Destination Southern Rhone
A nice base for us visiting the Southern Rhone was the Hotel Bellerive in Rasteau. It is “homey”, very quiet, with beautiful views …
The Rhone – North vs. South
The Northern and Southern Rhone share the moderating effects of the Rhone River, the Mistral and share a few grapes varieties. But in …
The legacy of pinot noir in Germany
When people think of Pinot Noir, they think of Burgundy or maybe Oregon or Russian River. Some think that pinot noir, aka Spatburgunder, …
The Rhone Valley
The Rhone Valley officially begins in Vienne which is just about 25 miles south of Lyon on the A7. The Rhone Valley …
Unusual Sightings in Rioja
My favorite time to travel to wine regions is the spring; its not too hot, not too cold, and not too frenetic …
Destination Ribera del Duero
Barnyard rooster with chocolate scent Ribera del Duero is about 70 miles wide along the banks of the Duero River, with the …
Ribera del Duero
From the eastern part of Rioja to the heart of Ribera del Duero, it is only 125 miles or an easy 2 …
Napa Valley’s simple past
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 …
What to eat in Rioja
One of the many reasons why I love Spanish food is that it suits my lifestyle and diet, which includes small plates …
Destination Rioja
Rioja, like the rest of Spain, is a contrast in traditional and cutting-edge. It’s reflected in the historic bodegas of Haro to the modern architectural …