The tasty side to life

The Hottest Experience in Champagne Right Now: Elaborate Dinners in UNESCO World Heritage Caves Beneath Millions of Aging Bottles On a Wine Tour From Paris

2026-06-21T09:27:22.213+02:00

When you picture a Champagne house visit, you probably think of touring amazing gorgeous chalk cellars, sipping a flight of champagne cuvées on a champagne tasting tour, and maybe visiting a champagne museum. But in 2025, the Maisons are taking hospitality to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL and you guys you HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS!! I'm talking about meals inside the caves themselves!!!!! I have done this once with Champagne Mumm with my masters program in Reims and it was UNFORGETABLE, UNREAL A MUST MUST MUST!!

Oui, Champagne Pommery, Champagne Ruinart, and even Champagne Moët & Chandon are offering opportunities to sit down for lunch or dinner in the heart of their historic UNESCO chalk crayères, surrounded by walls carved centuries ago, with Champagne flowing from the source. It’s gorgeous, so so so special, rare, and absolutely unforgettable. On one of our Tasty Side to Life Tours, private wine tasting tours to Reims we can now include these extraordinary dining experiences and we are so, so, so excited!!! So if you are looking for a 1 day wine tasting trip from Paris look no further!

At Champagne Pommery, their the “Gastronomic Visit” begins with a guided walk through the estate’s legendary crayères to understand how champagne is made. Here, art installations are mixed with ancient chalk and a champagne visit and were obsessed. Afterwards, you can sit down for a Champagne-paired meal at the house.
Duration: ~3 hours
Price: ~€145 per adult (Champagne included)
The experience balances history, architecture, and cuisine — and the hush of the caves turns every sip and bite into something magical.
We can include this as part of your chauffeur-driven wine trip or Champagne day tour to Reims, combining Pommery’s art-filled caves with tastings at smaller grower estates for a balanced experience.

Champagne Ruinart — Dinners by Arnaud Donckele & the Immersive “Petit R”

Maison Ruinart has created some of the most exclusive dining experiences in the region and this house is TOP OF THE TOP! Ruinart is not too well known in the US but this is one of my favorite houses and a place not to miss!!
The Ruinart Dinner by Arnaud Donckele: A five-course gastronomic dinner by a three-starred chef, paired with Ruinart’s finest cuvées, following a guided cellar tour. Price: €650 per person.
Petit R Immersive Dinner: A 5-course journey blending visuals, history, and gastronomy, telling Ruinart’s story through food. Price: €500 per person.
Weekend Lunches: A more relaxed option — four courses with Champagne pairing, around €140 per person. For me this is the perfect price point!
At Ruinart this is SO SPECIAL and sells out fast. Booking with us ensures your place on a private Champagne tour with chauffeur service to Reims, where you can pair Ruinart with boutique grower Champagne visits nearby.

Moët & Chandon — A Taste of Things to Come

Moët & Chandon has long led the way with cellar tours and tastings, and while their cave dining program is still emerging, there are whispers of private or high-end meals beginning to take place underground. For now, most guests can enjoy tastings paired with optional lunches nearby, but Moët’s size and history make it a house to watch as this cave-dining trend grows.
We can also include Moët’s legendary cellars and Avenue de Champagne tastings in Épernay on a chauffeur-driven Champagne day trip from Paris or Reims with Tasty Side to Life Tours.

Why Cave Dining Matters

For years, Champagne tours have focused on tastings, history, and vineyard tours. Adding meals in the caves changes everything: it’s immersive, it’s exclusive, and it transforms a Champagne visit into a full sensory journey. Imagine sitting thirty meters underground, candlelight bouncing off chalk walls, as a perfectly paired dish arrives with a glass of Champagne straight from the maison above.
Once again if you come on one of our private Champagne day tours with chauffeur service from Paris, we can design itineraries that weave these rare cave dining experiences together with boutique grower tastings, village strolls, and Michelin-starred meals in Reims and Épernay.

Plan Your Champagne Food & Wine Adventure

If dining in Champagne caves sounds like your kind of adventure, let us design a tour around it. At Tasty Side to Life Tours, our wine tasting trip from Paris includes not only the best tastings but also these extraordinary meals. From Michelin-starred dinners to rustic village lunches, we’ll make sure your journey through Champagne is unforgettable — in the glass, on the plate, and deep underground in the most magical dining rooms in the world. Can't wait to see you there!!

A Perfect 1 Day Wine Tasting Trip in France to Reims, the Capital of France’s Champagne Region!!

2026-06-16T19:27:44.719+02:00

You guys, are you coming to Champagne this summer? It is a must and summer 2026 is just starting!! As I am planning my own summer travels I'm wondering why can't all of Europe be $60/ night B&B's along a river with breakfast included like we do in champagne. We love this one https://www.chambresdhotes.org/english/Detailed/937437.html talk to Ennio and Renaud's here: Chambres D'Hotes Cumieres Renaud.

Champagne, just 45 minutes from Paris by high-speed train, is one of the BEST destinations for travelers looking for a quick 1 day wine tasting tour from Paris! Were talking about luxury champagne tastings, guided champagne tours, small group champagne tours, and people seeking world-class champagne, French heritage, and elegant gastronomy. With Tasty Side To Life Tours, guests can enjoy a seamless and refined day discovering the heart of Champagne.

To start with us doing the best Champagne Tour in Reims, the perfect morning begins with a private transfer from the Reims or Champagne Ardenne station or local B&B or hotel, followed by a guided tour of one of Champagne’s most legendary houses, renowned for its historic cellars, remarkable heritage, and internationally acclaimed cuvées: either the iconic Maison Veuve Clicquot, the prestigious Maison Ruinart or an alternative experience at Champagne Taittinger, where visitors discover historic underground caves and craftsmanship behind some of Champagne’s most admired labels. If it was our preference it would be Ruinart hands down 1000%. Please don't miss a visit to Ruinart on a champagne tour with us! Make sure to book early.

Afterwards, guests can explore the magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral. In my opinion this is more gorgeous than the Paris Notre Dame Cathedral!! This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site is celebrated for its breathtaking Gothic architecture, intricate stone carvings, and stunning stained-glass windows. The stained glass is so gorg!!! It's my favorite part. Known as the traditional coronation place of the Kings of France, the cathedral offers visitors a unique journey through French history and remains one of the most impressive monuments in the Champagne region. Also seeing the bullet holes from WWI is amazing and something you will never forget. On a private champagne tour with us and a 1 day trip to champagne please dont miss the Cathedral! We can squeeze it in during 30 mins prior to a visit to Ruinart, Veuve, Pommery or a lunch at Les Crayeres, its all 15 minutes apart!!

For lunch, Reims offers several incredible Michelin-level dining experiences where gastronomy and champagne pairings take center stage!!! Guests may choose elegant seasonal cuisine at Arbane, refined dining at Le Foch, or contemporary creativity at Racine, each offering the opportunity to discover how great dishes can be elevated by carefully selected champagnes. For those wishing to explore beyond Reims, Les Avisés in Avize is a remarkable destination in the Côte des Blancs, celebrated for its intimate atmosphere, estate-driven cuisine, and outstanding Champagne pairings linked to the Selosse family domaine. We love love love Avises and you have to have a bottle of Selosse during lunch! In nearby Vinay, La Briqueterie’s Michelin-recognized restaurant Alcôve offers an elegant countryside setting surrounded by vineyards, ideal for a refined lunch or dinner after cellar visits near Épernay. Of course there is Les Crayeres which is one of our top restaurants as well and really you can't leave the region without eating there!

In the afternoon with us on a 1 day wine tasting tour from Paris, the journey continues with a more intimate exploration of Champagne through visits to outstanding family-owned producers. You can come with us to wine taste with Champagne Bernard Pertois in the Côte des Blancs, celebrated for elegant Chardonnay-focused cuvées, Champagne Bliard-Labeste for its artisanal spirit and expressive wines, Champagne Alexandre Filaine for distinctive grower champagnes prized by enthusiasts, or Champagne Le Gallais, beautifully located in the Marne Valley with stunning vineyard views. These boutique visits offer a privileged opportunity to meet passionate producers and experience the authentic craftsmanship behind Champagne. We love these stops b/c you can test up to 3 cuvees and visit some of the best of the best 19,000 growers in the region! My fav way to do it is to taste a Pinot heavy champagne, a 100% Meunier champagne and a 100% Chardonnay champagne!

During cellar visits, you can also enjoy curated tasting experiences designed to showcase the art of food and champagne pairing, from delicate Blanc de Blancs served with seafood to richer Pinot Noir blends matched with fine cheeses or gourmet bites. These experiences reveal the remarkable versatility of Champagne throughout a meal.

Like we said earlier, if you're interested in exploring more of Reims’ rich heritage, a visit to the Basilica of Saint-Remi is a wonderful addition to the day and just 5 mins from the Cathedral. This remarkable UNESCO-listed monument, known for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, offers a peaceful and elegant setting while showcasing centuries of French history. It is an ideal cultural stop for travelers who wish to combine champagne experiences with the historic soul of Reims.

For our clients wishing to stay overnight, Reims offers a selection of elegant accommodations perfectly suited to a luxury Champagne getaway. Domaine Les Crayères is one of the most prestigious addresses in the region, set within a magnificent château surrounded by landscaped gardens and renowned for its refined service, timeless atmosphere, and exceptional gastronomy. We just stayed there and are OBSESSED!!! For those who prefer a charming city-center stay, Grand Hôtel des Templiers offers classic French elegance, a warm boutique ambiance, and convenient access to Reims’ main attractions, restaurants, and champagne houses. Both properties provide an ideal base for extending the Champagne experience in comfort and style. We also LOVE La Briquterie, Royal Champagne, Loisium Hotel Champagne and then B&B's I listed earlier or in French its a Chambre D'hotes!

Those returning to Paris can easily board an evening high-speed train at Champagne Ardenne Station or Reims station (we recommend the TGV or fast train) and be back in the capital in under an hour, making Reims one of Europe’s most effortless luxury 1 day wine tasting trips!.

For travelers searching for the best Reims Champagne tours, private Champagne tastings, luxury Reims day trips, or exclusive vineyard experiences from Paris, Tasty Side To Life Tours is the Best of the Best and most unforgettable way to discover Champagne!!

👉Plan your unforgettable experience today: https://www.tastysidetolifetours.com

Champagne in 2026: Why Reims Is The Top Destination for Champagne Tours

2026-04-17T23:07:00.002+02:00

Despite a more cautious global economic climate, champagne continues to confirm its position as the ultimate symbol of luxury, elegance, and celebration. In 2025, more than 266 million bottles were shipped worldwide, reinforcing the strength of the region and the lasting demand for wines from Champagne.

The United States remains the number one export market, with over 26.4 million bottles shipped last year. This continued success highlights the worldwide appeal of both prestigious maisons and independent producers from the Champagne region.

In Reims, this momentum is especially visible. Visitors from around the world are no longer seeking only a tasting—they want a complete and memorable experience that blends gastronomy, heritage, and discovery. This growing demand has made champagne tours Reims and Reims wine tours more popular than ever.

From exploring legendary cellars to visiting world-famous estates, travelers are increasingly booking guided champagne tours Reims, small group champagne tours, and exclusive private champagne tours Reims to experience the region in a more authentic way.

For those looking for one of the best champagne tours in Reims, Tasty Side to Life Tours offers tailor-made experiences through the vineyards, villages, and iconic houses of Champagne. Whether you are interested in a luxury champagne tour Reims, a Reims champagne houses tour at Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot, or unforgettable Champagne tasting Reims, their curated journeys provide the perfect way to discover the heart of the region.

Ideal for visitors planning day trips Champagne France, exploring nearby Épernay, with Épernay champagne tours, or seeking premium Champagne region tours France, Tasty Side to Life Tours creates memorable moments in one of the world’s most celebrated wine destinations.

👉 Plan your unforgettable experience today: https://www.tastysidetolifetours.com

Best Restaurants in Reims and Nearby Champagne Villages to Visit During a Champagne Day Trip from Paris!

2025-11-26T02:57:00.000+01:00

Best Restaurants in Reims, France and Nearby Champagne Villages to Pair With Your Champagne Day Trip with us!

When travelers dream of a chauffeur driven day trip to Champagne like the one's we organize at Tasty Side To Life Tours, they usually picture golden glasses of bubbly clinking in UNESCO candlelit caves. But ask anyone who’s been here recently, and they’ll tell you that the food scene in Reims and the surrounding villages is just as memorable as the bubbles and the best part is the food is affordable!!! You can eat a Michelin star meal at Chateau Les Crayeres with four courses for 120€ which is a STEAL and what I love, love, love about the region! It is starter, main cheese and dessert with many pre and after courses so instead of 3 courses its like 6-7! Wine pairing is an additional 65€ and SO WORTH IT! This is only Wed-Friday and lunch only but still! You must experience this.

