Travel
- I Did It Again!
Last night I poured a glass of wine, using one of my better wine glasses, and damned if I didn't brush my arm against the glass sitting on the countertop and spilled the wine plus broke the glass! I don't know what it happening to me but I do...
- Shopping Helper
I took granddaughter Autumn with me to Barnes & Noble this afternoon to do a little Christmas shopping. We are both fanatic book lovers, and always trip out over a visit to B&N. She was an invaluable help to me in checking off my Christmas...
- Win Two Nights For Two At A Wine Estate!
My One Ingredient Dinners are a unique dining experience for the foodies of Cape Town. One carefully chosen ingredient spreads itself over all four courses of the evening; showing just how much can be done with one ingredient! After a demonstration...
- Following The Wine Routes Of Greece
Wine is an important part of the culture of Greece, both in terms of social traditions and religious significance. Being a Mediterranean country, the climate is perfectly suited to growing a number of varieties of grapes, from which wine is produced....
- Boat With A View. Going On A Cruise On The Douro River
We have to admit that Porto totally took us by surprise. We never expected it to be such a charming city. Even before finishing our walking tour we were completely smitten. But strolling up and down the streets of Porto is no easy task...
Travel
Making Friends On The Road. A Wine Tasting With A Twist
Just after we finished our boat trip up and down the Douro River, our ever surprising and resourceful guide, Luis from EcoTours Portugal asked us if we wanted to go for a wine tasting before saying goodbye to him. Hell yeah! He made some phone calls and we climbed some hills in Vila Nova de Gaia, the city just across the river from Porto, and minutes later we were in the lobby of Croft winery.
This was our almost first wine tasting ever, and I say 'almost' because I have some fuzzy memories about some wine cellars in Cartagena, Spain a few years back.
First thing we saw when entering the Croft winery was this super comfy and amazingly decorated area with a real fire burning in the fireplace and orchids on the table. We took a short guided tour through the cellar and the guide explained us a few things about how they make the famous Port wine from the vineyards of the nearby Douro Valley.
However, my favorite detail was that they use two different methods to squash the grapes, one mechanical, the other one with the bare feet. The best? The one with the bare feet. I always wanted to do this! Oh, well, maybe some day... My grandparents were from a wine region and they used to make wine at home. Never used their feet though. But as a kid, I was squashing grapes in my hands and that felt so good. And Gosh, I would have loved to get my feet into those grapes, but they never let me do it...
After the guided tour we were graciously invited to taste some of their wine. Many wineries in Gaia offer a FREE wine tasting if you bother to visit them and Croft was no exception. This time we sat in the stunning lobby on beautiful chairs and at a beautiful table with a barrel design. We were served one red and one white wine tasting. My husband likes red better, I prefer the white one. And now I have to say it loud and clear. THIS WAS THE MOST DIVINE WHITE WINE I'VE EVER TASTED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
Part of our group at the winery there were two 22 years old girls from South Korea and when we were to sit down and taste the wine, they invited us to sit with them at the table. And so it is how we found out their incredible story and mission. They are on a 6 months penniless tour of Europe, couchsurfing and hitchhiking from one place to another. I mean, how amazing is that?
We told them we were living in Valencia, they told us they were headed for Valencia to see the Las Fallas Festival. They told us they couldn't find anybody to offer them a couch during Las Fallas, we told them we had two spare beds for them and that they were welcome to stay with us. Everything was so incredibly spontaneous and their happiness was contagious. Then we talked a bit more about their travels and about our travels... One of them is the first time outside South Korea. Imagine your first trip outside you country being a 6 months escape through Europe! These girls are amazing, but we think we made a pretty good impression too ;)
Dear Somi and Yeji, we are really looking forward to share this year's Las Fallas with you!
- I Did It Again!
Last night I poured a glass of wine, using one of my better wine glasses, and damned if I didn't brush my arm against the glass sitting on the countertop and spilled the wine plus broke the glass! I don't know what it happening to me but I do...
- Shopping Helper
I took granddaughter Autumn with me to Barnes & Noble this afternoon to do a little Christmas shopping. We are both fanatic book lovers, and always trip out over a visit to B&N. She was an invaluable help to me in checking off my Christmas...
- Win Two Nights For Two At A Wine Estate!
My One Ingredient Dinners are a unique dining experience for the foodies of Cape Town. One carefully chosen ingredient spreads itself over all four courses of the evening; showing just how much can be done with one ingredient! After a demonstration...
- Following The Wine Routes Of Greece
Wine is an important part of the culture of Greece, both in terms of social traditions and religious significance. Being a Mediterranean country, the climate is perfectly suited to growing a number of varieties of grapes, from which wine is produced....
- Boat With A View. Going On A Cruise On The Douro River
We have to admit that Porto totally took us by surprise. We never expected it to be such a charming city. Even before finishing our walking tour we were completely smitten. But strolling up and down the streets of Porto is no easy task...