão, founder of Portugal Dive.

Alentejo offers long stretches of uninterrupted beachfront and incredible wine and seafood without the hordes that descend on better-known beach destinations in the Algarve.

Here, just south of the Tróia Peninsula, the beach extends for nearly 28 miles and the outposts of Comporta and Melides are “the perfect places to stay and rest from everyday life,” Serrão says.

For an unspoiled stay, Sublime Comporta’s rooms, suites and villas are surrounded by pine and cork trees and towering wild dunes.

In addition to its spectacular beaches, the region is known for being Portugal’s largest wine producer as well as for having the most marked hiking trails in the country.

“For me, it’s a place of peace on a raw part of Portugal,” Serrão says.

The Douro Valley is considered the “oldest demarcated wine region,” as reported by Forbes. So impressive is its wine culture that the valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the museum, tourists should enjoy walking by the Douro River that passes through the wine region. The waterway probably helps in making Douro wines world-class, so visitors should pay a visit. The enchanting beauty of the valley is best enjoyed with a wine glass in hand and with loved ones.

Famous Wines of Portugal

Posted by golfkat on November 11, 2022
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Rather than explore all of the wines and regions of Portugal, I will focus on the Douro Valley, home of the most famous Portuguese wine, port, and more recently some enticing red wines.  In fact, my trip up to Porto from Lisob is designed to do just that.  Focus on ports and red wine.

Do not be alarmed if you know very little or nothing about Portuguese wine.  I was the same way back in 2001 on my first trip here.  My golf buddy and travel mate, Mr. Mike made sure I got a deep and informative introduction into Portuguese wines, particularly vintage ports.  We spent most afternoons, after 18 holes of golf, tracking down vintage ports.

The two names you may be familiar with are port (of course) and Vinho Verde. But Portugal has 14 wine regions, with strict laws and geographic boundaries, which generally translate to higher quality.  The word “quinta” on the label is what Portuguese call a wine estate.  The grape varieties are also listed on the label. A label with “garrafeira”  indicates that the winemaker has done some oak aging, a bit like “reserva” in Spain.

Vinho Verde is a white wine that is low in alcohol, with flavors of lime and peach.  They often have a little spritz, and pair perfectly with seafood.  Vinho Verde is a coastal region in the northwest, with their wine intended for early drinking, without oak aging.  Vinho Verde can be aged, becoming more like a Riesling after a few years in the cellar.

But Douro Valley is my focus, since their wines have been produced for centuries (two thousand years), and become world famous, in the case of port.  But in the last decade or so, dry red wines are making some progress.  Today, dry Couro wines can be red, white or rose’.  The reds are quite full bodied and lend well to oak aging, often using the same red grapes used for making port.  These include Toriga Nacional, Toriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Roriz (same as Tempranillo in Spain).  The better producers are Niepoort, Quinta do Crasto, or Quinta do Popa.  If a white burgundy is your wine, try the Redomo Branco by Niepoort.

Port is why I am here, so port tasting will be high on my list of activities.  Port is a fortified red wine that made Portugal famous.  Fortified wines are made by processing wine with a grape spirit, typically brandy.  The addition of the brandy adds a natural sweetness to the wine, making port the digestiv of choice after dinner.  The rich, bold flavors include hints of chocolate, berries, and cinnamon.  So how did this happen?

Back in the 17th century, the Brits decided to boycott French wines because of increasing tensions between the two countries.  English merchants began searching for alternative wines in Portugal and found the Douro Valley to their liking.  But with the wine region so far away, merchants decided to transport the wines out of the coastal city Porto, which is how port wine got its name.  To keep the wine from spoiling on the long voyage, producers started fortifying their wine with brandy, resulting in the unique taste of Port today.

Port wine is made from hand-picked grapes from the Douro Valley.  The grapes are crushed in fermentation tanks to extract juice and pulp from their skins.  After crushing they are left to ferment until they reach optimum sugar and alcohol levels.  Once they reach that level, producers add brandy to fortify the wine, stopping fermentation and retaining some of the natural sugar taste of the grapes.  Then all port is aged in oak or steel containers for a minimum of two years. 

The three most common types of port are:

Ruby port, which is bright, bold red, fruity with wild berry and plum undertones, and aged two to six years in oak vats.

Tawny port, which are aged in oak casks longer than ruby port, creating a lighter color wine, usually amber or brown.  This allows the wine to develop more complex flavors with nutty and wood undertones.