A Champagne tour isn’t complete without a long two hour mandatory lunch, a cozy bistro dinner, or a modern tasting menu that impresses you with every course. And the best part of france in my opinion is the cheese cart they wheel up for pre dessert! It's a selection of 50 cheeses and you could try a little piece of each if you'd like!

Over the years of leading Tasty Side To Life Tours and guiding guests on chauffeur driven private tours through Reims, Épernay, and the rolling surrounding gorgeous villages beyond, we’ve discovered restaurants that truly capture the spirit of Champagne and are the best of the best. These are the places we love to share with travelers who book a tour with us, because they combine what the region does best: exceptional wine, seasonal produce, and a deep respect for tradition.

Reims:

L’Assiette Champenoise — This Michelin-starred restaurant is often at the top of every list, and for good reason. Chef Arnaud Lallement crafts dishes that are both luxurious and welcoming, with a cellar that highlights Champagne pairings better than anywhere in the world. If you want to celebrate a special occasion in Reims, this is the place.

Les Crayeres Le Parc and Le Jardin— Set in a fairy-tale château surrounded by lush gardens, Le Parc delivers a dining experience as refined as the Champagnes on its list. Guests love starting with a glass on the terrace before heading into the grand dining room. It’s everything you imagine when you picture French fine dining. If you want something more casual than Le Jardin is perfect, its their GORGEOUS bistro!

Racine — A creative blend of Japanese precision and French flavors, Racine has become a favorite among food lovers seeking something unexpected. Tucked into a quiet Reims street, it offers an intimate setting where each plate feels like an art piece.

Local Favorites and Bistro Charm

Café du Palais — For a more casual experience, Café du Palais is a Reims institution. With colorful stained glass and eclectic décor, it’s the perfect spot for lunch between cellar visits. The menu is straightforward, hearty, and paired beautifully with a glass of Champagne. A must is the table side beef tartare

La Grande Georgette — Located near the Cathedral, this modern brasserie balances tradition with a youthful energy. It’s one of those places that feels both polished and relaxed, making it a great stop on a day of sightseeing. This is the hottest restaurant of the moment

Le Bocal — If seafood calls your name, Le Bocal (part fish market, part restaurant) is the spot. Order oysters, a bottle of Champagne, and let the afternoon drift by. We LOVE seafood and LOVE this seafood counter. Even better if you visit on a Saturday and pair this with the HUGE Reims farmers market

Beyond Reims: Dining in Champagne Villages

When we design custom Champagne tours, we often take guests beyond Reims to villages like Hautvillers, Rilly-la-Montagne, and Épernay. Here you’ll find hidden gems, small family-run restaurants where you might be the only visitor among locals. The best part of being in the villages is that you are 15-30 minutes from Reims and you are SURROUNDED by vines! These meals are often the ones our clients remember most: rustic dishes, friendly service, and plenty of grower Champagne flowing at the table.

Chez Max (Magenta / near Épernay) — A family-run restaurant dating back to 1946, Chez Max offers a warm and convivial setting. Expect regional specialties like pink Champagne lentils, escargots, sole meunière, or a perfectly prepared steak tartare, all paired effortlessly with local bubbles. This is very close to Epernay so just a 10 minute drive to tasting at Champagne Moet et Chandon on our private chauffeur driven tour.

La Briqueterie (Vinay) — Set within a charming country hotel, La Briqueterie is known for its two restaurants: the refined Alcôve and a more relaxed bistrot. Seasonal menus highlight Champagne terroir, and the elegant dining room makes it an ideal stop for a leisurely gourmet meal in the countryside. We LOVE this countryside hamlet and bring people here often!!

Le Grand Cerf (Montchenot, near Reims) — A Michelin-starred gem in the Champagne countryside, Le Grand Cerf offers refined, creative French cuisine in an elegant yet intimate setting. It’s a perfect choice for travelers who want a gastronomic experience outside the bustle of Reims. We go here A LOT with our clients on private chauffeur driven tours around Reims. This is in between Reims and Eperany and we LOVE LOVE LOVE. It's Michelin star as well and very affordable.

Les Avisés (Avize) — Located at Jacques Selosse’s estate in Avize, Les Avisés combines refined modern cuisine with one of the most impressive grower Champagne lists in the region. Guests love the understated luxury and the thoughtful pairings that showcase some of Champagne’s finest terroirs. This is the best of the best small bistro, and the most famous champagne grower. This is a must visit! You can also stay here when on a chauffeur driven private tour with us, a more bonus!

La Cave à Champagne (Épernay) — A cozy, traditional spot in the heart of Épernay, La Cave à Champagne offers classic French dishes in a warm setting. It’s especially popular for hearty lunches or dinners after cellar tours, with a wine list heavy on local growers. We LOVE this for traditional food or even Au 36 for a wine bar in Hautvillers. Its the best to eat regional dishes only when in champagne!

The Sacré Burger (Épernay) — A playful, modern concept near the Avenue de Champagne, Sacré Burger serves gourmet burgers crafted with French ingredients and paired with — you guessed it — a glass of Champagne. It’s casual, fun, and a refreshing twist after a day of tastings. This is our friends husbands restaurant and its a fabulous French burger! Great if you have kids too, they will LOVE.

Prise de Mousse (Rilly-la-Montagne) — A local favorite in Rilly, Prise de Mousse charms guests with a menu that balances French tradition and creativity. Its intimate village setting makes it a great stop for those wanting to discover Champagne beyond the main cities.

Le Bacchus (Rilly-la-Montagne) — Known for its welcoming atmosphere, Le Bacchus offers rustic French cooking and generous portions. It’s the kind of place where you linger over a carafe of wine or a bottle of grower Champagne with the locals.

La Table du Petit Bonhomme (Rilly-la-Montagne) — A cozy bistro that feels like dining in a friend’s home. The cooking is hearty and unpretentious, and the atmosphere is friendly, giving guests a true sense of village life.

Château de Rilly (Rilly-la-Montagne) — Set within a restored 18th-century château, this restaurant offers elegant fine dining paired with estate wines and Champagnes. The picturesque gardens and refined service make it a destination meal during a tour. Gorgeous place to stay as well!

Le Relais de Sillery (Sillery) — A traditional French restaurant with a reputation for excellent fish and seafood, Le Relais de Sillery is a hidden gem in a quiet Champagne village. It’s a relaxed stop where local cuisine shines alongside regional wines.

Why Great Restaurants Belong in Your Champagne Tour

Wine and food go hand-in-hand. Visiting Champagne without experiencing its restaurants is like tasting only half the story. By weaving in these dining experiences, your tour becomes not just about what’s in your glass, but also about the flavors on your plate, the people behind them, and the way Champagne is meant to be enjoyed: together, around a table. Also most houses take a break from 12pm-2pm so you must stop as well and why not do it with amazing food paired with champagne?

At Tasty Side to Life Tours, we design Champagne itineraries that balance cellar visits, village exploration, and restaurant experiences tailored to your tastes. Whether you’re dreaming of Michelin stars or cozy bistros, we’ll make sure your journey through Champagne is unforgettable.

Plan Your Champagne Food & Wine Adventure

If dining your way through Reims and Champagne sounds like your kind of trip, we’d love to help. Reach out to us to create a custom Champagne tour that includes not only the best bubbles, but also the meals that bring this incredible and gorgeous region to life at tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com or https://www.tastysidetolifetours.com/

Champagne Tour from Reims- A Day Trip Itinerary to Champagne Moët, Champagne Growers & The Best of the Best Hidden Gems

2025-06-02T03:33:00.000+02:00

We Are Back to Blogging! Kicking Off Early Summer 2025 with Our Favorite Champagne Day Tour from Reims!!

It has been a while since we last posted! We've been busy living life—still shipping grower Champagne around the world and giving private tours to both iconic and boutique Champagne producers. We’ve also recently hosted tours in Napa, Spain, and other beautiful wine regions.

If you’re in Paris now (or heading there soon), the real question is: are you ready for the best part of your entire trip to France??? I mean really... it will be! A Champagne tour is the perfect day trip from Paris! Reims is just a 38-minute train ride away, and with France’s high-speed trains being so fast, clean, and easy, this is one experience you won’t want to miss. In truly 38 mins you can get out of the city and into drinking champagne all day, I mean?!?

Whether you're planning a short luxury day tour from Paris or open to staying overnight in the Champagne region, our private tours—with your own chauffeur—are really the perfect balance of legendary Champagne houses and unforgettable grower boutique tastings. From iconic cellars to hidden gems, we design fully customized itineraries tailored to your pace, style, and interests. Email us to customize your tour here!

Still on the fence? Contact us to book your Reims Champagne tour and enjoy the best of the best champagne tastings at houses like Champagne Moët & Chandon, Champagne Pommery, Champagne Ruinart, etc, etc. We’ll also take you off the beaten path to the best family-run producers like Champagne Forget-Chemin, which is truly the heart and soul of the region plus scenic stops in historic Hautvillers—all with a private driver to guide your day. We’re absolutely OBSESSED with what we do and can’t wait to welcome you to the most beautiful region in France!!!

A Perfect Day in Champagne: Our Favorite, Favorite, Favorite Reims Wine Tour Itinerary

If you're dreaming of the ultimate day trip from Paris around Reims/ Epernay, this is one of our favorite itineraries—and for good reason! Featuring world-class Champagne houses, charming picturesque vineyard villages, unforgettable meals, and tasting, after tasting, after tasting, this tour delivers the perfect mix of luxury, culture, and indulgence in the heart of France’s most iconic wine region!!

10:00 AM – Reims Local Pickup or Champagne Ardenne/ Reims pickup with train from Paris

Our day begins with a convenient pickup at your Reims Airbnb, local hotel like the stunning Les Crayeres, Royal Champagne, B&B Le Chen Plat (the BEST B&B on a river in Champagne around Reims) or pickup at the Train station (either Reims Gare or Champagne Ardenne Gare) coming in 38 minutes from Paris. No need to worry about navigating, just sit back and enjoy the rolling vineyard views as you head toward your first destination.

Les Crayeres- a must hotel stay. Oui to whipped chocolate butter on toast for breakfast!

10:30 AM – Grower Champagne Tasting at Thierry Forget (Champagne Forget-Chemin)
The day kicks off with an intimate tasting and tour at Champagne Forget-Chemin, a boutique grower in the Montagne de Reims ie the land of Pinot Noir! This is the structured powerful champagnes that are a must visit. Led by fourth-generation winemaker Thierry Forget, this visit offers an authentic look into family-run Champagne production and Thierry is just the best host, the nicest man and filled with so much passion for what his family does! I mean can you imagine your life's work being running a vineyard and making champagne? Talk about a dream. Here you'll explore estate vineyards, learn about traditional methods, and taste refined cuvées—Extra Brut, Blanc de Blancs, and Rosé—that highlight Pinot Noir and Meunier. It’s a masterclass in craftsmanship and terroir, far from the crowds of commercial houses and you will taste 3 glasses or his master work.

12:30 PM – Michelin-Starred Lunch at Le Grand Cerf
After your first champagne tasting with the fab boutique grower, it’s time to indulge in a gourmet lunch at Le Grand Cerf, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its seasonal French cuisine. This place is the BEST! It's on the road to Eperany, so like 15 minutes out and just so special, so memorable, so perfect. The setting is elegant yet welcoming, and the food—paired with a curated wine list—is the kind of experience that makes Champagne dining truly special. Here we say spurge and try a bottle of Champagne Jacques Selosse or a red wine Cote de Champenoise which is the only place you will try Champenoise red wine!

2:45 PM – Scenic Stop in Hautvillers
Next, we head to the picturesque village of Hautvillers, the birthplace of Champagne. There is nothing like getting out of the big cities and dropping into the vines. It truly takes your breath away. You'll visit the Dom Pérignon church and enjoy panoramic vineyard views where you can take some photos. This is really a perfect moment for photos and a little fresh air before your next tasting.

3:50 PM – Moët & Chandon Tour in Épernay
No Champagne itinerary is complete without a visit to Champagne Moët & Chandon to tour their ancient UNESCO Heritage site caves. This legendary house, founded in 1743, is one of the most recognized names in champagne. You'll tour their extensive cellars and enjoy a tasting of their flagship cuvée, Moët Impérial. It's a luxurious, immersive experience that connects tradition with glamour. Remember to bring a coat as it is 55f in the caves but this is a must to experience the world where over 300 million bottles of champagne are aging!

6:00 PM – Sunset Glass at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Before heading back to Reims, we stop at the stunning Royal Champagne Hotel for a glass of wine with one of the best views in the region. Perched above the vineyards, this location offers a perfect moment of serenity and reflection.

7:00 PM – Return to Reims
Your day ends with drop-off back at your Airbnb in Reims, Hotel Les Crayeres or the Train station. After a full day of Champagne tasting with a private chauffeur, a day of culture, and cuisine, you’ll return after having had one of the most memorable days of your life—and maybe just a little tipsy.

