Wine Travel Stories

In-depth Tales of Winery Visits Around the World

Snapshot of the Mexican Wine Industry – Home of Oldest Winery in the Americas

(Excerpts of this post are from an article co-authored with Jorge Covarrubias in Winebusiness.com) (Dec. 2016) One of the distinguishing features of wine from Mexico is that the country is reputed to be the home of the oldest winery in all of the Americas. This winery is Casa Madero and is located in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in the state of Coahuila, about one hour’s drive east of the city of Monterrey. Records show that in the 1520’s after conquering the Aztecs, Cortes had Spanish grapevines sent to Mexico in order to plant vineyards and make wine in this region. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:10:08-08:00December 27, 2016|

A Visit to Villa Margon and a Dinner with Ferrari Winery at Locanda Margon, Italy

(November 2016) On our last evening in Trentodoc we were truly spoiled with a tour and seated tasting at Ferrari Winery, followed by a visit to their historic Villa Margon and dinner at their Michelin star restaurant called Locanda Margon. Entrance to Ferrari Winery Tasting Room in Trento, Italy Ferrari was started in 1902 by Giulio Ferrari, who had a dream of creating world-class sparkling wine in his homeland of Trentino. After studying winemaking in France, he returned and started Ferrari and today it is one of the most well-respected sparkling wines of Italy. See video When we asked if [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:21:14-08:00December 12, 2016|

Visit to Five Sparkling Wineries of Trentodoc, Italy

(November 2016) When you next find yourself in the breathtakingly beautiful Dolomite mountains of northern Italy, make sure to take a few extra days to visit these wineries which specialize in producing the sparkling wine of Trentodoc, made in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in bottle. During our visit, we were able to enjoy tastings with the following producers: Dolomites Mountains of the Trentodoc Wine Region in Italy. Photo Credit: Trentodoc Wines Cesarini Sforza – Sparkling Wine from the Land of the Eagle We met with the owner and winemaker of Cesarini SforzaWinery while having dinner at Maso Franch Restaurant [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:21:59-08:00December 9, 2016|

A Tasting of 115 Sparkling Wines from Trentodoc, Italy at Palazzo Roccabruna

(November 2016) On the morning of our second day in Trento, Italy, we were invited to experience a grand tasting of 115 sparkling wines from the Trentodoc DOC. The event took place at the Palazzo Roccabruna from 9am to 11:45am, and was a self-paced tasting with several producers in attendance to answer questions. Tasting of 115 Sparkling Trentodoc Wines at Palazzo Roccabruna in Trento, Italy As you enter the ornate stucco Palazzo, there is a plaque above the door illustrating the date of 1554, when it was first constructed. Owned by a series of families over the centuries, it was also the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:22:24-08:00December 7, 2016|

Three Days in Trentodoc Italy Tasting “Sparkling Wine from the Mountains”

(November 2016) Did you know that high in the Dolomites Mountains there are vineyards that produce the first sparkling wines in Italy using the “metodo classic” with second fermentation in bottle? Even more amazing is the fact that the Trentodoc region became the first DOC classic sparkling wine region in Italy in 1993, second in the world to Champagne. Steep Vineyards of Trentodoc Italy with Dolomite Mountains (Italian Alps) Known as “Sparkling Wine from the Mountains,” the taste of the delicious bubbly from this northern part of Italy is fresh and exciting with zesty citrus and mineral notes. With only [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:22:47-08:00December 6, 2016|

Starving in the Jura and Sipping Vin Jaune in Chateau Chalon

(October 2016) Reminder to self: do not visit the Jura wine region on a Saturday at the end of October. It was Halloween weekend when I decided to visit the Jura wine region, one-hour drive south of Burgundy. For years I’ve wanted to travel here to taste the famous “yellow wines” or Vin Jaune of Jura. In addition, I’ve read repeatedly of the miraculous match of this wine to the Bresse chicken cooked in a cream and mushroom sauce. Little did I know that the week of All Saints Eve is a time when many restaurants and domains decide to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:23:09-08:00November 26, 2016|

Last Day in Alsace – A Castle, Palace and Restaurant Staeffele

(October 2016) During my time in Alsace I was kindly invited to stay with my Great Aunt at her house near Saverne. When I wasn’t visiting wineries, we had a chance to talk and she told me some of the family history. She grew up in both Alsace and Ulm, Germany, just over the border. I was surprised to learn that Alsace has changed governance five times in the last 150 years – being traded back and forth between France and Germany. She told me she learned not only to speak both French and German, but also the local dialect [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:23:55-08:00November 15, 2016|

Visit to Marcel Deiss – King of Alsatian Field Blends

(October 2016) The day I visited Domaine Marcel Deiss in Alsace turned out to be a very busy but delicious day. It started with a tour and presentation at the University of Strasbourg in the morning, followed by a lunch with my professor friend, Coralie. She booked a reservation at Restaurant A La Couronnein Scherwiller, where we started with the traditional Alsatian dish of tart flambée (similar to a thin crust pizza with cheese and onions – delicious), and then had three more courses plus a glass of riesling. It was difficult to move afterwards, especially since I had the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:24:22-08:00November 13, 2016|

Visit to Domaine Zind Humbrecht – Home of Classic Alsatian Riesling and More

(October 2016) – The sun was starting to break through the clouds when I arrived at Domaine Zind Humbrecht at 2pm in the afternoon. Olivier Humbrecht and his adorable black bulldog came out to greet me in front of the modern style winery, set among the vineyards near the small town of Turckheim. I had met Olivier on an MW wine trip to Tbilisi Georgia earlier in the year, and so I was prepared for the very tall (6 foot 5 inches) impressive French man who is one of the very few in the country who have passed the MW [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T13:27:42-08:00November 9, 2016|

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|2021-01-23T13:29:14-08:00October 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|2021-01-23T13:33:14-08:00September 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|2021-01-23T13:33:36-08:00September 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|2021-01-23T13:34:31-08:00September 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|2021-01-23T13:35:05-08:00September 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|2021-01-23T13:35:30-08:00September 14, 2016|

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