White port is made with white port grapes, aged for a shorter time in large vats.  They are typically served chilled with dry and light flavors and used mostly as an aperitif.

Pairing ports is both fun and inventive.  Cheese and desserts are the obvious choice, but seafood works well, along with being an aperitif.

In short, ruby port wine typically pairs best with rich and decadent foods, tawny port wine is better with milder desserts, fruits, and tangy flavors, and white port is best served chilled with saltier foods.

More detailed pairings:

Ruby port wine: Dark chocolate, truffles, poached pears, cheddar cheese, dates, stinky blue cheese

Tawny port wine: Nut-based desserts, ice cream, apple tarts, dried cherries caramel, creme brulee, parmesan or manchego cheese

White port wine: Salted nuts, chips, foie gras, shellfish, olives, charcuterie

Best ports from Liquor and Wine:

Best overall:  Dow’s Vintage Port 2016

Best Under $30:  Graham Six Grapes Reserve Port

Best Tawny:  Cockburn’s 20 Year old Tawny Port

Runner Up:  Warre’s Optima 10 Year Tawny Port

I plan to hit several bodegas in Porto.  And I may try to send a few bottles home if the price is right.

Can you believe TAP Portugal Airlines is touting their wines as well?

Great idea for national airlines to tout their home-grown products.  Maybe I will learn something new about their wines.

More Port for the Sport?

Posted by golfkat on November 10, 2022
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

Having been here once before, I can tell you that Portugal is a very underrated place to visit.  The weather is great, the food is both hearty and interesting, the wines are inventive, and the people are friendly.  Portugal is pricier than a super cheap getaway to the Southern United States, but compared to the rest of Europe, it’s very economical, which is one reason why so many Americans are retiring here. With the dollar about even to the euro, you can expect to pay around $75 for a mid-range hotel and $20 for a three-course meal with drinks. That’s quite a bargain for some of the world’s best cuisine.

One fact I did not know:  Portugal has the oldest (1139) borders in Europe.  Portugal is situated at the south-west point of Europe and also includes the Madeira and Azores archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean.  Mainland Portugal occupies an area of 88,889 km2. It is 218 km wide and 561 km long. It has 832 km of Atlantic coast and a 1,215 km border with Spain.

Portuguese cuisine evolved from hearty peasant food drawn from the land and abundant seafood found in the country’s lengthy coast with the cows, pigs and goats raised on the limited grazing land of its interior. From these humble origins, spices and condiments brought back to the country during the exploration and colonization of South America, Africa, the East Indies and the Far East, contributed to the development of what become regarded as ‘typical’ Portuguese cuisine which inherently, also helped shape the cuisine in the regions under Portuguese influence, from Brazil and Cape Verde to Thailand and Japan. Today, traditional Portuguese cuisine is served alongside the latest trendy and fusion cuisine styles. Several establishments have been awarded Michelin stars.

Portugal is mainly characterized by a Mediterranean climate ( in the South, central interior, and the Douro river valley; in the North, Central west and Vicentine Coast), temperate maritime climate in the mainland north-western highlands and mountains, and in some high altitude zones of the Azorean islands; a semi-arid climate in certain parts of the Beja District far south and in Porto Santo Island, a warm desert climate in the Selvagens Islands and a humid subtropical climate in the western Azores, according to the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification. It is one of the warmest countries in Europe: The Algarve, separated from the Alentejo region by mountains reaching up to 900 meters (3,000 ft) in Alto da Fóia, has a climate similar to that of the southern coastal areas of Spain or Southwest Australia.

Portugal is located on the Mediterranean Basin, the third most diverse hotspot of flora in the world. Due to its geographical and climatic context – between the Atlantic and Mediterranean – Portugal has a high level of biodiversity on land and at sea. It is home to six terrestrial ecoregions: Azores temperate mixed forests, Cantabrian mixed forests, Madeira evergreen forests, Iberian sclerophyllous and semi-deciduous forests, Northwest Iberian montane forests, and Southwest Iberian Mediterranean sclerophyllous and mixed forests.

Native Portuguese are an Iberian ethnic group and they form 95% of the whole population, whose ancestry is very similar to Spaniards and have strong ties with fellow Atlantic Arc countries like Ireland, British Isles, France and Belgium due to maritime trade dated as far back as the Bronze Age. These maritime contacts and the prevalence of R1b haplogroup as the main genetical marker of these countries suggest a common ancestry and cultural proximity. Other maritime contacts with the Mediterranean especially with Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors added some phenotypes in southern Portugal and particularly southern Spain (the Tartessos culture), making Portugal and north-western Spain a bridge between north-western Europe and the Mediterranean but maintaining the Atlantic character.