Ready to book your private Champagne tour from Reims?

Let us help you create an unforgettable experience through the heart of France’s most celebrated wine region. Contact us to customize your itinerary today! Tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com

Happy New year! Whats your word for 2024?

2024-01-08T20:42:00.007+01:00

Happy New Year! Sorry we have been MIA since COVID and everything! We diverged during COVID to doing online virtual wine and Champagne tasting for friends and corporate clients like Google etc! We also have been busy busy busy with work and family life. I had a baby who is now 2 years old! Raphael Tomas Krueger Roldan the light of my life. Hope you all are well. Wishing you all a health, happy and amazing new year!

The New Year always involves so much talk of fresh beginnings and resolutions...but for me I feel like a New Years word is so much more impactful than a New Years resolution. I feel like our brains like simple, repeatable things to repeat and form patterns of ie there lies the beauty of just one simple word, one simple thing to stick to throughout the year.

My word for 2024 is abundance. Not the kind of abundance that has to do with material things. I actually quite dislike lots and lots of things. I'm the kind of person that likes 2 really great pairs of jeans, or three cute workout outfits, not 20. So abundance for 2021, abundance around the appreciation of life in its fullness, joy and strength of mind, body and soul. Ahh, deep breath, that feels grounding and good.

My work friend said his word is BRAVE this year. And he reminded me to be brave in my personal and professional life. I loved that. What is yours? Strength, perseverance, health, focus, growth, simply? Pitbull has an amazing life story if youve never read about his bravery you should. His word is WON

I feel like your word should come very easy to you! That first thought is probably it.

Below is some New Year, new inspo posts

Landing from Maui and we had some treatments at the Spa at Black Rock at the Sheraton Maui which was AMAZING and Im OBSESSED with tropical skincare and this Pineapple toner which gives your skin a gorgeous glow. Been using daily and obsessed https://eminenceorganics.com/us/product/pineapple-refi ng-tonique. It is a great natural exfoliator

Also loving this tropical lilikoi daily sunscreen with cocoa seed extract, satsuma mandarin peel and SPF 40 https://eminenceorganics.com/us/product/lilikoi-daily-defense-moisturizer-spf-40. I mean doesn't this sound amazing?

I love reading that study published in JAMA found 10 minutes per day of power walking could add years to your life! It's the small things. The best is to walk 6,000 to 10,000 steps per day but if you can just get in 10 minutes that is SOMETHING! I got one of the walking treadmills and did 2 weeks of Sakara plant based meal delivery before the New Year which was a nice body restart! I plan to just walk on all of my calls. I also bought the Sakara cookbook which is SO NICE for clean living and you should check it out I LOVE their breakfast. https://www.sakara.com/products/cookbook-eat-clean-play-dirty?variant=39566302150765

I'm detoxing and working on lymphatic drainage this week with on a master class 2x a week with Madalyn Hughes HNP at Mdly Wholistic on Instagram. Her focus is B12 in a liquid or spray, high quality liver 2-4oz 2x per week or a TBLS of bee pollen daily, my own magnesium bicarbonate I made 1/4 to 1/2 cup a day starting in your lemon water in the morning (start slow), collagen peptides in raw milk in the am with a raw egg, and probiotic in fermented foods EVERYDAY (ie making your own sauerkraut and adding that juice to even our kids eggs or guac)! Also working on eating more wild caught fish, organic veggies, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices.

We are still busy planning chauffeur driven trips to Champagne and just got our first email of the year with a client staying at Les Crayeres for a week. Ahhh sigh the beauty of life, Les Crayeres and a week of Champagne. Hope that inspires a good start to your New year that you are drinking some good bubbles this month (unless of course you're doing dry Jan!). We also now build hydrogen fueling stations for transit with a family business so we are busy :)! Happy New Year!

My favorite Champagne bottle always and forever Champagne Mousse! If you want some please email us for a case or two or five!

A more intimate, brighter Thanksgiving menu for a year like no other

2020-11-26T07:16:00.002+01:00

I still can't quite comprehend that we are in November. What happened to May, how about JULY, and October? I mean I didn't even find time to carve a pumpkin b/c I didn't realize October was ending! Did you?

Months all disappeared in the blink of an eye. I feel fortunate that in Northern California people believe in masks and we have done a pretty good job at keeping the virus at bay albeit we are still in what feels like the thick of it 9 months later! Ouff.

I don't know about you but I have been surviving via looking forward to this meal all week! Monday I was already very much ready for the holiday :)

I also have been keeping Covid sane via sticking to a couple daily rituals that keep me both of sound mind and grounded. I love this list of daily rituals and the quote "you are your morning" from yogis. Check it out.

The first of my rituals is my daily transcendental meditation for 20 mins. If you are interested I learned in SF here and essentially it's a meditation with a daily mantra or a word you repeat over and over for 20 minutes. This word your brain likes the vibrational sound of and it puts you into a deep state. It's a very profound meditative process that relieves a ton of stress. I LOVE IT! It's my own little rule that I will not get out of bed in the morning until it is done. It feels great, makes you happy and reminds me what I'm grateful for!

So for me, I wake up, I meditate, and I play the same morning song everyday Church featuring Earthgang. It's almost like gospel and just makes you want to dance. I play it to give me energy as energy is life. I bop my way through slipping on my workout clothes and run up the stairs to start the day, carrying my 11 year old Springer Rocco up to save his hips :) I then fill my days with lemon water, attempt to save the planet with my work to reduce GHG emissions, go on a quick Rocco walk past changing falling leaves and schedule my tennis and golf for mid week/ wknd.

I'm excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow and hope these recipes below brighten your day and help you brainstorm what you are cooking if you haven't yet come up with your plan yet!!

Cooking is my biggest passion and I was asked this year to make cranberries. Cranberries?! Is that even a dish to be cooked? Haha. Oh well you can't win em all and I am grateful I had a friendsgiving this past week with friends and was able to cook to my hearts desire! We wore masks and ate outdoors to be safe! It was the most gorgeous day.

WHAT TO COOK: I LOVE the idea of duck instead of Turkey and adore this recipe here: I'm not sure if I would poach it or not though but I did LOVE LOVE LOVE having the broth to drink as bone broth all week after. My cousin is the duck genius, 100% duck king and expert and I cook it b/c I tried his and feel in love.

His tips are: "If it's Thanksgiving and if you're going to go all then why not make 2 ducks: one super, super simple with just salt and then another Peking style! These are his notes... "Traditionally cooking a duck in the west, we just let it go for like 2-3 hours and the meat gets sort of fried in its own fat, sort of like duck carnitas. I was pretty skeptical about cooking something like that for 3 hrs. It becomes super crispy and the meat is dark. Like this: https://youtu.be/U9RmFuh8x5w.

Then the Peking duck is a whole another story. The basic story here is that you stuff the duck with goodies (garlic, ginger, scallions, cinnamon, star anise, or whatever else), sew it up, and then give it a bit of a shower. You braise the skin with hot broth, Chinese cooking wine, soy sauce or whatever you have.

Instantly each hot ladle of liquid makes the skin pull tight and it looks like another animal. You then let it dry out, and brush with a glaze. You continue this process of brushing a layer of glaze and letting it dry to your heart’s content- a Chinese restaurant would do this for 3-7 days.

For thanksgiving, I think I only let it dry for a few hours. The drier the skin, the crispier the duck will be. If I remember correctly, I only cooked this duck for like 40 minutes. I’ve also cooked a plain duck for ~40 minutes before and it also tastes great- it’s really just a matter of preference. Check our this video, which is maybe a bit extreme with the bicycle pump, but gives a sense for the steps: https://youtu.be/gqXjCFNX6HQ Good luck, skip any step you want- you really can’t mess it up! It will be delicious jo matter how complicated or simple you cook it.". I mean I think you guys should try a duck this year!

STARTER: This is 1000% my go to soup recipe Butternut squash soup with a rosemary cream and gruyere sage croutons. I do little 1/4 bowls so guests don't get full. This I got from my Aunt Tag and love that she brought this to the meal!

SIDE: These Joel Robuchon mashed potatoes are the by far, 1000%, the gold start on top of the tree mashed potato recipe. My friend Nat is the biggest foodie ever and tried them and nearly cried. Only trick is you must buy a potato ricer. Don't worry b/c it is $30 and worth it! You only need 4 things ie Yukon gold potatoes, unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes and organic whole milk. Voila! This is your dish this year.

WHOLE MENU: I'm obsessed with this entire menu from Farmstead St Helena here. Deviled eggs with caviar, , Herb Brined Heritage Turkey with Black Truffle Gravy, Roasted Apple stuffing with sage sausage (PS what is better than sage sausage??), cranberry sauce with blood orange, garden salad with goat's milk cheese, roasted brussels with wild California pecans, buttermilk rolls, mashed potatoes, honey squash soup with brown butter, chocolate cream pie and pumpkin with spiced whip cream. Sold.

ANOTHER WHOLE MEAL VARIATION: My friend Kelly is the most gorgeous rustic chef ever. She made a porchetta with a bright salad with chicories from the garden and roasted some onions and squash with a salsa verde. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVm8oSzaxxA. I made the salad with toasted pinenuts, currents soaked in verjus, big roasted croutons of Acme bread, squash, persimmon and a dressing of shallots soaked in sherry vinegar. It was a hit! I'm making it again tomorrow.

MY MENU- My menu was butternut squash soup with gruyere sage croutons, Roast Duck, Chicories bread salad with pine nuts and currants, brussels with pecans thanks to my friend Luc and an Apple Pie

APPLE PIE: I loved this Joel Robuchon recipe mix. Crust- http://lecuisin.oz.blog.over-blog.com/article-la-pate-sablee-de-joel-robuchon-87794753.html. Use google translate its in french :) Filling: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/classic-apple-pie-recipe-2043582.

This was so decedent and rich! I did a pate brisee which had vanilla bean in it, but your supposed to make a pâte sablée which is more salty. Either would work! I LOVE a classic french pastry dough and I always support the principle that you should turn to a french recipe when baking!

Other things I'm loving this month...

LAUGHING AT: This

READING THIS: https://itstartswiththeegg.com/ as I preserve my fertility

WATCHING THIS: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53499195

Have a lovely Thanksgiving and stay safe and healthy!!

Have a lovely week!

2020-05-12T00:18:00.005+02:00

Thanks for reading my blog! I know I haven't been that active yet this year BUT 2020 I am changing that! I feel like this year we all could use a little more enrichment in our lives.

I'm excited to share my fav food, travel, home, relationship, culture, friendship posts and teach more about wine. I hope I can bring joy to someone out there :)

Stay safe this week and hope this list below helps pass some SIP time during COVID-19:

This book "The Universe has your back". We are all struggling right now with some fear, loss of our freedoms and restrictions to our day to day life during SIP. This can trigger so much.... ie past trauma, the desire to control, depression, anxiety, stress, etc, etc. My worry is that people get stuck in this fear after COVID-19 is over. Fear can be addictive and it makes us resist happiness. This book teaches you how to transform your fear into faith and focus on joy!

The book reminds you that the presence of fear is a sure sign you are trusting in your own strength. Yet, this isn't the right approach. The moment you realign with love and stop relying on your own strength your life will flow naturally.

So focus on the love of your partner, love of your family, love of your friends and love of food right now... just focus on love, not fear! Approach your fear with love, then let the fear go and this will clear your path to happiness.

This knotted headband on sale and is so cute!

This always makes me laugh. Agenda for today- let the dog in, let the dog out, let the dog in, let the dog out

I want to make this healthy burger this week- The PLANT veggie burger from San Francisco, CA the secret is Beets, Lentils, Mushroom, millet to hold it together

This cookbook author David Lebowitz is always my go to for recipes! He's an American expat in Paris and has the best food taste in my opinion. You know the type of chef you just trust and love anything he makes?

LOVED this Carnitas recipe and I used a mix of David's recipe and this. The question is the braising liquid. Do you use beer, water or Mexican bottled Coke? I served it with rice and beans and guac. I used this recipe for rice vs water amounts but watched this video to cook the rice! The secret is to watch someone from Mexico make Mexican rice so it's authentic :) It's all about blending the onion, garlic, tomato in a blender and then adding chicken stock and using that as your liquid to cook the rice!! Also made beans and margaritas and Neko's guacamole with lots and lots of lime that keeps it green. I swear this guac gets even better on Day 2 and Day 3!

The perfect gift for someone's upcoming bday- these Tiffanys rings for $210 and the LOVE ring is amazing I love it!

