Still thinking what wines to get for your Thanksgiving party? These three great options offer an incredible value and will keep everyone happy.

2009 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages

This is a great wine to start your Thanksgiving party. It can very well be the wine you begin serving as soon as your guests arrive.

With nice fruit aromas, this Beaujolais-Villages is bright, smooth and a bit jammy.

Made from Gamay Noir grapes and with a 13% alcohol volume, it is medium body and very satisfying.

You can also pair it with your turkey dish or salads with dried cranberries and goat cheese, but it might not have the punch needed for more hearty foods. Perhaps pair it with a nice conversation with your guests while dinner is ready.

2007 St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel – Sonoma County

Great Zinfandels come from Sonoma and this one is a must for your Thanksgiving dinner. With a great character and superb quality, this full bodied Zinfandel comes from vines that are 80 to 100 years old.

On the nose it’s peppery, with hints of tobacco and raspberry. On the palate it’s simply a delight, with dominant flavors of black cherry, dry fruit, vanilla bean, and walnut.

With a silky rich structure, this Zinfandel has a long luscious bouquet.

The Old Vines Zinfandel can pair well with your traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner or with dishes such as barbecued chicken, rib roast, and lamb dishes.

Fonseca Bin No. 27 Porto

Time for dessert or an after-dinner conversation? This Fonseca Port, a star of the Douro region in Portugal, will make you the star host.

Aged for four years in neutral oak before bottling, it has an intense depth of color and great fruit character. On the nose, this Bin No. 27 port offers fresh, rich blackberry and cassis aromas. The silky texture of this high quality port is reflected on the palate, showcasing delicious dry fruit and dark chocolate with an sophisticated finish.

This Fonseca Port with pair elegantly with desserts made with rich dark chocolate and strawberries.

Enjoy your wines, your great company, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Temperatures might be dropping in Norfolk, Virginia, but we know of one BRAND NEW must-visit attraction that’s hot, hot, hot!

The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio is now open to the public (as of November 2) and daily demonstrations provide a first-hand look into the fascinating art of glassmaking techniques. The ambiance is light, airy, modern, and a couple of furnaces running somewhere around 2,150 degrees offer a warm reprieve from cold, windy seasonal weather.

Katie from TravelPlusWine volunteers! Breathe in, breathe out.

Glass Studio demonstrations are FREE and they last one to two hours. Manager Charlotte Potter and her dynamic team of talented and outgoing artists dazzle visitors in a theatrical and entertaining way… leaving you with a profound appreciation and understanding of the glass world. Demonstrations will be offered at noon and 6pm and picnic lunches or dinners are highly encouraged. Enjoy the view with your food from the audience seating… watch from a safe distance or check out the television monitors above to get closer views of the live action. The Ghent district offers numerous gourmet restaurants with take-out, so make it a family affair or a unique, romantic date for two!

(Tip: TenTop is a hole-in-the-wall, unassuming establishment about a mile away but definitely holds a spot in the Top Ten restaurants of Norfolk. The food is gourmet and amazing – salads, sandwiches, pita pizzas for lunch or try the Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Lasagna for dinner. Call ahead to order for pick-up!)

The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio – Interior View

Always working as a team

When you’re finished discovering the world of blowpipes and cullets, walk next door to the Chrysler Museum. This impressive space houses one of the best art collections in the United States thanks in large part to the Norfolk community of art collectors (“Our Community Collects”) who kindly put their finest pieces on loan so we, the public, can enjoy as well. Head right to the Glass Collection, one of the largest and most comprehensive glass collections in the world. Are you ready for 10,000 glass objects spanning 3,000 years? Many of us, as much as we appreciate art, don’t have the time or patience to view everything… so head directly to the Tiffany Gallery and then search for works by Robert Wilson, Dale Chihuly, Harvey Littleton, Klaus Moje, Steuban Glass Works, Lalique, Paolo Vanini, William Morris, and many more. If possible, join a tour or ask a docent for more information. Their knowledge will help you bridge any gaps between what you learned in the Studio with what you’re looking at in the museum.