Some famous people from Portugal:  Cristiano Ronaldo, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Henry the Navigator, Jose Saramago, Salvador Sobral, Luis Figo, Eusebio, Fernando Pessoa, Daniela Rush, Paula Rego, Nelly Furtado, Mariza, Antonio Guterres (Secretary General of the U.N.), Rosa Mota, and Antonio Salazar.  And now my dear friend, Sian.

Livaria Bertrands holds the Guinness world record for the oldest bookstore still in operation, having been founded in 1732.

There are over 250 million Portuguese speakers around the world.  Only 5% of Portuguese speakers like in Portugal.

Portugal is home to the world’s largest cork forest.  Portugal is the largest cork producer in the world and produces 50% of the world’s cork supply.

Cabo do Roca is the westernmost point in all of Europe, located at the western end of the Sintra mountains on the Atlantic Ocean.

The most famous dessert in Portugal:  But it’s not just any old custard tart; this is the famous Pastéis de nata. These were created by many Catholic monks sometime before the 18th century.  At the monastery, they used egg whites for starch (laundry and all that), but what to do with the egg yolks? Bake them, of course! Thus, the tastiest custard tart in the world was born. You can enjoy it everywhere, from Brazil to Japan, but Portugal is the best place for it.

Tempura is Portuguese!  That most Japanese of delicately fried goodness originates in Portugal. On their adventures around the world, the Portuguese came across Japan in the 16th century.  Before Japan decided to close its doors to trade, Portugal offloaded several gastronomic goodies onto the island nation – tempura being just one of them. The custard tart just mentioned, castella cake, and even bread are loved by Japanese people today. This is definitely one of our favorite facts about Portugal (how couldn’t it be?).

Britain might have been the most publicized and famous slavery abolishment in 1833, but Portugal did it far sooner. In 1819, Portugal, which admittedly (like Britain) played a big part in the slave trade, then abolished it. It makes the British Empire look more and more like copycats compared to progressive Portugal.

Dating back to the 1820s, Fado sprung up in Lisbon’s bars, cafes, and restaurants and became an instant hit. Fado comes from the Latin fatum, which literally means “fate” but can also mean “death.”  As you might expect, the music is loud and mournful but ultimately zapped with unmatched power and energy all of its own. This brings us to… Believing in their fate, whether it’s good or bad, is part of Portuguese culture. That’s what Fado is all about. Another good example is the amazing word “saudade.” This is one of those allegedly “untranslatable” words that mean an intense and sorrowful longing or nostalgia over someone – or something – that you miss and can’t get back. Missingness, maybe?

All that water around Portugal means a lot of fishing grounds. There are a lot of coastlines for fishermen to use as their base and waters for the fisherman to access. This adds up to Portuguese people eating a lot of fish. No, Portugal is the third-highest consumer of fish on the planet. That’s after Iceland and Japan.

I am certain this is more than you ever wanted to know about Portugal.  But I assure you, this country should be on your water pail list of places to visit and experience.

Sidebar:  I was invited to Portugal, specifically the beach town about 20 minutes west of Lisboa, called Cascais.  But my friend’s home is not ready for occupancy due to a series of problems related to escrow.

Today Is Champagne Day!

Posted by golfkat on October 28, 2022
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

Today, October 28, is Champagne Day.  Why not?

Global Champagne Day is celebrated on the fourth Friday in October.  I wonder what happens if it falls on Halloween. My calculations say that it is not possible.

Of course, anyone over the age of 21 can participate and celebrate.  naturally, it was created by a wine blogger (not me, however).  My problem is that these bloggers insist that you drink champagne, not sparkling wine.  In my limited view of the world, I saw drink whatever sparkling wine you want.  And you can call it whatever you want.  I do not care if it is Prosecco, Crémant, Cava, Lambrusco, Franciacorta, or Sekt.  Any bubbles qualify, even Lawrence Welk’s bubble machine!

It just so happens that Prosecco is the most popular sparkling wine in the world.  I am certain that pisses off the people in France’s Champagne region.  Italy makes 27% of the world’s sparkling wine, whereas France makes only 22%.  But most importantly sparkling wine production has increased by 57% since 2002.  The world now produces about 2.5 billion bottles of sparkling.  This constitutes 8% of the world’s wine production of 32,5 billion bottles.