Dreaming of Orange natural wine and my friends who make Altura wines in gorgeous Isola del Giglio. Francesco Carfagna and his wife Gabriela has the most zen approach to wine and I adore it and him and his whole family. I wish I was there right now. Check it out

My favorite 8am daily free workout - ex soccer players lead this and it gives you mental and physical training that we all need so much during these tough times! He inspires you to get off your couch, to stay positive and to push forward.

This happy playlist to blast during the day and keep the endorphins up

Gift Ideas for Mothers while Social Distancing!

2020-05-04T22:33:00.000+02:00

Here is a clip from today!! https://www.ktvu.com/news/gift-ideas-for-mothers-day-while-social-distancing. We are so excited KTVU also wrote an article about us and the ways to spoil MOM! Email us at tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com if you want the send her the box of 3 wines and register for the Zoom here:

Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvc-ypqTgtHt0ILtutCsVqSGsPx5cPKU12. Password: Mothersday. 5/10 at 6pm PST.

Email us to signup at tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com

Also every THRS at 6pm PST we are leading a virtual wine tasting on new wines each week! We can ship you a box of 3-6 wines the week before.

Also a COVID-19 update for you. During COVID-19 we hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe! This is a difficult time for the world and we are missing you. We and our winery friends are sheltering in place both at home and in the caves. We’ve cancelled tours to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and all other regions. We are temporarily shut down. This is the time to come together, to look for silver linings and slow down, learn new things and connect virtually :)

We are shipping wines/champagnes to make your home meals long, slow and peaceful.

Like we said before we are hosting wkly online wine and champagne courses each wk, 1x a week, and we’d love to see you there! Follow our stories for date/time. Thank you as always for your support over the last 10 yrs! Keep each other close during these challenging times and remember we will be back to showing you truly gorgeous views and delicious wines all over the world. We got through the Paris terror attacks of 2015 shutting us down and we’ll get through this!!! Until then stay safe and healthy.

KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco Mothers Day Virtual wine tasting!

2020-05-04T21:59:00.000+02:00

We are so, so, so excited to have been featured on KTVU FOX 2 Mothers Day Special with the gorgeous Sadie Murray! She talked about the following Virtual Wine Tasting we are leading 5/10 this Sunday for Mothers Day and we hope you can join and drink with us virtually! Email here tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com to order the box of wine

WHAT IS OFFERED- We are hosting a Virtual Wine Tasting for Mothers Day for Channel 2 KTVU 2 San Francisco viewers and a box of special wine for MOM! This is for any Mom out there across the world!
WHEN Please join us on Mothers Day- May 10th 2020 at 6pm PST. Email here (tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com) to pay for the box of wine $90 total + shipping. The Virtual wine tasting class is free!! Please email address, best phone and we will send you a link to pay via square
HOW MUCH- Box of 3 wines for $90 +shipping and handling which is $30/ bottle + shipping. Virtual wine class is FREE! You can just order 1 bottle if you would like to attend the live virtual class on how to look at color, find complexity, and judge the wine!
DEADLINE TO PURCHASE- Wednesday 5/6/2020 so your wine will arrive by Sunday
WHERE TO PURCHASE- Email tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com

Mothers Day Virtual Wine Tasting 5/10 at 6pm PST!

2020-05-03T00:13:00.007+02:00

Anyone excited for Mothers day? We are! We're hosting a virtual wine tasting and shipping a box of 3 wines for $30 each or $90 total + shipping and handling. Email here to order!

I feel like Mothers, this year especially, deserve an extra celebratory treat during COVID-19! This hasn't been easy for anyone- so many unknowns but also hopefully so many silver linings!! More time to be with family, to learn new things, to get to know your partner better and to expand our horizons.

As moms and really all of us suddenly find ourselves distanced, there is nothing like wine to bring us back together!! It really is the perfect "Mom juice" to have a glass at the end of the day :) Red wine is shown to lower blood pressure and be good for the heart. Champagne is grown in chalky soil w/ minerals like calcium and magnesium that are good for our bodies! And wine is such a fun way to shower mom on her special day to give her a virtual wine tasting!!

More details: We are hosting a Virtual Wine Tasting for Mothers Day for Channel 2 KTVU 2 San Francisco viewers and any Mom out there across the country. Please join us on Mothers Day- May 10th 2020 at 6pm PST. Email here to pay for the box of wine $30/ bottle! $90 total + shipping. The Virtual wine tasting class is free!!

This Virtual Wine Tasting will be led by me Sydney Krueger Owner of Tasty Side To Life Tours. Our company Tasty Side To Life crafts chauffeur driven wine tasting tours to France!!

This Mothers Day Wine Tasting will be a fun, interactive and perfect way to toast your mom!! Or we can setup one to boast team morale or to add a little something to your works team happy hour and make it virtual! If you want a private virtual wine tasting email us.

On Sunday May 10th we will not only be tasting together BUT also learning about the French and Italian wine regions which will be so cool, wines, and producers.

We have selected a couple of wines based on a great $30/ bottle price point and we can ship wines to you for delivery. Please orderASAP for the class Email here:

3 Wines We are Tasting on Sunday May 10th at 6pm PST

Champagne Chartogne Taillet Cuvee Saint Anne from Champagne, France

Barbera d'Alba from Piedmont, Italy

A Chateau from Bordeaux, France *either email us to ship to you or by similar wines at home!

What to Bring

3 wine glasses – Or 1 that you can wash out
Rating system for Wine we will give you: This will be part of our tasting and how we learn about the wines.

Storage Details: Don’t open your wines prior to the class! We know this will be hard to resist, but totally worth it!

Store in a wine fridge at ~around 55 degrees and/or keep in a dark area, cool area (closest will absolutely work).
Champagne: If you don’t have a wine fridge we will recommend to chill prior to the class – the classic way to chill a bottle of Champagne is to place it in an ice-bucket, half filled with ice, half with water, for 20 minutes.

Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvc-ypqTgtHt0ILtutCsVqSGsPx5cPKU12. Password: Mothersday. 5/10 at 6pm PST

Email Sydney at tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com to sign up for the LIVE ZOOM and to pay via square or call (510) 590 0943!

Have a cozy weekend- below is a great superbowl menu

2019-02-02T19:28:00.003+01:00

What are you up to this weekend? I went to temple last night and today I ran on the beach just as the rain broke which is the most amazing feeling, am headed to corepower yoga, to lunch with some of my favorite champagne client friends and tonight we majorly splurged and are headed to the warriors game vs La! Tomorrow I'm doing a 1.5h Sikh mediation at the special monthly kundalini Gurdwara in the haight ashbury, it's 1x a month and awesome/ weird/ special/ great. Also going to a super bowl party. Hope you have a good one! In case you are celebrating the superbowl this weekend are some fun links to help you plan:

The best 8 Super bowl menu items: Ps please stay away from 7 layer dip, those frozen meatballs and pigs in a blanket and try something new, healthy and fun!

1) This insane beef chili with skillet cornbread and hot honey butter- I mean this is classic, classic. What's better than letting guests add chives or cheese and then servicing it with rustic cornbread? I also ADORE this recipe by Panera. I know a corporate giant Panera but it's the best idea to mix up the complexity of beans (color, texture, etc) and make a healthy chili with poblano peppers, ground turkey, chili powder, black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, corn and edamame in it!

2) These shrimp lettuce wraps- yes to shrimp that cooks in minutes, a platter of lettuce cups, mint sprigs, chopped peanuts, sliced cucumbers, and the reserved sauce or these with steak

3) Homemade trendy/ hipster pickles like these- Yes, yes, yes to the perfect amount of sweet, salt, and tang going on. The brine is best with persian cucumbers and these are good for you!

4) Spinach and Yogurt dip- YES. Please this or something israeli or middle eastern over 7 layer dip (GROSS) or artichoke dip which is so unhealthy. This is called borani esfanaaj in Iran. This is walnuts, spinach, mint, greek yogurt, lemon juice, made into the most gorgeous rustic messy looking spread to eat with pita.

5) These Cindy Pawlsyon Chicken wings- secret is mushroom soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, fresh chives, scallions and marinating them for 12-24hours

6) These Korean chicken wings- This is all about gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) you can buy in china town! Essentially you cook these almost plain w/ oil, salt and pepper and fry them until crisp and lightly charred, 5–10 minutes then whisk gochujang and 1/4 cup hot water in a large bowl. Transfer wings to bowl with gochujang and toss to coat. Voila!

7) Or lastly Bobby Flay's Wings- Love bobby's idea of ancho chili powder, garlic powder, red wine vineager, chiptole chilies, chili powder, honey. etc. He fries them in peanut oil, 2 inches. Simmer the sauce then add wings and toss to coat

8) Gluten free tahini brownies

We're thinking of just ordering amazing pizza in SF the best is from Tony's, Del Papolo, Zero zero, Capo or Tommaso's and they'll deliver through caviar or uber eats and I think I'll make my friend Nico's famous Cuneo Ragu al carne with polenta. A big hearty meat sauce and you take a big spoonful of polenta in the center of your plate, make a hole in the center of the polenta and pour the ragu over, top with parmesan (the real stuff!) and a touch of red pepper flakes. Serve all of this with an appetizer plate of raw fennel with olive oil and pepper, artichoke hearts, black olives, and marinated peppers. Basta! All done!

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Reims- including the most gorgeous champagne picnic

2019-01-30T23:53:00.002+01:00

Anyone dreaming that it is already spring and you're picnicking in champagne? We'll, we are. As we watch this polar vortex sweep across the midwest we're thinking a number of you might be too. I mean wouldn't you rather be here overlooking that view? We would always rather be here!

Our favorite thing to do in champagne, other than of course drinking champagne, is to go to one of the farmers markets in champagne and then have a picnic in Hautvilles in a secret spot behind Dom Perignon's church! We can bring you here if you need help with a driver/ guide.

The best farmers markets are on Tuesday, Thrs, Saturday and Sunday. Our favorite is Saturday at Halle Saint-Thibault in Epernay. It's this gorgeous covered old railway station and it has 50 or so vendors and everything is so fresh, delicious and perfect! I'll do a separate post on farmers markets in champagne so you have the whole list of what we can bring you to on a champagne tour. If I had it I would always have a guide to help you point out all the best super regional stuff to buy ie- pate en croute, jambon de reims, mousseux de boeuf, cheeses like chaource, langres and comte, fraises de bois or wild strawberries from the forest, etc, etc.

Having a picnic in champagne is truly one of our favorite things to do on a champagne tour (if you're in the region April- Oct). Other than a picnic, below are our top 10 favorite lunches in champagne. Ok, we snuck in an 11th, was too hard to resist.

If you want a driver and guide to help bring you on a tour contact us, here

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Reims or Champagne

1) Les Crayeres Le Parc- 2 stars and 69€ menu for 3 courses. OUi, oui, oui
2) La Briqueterie- sit outside surrounded by their Rose Garden
3) Picnic overlooking the vines in Hautvillers
4) L'assiette Champenoise-major splurge 3 stars, rich, divine and so special
5) Le Grand cerf- 1 star adore
6) Les Avises- eat like the locals do! Drink Selosse
7) Le Royal or Racine
8) Les Crayeres le Jardin- Their steak and french fries are AMAZING
9) Symbiose - most beautiful bistro in Epernay
10) Le Foch- Michelin star
** Ok we had to... here's an 11) La Cave a Champagne or Au 36 - both fab for groups!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

2018-11-22T10:14:00.001+01:00

Happy Thanksgiving! What are your plans? Is anyone headed up to Napa to wine taste? Its finally gorgeous weather again to do it and Restoration hardware opened their restaurant in Yountville! Woho! I'm going Sunday but in the meantime I'm staying local and eating just 30 minutes outside San Francisco. My cousin is making 2 ducks and it is the most joyous thing ever and 10x better than Turkey! Would you ever go off the cuff and do a different meat?

My sister was here 2 weeks ago from Paris and she hadn't had Thanksgiving in a whopping 6 years so I made her 33rd birthday dreams come true, woke up at 6am and made her the entire incredible Thanksgiving meal from scratch! You guys, surprisingly its do-able to do the WHOLE THING solo!

I'll include my favorites of all the classic Thanksgiving dishes to help you have the best Thanksgiving ever ie the best mashed potato recipe (ie it involves 2+ sticks of butter, a fine sieve, the best variety of potato and a couple tricks ie never use a hand blender), my step mom's insane cornbread sausage/fennel and chorizo stuffing, my step aunts delish cranberries (the secret is lots of orange zest and walnuts), sweet potatoes (a souffle and no marshmallows) etc! Have a wonderful week and here are a few fun links from around the web of things I'm loving..

