Wine Travel Stories

In-depth Tales of Winery Visits Around the World

Alsace – One of the Most Beautiful Wine Regions of France

(Oct. 2016) Though there are other more famous wine regions in France, it is hard to dispute that Alsace is one of the most beautiful. With the vineyards flowing down steep hillsides to nestle against storybook villages filled with cobble stone streets, candy colored houses with bright flower boxes, and giant white storks nesting on rooftops, it seems as if the region is part of a fairytale. Wine Village in Alsace The wines are also exquisite, with a focus on dry, semi-sweet, and dessert styles made primarily from riesling, pinot gris, muscat, and gewürztraminer. There is even a large cremant [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:13:02-07:00October 30, 2016|

Three Spectacular Meals in Bordeaux

(Sept 2016) In addition to the excellent dinners I had most every evening in Bordeaux at Chez Sylvie’s – the gourmet chef who opened her home to language students, I also had three other spectacular meals. There are Hundreds of Charming Restaurants in Bordeaux Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay Brasserie at the Grand Hotel This Gordon Ramsay restaurant just opened in June of 2016, and we were very pleased with our experience here. I went with three other students who were attending my language school. We arrived around 1pm on a Thursday and had no trouble getting a table inside. The outside [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:13:02-07:00September 24, 2016|

Cite du Vin – Amazing Architecture and Wine Exhibits

(Sept. 2016) Probably one of the most exciting afternoons I spent in Bordeaux was visiting the new museum that just opened called Cite du Vin. Several years in the making, the unique modern architecture was designed jointly by the male and female team of Legendre and Desmazieres. The design is supposed to reflect the Garonne River that flows outside, and mesmerizes with its swirling mass of silver and gold metal with mirrors. The Swirling Architecture of Cite du Vin - to emulate the Garonne River The price of admission is 20 euros, which includes all of the exhibits plus a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:13:02-07:00September 22, 2016|

Why Doesn’t Bordeaux Export More of Their Delightful Sparkling and Rose Wines?

(Sept. 2016) Bordeaux is known around the world for their sophisticated red wines. However, if you visit Bordeaux during the heat of the summer when the temperatures can soar into the mid 90’s F, it is difficult to crave a big heavy red wine. But guess what? That’s not what the residents of Bordeaux drink in the summer. They enjoy their crisp whites (which are widely exported), and also the refreshing Bordeaux rose and sparkling wines. Cremant de Bordeaux - A Lovely Sparkling Wine What? – you may be asking - Bordeaux produces rose and sparkling wines? The answer is [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:13:02-07:00September 19, 2016|

Great Wine Bars and Wine Shops of Bordeaux

(Sept. 2016) When in Bordeaux it is almost impossible to “throw a rock” without hitting a wine bar or wine shop. They are all over the city, and this is only fitting, because Bordeaux is one of the largest wine producing regions in the world, with more than 8500 wineries. Though there are many great wine bars and shops, I have three favorites, described below: CIVB Bar a Vin – Where You Can Drink Amazing Wine for Two Euros! This great wine bar called Bar a Vin, located across from the Tourist Office in downtown Bordeaux, is the brainchild of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:13:03-07:00September 15, 2016|

The Other Side of Bordeaux – Beaches and Giant Sand Dunes

(Sept 2016) When most people hear the word “Bordeaux,” the first thought that comes to mind is usually “wine,” but Bordeaux is actually situated very near to the Atlantic Ocean and is home to many famous white sandy beaches, as well as the largest sand dune in Europe – the Dune of Pilat. On this trip I decided to explore the other side of Bordeaux, and enjoy some of the touristy sites located only a few miles from some of the famous vineyards. Of course, I also enjoyed some very fine wines! Beach Near Bordeaux Becoming a French Immersion Student [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:13:03-07:00September 14, 2016|

Five Ways Wine and Whisky Are Alike

Also published in the Huffington Post If you love wine but your partner prefers Scotch whisky, do not despair that your tastes are miles apart. Even though the high alcohol content of Scotch may seem overbearing to a wine drinker, and the subtle aromas of wine not as exciting to a Scotch advocate, these two beverages actually have more in common than you may have assumed. In fact, there are actually five ways in which wine and Scotch whisky are alike. Scotch Whisky Aroma Wheel at the Whisky Experience in Edinburgh Scotland 1# - Both Are Fermented Beverages [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2022-04-03T07:44:46-07:00September 8, 2016|

Wineries in Scotland – Yes, There Are Five or So…

(June 2016) Generally the first step I take before visiting a new country is to research their winery situation. However, when preparing to travel to Scotland on a golf and whisky trip with my husband, I decided to wait until I actually arrived in the country to jump online and do a search, because Scotland is not exactly known for wineries. But guess what I discovered? There are wineries - of a sort - in Scotland, and it is possible that with global warming, there could be more in the future. The Beautiful Greens of the Old Course in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2022-04-03T07:41:40-07:00September 4, 2016|

Wine in Scotland – Why It’s Whisky of Course!