Here are some interesting stats:  the top 5 sparkling wine producers

  1. Italy, 660 million bottles
  2. France 550 million bottles
  3. Germany 350 million bottles
  4. Spain 260 million bottles
  5. United States 162 million bottles

I am trying to bring up the count for the US (haha!).  But watch out for England, Brazil, Portugal, and Australia, as sparkling upstarts.

Interestingly, Germany is the largest consumer of bubbles, followed by France, US, Russia, and Italy.  The two largest importers are the UK and the US.

What will happen if demand for sparkling wine decreases?  Though champagne has the name and reputation, the other sparklings are getting closer in taste and quality.  Plus, they are better valued.  In fact, the second largest producing area in France is Loire with its crémant.  Eight regions of France can make crémant, Alsace, Burgundy, Limoux, Loire, Jura, Die, and Savoie.  My current favorite is the Limoux crémant, which I buy online for under $15 a bottle, including tax, and free shipping.

The consumption of bubbles in the US has increased 7% from 2008 to 2018.  We are number three after France and Germany for consumption of sparkling wine.  Basically, it amounts to 300 million bottles annually.  Since a bottle of sparkling will last for at least two days, the most I can consume would be about 180 bottles annually.  I would say it is well under 100 (figure about 2 per week), including dining out, parties, and other events.

Here are my current favorites:

Limoux crémant brut rose’  (my everyday sparkling)

Domaine Carneros brut and brut rose’  (special occasion)

Laetitia brut rose’ (special occasion)

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose’ or Blanc de Blancs (about $200) rarely!

Ruinart Rose’ Champagne (not too bad at $65)

Again, whatever you do, enjoy Champagne Day, with whatever sparkling you enjoy, regardless of cost or origin!

I think I will have a Comtes or a Ruinart to celebrate!!!!

Ten Things in Napa Valley

Posted by golfkat on September 18, 2022
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Shopping, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

From Visit Napa Valley website:

Yes, Napa Valley is one of the most luxurious luxury destinations in the world. That doesn’t mean everything here costs a pretty penny. The truth is that Napa County boasts a host of destinations and activities that are totally free. Here are our top 10.

  1. Shop the market
    The Napa Farmers’ Market  is the county’s largest and regularly boasts more than 100 vendors, artisans, and purveyors. On Saturdays, it’s also one of the very few markets in the region that operates year-round. The market is held in the City of Napa parking lot at 1100 West Street, two blocks from the Oxbow. Our advice: Go before 9 a.m. to score popular treats such as English Muffins from Model Bakery.
     
  2. Explore ‘Cowville’
    One of the most scenic roads in Yountville is Yount Mill Road, a ribbon of concrete that winds out of town to the north and reconnects with Highway 29 near Mustards Grill. The best way to experience the road: On foot. Along the stroll you can feed hay to longhorns that graze fields to the east, munch on crab apples, and soak up the scenery. The best part: You’re never more than 10 minutes from downtown.
     
  3. Wander Calistoga’s Labyrinth
    Wellness practitioners and Zen masters say labyrinths are great places to meditate and dive deep into thought. The Indian Springs Labyrinth on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Calistoga definitely is worth a visit. The circular pathway is adjacent to an art gallery and is a short walk from the spa pools at Indian Springs. It’s also near The Depot, the newest project from Jean-Charles Boisset.
     
  4. Summit Mount St. Helena
    You haven’t really arrived in Wine Country until you’ve hiked to the summit of Mount St. Helena and enjoyed a bottle of rose before the fog burns off below you. The mountain is in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park and the summit is accessed by the Stevenson trail that winds from the top of Highway 29. Allow about three hours for the grueling ascent; the scramble down goes much faster.
     
  5. Disc golf at Skyline
    Frisbee golf is serious business at Skyline Wilderness Park  in southern Napa. This expansive park has a 400-acre, 18-hole course with DIScatcher baskets; the Marvin Paul-designed course is technical with steep grassy hillsides. The entire course can be played in less than two hours—even less if you only throw nine. Follow the course by using the tee signs on each hole.
     
  6. Drink up Napa art
    Sculptures on the free and public Napa Art Walk change every year, and for the year starting August 2021 the exhibit comprises 10 sculptures from seven artists representing four western states. Online maps help visitors navigate the art walk. For a fulfilling detour, check out the Rail Arts District, where local artists have painted giant murals on walls of buildings that line the Wine Train, train tracks.
     
