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wineries

This May be the Wine Talking…..

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This may be the wine talking, but I really do love wine.  That wasn’t always the case. I grew up in a home where my parents weren’t big wine drinkers. So my earliest memories of wine were in high school when somebody brought a bottle of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill to a party. I grew up in northern California, so I was aware of the Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino wine regions.  My interest in wine grew as I began to travel outside of the Bay Area.  As traveling foodies my husband and I developed an interest in wine and have tasted fine vintages all over the world.

Our wine journey began when we started visiting local wineries. Although Napa is quite popular, there are many other regions in northern California that produce excellent wine. One of our favorites is the Livermore Valley where we have spent many lovely afternoons sipping and enjoying the verdant beauty of the vineyards.

Wandering among the grapevines is a peaceful experience. September and October are especially good times to visit since the grapes are being harvested then and their wonderful aromas permeate the air.

Whenever we travel we always visit local wine regions and we have done that in Spain, France and Italy. Our first visit to a Spanish winery was during a trip to Mallorca where we spent an afternoon at La Bodega Santa Catarina, a 500 year old winery on the north coast of the island.

It was much more than wine tasting – we wandered among the vineyards and even toured the lavishly furnished villa on the property. Although it closed in 2017, we look forward to returning to Mallorca to visit other wineries.

During our last trip to Spain we went out to the Penedes wine region – an easy day trip from Barcelona, where we toured Torres, Jean Leon and the Freixenet Cava Caves.

At each winery we were given extensive tours of the vineyards, and the chance to observe the production process from harvest to bottling.

After each tour we were treated to liberal pours of several vintages – each accompanied by delicious tapas.

By the end of the day we were well educated, well fed and feeling no pain.

Wine has a way of bringing people together and breaking down barriers.  Even if you begin tasting with strangers, by the second or third glass, it’s very likely that you will have made some connections.

Our Penedes Wine Region tour group included travelers from Japan and Nigeria. Even though the ladies from Japan spoke very little English, we communicated quite well – and have kept in touch on Facebook.

When we returned to Barcelona we found a wine shop in La Boqueria where there were many local wines to choose from.

The Napa wine scene has often been associated with pretentiousness and wine snobbery; and much of it is hype. Wine quality is not necessarily equal to price. A winemaker in Napa once informed us that in his opinion, no bottle of wine is worth more than $20. There are good wines at all price points. We have enjoyed delicious wines in Europe that only cost a few euros per glass.

We also enjoy attending local wine events like the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition that’s held every January. It is the largest wine competition in North America and there are thousands of attendees.

It’s a week-long event and wines are submitted from all over the country; more than 6,800. The public event is held at the Fort Mason Center and there are thousands of attendees. There are so many wines to taste that it’s difficult to know where to begin. Trust me, it’s not for the faint of heart – we had to train for this event. But at the end of the day, I was still standing.

In February we attended Black Vines ,in Oakland, California. It is an annual winter celebration of culture, art, and wine education that brings together Black artists, Black musicians, and Black winemakers and vintners.

We discovered some excellent wines, listened to good live music and enjoyed gourmet hors d’oeuvres. It was more than just a wine event, it felt more like a huge family reunion…..with really good wine.

Cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel. Sipping at sea is more than just fruity umbrella drinks or rum & coke. Cruise lines have made significant strides to step up their wine game. We spent some real quality time in the wine cellar on the Norwegian Bliss.

The center piece of the Celebrity Reflection main dining room is a floor to ceiling wine rack.

Needless to say,  we have tasted some excellent wines at sea.

As someone once said, “Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.”  Whether we’re traveling far, or just enjoying a staycation, wine is always on the menu.