(Tip: The Chrysler Museum is opened until 9pm on Wednesdays making this an excellent dinner & museum night!)

Various glass works

Tiffany!

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE! Yes, it gets even better…

If the Glass Studio demonstration makes you hot for something more, well, hands-on… they offer WORKSHOPS! Extend your stay in Norfolk and sign up for a Two-Hour Teaser, One-Day, Two-Day, or Three-Day workshops.

(Tip:Just make sure you don’t leave town the same day your workshop ends because glass needs to be slowly cooled in a kiln so it doesn’t break. If that’s not a possibility, make advanced arrangements to ship your project home.)

When you plan your trip to Norfolk… stay a few more days than you think necessary, you’ll need ‘em!

And, if you’re interested in checking out more photos from the Chrysler Museum and Glass Studio, visit our Facebook page.

We kissed the warm summer sun goodbye last month and now it’s time to break out the heavy winter jackets. Snow is expected this week in Colorado and Wyoming (did they even have much of a summer?) and it won’t be long before shoveling snow becomes a part of the daily routine.

But, don’t put away those summer knits just yet… Florida is offering luxurious, family-friendly escapes this fall that could fit your budget! Here are a few options:

ST. PETE BEACH

The TradeWinds Resort Island Grand is a TravelPlusWine personal favorite! This 20-acre beachfront playgrounds gives both kids and adults the space they need. Let the kids play at the KONK Club while you enjoy the serenity of an adults-only swimming pool or a scream-free romantic meal. Don’t forget to make time for everyone in the family to enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters and sandy shore of the Gulf of Mexico. We signed up for paragliding and the views of Treasure Island are impossible to beat.

If you’ve had enough of the beach, visit Tampa for great art, shopping, and amazing cuisine.

Rates from $149

ORLANDO

The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa in the Walt Disney® World Resort offers spacious guest rooms and suites, complete with refrigerators and microwaves — a nice bonus when traveling with picky eaters. Children can spend the day in the water and sun at Recreation Island playing Marco Polo or enjoy the playground. Babysitting services are available so mom and dad can relax in the 10,000 square feet of spa space and choose from 60 spa treatments. Or perhaps hit a few balls on the golf course.

Downtown Disney is at a walking distance across the street and the hotel offers shuttle service to any Walt Disney World parks nearby.

Rates From $99, Plus Up to $100 Resort Credit and Kids Eat Free

BOCA RATON

Boca Beach Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is located on a half-mile of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean! The resort offers a unique cosmopolitan style that mixes a sleek European sensibility with Florida beach chic… and it’s kid friendly! Head to the spa, play tennis, or lounge by the famous pool and pretend you’re Jennifer Lopez while the kids enjoy their new friends at Camp Boca.

The Uniquely Boca Winter Package, available from September 15, 2011 through December 15, 2011, is an ideal value-oriented getaway at the oceanfront with rates starting from $269 per night. This package is filled with free and discounted activities for guests of every age and interest.

Arguably, Bogota’s best attribute is its expansive selection of unexpectedly enchanting dining establishments.  Others may argue that other characteristics deserve that title … its charming people, its wide variety of delicious subtropical fruits, its coffee shops, the prominent mountains that form a distant wall around the city … but in my humble opinion, the restaurants are the hands down winner.

Below are a few options in Colombia’s capital city waiting to delight your senses.

BREAKFAST

To start the day off on the right foot, visit Abasto in Usaquén district for an amazing weekend brunch.  (Preferably on a Sunday; Saturdays are usually quite packed, as this place is not exactly a well-kept secret.)  You’ll be charmed the moment you walk in the door, by the cozy Colombian country-style décor, the tempting baked goods placed strategically near the entrance to keep starvation at bay should a table not be immediately available, and the decadent scents wafting from the kitchen, which can immediately be glimpsed through a large open window by the entry.  You may see bakers preparing the thickest pancakes you’ve ever seen in your life, or arepas crowned with any number of toppings, or waiters may be bringing out trays of freshly squeezed juice or steaming coffee.

