The Napa Valley has two histories, one that began in the mid-19th century and the second in the mid-20th.  In the 1950′s and 1960′s, the Napa Valley began a renaissance of the vibrant industry that began more than hundred years earlier but which was cut short by Phylloxera and then Prohibition.  When many of us think of the Napa Valley today, we think of the wealthy ex-bankers, lawyers and doctors who built the magnificent architectural wine estates that grace the valley.  We think of the glamour surrounding the ultra-premium wines, star-studded wine auctions, academy-award winning directors, celebrity chefs …

One of the many reasons why I love Spanish food is that it suits my lifestyle and diet, which includes small plates (tapas) and Mediterranean cuisine.  I also love it for its simplicity, for example, the grilled baby lamb chops (chuletillas).  These are typically served grilled with just a sprinkle of salt, no more, a long rib with just a nugget of juicy lamb and fat at the tip.
If you live for tapas, the best neighborhood for tapas bars and restaurants is in the capitol of Logrono, about 30 miles East of Haro …

Rioja, like the rest of Spain, is a contrast between the traditional and the cutting-edge.  It is reflected in the historic bodegas of Haro to the modern architectural wonders along the Ruta del Vino.   The greatest contrast remains in the wines, with traditional, long-aged blends of Lopez de Heredia, Faustino and Marques de Murrieta to the fruit-driven, often single-varietal “alta expressions” or “high expression” wines of Seniorio de San Vicente,  Valpiedra and Finca Allende.  It makes a visit to Rioja a great adventure in wine discovery.
There are really two Rioja’s:  the wine region (“Rioja”) and the …

Visiting Porto, Portugal, is a reminder of Portugal’s historic importance as a world trading centre for over two thousand years and its dominance in the 16th century.  The historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  For wine lovers, Porto is the home of the one and only Port wine, with Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro River being the district where most of the major Port houses cellar and age their wines.  I have stayed at the Grande Hotel in the shopping district (about a mile north from the bridge), but if you are visiting …

I think if we called it pulpos  more people would be encouraged to read on.  Pulpos is prepared in many different ways in Rias Baixas, all with the objective of keeping it tender to eat.  Some barely poach it, others stew it for an hour.   Being of Japanese heritage, I was raised eating octopus raw, so I was delighted to eat it in as many ways as our various hosts could prepare it.   At the Adega d’Altamira, their technique is to dip the live octopus in boiling water nine times – not eight …

This photo recalls a dreamy evening in Seville on a warm October night.  We flew in late, around midnight, from the cool region of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of Spain, to a vibrant night scene just getting started.  It was almost startling to see, at this time of night, people of all ages walking around in the park, reading on a bench, and to see families with small children dining next to us outdoors.  Our local friend informed us that due to the density of the city and …

Bordeaux is not just a wine region, it is a bustling commercial city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Since receiving UNESCO status in 2007, tourism is up 40%.  If you are travelling from abroad, you may find yourself staying in the town of Bordeaux for one or two days before hiring a car and driving to the major wine areas.  I like to stay in the city center, or centre ville, because there are many things to do within walking distance such as attending wine classes, discovering the rich history of …

The Northern Rhone produces predominantly dry red wines and the sole red grape is Syrah.  Cote Rotie is allowed to blend in up to 20% of the aromatic white Viognier grape whereas in Cornas to the South, the wines must be 100% Syrah.  The allowance for up to 20% Viognier in Cote Rotie is not solely for floral character, but to add body and alcohol to Syrah grown in the northernmost part of the Northern Rhone where Syrah does not always ripen fully.  At Guigal, the famous Cote Brune vineyard is co-planted with …

If  you are travelling to the Pfalz, the Pfalz Tourist (Pfalz.Touristik e.V.) and Wine (Pfalzwein e.V.)  Associations have good publications and maps.  Email info@pfalz-touristik.de for tourist info and info@zum-wohl-die-pfalz.de for wine region information. 
Wine tasting:  There is no shortage of highly-regarded wineries as well as local cooperatives, most of which are open to the public.   The German Wine Route with cycling path goes through the Pfalz and is marked with a yellow sign signifying “Deutsche Weinstrasse” with a grape cluster.  There is also a hiking path which is marked on maps available …