My favorite boutique champagne for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Champagne De Souda 3A- $66/ bottle including shipping

I sell it here for $66. This biodyanamic champagne producer has straight rock star terroir!!! He owns the BEST land and has a huge rose quartz crystal in his barrel room to bring "good vibes" to the barrels. He plays Mozart to his sleeping barrels. I mean! Biodynamic crystals are sprinkled over the earth to protect his 60-80 year old vines. He has vines in the best Grand Cru villages- Avize, Bouzy, Ay, Ambonnay and the most delicate elegant bubble due to long aging on the lees. His wine has incredible salinity, finesse and lingering freshness! A blend of 50% chardonnay from Avize, 25% Pinot Noir from Ambonnay and 25% Pinot Noir from AY. Deep, bold assertive nose, wealth of creamy spices, lemon blossom, grapefruit, weight, presence and deep persistent fruit. Drink now or wait 3 years.

Fun links for you guys:

The # 1 thing on my holiday wish list is this that Meghan Markle wore here. Obsessed. It is a splurge but you only need 1 thing right

The best chicken dish I've seen all week! Sheet pan chicken with grapes, shallots, garlic, olive oil and za'atar. YES! You guys need this in your life. Like now.

This basic makeup and red matt lip

Silky Pumpkin pudding with coffee caramel topped with spiced seeds, crushed chocolate espresso beans and sugar, granola and cream. These are so perfect for fall!

The home of Nikolai Haas and Dj Unabel. Shouldn't every house be made for awesome parties, cooking and eating and just hanging out with friends? Their tub, This bedding.

The Best Thanksgiving Feast Recipes!

CORN BREAD STUFFING- My step moms stuffing is cornbread stuffing with spicy chorizo sausage and also pork sausage. Make cornbread for about 8 -12 people I make cornbread in a 9X12 inch dish. Make the cornbread the day before and cover and leave out on counter. On thanksgiving saute celery, and onions in butter and a little olive oil until they are translucent. Add red pepper flakes to this mixture if you like it spicy! In a separate pan saute the chorizo ( I take it out of the casing the chop up small). Chorizo is very greasy so drain it well on paper towel before adding it to the dressing. Then saute the pork sausage I used whole foods fennel and pork sausage and drain this sausage also. Once the celery and onion are sauteed and the sausages are complete you can assemble the dressing. Crumble the cornbread into a large bowl into bite sized chunks add the onion and celery plus one additional cube of butter that has been melted. Add the sausages and mix well. I add some fresh thyme and a little sage, salt and pepper. The mixture will be a bit dry so add some chicken stock until it looks moist but still holds together. Dry or wet stuffing is not good. You will just have to try it. You can also add some dried cranberries for a little sweetness.

CRANBERRY SAUCE Cranberry recipe that is easy and our favorite. The ingredients are 1 pound fresh cranberries, 1 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup red current preserves or jelly, 1 cup water, 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts , 2 tablespoons grated orange peel. Combine all of the above, except orange peel and nuts , into a saucepan. Heat to boiling then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Skim foam off the top. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts and orange peel. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

TURKEY AND CHICKEN- Sicilian style whole chicken and turkey pieces with sage, lemon zest, thyme and milk simmered for 1.5h. YES! We didn't want a whole big Turkey but were not big meat eaters. So I bought some huge pieces of turkey thigh and breast and 1 whole organic Mary's chicken from Wholefoods. I'm obsessed with Sicilian ways to cook meat and keep them moist. I love this Jamie Oliver Chicken browned and then cooked in milk slowly in the oven for 2 hours at 375f with lemon, lemon zest, sage ( I left out the cinnamon for Thanksgiving) Recipe is here

SWEET POTATOES- I'm obsessed with Ruth Chris's recipe. It's sweet potatoes, eggs, vanilla, and then a topping of pecans, butter and brown sugar. I'm not a fan of marshmallows on my sweet potatoes. I think it's a oufff bizarre but I'm willing to be persuaded otherwise.

MASHED POTATOES- Joel Robuchon is the MASTER! He's a genius. Here is the video where he makes them. Take 2lbs Yukon gold potatoes, wash them and make sure they're the same size. Cover in water about 2 quarts or 2 liters cold water and 1 tbls course salt. Add 10g of salt per liter of water. The skin will protect the potatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook them for 25 mins. Test them with a knife and poke them and if they fall on their own they're ready! Hardest part is to peel them hot! Drain them and peel them. Put them through a potato ricer into a large saucepan. Turn onto medium and turn the potato flesh quickly out a bit with a spatula to dry them out for 5 mins. Don't use a hand mixer! Put a tablespoon of water in another saucepan so milk doesn't stick add 20-30cl or almost 1 cup of whole milk. Now work with small flame, low and 250g of really cold butter cut into pieces! Add little by little the milk. Stir it in energetically for a smooth, creamy finish. Taste for salt and pepper. Then push it through a fine sieve it and you'll have a very creamy mashed potato!

GREEN BEANS- The trick here was cooking them for literally 2-3 minutes! I know that's fast but then a quick ice bath and the olive oil and salt and pepper. Best secret is frying some shallots and sprinkling all over the top. The best! I used a recipe like this. Also love this recipe- Lemon roasted green beans with marcona almonds

33 Never looked so good!

One of the Top 3 Restaurants in Reims-Le Foch!

2017-04-28T01:36:00.002+02:00

A food and lifestyle blogger Tara came out on a private champagne tour with us this Spring and blogged about her lunch at the fabulous Michelin star Le Foch!

Her day with us at Tasty Side To Life Tours included a pickup at Le Foch, an afternoon tour from 1:30pm- 6:30pm with a visit to the UNESCO caves of Champagne Pommery with a tasting of 3 cuvees (where we taught Tara how to smell, compare bubbles size and complexity, look at color, remark on tasting notes and mouth finish) as well as a drive through the gorgeous countryside to do a tasting and tour with rare grower Champagne Bernard Pertois in the famous Grand Cru village of Mesnil sur Oger- where Krug is located.

In our opinion, Le Foch, is hands down one of the top 3 restaurants to eat at in Reims! The other two we love are L'Assiette champenoise and Les Crayeres le Parc or le Jardin. We are re-posting her article below. Be sure to check out her blog http://laceandgraceblog.com which is the best!

Fine Dining at Le Foch in Reims, France

Friday, April 14, 2017

The journey continues on our Day tour with Tasty Side to Life Tours. Next it was time for some fine dining at Le Foch in Reims France. We had worked up quit an appetite exploring the town and visiting the Reims Cathedral (recap here) and were ready for some delicious and innovative grub!

Le Foch is known for its delicious French cuisine and even has an 1 Michelin Star rating! it is centrally located in Reims, not far from the train station and has beautiful modern decor.

We went with the pre-fix 3 course lunch of:

First Course:

Brandade with Curry, Beets and Fresh Herbs. I loved this dish. The curry paired perfectly with the fish and the beets were a nice alternative to a traditional ‘bread’ sandwich.

Second Course:

Rabbit in Cream Curcima Sauce (Mom ordered a vinaigrette salad with stripe fish and capers). I have had rabbit probably only a few other times in life and I was a bit weary to try it again. (because you know.. bunnies are cute) The sauce was delectable.

Third Course:

Creme a l’arabica, sorbet , cacao. This was a chocolate like creme sorbet. All I can say is wow. So so good!

To our surprise, after each course, we were brought an additional small dish as a transition from one dish to another. My favorite had to be the amazing ‘chocolate milkshake’ served with a small almond pound cake. It was absolutely amazing. Another favorite small bite was the Tuna Tartar.

The service was unsurpassed by any other establishment I have ever been to. The waiter was very helpful in explaining each dish on the menu (which was all in French of course) and brought each dish not too quickly (I hate that) or too late and re-set the place settings each time.

This is definitely a fine dining establishment and so worth the visit when in Reims and on the Tour of Champagne with Tasty Side to Life Tours!

After our meal was complete, our driver, Pascal, was waiting for us to start our Champagne Tour!

Check out some photos of our delicious meal below! Make sure you come back soon to see all about our 1st Champagne stop at Pommery!

Looking for more on our trip to France? Check out our hotel here, our tour of the Louvre with Walks of France – here, some Post Cards from Paris- here and the beautiful Cathedral in Reims- here.

7 tips to know before you to go on a private trip to champagne

2017-03-24T00:55:00.002+01:00

One of our favorite past clients, Sherrelle Kirkland-Andrews planned a girls trip from the USA and brought such a great groups friends to champagne! She proceeded to post one of the best articles that we just had to re-post here. Sherrelle on her blog http://iamsherrelle.com/ wrote the "7 tips to know before you to go on a private trip to champagne." Take a look below! xo

FRANCE

A PRIVATE CHAMPAGNE TOUR IN FRANCE: 7 TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Bonjour! Here’s another post of my Paris trip with my girlfriends.

My vacation in Paris was filled with many wonderful days, but the day that we spent on a private champagne tour in Reims, France will always be one of my favorite memories. That day was the absolute pinnacle of fabulousness!

We started our day on the TGV to Reims. Thankfully our 1st class car was nearly empty because as usual, we talked non-stop all the way there. Sydney, our driver and tour guide, met us at the train station with croissants (yum!). She drove us through the lovely town of Reims to our first stop, Reims Cathedral. Even bigger than Notre Dame, Reims Cathedral was breathtaking. It was the site of 25 coronations of the kings of France and is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

A short walk down the block from Reims Cathedral was our next stop, La Petite Friande chocolate atelier. Although the shop is filled with many wonderful treats, we were there to sample the bouchons, little chocolate corks filled with champagne. Sydney unwrapped a chocolate and demonstrated how we were to pop the entire bouchon in our mouth at once for the ultimate experience.

Wow! It was an explosion of champagne – intense and flavorful, like slamming back a shot! That was the most delicious chocolate experience that I had ever had! We bought bouchons for family and friends back home and piled back in the car to begin our tour of champagne houses. Through rolling hills and quaint towns Sydney drove to our first champagne house, Pehu Simonet. Proprietor David Pehu met us in his office, ready to educate us about his champagne and offer us several tastings.

I wish that I could tell you all that David shared with us, and the commentary that Sydney provided about David’s small champagne house versus the big champagne houses, but we tasted 4 bottles of champagne, so understand when I say that I don’t quite remember the details of what David said. By the second glass we were all more than a little tipsy and I seriously wondered if we were going to make it through the rest of the day standing upright – this was just our first stop! I asked David to ease up on my champagne because I figured at least one of us had to be sober enough to get us back to Paris. Sydney assured me that after a long lunch we would be fine. Since she did these tours all the time and has surely seen people far worse off than us, I trusted her and continued to taste (albeit half-full glasses; I am a light-weight).

Let me pause here to say that I rarely drink alcohol, but if I do, I prefer it to be champagne, Veuve Clicquot if possible. All my friends adore champagne. But I tell you, if you think you have tasted good champagne, you have not until you have tasted champagne like we did, straight from the producer. We were completely and utterly blown away by the smell and taste of this small producer champagne. Each bottle tasted better than the last and we had a hard time deciding which bottle to buy (and that had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that we were drunk by the time we left).

But Sydney was right. A 20 minute drive and a two hour, 5 course lunch at Le Grand Cerf sobered us up and by the time we got back on the road, we were ready to drink some more. The entire meal was delicious – bread, soup, seafood ravioli, fish, dessert and cheese plate. From Le Grand Cerf we drove to the champagne house of Le Gallais, which is set on the most beautiful property. That is Madame Clicquot’s chateau, Boursault Castle, right there on the property. Gorgeous! Hervé Le Gallais welcomed us to his house and made us feel right at home. He explained the champagne process from grape to bottle and stole our hearts with his charm, enthusiasm and warmth.

And then a special treat! Hervé led us into his caves to taste a special reserve, vintage champagne. I can’t even describe how amazing that experience was for us, really there are no words. We would have stayed with Hervé all day if we could have; we loved him.

Back in car once more, we drove to the town of Épernany and down Avenue de Champagne, which features the leading champagne manufactures like Moët et Chardon and Perrier Jouet. We stopped at Champagne de Castellane for a tour. Champagne de Castellane is one of the oldest families in France and a large producer of champagne. This tour was different than the tours of the small producers; an official tour guide gave us a historical background of the champagne house before leading us past the vats and through the caves. She explained the entire champagne process along the way and we ended the tour with a glass of champagne.

If you ever visit France and love champagne, then a trip to Reims is absolutely necessary. It was the highlight of our vacation. I can’t wait to share my champagne with my husband; I think that we will open a bottle this Christmas season. I know that with one sip I will be instantly transported back to France and that wonderful day I spent in Reims.