Abasto is furnished with an eclectic mix of wooden tables – as far as I could tell, no two are the same.  My favorite is the big wooden table in the back room, where you’ll be surrounded by baskets of fruits and vegetables and shelves of wine, journals, salt and pepper shakers, jars of dates and other such items available for purchase.  Once you’re seated, you’ll be faced with the difficult decision of what to order.  You can’t go wrong with anything, really – all of Abasto’s dishes are prepared with fresh, natural, locally sourced ingredients and are without exception mouthwateringly delicious – but my personal recommendation is a glass of granadilla juice, fruit salad, huevos rancheros, and if you’re really hungry, accompany all of that with a cheese-topped arepa or one of the raspberry crumbles sitting enticingly on the counter.  Then, wash it all down with locally-sourced coffee, or a beautiful aromatica (similar to a tea, but prepared with dried fruits rather than tea leaves.)

To walk off some of those calories, take a stroll afterward through the neighborhood before heading off to your next destination.

LUNCH

If your appetite returns in time for lunch, head to Restaurante Casa at Carrera 13 # 85-24 for a fresh and delicious Mediterrean meal.  This is a very pretty part of town, on a street lined with other restaurants and a few classy bars.  If it’s a nice day, you can eat outside in the small back courtyard, under leafy oak trees.  If it’s not a nice day, and you’re lucky, you’ll get the table inside next to the fireplace.

The juices here are too good to miss, and as beautifully presented as any cocktail.  Try the maracuya con menta (passionfruit with mint.)  Unusual combination, but it works.  If you like seafood, the grouper and avocado appetizer doubles very well as a light meal, or if you’re hungrier, the sea bass with quinoa will delight your tastebuds and fill your belly.  If that’s not enough, the French fries here are also sublime.  And you should save room for at least a bite of the apple crumble with vanilla ice cream – although I bet you won’t be able to have just one bite.

Another lunch option, if you are really hungry and in the mood for traditional Colombian dishes, is Club Colombia.  Like Casa, it was formerly a house, and this restaurant still exudes the serene feeling of a stately older home, with its polished wooden floors, wide staircase and fireplaces.  The impeccably dressed waiters seem to have stepped out of a time gone past.

Portions here are generous: a cup of ajiaco or sancocho with a side of empanadas is likely to fill you up.

DINNER

For dinner, if you happen to be craving sushi or seafood, take a cab to Sushi Gozen.  They have the best seaweed salad I’ve had in a long time, consistently fresh, well-prepared sushi and a magnificent seafood and rice platter.

For a unique beverage, try the Umeshu, a Japanese liquor with an unusual taste: complex and slightly sweet.  The wine list offers plenty of options to please the palate, or choose a perfectly shaken caipirinha.

You can also find a very nice wine list and exquisite seafood – or meat – or vegetarian options – at Matiz, the perfect choice for a quiet, elegant meal.  It could be romantic, but it doesn’t have to be.

 

THE AFTER PARTY

Finish the night by dancing off some of those calories at Andres. (Conveniently located downtown, it’s a smaller version of the original Andres in Chia … smaller, but just as much fun!)  Along with live music and a fun-loving crowd, Andres has an enormous menu of scrumptious beers, cocktails, appetizers and full meals.  The lulada is an irresistible concoction including aguardiente and lulo juice, guaranteed to put you in the mood to dance the night away! 

Nestled at the foot of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State is Port Angeles, a picturesque town known by many as the Gateway to Olympic National Park. Visitors and residents alike appreciate the natural, serene environment that combines the evergreen mountain air with fresh, salty seawater from the Strait of Juan de Fuca truly making this destination a breath of fresh air.