China, Destination Review, dining, Travel Tips

Don’t Listen to What They Say, Go See

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All of us are different and we experience travel differently. While reading reviews, and listening to others’ advice is helpful when planning a trip, the only way to really experience a destination is to go see it for yourself. People are different, and their opinions vary widely. Here are a few of the opinions that I’ve heard about destinations:

THE FOOD IN ITALY IS BAD: Italy is comprised of many major cities – Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Genoa, Bologna, Palermo, Venice and Pisa are just a few. The cuisine varies by region. So it was hard for me to believe that ALL of the food was bad. As one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, it is much more than pizza and spaghetti. We made a point of tasting food in in several cities, including Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Capri and Vernazza. We had one of our best meals ever, at a picturesque little restaurant in Positano while driving along the Amalfi coast. The limoncello on Capri was fresh and flavorsome. The olives in Monterosso were like none I’ve ever tasted anywhere else. The pasta dishes were excellent everywhere we went. And don’t even get me started on the gelato.

THE PEOPLE IN PARIS ARE RUDE: I was very concerned about being treated badly in the “City of Lights”, especially since we don’t speak French. But bonjour, Au revoir, merci and big smiles went a long way…. We have been twice and shopped at stores, eaten at cafes, visited museums, even ridden on public transportation. We didn’t find Parisians particularly rude – no more than any other city we’ve visited.

PEOPLE IN CHINA TREAT BLACK PEOPLE LIKE ATTRACTIONS: I’ve heard people say that Chinese people pointed, stared and tried to touch their hair….and other body parts. I’m not disputing them, just saying that we didn’t have that experience. We went to Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai in 2015 and again in 2016 (there’s so much to see that it takes more than one trip to experience it all). Some people were curious and even asked to take pictures with us, but it didn’t make us feel like “attractions”. Many of the people in the major cities were Chinese tourists who appeared to be from outlying areas and probably had not seen many black folks. But it wasn’t too intrusive. In Suzhou we even explored the neighborhoods near the Grand Canal and no one even paid us any attention. After a while I even asked some of them to take pictures with us. It was fun.

THERE’S NOTHING FOR BLACK PEOPLE IN EUROPE: We have a rich history in Europe that would take years to study. For example, in 711 the Moors from northern Africa invaded what is modern day Spain and Portugal. Their rule in the region lasted until 1492 with the 8-month siege of Granada. When we visited Granada (in southern Spain) we toured the magnificent Alhambra Palace and fortress complex. It was constructed in 889 and converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. Moorish poets described it as “a pearl set in emeralds”. Touring those grounds was like walking back in history. We have visited several European countries and have seen black people everywhere we’ve gone. I met this young sister in Monaco. I don’t speak French and she didn’t speak English….but we managed to connect.

We’ve had some very positive travel experiences – and some negative ones too. No travel destination is perfect. But we never base our opinions on anyone else’s experiences. We prefer to draw our own conclusions.

Talk is cheap and everyone’s experience is different, so don’t listen to what they say, go see for yourself.

China, Destination Review, dining, Family Travel, vacation, wineries

My Favorite Place

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My husband and I have been globetrotting for more than 30 years. In that time we have seen some breathtaking sights and had some amazing travel experiences. When people find out how much traveling we have done, they often ask, “What is your favorite travel destination?” We’ve had so many enjoyable experiences that it is difficult to pick just one. But after lots of thought and consideration, I’ve decided to answer that question. My favorite destination in the entire world is…..Istanbul, Turkey.

This bustling metropolis is one of the world’s most exciting cities. It is a kaleidoscope of culture, history, ancient architecture, modern urban energy, and fresh, delectable cuisine.

Experiences like watching the sun rise over the Bosphorus, shopping at the Grand Bazaar and hearing the call to prayer as we entered the Blue Mosque are indelibly etched into our travel memories. Yes, Istanbul is my favorite destination.

But wait….after our recent trip, I can’t possibly leave out Thailand.

The azure waters, balmy breezes and lush scenery of that tropical paradise are almost too beautiful to be believed. After a hair-raising speedboat ride we spent a perfect afternoon sailing around the islands and sunning ourselves on powdery white sand beaches.

Yes, that idyllic paradise has to be my very favorite travel destination.

But wait….when I think about azure waters and white sand beaches, I can’t possibly leave out another tropical destination….the island of Jamaica.