7 Tips To Know Before You Go:

We arranged our private champagne tour with Sydney Krueger of Tasty Side To Life Tours. I highly recommend using Sydney’s services. Before the trip she answered all of our questions and put together a touring day according to our wants. She was professional, but personable and her knowledge of the region and champagne history was impressive. We immensely enjoyed our day with Sydney.
It was much colder in Reims than in Paris; dress for warmth. We did not and we were cold.
Take the TGV to Reims. After our botched train ride to Versailles, we were nervous about taking the train to Reims, but the Gare de l’Est train station was easy to navigate. Seamless, picturesque and a quick 45 minutes, the TGV ride was lovely.
Buy your TGV train ticket at one of the SNCF boutique agencies a few days before your trip. There are many boutiques in Paris; we went to one right next to Jardin du Luxembourg on bd Saint-Michel. You can buy tickets online, but that requires reading the schedule in French. And while you can obviously buy train tickets at the train station, we didn’t want to risk sold out seats. At the SNCF boutique the agent spoke English (and was patient with my broken French) and answered all of our questions. She even told us how to stamp our tickets at the yellow machines before boarding the train. Pay a few dollars more for the 1st class tickets; we practically had the car to ourselves.
Bring cash (euros) to buy champagne. While the larger houses will accept credit cards, the smaller houses may not.
Expect to buy champagne. You will want to bring some home, so leave room in your luggage (per TSA rules, you won’t be able to carry it on the plane). If you remember to pack bubble wrap, you are exceptional. If not, you can roll your champagne bottles in your clothes. That’s what we did and all of the bottles made it home intact. Champagne bottles are very heavy so your luggage will weigh considerably more on the flight home; plan accordingly. I always pack an extra bag to accommodate my vacation souvenirs.
If possible, tour the small producers over the big producers. While the tour of the big producer was educational and nice to see, our experience was richer and more personable with the small producers. I’m glad that Sydney suggested that we see Le Gallais instead of another big producer because it was the highlight of our day.

À votre santé!

The Absolute Best Champagne for Valentines Day!

2017-02-14T21:12:00.002+01:00

Happy Day of LOVE! How about 3 Valentine's today instead of 1? Tell your partner it's going to be OK, were just talking about BUBBLES. Or, more specifically gorgeous, amazing grower fizz Champagnes that is. Our top 3 picks for Valentine's Day are below and a link to have them at home here and here. Our Motto today via one of our favorite interior designers This La Holiday is-Love is more than just a day, it doesn't just sit there like a stone, it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new :) xo

Champagne Lelarge Pugeot Rose de Saignée $55

An amazing 100% organic and biodynamic producer which we love! 100% Pinot Noir, this Rosé is a blend of 90% of white wine and 10% of red wine. A blend from 3 vineyards: Les Maupas, Les Clos and Les Champs Chevaliers. This has refined texture and fruity notes of cherry, strawberry and toasted brioche. Aging: Aged for three years. Alcohol 12.4%, acidity total 4.3g, S02 total 34mg, Dosage 7g/l

Champagne Assailly Rose $50

A new producer for us! In Grand Cru village of Avize or Cote de Blanc this producer operates in some of the best terroir in all of champagne! This Rose is 87% Chardonnay and 13% Pinot Noir. Aromatic nose of red fruit. On the palate red fruit again with some hints of citrus. Style: rich and complex. Dosage: 4 gram/liter Brut

Champagne Stroebel Logos de Heraclite Rose de Saignée 2005 $107

A small, garage style winery Tim is awesome! Organic de Saignée 2005 which is aged 10 years and gives off a gorgeous ring of complexity. This wine has soul, heart. No Filtering, no cold chamber, 0 dosage, indigenous yeast, biodynamic, deep roots, increased complexity. This cuvee is straight MAGIC. Long slow fermentation, 50 year old vines from 1964, 36h maceration, notes of lemon peel, elegant, feminine, delicate, lifts on your palate! YES! Only 814 bottles produced. RARE. 1er cru.

If you want to order any of these gorgeous bottles minimum quantity is 6 bottles of a mixed case and shipping is free. Arrival in 5-7 days. Click on this link to see catalog and fill out this sheet to buy. Email: tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com to place an order or call + 1 510 590 0943. If you ever make it to champagne do think of Tasty Side To Life Tours (us) to chauffeur you around on a wine tour in champagne.

A Summer Brunch- Brioche stuffed french toast with fromage blanc, passion fruit, lemon curd and huckleberry, blackberry compote and much more

2017-01-10T18:33:00.000+01:00

Stuffed Brioche French Toast: with sweetened fromage blanc, passion fruit, homemade lemon curd and huckleberry, blackberry, blueberry compote served with creme fraiche, raspberries and pure Vermont maple syrup inspired by Girl and the Fig in Sonoma, ca

So, I wrote this 5 years ago on a balmy summer morning in Paris and it somehow poof disappeared from the blog so I decided to resurrect it and repost b/c well, it's a keeper!!

Summer in Paris is all about forever sunlight to 10/11pm, huge open air markets w/ fruit filled to the top and spilling off vendors carts and new inspiration from seasonal fruits and veggies. This was a test brunch from back in my days of wanting to open a supper club at my Paris flat which sadly never actually came to fruition. My dream was to play black and white french old school movies, serve rare small producer champagne and cook a 4 course brunch or dinner for friends of friends in a relaxed super club type of environment. This was a nice brunch "test" menu during a Parisian lazy Sunday among 11 friends.

Brunch Menu

This is a bright and seasonal menu for a summer brunch

STUFFED BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST with sweetened fromage blanc, passion fruit, homemade lemon curd and huckleberry, blackberry, blueberry compote served with creme fraiche, raspberries and pure Vermont maple syrup
DUCK CONFIT AND POTATO HASH with a touch of ratafia, poached eggs, hollandaise and black truffle oil
LEMON AND RICOTTA PANCAKES with ginger cinnamon creme friche

The Table Setting with Some Small Producer Champagne from Huot et Fils. The stuffed brioche french toast plated

My inspiration: Duck Confit & Potato Hash with a touch of ratafia, poached eggs, hollandaise and black truffle oil

My version of the potato hash after a bite or two

Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes with ginger cinnamon creme friche- my inspiration photo

And a few bites gone

Brunch didn't start til 2 to 3pm and lasted so looooooong, per the usual Parisian tradition amongst my friends, that as we were finishing up cleaning we were actually able to see the Parisian sunset. I'm not even sure you can call something that ends that late brunch :) Regardless, it's truly the best hr in Paris when at about 9pm everything turns pink. It's incredible really.

Sydney Australia the chic foodie guide

2015-02-27T21:57:00.000+01:00

Park Hyatt Lunch and View of Opera house

From a sky filled with gorgeous tropical wild larakeets and yellow crusted cockatoos swooping above, to sun-blazed, bikini doted beaches with sandstone rock pools camouflaged into the cliffs, to watching perilous open-ocean swim competitions in great white invested waters- Sydney is all sorts of amazing.

It's the sort of place where you can enjoy a Park Hyatt pre- lunch cocktail of out of this world rich, creamy Sydney rock oysters paired with minerally elegant Ruinart champagne followed by an insane tasting menu consisting foie gras, rhubarb and hibiscus with red and black berries and brioche in front of the Sydney Opera house. I mean, insane.

Sydney truly is a cosmopolitan city filled with a multi ethnic mix of people, culture and undeniable beauty. Below is a glimpse into some of the "Must do's" compiled from some of my favorite local friends.

Coogee to Bondi walk

1) Coogee Beach- Bondi Beach walk. This is the place to start your Sydney adventure! Hands down. Stay away from the touristy sites and come STRAIGHT here and hang with the locals. The Coogee Beach-Bondi Beach walk is a cliff top coastal walk filled with stunning views, beaches, parks, rock pools and swimming spots. It's 6k or 3.5 miles and a perfect morning jog or walk. Most of the beaches have changing rooms, places to eat, have a picnic, go to the bathroom, etc. Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee and Maroubra have free electric bbqs!

Waileys Baths

Tamarama Beach is the place to be seen, snorkeling is bests at Clovelly, Mackenzie point and Bronte are both the fav for surfers. Bondi has Icebergs for lunch which is iconic. I loved Coogee but I might be biased because one of my favorite friends lives there. I also adore Wailey's baths which is just past Coogee and a perfect place to relax and swim for the day. Feels like you're in Croatia or a Geneva Switzerland beach!

Coogee Beach on a 90 degree day with fog!

2) Hang in a locals neighborhood- Paddington- This area is night and day different from the sun drenched beach communities of Bondi or Coogee- the good historical, chic, gorgeous kind of different. Paddington is laced with 1800's terrace style housing, trendy shopping, great restaurants and is just a short walk from the center of the city. It's sophisticated and certainly a "must see".

Josh Goot

Come here to check out designers on Williams street or Oxford street or at an area called the "Intersection". Here you'll find: Scanlan Theodore, Ellery, Camilla and Marc, Alice McCall, Josh Goot, Sass and Bide and Alannah Hill .

Ellery

For restaurants check out Williams St wine bar, Ampersand Pantry Cafe and Bookstore, Berkelouw Books and Cafe 1812, Underwood Cafe a hidden gem with a Balinese style deck, Ovvio (book a consult) for a visit to a naturopath, homeopath and herbalist. In the earthy surrounds of the Apothecary the herbal magic happens! Here they formulate and dispense liquid herbs and other natural remedies for clients. LOVE.

OVVIO is the brand behind Sydney's acclaimed naturopath, homeopath and herbalist, Athia Koulouros.
Book a consult or peruse the organic health, beauty and home products, teas or spice blends

3) Go to Surrey Hills- Another sweet inner city neighborhood is Surry Hills. It's artsy, vibrant and filled with great uber creative foodie spots. The area sort of has a run down or up and coming vibe. Starting on Crown street is a good idea, make sure to stop a few galleries and checkout a few gasto pubs, outdoor dining spots and hidden bars. Make sure to check out Nomad (insane roasted carrots with dukkah and creme fraiche),

Nomad

Bourke Street Bakery (for a Strawberry rhubarb tart, ginger creme brulee tart or a savory chicken, sweet potato, pea, lime pie)

Bourke Street Bakery

Bills in Bondi, Darlinghurt or Surrey Hills (for brown rice and sweet miso porridge, coconut yoghurt, mango and lime or ricotta hotcakes, banana + honeycomb butter or zucchini fritters, deep fried egg, haloumi, parsley salad, tahini yoghurt and pickles)

Bills

The Winery (just a cute little outdoor wine spot surrounded by plants and attractive people,

Winery, Sydney

Longrain (yummy cocktails, soul of SE Asian cooking and legit Thai street food),

Longrain

Reuben Hills (Banana Peanuts and Espresso Bread w /salted caramel butter, Ancho orange salmon w beetslaw, asparagus & goats curd, Lemon myrtle, lemongrass, licorice and ginger root tea or pancakes w/ Date caramel, pecan praline and quandong icecream. I mean.... YUM. Ah huhhh Sydney legit food.

Reuben Hills

The Rocks

4) Walk around the Food market at "The Rocks"-My favorite thing in the world is Gözleme. Yup Gozleme. They have a delicious one here. Brings me right back to 2007 or so in Turkey with my family when a gorgeous old Turkish lady was hunched over a huge, round open pan and mixed up a super simple little dough of flour and water, olive and salt, rolled it out ever so thin, cut a pocket in it and filled it with feta, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, leek, shallot and garlic. YUMM. The Rocks is THE PLACE to be Fridays from 9-3 or Sat/Sun from 10-5. Stop by one of the roof top bars after for a cocktail.

The Rocks

5) Check out Din Tai Fung is kind of a must if you like dumplings or Dim Sun. I've been in Singapore and Bangkok. Its literally the worlds tastiest dumpling. Every dumpling is delicately hand made to measure btwn 4.8-5.2 grams before being filled with 20 grams of filling. They're all made fresh in front of your eyes, steamed in exactly 3 minutes and on your table in seconds. It's gorgeous, delicate precious and quality control that makes this place INSANE. That and the fact that you can have truffles in your dumplings. Find it in Sydney, Taiwan, Japan, USA, Singapore, Indo, etc.

6) Eat lunch at the Park Hyatt. Start with champagne and oysters at the bar and take in the view of the Sydney Opera House! Lunch is 1 course for $39, 2 $59 and 3 $69 at the Dining Room and it was one of my most favorite meals of my life. Hands down. While in this area go checkout the Museum of Contemporary art and maybe the botanical gardens.

Ruinart Champagne with Sydney Rock Oysters

Paris Champagne Tasting Class

2014-07-08T11:37:00.000+02:00

It's no secret that the French love their wine and in Paris a glass at 5-7€ can be cheaper than water! Wine is a fundamental part of life in France. To me it embodies all the things I ADORE about this country-their relentless standards of quality, tradition and joie de vivre!

It's not surprising that foreigners around the world admire the gorgeous, elegant, perfectly balanced and sophisticated wines of France. Yet, for many of these visitors french wine can be rather intimidating as it's marketed so differently.

