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Nov18

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Exploring Auckland, New Zealand’s Prestigious Wineries

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Eastern Hemisphere

The wineries of Auckland, New Zealand create some of the world’s most delicious full-bodied reds, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as crisp whites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Their vineyards are nestled in the most picturesque and spectacular areas of Auckland, and wineries are also found at Waiheke Island, Matakana, and Clevedon.

The enchanting Auckland wineries include . . .

Contour Estate Vineyards Limited

One of Auckland’s boutique wineries and located on the Takatu Peninsula, Contour Estate Vineyards Limited makes premium reserve Syrah. The grapes are hand harvested, and using traditional Italian winemaking equipment, owners Bruce and Linsey-Ann Taylor and their staff craft wines with bold flavors such as chocolate, black pepper, and dark fruit. Read More | Comments
Apr4

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Keep Track of Your Favorite Wine and Cheese Tastings

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Tips and Ideas

Tasting new food and drink is one of the most enjoyable parts of traveling, and you want to keep track of what you’ve tried, what you liked, and what you didn’t like. A great way to do that is to journal each tasting.

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Feb9

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Top New Zealand Vineyards

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Eastern Hemisphere

When you think of the world’s best vineyards and wineries, which locations do you think of? France, Italy, Napa Valley, or Sonoma? Your list might continue on and not include one of the best destinations for wine connoisseurs: New Zealand. New Zealand has quietly established itself as one of the top countries for wine enthusiasts, featuring wineries in each of the regions of the country. Below you’ll find a few of the best wineries to visit on a trip to New Zealand.

Villa Maria Estate. Once just a family operation, Villa Maria Estate has grown to be one of New Zealand’s largest producers of wine. Founded in Auckland in the mid-1900s, Villa Maria Estate has grown to include several vineyards and two wineries. The largest and most visited winery is in Auckland. The winery offers wine tasting events frequently and, during the summer, hosts outdoor concerts. There are two tours of the winery per day. With its convenient location to the airport, it’s an ideal start or finish to your trip.
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Dec27

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European Gourmet Tours for Small Groups

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Eastern Hemisphere, Small Group Tours

It’s no surprise that Europe is one of the most popular destinations among travelers in the world. One of the alluring factors of Europe is the exquisite food and drinks that you’ll find in each country. As such, it is one of the best destinations for small-group tours. These include, but aren’t limited to, cooking classes, wine tasting tours, cheese tours, and food sampling tours. Today we highlight some of the European gourmet tours you’ll find in Italy and France.

Wine Tours. Wine tours are typically the group tour of choice in Europe. Wine tours take on different elements, from the actual tasting of wine, to touring vineyards, wine cellars, and estates. Since they are so popular in Europe, you’ll find wine tours in large and small towns alike, from the small villages of Provence, France, to larger European cities, such as Rome and Paris. While what you learn and experience will be different with each tour, what remains constant is that it’ll offer many opportunities for enjoying the best wines of Europe. The best time of year for doing a European wine tour, based on both harvesting and climate, is either during the fall, in September, or during the spring, in April or May.

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Oct18

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DIY Wine Tasting Book: Savor the Memories

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks

Fall is in full swing, which means it’s time to put the summer wines and recipes away and pull out those fall and winter classics. The old adage that wine makes anything better couldn’t be more true than during the winter months when you’re pulling out all your books on which wines to drink for which occasions. With so many wine books to choose from to guide your wine tasting experience, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best. Today, we bring some clarity to wine tasting by discussing how to create your own wine tasting book.

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Aug20

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Wine Inspiration in Italy

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Eastern Hemisphere, Leisure Activities

Red or white for your inspiration? While viewing the movie, Eat, Pray, Love I was transported back to Italy. MSNBC says, “Julia Roberts plays a woman who leaves her safe life behind to go on a journey of self-discovery by embarking on a round-the-world trip.” However, for me Italy is the true inspiration in the movie. Italy is all about the food, sights, and wine all the while enjoying them with friends and family.

Consigli di…vini says… Italy is famous for many reasons, but perhaps it is mostly famous for its exclusive quality of wine. The wines of Italy are full of varieties. Wine is very common item in Italy, as tea and coffee are common in the other parts of the world. There are many different varieties of wine. The two most distinct and prominent classifications are red and white wine. There is a lot more varieties suitable for different activities.

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