  7. Pay culinary homage
    More than 4,000 artifacts of specialty cookware, bread baking and culinary tools, appliances, and tableware comprise the permanent exhibit about Chuck Williams at CIA Copia . Williams was a popular local chef who went on to launch the housewares company Williams Sonoma. Today the collection of odd-shaped tureens and a duck de-boning machine are among the most bizarre of the items on exhibit.
     
  8. Look up
    Depending on the time of year, hot-air balloons are a common sight in the skies above the Napa Valley. The good news: Ogling at these giant floating orbs is totally free. Most balloons leave right around sunrise to get aloft before the wind picks up. This means it’s probably best to hit up a local independent coffee shop and find a flat and open space for your watch party.
     
  9. Observing the Oxbow
    Napa’s Oxbow Public Market  essentially put public markets on the map; though others in the United States came before it, no others have quite perfected the luxury angle. While food and trinkets at the Oxbow can be expensive, wandering around to investigate the goodies and wares doesn’t cost a cent. To experience peak rush hour, plan to visit around lunchtime on a weekend.
     
  10. Critter-watching in delta
    Birding is the name of the game at Wetlands Edge Park in American Canyon, the southernmost city in the entire county. The park comprises roughly five miles of trails in all, including dirt paths that parallel the Napa River where it meets San Pablo Bay. In mornings, usually right around sunrise, the waters are teeming with herons and other birds. Be sure to bring a camera.

Napa Valley will aways be my favorite.  I started visiting in the 60s, when we were invited by Allied Growers to visit some of the wineries they owned, such as BV, and Inglenook.  Back then, tastings, even dinners, were FREE!!  My how things have changed.

I do enjoy other wine regions, such as the Central Coast, New Zealand, Mendoza, Bordeaux, Champagne, Willamette Valley, Sonoma, Loire, Chile, Central Washington, and even Madera-Fresno.  But one area I did not enjoy was Temecula, quite overrated.

Several news articles have emphasized how expensive Napa Valley has become.  Wine tasting fees hover around $100, often more for upscale places.  Add in hotel, meals, wine purchases and gas, resulting in a very expensive weekend.

Note:  I have only done #9, I have my work cut out for me!!!

Cooling Off at the Coast

Posted by golfkat on September 9, 2022
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Golf, Shopping, Sports, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

We are tired of the hot weather!  This weekend will range around 110 or higher in the great Valley.  I think we need to drive over to the Monterey Peninsula and cool off!!  I am sure Lexi would welcome her walks in cooler weather as well.

But first, on the way, I think we need to stop at the factory outlets in Gilroy for a little retail therapy.  Then after lunch, perhaps In N Out Burger, we will finish the drive to Monterey.  Hopefully, we can visit a few dear friends during our visit.  Also, I want to take Lexi to the beach, maybe drive 17 Mile Drive, and have some seafood pasta at Abalonetti on the Monterey wharf.

For a real change of pace, I think I will hit one of the wine tasting rooms in Monterey.  I tried Caraccioli (tasting room) in downtown Carmel. In fact, it was so good, I went two days in a row!!!  Their brut rose’ is very good,  I bought one, though a bit pricey.  More affordable is their Rose’ of Pinot Noir at only $30 a bottle. 

The highlight for me is taking Lexi for a walk on Carmel Beach, running along the shore, while gazing up at the Pebble Beach Golf Links.  She loves the beach and does not mind the sand in her little paws.  She also enjoys the beaches elsewhere, though the sea lions were barking aplenty at the Monterey Wharf.

One of our dear friends down here is Big John, over at the Inn at Spanish Bay.  We have know him for over 25 years, when he was still a waiter at Abalonetti.  He has been the head bellman at Spanish Bay for over three decades now.  He told an interesting story about us at the President of Pebble Beach’s retirement dinner.  Upon leaving our little cocktail party during a stay at the Lodge at Pebble some years ago, he saw the light was on in the President’s office.  He would see the “boss man” arrive at 6am every morning as well.  He figured if the President was willing to work that hard, so would he and his staff!!

A few other places down here catch my attention.  Thinker Toys is a great toy and hobby shop in downtown Carmel.  We also like Hedi’s Shoes on Ocean Avenue.  We buy our Hoka 1’s there.  And our Turkish lamp store is also on Ocean Avenue.  But best of all, I found some Turkish Delight at a store on Cannery Row.  the owner says it is 100% imported from Istanbul, since he cannot buy the right ingredient here.