In France you can't order via "cepage" ie Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cab. You have to trust the french and their blends while at the same time understanding region, grape, vintage and of course the magical "terroir"! If you want a Pinot you need to know to order a gorgeous glass from Burgundy. If you're in the mood for a Merlot you can get a nice glass of Saint Emilion Bordeaux, etc. The same is true for Champagnes. If you want something rather complex and well aged you should order a Millesime (2004 and 2006 are GREAT right now in 2014 as they've aged 8-10 years). If you want something bright and fresh to go with oysters or shellfish choose a Blanc de Blanc. The act of navigating through a french wine list without knowing these various factors can be rather daunting! Luckily we are here to help. Our team specializes in champagnes and we teach you how to choose a bottle, analyze bubbles, color and complexity and of course the correct and easy way to open a bottle. We essentially demystify champagne!

We regularly welcome guest for a Paris champagne tasting class and help you taste large and small producers Champagne while pairing these with gorgeous cheeses, crackers, fruit and spreads!

During our time together we teach you how small producer champagne is able to deliver so much more complexity, depth, and flavor than you would ever find in the champagne of large producers of the world (such as Moet, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot, etc) which produce 10-30 million bottles a year! These small producers put their hearts and souls into creating truly fantastic champagne and for prices between 17-35€ euro a bottle it really can not be beat! We teach you how to drink it and how to find it!

Tasting in a gorgeous Parisian flat or cave

We either taste 3 cuvees from 1 producer or 1 Large producer, 1 Small and 1 Rose

Relaxing before the tasting

Analyzing the cheeses and champagenes!

Check it out!
http://tastysidetolifetours.com/Tasty_Side_to_Life_Tours/Paris_Champagne_Tasting_Class.html.
Here is a little snapshot below of what we will offer.

This Paris champagne tasting class is 70€ per person and is the perfect class for anyone interested in champagne with a desire to learn more. While tasting 3 different cuvees from 3 different producers, we will show clients the differences in small producer champagne, enlighten their palate and introduce them to champagne with great complexity and nice depths. We will teach you how to find flavors such as: white flowers, agrumes (lemons, grapefruits), toasted almonds, ripe summer fruits, etc.

We will essentially help clients undercover the mystery of Champagne without leaving Paris. You will learn which grapes are used in champagne. You will also be able to purchase the champagne you tried for 20-35€ a bottle. If you are a cheese lover than we offer a champagne class with cheese for 85€ and with lunch for 100€.

Below are more details or contact Tasty Side To Life Tours Here at http://tastysidetolifetours.com/Tasty_Side_to_Life_Tours/Contact.html.

70,00€ (85€ with cheese pairing or 100€ with 3 course lunch)

(price per person)

Duration: 1.5 Hours, 2-2.5 hrs with cheese or lunch

Number of Champagnes sampled: 3 including one large Producer

Operating Days: Daily

Start Time: 11am or 5pm

Where?: 6th Arrondissement in a beautiful Parisian apartment

Near?: Place St Michel

(address will be sent after the booking)

Authentic Experiences in Paris & an Authentic Cyling Tour in Champagne

2014-06-29T15:57:00.005+02:00

Who wants to feel like a tourist when you're traveling? Not me! I always try and sneakily hide my map or fold it up as quick as humanely possible inevitably destroying it's perfect folds and scrunching it into a ball in my purse. Coming back from a trip to Paris with pictures of the Mona Lisa and an Eiffel Tower replica in your suitcase and actually believing that you have captured the essence of the city of lights is a pretty big faux pas in my book. As is thinking that you actually ARE going to bump into a real deal Parisian with a mustache outfitted in a beret and a striped shirt holding a baguette under his arm. Chances of that are low. Very low. What you should and hopefully WILL do is wander off the beaten paths to discover!

Marché d'Aligre is the BEST Parisian activity (before 13h) at Place d'Aligre 75012, Paris

Touch, feel, experience things you didn't plan (like the Marche d'Aligre above with hundreds of 1500-1700 books or the cheese shop Barthelemy in the 6eme by Rue de Bac which you can actually SMELL 1 mile away before you even arrive)! One of the ways to experience something real is to hop on the 'ol train and come 45 minutes to Reims or 1h20 to Epernay in Champagne! Get outside of Paris just for 1 day and into the countryside where you can bike and taste with champagne producers!

Fabulous cheese shop in the Latin 6eme, Paris

Keep in mind that Paris and its neighboring regions such as champagne have MUCH more to offer and there is still authenticity to be found if you know where to look ;)

Traveling is so much more of an enriching experience and a personal one when you live and feel it while avoiding the row after row of souvenir vendors and clichés. Bike tours are a good example of this. They get you on the streets and allow you to cycle around a city.

Bike About Tours or Fat Tire Bike Tours are among those who make visiting Paris pretty fun. They give you an insider's look at the city and don't just show you what you're expecting to see. Paris is more than the Eiffel tower and Notre Dame, and don't get me wrong, they are marvels for sure, but there's so much life, so many smells, sights and small cobbled and winding streets filled with incredible little stores and cafés.

The same is true in champagne. The Champagne region is more than Veuve Clicquot, Dom Perignon and 200,000 person population of Reims. It's passionate growers, rows and rows of vines and bubbly flowing/ corks popping from house to house and village to village!

Instead of going straight to the capital of Champagne why not cycle around gorgeous vines and champagne taste with growers who supply to all the major brands ie Moet et Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Roederer?

Traveling is about discovery and adventure, it's about learning what a culture has to offer. Go ahead and throw your tour book out for the day. Wander, get lost and do something authentic! If you need help doing so Tasty Side To Life Tours helps you plan champagne tasting biking trips in and around Reims and Epernay just 45 mins or 1h20 from Paris. Contact here if interested in a champagne tour.

Langoustine tartar- citrus, melba toast, impérial Baéri caviar. Cooking class in Champagne

2014-06-28T19:55:00.001+02:00

This post is courtesy of one of our past champagne tour clients who wrote a fabulous article on her blog about her Michelin star cooking class in Champagne with our favorite 1 star chef Michael Nizzero from La Briqueterie in Vinay!

We bring clients to eat lunch at their gorgeous property during our Champagne Tasting trips. We usually squeeze in a cooking class from 15h30-16h30 just after a tasting at Dom Perignon and just before a tasting with an award winning champagne grower! Pricing for the private cooking class with the head chef is 150€ per person for a 1 hour class or 75€ per person for a 30 minute class. I wanted to share with all our readers the recipe and notes from Annette Freeman. Booking for your own private cooking course can be done here. Enjoy the article and recipe below from our dear Australian client!

Michelin star Cooking Class in Champagne

An opportunity for a cooking lesson/demonstration from a Micheline-starred chef in France? The answer is, naturellement, 'oui, oui!' Our chef was the amazing Michael Nizzero, presently at L'Hostellerie la Briqueterie at Vinay, near Epernay in the champagne region. A snippet of his impressive resumé from their website:

Michael Nizzero is a 28yr old Belgian Chef who joins us from The Waterside Inn, Berkshire, UK. Chef Nizzero spent 4 years at the prestigious 3 Michelin starred Waterside Inn as First Sous-chef, under Grand-chefs Michel and Alain Roux. Previous to this he was Head Chef of Pisces Restaurant, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Under his guardianship

this restaurant was awarded best seafood restaurant in Dubai 3 years in a row.This already tells us that the food is likely to be pretty wonderful, but we had checked this out by dining at La Briqueterie the evening before: foie gras, delicate fish, and a cheese trolley straight from heaven. What would Chef Michael have to show us in his high-powered kitchen the next morning?

The recipe, he said, was a favorite of his which he had included on the menu ever since he had begun at La Briqueterie: Tartare de langoustines aux senteur d'agrumes , toast melba et caviar d’Aquitaine. After a brief kitchen tour, and some attention to the day's supply of foie gras, prepping it to be baked, Michael turned to his ingredients, laid out on the stainless steel bench.

"First," he said, "kill your langoustine." They like things fresh at La Briqueterie. But if you don't have any handy langoustine, you can use instead yabbies, or scallops.

I'll give you Michael's recipe - then add a photo tour of the proceedings.

Easy to make at home! After you catch your langoustine, of course. Bon appétit.

Tartare de langoustines aux senteur d'agrumes , toast melba et caviar d’Aquitaine

4 personnes

24 langoustines live or Scampi, peeled and cut into large brunoise pieces

For garnish

X 1 green chili, finely diced

X 1 red chili, finely diced

X 1 bunch chives chopped

Lime zest

Lemon zest

Orange zest

Salt / pepper

curly

vinaigrette

Shoots beet x 12

Shoots red chard x 12

Caviar d'Aquitaine x 40 gr

12 Melba toast

For the citrus vinaigrette

Squeeze and zest 2 limes, 2 lemons and 2 oranges and whisk in a steady stream of a couple tablespoons of olive oil of Papillon, salt and pepper.

Instructions

Bring water up to a nice boil. Add live langoustines for 10 seconds not more and immediately submerge in an ice bath. Now separate the head from the body. Use your fingers to crack the back bone. Now pinch the tail and pull very gently the vein out of the langoustine. Now add the langoustine to the vinaigrette with the brunois chili, chives, salt and pepper. Arrange on a plate as pictured. Top with caviar d'Aquitaine.

*These are live so we don't need to worry about how fresh they are! Yet do keep in mind some simple tips of how to check freshness: look at the eyes which should be black, the shell or color should be red and there should never be a strong fish smell!

Juice of three different citrus: lemon, lime & orange.

Zest of the three citrus.

Quality virgin olive oil.

Combine half-and-half citrus juice and olive oil and season.

Chop previously prepared langoustine into 1cm chunks.

Add zest to chopped langoustine.

Mild red and green jalapeño peppers
finely diced (with the skill of a professional chef, of course)

Add diced peppers to the langoustine.

Chives, chopped finely with similar skill.

Add chives to langoustine.

Season.

Michael adds the vinaigrette to the langoustine.

Finished langoustine and vinaigrette mixture.

Spoon mixture into a small circular mould to shape for serving.

Decorate with tiny melba toasts.

Garnish with some delicate greenery.

Michael's suggested brand of caviar.

Top with a generous spoonful of caviar.

Taste!

That went quickly....

In case you need help with technique in terms of the langoustine go ahead and watch this Youtube video from Pavillion France of how to prepare the live langoustine!

Champagne Wine Route: Tasting at Taittinger vs Pommery in the Champagne region

2014-06-28T13:43:00.000+02:00

Rolling hills, art deco architecture, birds chirping, row after row of vines for as long as the eye can see and the echoing familiar sounds of corks popping-THIS is champagne!

Where to taste, eat, what to see/do on a champagne tasting trip is always a tough question! In my book the thing to do is to get lost in the gorgeous champagne countryside tasting with real deal "growers"as opposed to tasting with the names we know and love from home. I know sounds counter intuitive, right?

In champagne there 14,000 champagne growers who supply all the grapes to the large brands or "negotiants" we know and love-ie Veuve Clicquot, Louis Roederer, Krug, Ruinart, Dom Perignon, Pommery, etc. Just 15 minutes outside Reims you are literally surrounded by 19,000 growers and 14,000 of these vigneron independent sell their grapes to the big commercial houses. 5,000 of these small independent wine growers are left for you taste their splendors :) Speaking french is nearly mandatory so if you don't speak it than you better hire Tasty Side To Life Tours.

If you decide to stay in Reims we have some tips for you below!

Private tasting at Veuve Clicquot

If you're American naturally the first large champagne producer which most likely pops to mind is Veuve Clicquot. While Veuve Clicquot is centrally located in Reims and is quite gorgeous please do keep in mind that the French don't heavily drink Veuve as it is mass marketed to the USA. Veuve is great because they do own some of the best "Grand Cru land" ie terrific soil in champagne yet the downside is they can be quite hard to get into as they limit the size of their tastings.

Veuve Clicquot

Tasting of Champagne Veuve Clicquot

Recently this has changed and they offer many more tastings than previously! If you need help getting a reservation please contact us but it you decide to skip Veuve why not taste champagne at two houses which are more regional to France?

Two such fabulous alternative champagne houses which are nearby (5 minutes down the road) are Taittinger and Pommery. I'll give you a quick little pro and con list of both.

Caves of Champagne Taittinger

Taittinger

Pros- Fantastic history. A gorgeous 11th century church Sainte Nicaise was burned to the ground during the French revolution. On top of the barren ground Taittinger was built. Beneath it are caves dug out in the 3rd century by the Romans with engravings from the World wars.

Champagne- for a large house it has fantastic minerality while giving you a great acidic bright and crisp long finish. Nice!

Details- This tasting and tour is 1 hour and includes 1 glass of Brut. Pricing is 16-22€. English tours are at 10h20, 11h, 11h50,14h20, 15h and last tasting at 16h. Visit is 1hr with tour and tastings. Tastings only not possible. Taittinger- 9 Rue Saint Nicaise, 51100 Reim +33 0326854535

Cons- Commercial Tour. Starts with a video which could put you to sleep ;) Only 1 glass of champagne for the tasting. Aesthetics of outside building- not special. Large tour with 10-30 people.

