Food, Wine and Travel Blog

Introduction to the Red Wines of Spain Spain’s viticultural landscape is anchored in both tradition and modernity. Vines have been cultivated since Roman times, and the nation has more vineyards than any global wine producer. As a result, cold winters and hot summers can easily ripen a broad palate of red varieties, often cultivated according […]

Over the past 15 years, Spain has been re-evaluating its viticultural priorities. At the turn of the Millennium, the Iberian Peninsula was overwhelmingly associated with one red grape variety: Tempranillo. Easy to love and capable of producing structured and silky wine, Tempranillo is still responsible for a large percentage of Spain’s premium wine exports. Moreover, […]

“Garnacha is possibly Spain’s greatest red grape variety. Like Pinot Noir, it acts as a powerful conduit between the terroir and the winery. There is no other grape in Spain that transmits the characteristics of a particular site with such clarity and precision.” Ferran Centelles’ eulogy to the world’s most misunderstood grape variety could scarcely […]

Spain’s Top Gourmet Paradores The “Paradores de Turismo de España” brand was founded in the early 20th century by Spanish King Alfonso XIII to save historical patrimony and promote tourism simultaneously. Castles, fortresses, manor homes, palaces, convents, monasteries, and other historic buildings were converted into hotels and state-run under the Parador brand. The very first […]

What kind of wine is Vin Santo? There is an abundance of diverse wines waiting to be discovered in Italy. Over 350 grape varieties are authorized for commercial wine production; this includes a vast selection of exquisite dessert wines, each with its unique regional significance. Recognized for its mysterious ancient origins and exceptional production methods, […]

Guide to Amarone Wine Amarone della Valpolicella is one of Italy’s true classics. In English, Amarone [pronunciation – aa·muh·row·nei] roughly translates as ‘the Great Bitter’ – this is an unfortunate and misleading piece of nomenclature. There is nothing remotely ‘bitter’ about Amarone. Yet it is undoubtedly worthy of being described as ‘great.’ Amarone is an […]

An Introduction to Sangiovese Grape and its Wine Italy’s most-planted red grape variety comes in a multitude of guises. Sangiovese [pronunciation: san·jow·vei·zuh] is both an industrial-grade workhorse and the source of Tuscany’s finest wines. It is the ultimate viticultural chameleon. Sangiovese caters to every possible need and every gastronomic eventuality.   With Cellar Tours, you […]

Beautiful, dynamic, exciting, and buzzy, Lyon is France’s third-largest city and home to some of the country’s best restaurants and famous chefs. Straddling the great Saône and Rhône rivers, Lyon’s power and importance date back to Ancient Roman times (when it was called Lugdunum) and has maintained some spectacular testaments to this imperial past, such […]

What is Marsala Wine and Where Does it Come From? Sicily represents Italy’s most exciting winemaking frontier. After a long period of stagnation and over-production, this gorgeous Mediterranean island is making waves. It has attracted investors like Andrea Franchetti – the owner of Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany – who seek growing conditions unlike anywhere […]

What is Primitivo wine? There is no mistaking a glass of ripe, powerfully scented Primitivo. How would we describe its signature aroma and flavor? Well, the best analogy would be jumping headfirst into a saucepan of freshly made blackberry and plum jam. Primitivo is many things, but it is rarely understated. This grape is about […]

What is Tempranillo wine? Great terroir may influence a regional wine style’s nuances, but the raw materials enable the magic to happen. Fortunately, Spain has both. The Iberian Peninsula boasts some of the most varied and complex terroir in Europe, supported by an eclectic palate of internationally renowned grape varieties. The most important of these […]

Madrid, Spain’s exciting and beautiful capital city, offers a smörgåsbord of world-famous art museums and historical landmarks, but for us, the biggest attraction is the food and wine. Located at the country’s exact center, Madrid has always been a crossroads attracting Spaniards from all the other regions to live and work, meaning you have restaurants […]