After viewing this beautiful beach in Montego Bay, it was easy to see why Stella got her groove back here. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the island. We’ve partied on the beach, climbed up Dunns River Falls and zip lined through the tree tops at high speed what a rush!

We’ve also eaten the most delicious jerk chicken, Jamaican patties and washed it all down with ice cold Red Stripe Beer…and of course, rum punch.So without a doubt, Jamaica is my favorite travel destination.

But wait…how can I forget about China? In 2015 we visited Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

We were captivated by the architecture and history of this ancient country. In addition to the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Lingering Garden we shopped and dined in the modern metropolis of Shanghai. We even toured jade, silk and pearl factories. The highlight of the visit had to be climbing the Great Wall of China. I expected it to be amazing, but the experience was beyond anything that I’d imagined. I’d hear other people describe going up on a gondola, so I was prepared to see breathtaking vistas. What I wasn’t prepared for was the actual climb. Our tour guide took us to Juyongguan Pass, a section of the wall where there was no gondola. So it was all about the climb….and those 2000 year old stone steps were no joke.

But it was well worth it – the views from the top were spectacular! The experience was even more special since we shared it as a family.

But wait? I can’t possibly forget about Spain. There is so much to see and do in this country that I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve been there. With cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Mallorca, Malaga, Vigo, La Coruna, Cartagena, Valencia, Marbella, Sitges and Puerto Banus it is impossible to see it all in one, or even two visits.

Barcelona is a city that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. Its edgy, urban energy reminded us of San Francisco with the restaurants, street performers, street art and designer shops. The Gothic Quarter is a winding maze of narrow alleys that open onto charming plazas where you can hear street musicians, watch flamenco dancers or just sit and people watch, while sipping sangria. There are also great destinations to visit outside of the city. Two of our favorites are the Penedes Wine region, home to the Freixenet Cava caves and several other world-class wineries. We also enjoyed visiting the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, nestled high on a mountain peak; it’s only an hour train ride from Barcelona and home of the famous Black Madonna.

Malaga is another one of our favorite destinations in Spain. It’s a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, near the continent of Africa, Morocco is only a 70-minute ferry ride away. We were particularly intrigued by evidence of Moorish history. We toured the Alcazaba, a hilltop citadel and the nearby Alhambra Palace, another fortress built in the 13th century.

We’ve always been fascinated by Moorish history and discovered that the Spanish occupation by the Moors began in 711 AD when an African army, under their leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian peninsula ‘Andalus’ (Spain under the Visigoths). So visiting this palace complex was like walking in the footsteps of those great warriors.

So that’s it…..Spain is my absolute favorite travel destination. Unless I overlook Italy….and I couldn’t possibly do that. From Rome, to Venice, to Florence to Capri, to the Cinque Terre, we’ve lived “la dolce vita” all over that country.

Although many of the famous sites (Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Trevi Fountain) are often overrun by tourists, they are still amazing to visit. Regardless of religious beliefs, the museums and St. Peter’s Basilica of Vatican City are simply awesome. During our most recent visit we got an inside tour of the Colosseum and actually got to see it from a gladiator’s perspective. Wow!

Whenever we visit Florence, we take a day trip to the Cinque Terre, 5 charming coastal villages accessible by boat or train.

Whether you choose to hike between the villages or take the train, the views are simply stunning!

Foodies, can we talk? Italy is hands down one of the world’s top culinary destinations. We’ve enjoyed delicious meals at small trattorias, fine dining restaurants and neighborhood cafeterias. There’s much more to Italian cuisine than gelato, pizza and pasta. But I’ll admit that I could actually eat my weight in pasta….and have done so on occasion.

No matter where you are in Italy, eating gelato daily is a must….

 

So that settles it, Italy is my favorite travel destination.

Who am I kidding? I can’t pick one single destination as my absolute favorite. Each place offers something special that is unique to that destination. So I’ll just plan to keep traveling around the world…..discovering new “favorites”.