Reservations: Not necessary

Champagne Taittinger

Pommery

Champagne Pommery

Pommery

Pros- Certainly one of the most GORGEOUS champagne houses to visit with ancient caves and a never ending staircase down into the chalk caves. The light is beautiful reflecting off the ancient chalk walls and there is a fabulous history to this house as well.

Widowed Madame Pommery lost her husband and built Pommery to what it is today alone in the 1800's! I love their passion for art and installation artwork. They have one of the largest barrels in the world engraved and previously brought to the World Fair in the 1900's by 24 oxen. The caves here were dug out in the 3rd century by the Romans are gorgeous and engravings inside the caves are unique to the region and fabulous. I also love the installation artwork which varies seasonally from a carousel, a giant paper mache egg, self moving boots, etc.

Champagne- Traditional brut is quite boring and mainstream meant to please the masses. YET their vintage cuvee called "Cuvee Louise" is a tribute to the window Louise and is made from only Grand Cru vineyards in Ay, Avize and Cramant. This cuvee has a richness or rare complexity and aromas of quince and dried acacia with a gorgeous minerality and roundness. I'd compare this cuvee to Dom Perignon. It is certainly worth a visit to taste this cuvee!!

Cons- Boring traditional cuvee. Slight commercial feel. Large 10-30 person tour. The Cons here are overshadowed by the various positives in my book :) I LOVE Pommery and it along with Ruinart and Veuve are my favorite large producer tours!

Reservations: Yes. We (Tasty Side To Life Tours) can help if you contact us

Caves at Champagne Pommery

Pommery Different cuvees or blends of Champagne

Braised Wild Boar in a Red Wine Jus with Truffle Polenta and Crispy Onion Rings (Hurley's in Napa Valley, Ca)

2014-03-02T17:02:00.003+01:00

BRAISED WILD BOAR red wine jus- winter vegetables- truffle- polenta.

A hearty, rich and cozy dish which is PERFECT for a cold winter night! Wild boar is a great alternative to farmed commercial pork and a beautiful meat to cook. If I could eat wild game (ie elk, bison, boar, etc) instead of hormone filled commercial meat each time I ate meat I would! I mean wouldn't you? When braised Wild Boar becomes beautifully tender and paired with a red wine jus, creamy polenta and truffle it becomes the perfect winter treat. This recipe is courtesy of Hurley's in Yountville, Ca.

Makes 6 Servings

Combine and Marinate Overnight

3 pounds Wild Boar Shoulder de-boned, fat scored in diamond pattern
(can substitute hormone free Pork Shoulder)
Pinch of Sea Salt
10 juniper berries, crushed
3 Bay leaves broken up and several sprigs of fresh thyme
1.5 cups Red Wine (Syrah, Cab or Barolo)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup rapeseed oil or peanut oil
1 tbsp crushed black peppercorns
4 cloves garlic

Ingredients

1 large carrot, peeled an diced package of Sugar Snap Peas
5 Tbls of Olive Oil
2 ribs of celery, diced
1 onion peeled and diced
3 shallots
3 cloves garlic (green inner garlic spring removed)
2 quarts veal stock
For the Polenta
1 cup Polenta
1.5 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup cream

For the marinade place all ingredients in a glass bowl, add the wild boar and mix together. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for 24 hrs.Remove boar from the marinade and set it aside.
For the Wild Boar Preheat the oven to 300. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat it dry with kitchen paper. Reserve the marinade.
Strain all solids from wine marinade and set aside. In a saucepan, heat wine to a simmer and skim all the impurities from the top while reducing it by half.
Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in deep dutch oven, season the well dried boar well with salt and pepper and brown the boar for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Set aside
Add the reserved vegetables to the now empty pan to lightly caramelize them. Add the shallots and onions to the pan and cook until softened and transparent and slightly caramelized. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Next add the celery and carrot.
When vegetables are softened add them to reserved meat. Add wine, reduce again by 1/3 and finally veal stock to cover (if you find yourself short on veal stock, use a fortified chicken stock). Stir well. It is important that the meat is covered with liquid during the braising. Bring to a simmer, cover and place in a 300 degree oven for approx. 3 hrs or until very tender (after 2 hours, check every 30 mins or so).
Baste regularly by pouring cooking juices back over the meat and adding more stock if necessary. Just before the boar is done cooking uncover the pan and cook for a further 10 minutes or so. When the meat is tender, remove from the braising liquid. strain all solids from the liquid and discard. Leave the meat covered in a warm place to rest for 30 minutes.
Place the braising liquid in a saucepan and reduce slowly while skimming off the fat and impurities.
Reduce until it reaches desired volume, viscosity and flavor (generally by at least half). While the sauce is in progress, take the partially cooled meat and clean off the major fat and set aside. 30 mins before serving combine meat and sauce. Re-heat gently.
For the Polenta: In a large heavy based saucepan bring the chicken stock to boil over medium heat.
Add the polenta to the hot stock in a thin, steady stream. Stir immediately with a wooden spoon and continue stirring for 2-3 mins. The polenta will thicken and have the texture of a mashed potato when cooked.
Stir in the cream and season with salt, pepper and truffle oil.
Slice the wild boar and serve with the pan juices and creamed polenta and garnish with herbs.
For the thinly sliced onion rings follow this great detailed recipe

The Best Napa Wineries and Restaurants-Flavors of Napa 2013 and The Appellation trail Event

2014-02-06T02:26:00.001+01:00

I was lucky enough to attend the mother event of all Napa food events a couple of months ago, ie Flavors of Napa (Napa, California)! I had a 2 day press pass with my company Tasty side to life tours and was able to watch, taste and learn from the best Chefs in the industry (sans The French Laundry's Thomas Keller and Chef Christopher Kostow of Meadowood).

The events was filled with renowned vintners and engaging experts and was a 5 day celebration including demonstrations, farm to table dining, world class wines, lectures, cooking classes and other awesome epicurean and enological experiences.
Culinary geniuses from Napa Valley included Rogelio Garcia ( head chef at Angèle but formerly at Hurley’s, Redd, Michael Mina, Cyrus, Calistoga Ranch and The French Laundry), Michael Gyetvan (Norma Rose Tavern and Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca), Scott Ekstrom (Angèle, Napa), the great Tyler Rodde (Oenotri), Brad Farmerie (Public NYC and The Thomas and Fagiani's), Masaharu Morimoto (Morimoto, Napa) and Michael Chiarello (Bottega)

Lucy Restaurant-Sugar Pie Pumpkin Soup with Tempura Shrimp and Nutmeg Creme Fraiche

I soaked up every second of the live demo's, atelier's, cooking lessons and wine tasting lessons.

Some of the stars of the night were Angele in Napa's little Pork Belly Croque Monsieur which was just so tiny, decadent and perfect! It was a nice little hunk of pork belly, brioche with a egg yolk mousse w/ cream fraiche, a dollop of truffle marscapone and a sprig of parsley for color. I mean?! AMAZING. If I could eat it daily, I would.

One of the stars of the night Pork belly Croque Monsieur

The Thomas and Fagiani's in downtown Napa. Black Pudding Waffle with Whipped Miso Butter and Spicy Poached Pair. The butter was ever so smooth, airy and sweet w/ that miso addition. The pears added a great spicy touch. This was by far one of my favorite dishes of the day!

Other stand outs of the night pictured below were the laid back Yountville's Hurley's which blew me away with their succulent Wild Texas Boar, Ca' Momi (organic eatery in Napa VPN certified to have authentic Napletana pizza) with Chef Valentina Guolo Migotto was outstanding with their cute little honey beignets and Norman Rose Tavern impressed me last year with their deviled eggs with apple and smoked trout and this year with Sour Cherry Bread Pudding with a Guinness Anglais.
Here's a glimpse of what was going on:

Braised Wild Texas Boar with Truffle scented Polenta and Crispy Onion Rings. Gorgeous balance of succulent meat, savory polenta and crispy onions!

We're helping people taste with small great growers like this in Napa, Ca so if interested email Tasty side To life Tours or Tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com. Below ar more stand-outs of the night:

Sour Bread Pudding with Creme Anglaise. There is nothing like a great bread pudding. This one was perfect. Dying to try Norman Rose Tavern, Napa!

Chicken Liver Mousse on Crostini from Press St Helena

A classic Beef bourguignon from the great Bistro Jeanty

Morimoto...poached fish. YUM

Silverado Dolce Resorts

Farm at Carneros Inn-Pumpkin pudding with cranberry compote and cinnamon fluff.

Love winding up the mt road up to Mt Veeder

Yummy milk and honey beignet from Ca' Momi- a restaurant which I'm dying to try as well!

Another knock-out was Chef Brad Farmerie of The Thomas and Fagiani's Bar. His dish was definitely the most ballsy of the evening-blood sausage in the form of a waffle! I know it sounds odd but it was HEAVENLY! Blood sausage in France is a staple and it's so great seared with a wedge of slow cooked apple. This was a waffle with a homemade miso butter and spiced poached pears. LOVED.

In terms of wine I LOVED Spring Mountain Vineyard '09 Estate Blend Elivette (voted Best US Bordeaux @ Decanter World Wine Blind Tasting 2013) and their '01 Estate blew me away, Barlow Vineyard- Family owned with a great Bordeaux Blend Barrouge, Ackerman Family Vineyards '05-100% Cab which was great and very well balanced and '09-spicy and young, Jackson Family Wines-Bright, Fresh and Tropical Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and Lang and Reed Wine Company's 100% Cab France, Bouchaine '10 Chard had lots of buttery notes yet still maintained a great brightness and '11 Pinot, Cade '10 Cab with was dense and spicy, Amici '1 cab which was smooth and balanced at the top of Spring Mt, Cakebread had a surprising great '10 Syrah when they are mainly known for their chards and Bello Family Vineyards had a great oakey chard.

For tickets for next years event click here or to visit the region on a guided tour click here:

THE APPELLATION TRAIL: TASTING NAPA VALLEY

EVENT DETAILS

Date:Friday, November 22Time:6:00 PM - 9:00 PMVenue:The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone | MapPrice:$165

Currently Unavailable. Join the waiting list.

The tasty side to life

The Hottest Experience in Champagne Right Now: Elaborate Dinners in UNESCO World Heritage Caves Beneath Millions of Aging Bottles On a Wine Tour From Paris

Champagne Ruinart — Dinners by Arnaud Donckele & the Immersive “Petit R”

Moët & Chandon — A Taste of Things to Come

Why Cave Dining Matters

Plan Your Champagne Food & Wine Adventure

A Perfect 1 Day Wine Tasting Trip in France to Reims, the Capital of France’s Champagne Region!!

Champagne in 2026: Why Reims Is The Top Destination for Champagne Tours

Best Restaurants in Reims and Nearby Champagne Villages to Visit During a Champagne Day Trip from Paris!

Best Restaurants in Reims, France and Nearby Champagne Villages to Pair With Your Champagne Day Trip with us!

Reims:

Local Favorites and Bistro Charm

Beyond Reims: Dining in Champagne Villages

Why Great Restaurants Belong in Your Champagne Tour

Plan Your Champagne Food & Wine Adventure

Champagne Tour from Reims- A Day Trip Itinerary to Champagne Moët, Champagne Growers & The Best of the Best Hidden Gems

Happy New year! Whats your word for 2024?

A more intimate, brighter Thanksgiving menu for a year like no other

Have a lovely week!

Gift Ideas for Mothers while Social Distancing!

KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco Mothers Day Virtual wine tasting!

Mothers Day Virtual Wine Tasting 5/10 at 6pm PST!

Have a cozy weekend- below is a great superbowl menu

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Reims- including the most gorgeous champagne picnic

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the Top 3 Restaurants in Reims-Le Foch!

Fine Dining at Le Foch in Reims, France

First Course:

Second Course:

Third Course:

7 tips to know before you to go on a private trip to champagne

A PRIVATE CHAMPAGNE TOUR IN FRANCE: 7 TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

7 Tips To Know Before You Go:

The Absolute Best Champagne for Valentines Day!

A Summer Brunch- Brioche stuffed french toast with fromage blanc, passion fruit, lemon curd and huckleberry, blackberry compote and much more

Sydney Australia the chic foodie guide

Paris Champagne Tasting Class

Authentic Experiences in Paris & an Authentic Cyling Tour in Champagne

Langoustine tartar- citrus, melba toast, impérial Baéri caviar. Cooking class in Champagne

Champagne Wine Route: Tasting at Taittinger vs Pommery in the Champagne region

Braised Wild Boar in a Red Wine Jus with Truffle Polenta and Crispy Onion Rings (Hurley's in Napa Valley, Ca)

The Best Napa Wineries and Restaurants-Flavors of Napa 2013 and The Appellation trail Event

THE APPELLATION TRAIL: TASTING NAPA VALLEY

EVENT DETAILS

ABOUT THE EVENT