The weather has been great, in the 60s and 70s mostly, while back home hit record heat in the 110+ range.  I highly recommend this form of therapy, both for physical and mental health.  Sheri even bought a jacket!!

And maybe best of all, we found a pretty good Chinese restaurant in Monterey, with excellent chow fun, and Peking spare ribs!!!

Coastal Cruising

Posted by golfkat on July 16, 2022
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

Heading to the Central Coast is always a good break from the summer heat here in the Valley.  What are some options?

From 365 Traveler:  You can nearly smell the spirits emanating from the rolling hills while touring around Paso Robles wine country. An estimated 300 wineries and a host of tasting rooms dot the region, making it one of California’s top wine regions. Vineyards stretch as far as you can see, and cover 33,000 acres, with the ideal conditions for producing the award-winning cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, rhône wines, and other grapes that it has become known for. Visiting the wineries here is one of the best things to do in Paso Robles.

Many local wineries welcome visitors to tour their vineyards to see behind-the-scenes of making their signature wine flavors, learn about the family’s wine-making history, and enjoy plenty of wine tastings to satisfy the wine-lover inside of you.

You can nearly smell the spirits emanating from the rolling hills while touring around Paso Robles wine country. An estimated 300 wineries and a host of tasting rooms dot the region, making it one of California’s top wine regions. Vineyards stretch as far as you can see, and cover 33,000 acres, with the ideal conditions for producing the award-winning cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, rhône wines, and other grapes that it has become known for. Visiting the wineries here is one of the best things to do in Paso Robles.

Many local wineries welcome visitors to tour their vineyards to see behind-the-scenes of making their signature wine flavors, learn about the family’s wine-making history, and enjoy plenty of wine tastings to satisfy the wine-lover inside of you.

Founded in 1979, Eberle Winery is one of the first to establish Paso Robles as a go-to wine destination and offers tours to showcase why. Tours take you through underground caves lined with oak barrels for aging the wines to perfection, before tasting a sampling of its limited annual production of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and cotes-du-robles.

Next, head over to Tobin James Cellars, whose award-winning cabernet sauvignons, merlot, and chardonnay flavors have made it one of the most popular wineries in the region. You’ll learn about its history dating back to 1987, before stepping inside the saloon-inspired Grand Antique Bar tasting room to see what the buzz is all about.

Later, journey to the hilltops of the Calcareous Vineyard, where nature plays a significant role in making its wine stand out. You’ll learn about the unique calcareous soil, where its name is derived, and how it enriches the vineyards with calcium to create memorable flavors of the signature cabernet sauvignon and other wines. Live music creates the perfect atmosphere for their wine tastings, set against the backdrop overlooking Salinas Valley.

Wine tasting works up quite an appetite, best satisfied by a meal at Thomas Hill Organics, a local farm-to-table restaurant. It maintains the organic traditions of the Central Coast with homegrown creative dishes that bring you back to life after a day of drinking wine.

I am a big supporter of Central Coast wines.  But, in many cases (no pun intended), they are pricing themselves out of the market.  Like I have always said, $20 is my limit, except for special occasions.

One of my favorite places to visit is Laetitia Vineyard and Winery, just south of Arroyo Grande.  Why?  For one, they have a pretty good brut rose’.  Second, and perhaps most importantly, they have a great picnic area for us to have our lunch and bring Lexi along.  We usually buy some sushi and bring it with us.  After a short tasting, we have our lunch on their beautiful grounds.

Another place we have enjoyed, among many others, is Daou Winery in the foothills above Paso.  Their wines seem to be a cut above (also pricier).  I enjoy their Cab with a ribeye at our favorite restaurant, Ember, in Arroyo Grande.  But I see that it is no longer on the “by the glass” menu.

Once in a while, a beer hits the spot.  Visit Firestone Walker Brewing Company to experience signature brews from the first craft brewery, established in 1996. There are more than two dozen beer options at The Pour House and The Backyard. In addition, Silva Brewing Co. is a transplant from San Diego, that’s also joining the local craft brewery trend.

We often stop at Firestone Walker, since they have a patio for lunch. Lexi loves it there.  And their lunch menu is quite good, along with a tall glass of 805, my new favorite beer.

And, the weather will be much cooler on the coast!!!!