(June 2016) During my recent trip to Scotland, I was amazed at how similar the Scotch Whisky production process is to wine. Not only does whisky go through a fermentation process like wine, but it is aged in oak barrels, can be blended or produced as a single malt (similar to a single grape varietal with wine), can express terroir, and experts use a similar process to taste and evaluate whisky as they do with wine. After my visit to Scotland, I came away with a much greater appreciate for Scotch whisky. Edinburgh Castle Brief History of Scotch [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2022-04-03T07:38:49-07:00September 1, 2016|

Taking the Night Train from Palermo Sicily to Rome

(June 2016) It was primarily a budgetary issue that caused us to take the night train from Palermo to Rome. The airfare was too expensive for our group, especially with all of our luggage. Besides sleeping on the train would also save on one night’s lodging, and it would be an adventure. We had no idea what a great adventure it would be, or how much fun. Many people said it was one of the more memorable events of the trip. So we took the bus from Cefalu to the Palermo train station, about a 40 minute drive. As we [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:15:49-07:00August 30, 2016|

An Afternoon Sojourn to Cefalu Beach, Sicily

(June 2016) The previous evening in Messina, we had enjoyed a group celebration dinner at LaTonnaro Restaurant. Known for its fresh seafood, we were happy with the large platters of mussels and calamari we started with, along with a local sparkling wine made from the inzolia grape. The next course was a seafood risotto, followed by a main course of stuffed swordfish. We ordered a variety of wines including several made of the grillo grape, which many people had fallen in love with, along with two different bottles of nero d’avola. Platters of Mussels at la Tonnaro Restaurant in Messina [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:15:49-07:00August 26, 2016|

The Breathtaking Views and Wines of Abbazia Santa Anastasia

(June 2016) That morning we checked out of our hotel in Messina around 8am and drove about an hour and a half along the northern coast of Sicily towards Palermo. Our destination was Abbazia Santa Anastasia, which is a winery housed in a 12th century Abbey where the Benedictine monks were making wine more than 900 years ago. Stone Courtyard at Abbazia Santa Anastasia In the 1970’s the old abbey was purchased by the current owner and converted into a winery with a hotel and restaurant. Perched on a hilltop only 7 miles from the ocean, the abbey has amazing views [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:15:49-07:00August 23, 2016|

Prince of the Volcano – Antonio at Benanti Winery on Mt. Etna

(June 2016) Benantiis one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Sicily, and as such, only allows tastings by appointment in their family mansion located in the small town of Viagrande. There is no sign announcing the winery, and the estate is surrounded by a tall wall and high iron gates. Driving along the hilly residential road with glimpses of the blue sea below, it is very easy to miss. The Estate of Benanti Winery Fortunately our bus driver had the GPS coordinates, and Lorenzo, our guide, went inside the property to make sure we were at the correct [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:15:49-07:00August 19, 2016|

Visiting Planeta Winery on Mt. Etna, Sicily

(June 2016) The next morning we left the hotel around 9:30 to drive to our 11am appointment with Planeta Winery at their Feudo di Mezzo location on Mt. Etna. Planeta actually has six different wineries across the island, all with unique names, but they all fall under the family brand name of Planeta. Mt. Etna with Smoke on Top from Earlier Erruption First Glimpse of Mt Etna – Awe Inspiring The drive from Messina to Mt Etna was beautiful, with colorful red and pink flowers along the highway and the blue sea twinkling at us. When we rounded a corner [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:15:50-07:00August 14, 2016|

Donnafugata – A Legendary Sicilian Winery

(June 2016) Donnafugatahas always been one of my favorite Italian wineries – ever since I had tasted their magical wines at VinItaly several years ago. The experience of tasting their famous dessert wine, Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria, with its honey, apricot and nutty notes, has long stayed on my palate memory. Even more memorable were the photos they showed me of the zibibbo grapes that went into the wine. Growing on the tiny island of Pantelleria, south of Sicily and closer to the coast of Africa, the vine must be protected in holes dug into the sandy volcanic soil [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:15:50-07:00August 11, 2016|

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