(Photo via Port Angeles Downtown)

What you may not know is the Olympic Peninsula is also home to at least 8 wineries open to the public. In other words, you can ski or hike Hurricane Ridge in the morning and enjoy a glass of wine at Camaraderie Cellars in the afternoon! Or, if you’re up for it, take a long weekend and visit all 8 wineries!

Port Angeles is home to Harbinger Winery, Camaraderie Cellars, Black Diamond Winery, and Olympic Cellars. Located an hour east is Port Townsend, known for its restored Victorian homes and beautiful downtown. There you’ll find Eaglemount Wine & Cider, Sorensen Cellars, FairWinds Winery, and Finnriver Farm & Cidery.

We personally recommend a visit to Camaraderie Cellars in Port Angeles and Sorenson Cellars in Port Townsend. And for fellow cider fans… a visit to Alpenfire Cider (formerly Wildfire Cider), also near Port Townsend, is a definitive MUST.

If you only have 3 days for your wine adventure on the Olympic Peninsula, we suggest spending 2 in Port Angeles and the last day in Port Townsend before heading back to Seattle or your next destination. This will give you an opportunity to do some sightseeing between wineries. Because these are small, family-run wineries, don’t forget to call the wineries ahead of time to be sure they’ll be open during your visit.

Other things to do/see in Port Angeles:

Olympic National Park: Drive up to Hurricane Ridge for stunning views, skiing, or some of the best hiking in Washington State. Pack a picnic lunch, otherwise there’s an overpriced cafeteria that sells hamburgers, fries, and soup.

Lake Crescent: Also part of Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent lies about 18 miles west of Port Angeles. This lake is another great place for hiking or taking in the natural beauty of Washington State. Check out the Lake Crescent Lodge or The Log Cabin Resort if you’re interested in spending more time in the area. In the summertime, this is a popular swim spot for locals.

Salt Creek State Park: Whether you’re into camping or just want to explore the tide pools, this is a fun family-friendly spot where the kids can roam free.

Great eats in Port Angeles:

Michael’s Seafood & Steakhouse: One of the best restaurants in Port Angeles, Michael offers a gourmet selections and a great Happy Hour menu from 4-6pm daily. The Gnocchi and Baked Brie are personal favorites. As a bonus, there’s local wine on the list! This is always a great option if you can’t make it to a winery but really want to taste the fruits of their labor.

Toga’s Soup House: Once a fancy reservations-only restaurant perfect for an intimate dinner, Toga’s has reinvented itself as a popular lunch spot for soups, salads, and sandwiches. If you’re headed to Camaraderie Cellars, this is a great stopping point along the way.

Frugals: If you’re in the mood for a burger and fries to-go, Frugals is a small retro double drive-in fast food joint that has been an institution in Port Angeles since… well, forever. Their milkshakes are very popular, so check the flavor of the month!

Port Townsend recommendations:

(photo via Puget Sound Express)

The Rose Theater: This unique independent cinema is a must-see if you love beautiful theaters and foreign films. The popcorn is delicious and you can grab a glass of wine!

Fort Worden: A state park and conference center perfect for walks along the two-mile shore line. A lot of weekend art workshops are hosted here, so check local listings for dates.

Great eats in Port Townsend:

The Pizza Factory: This is where you’ll find the best pizza on the Olympic Peninsula. Grab a slice and people watch from a bench on the street.

Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar: Is a description really necessary? The menu is great (pasta, lamb, seafood), but just remember the wine bar doesn’t open until 4pm. It’s also a nice place to hit up for appetizers and a glass of vino before a movie.

Getting there:

Port Angeles is an easy 2.5 hour drive from Seattle. Or, get there in 20 minutes with a direct flight from Boeing Field with Kenmore Air.

And now off to walk the plank to pop open a bottle of Pirate’s Plank Bone Dry from Alpenfire Cider! I challenge you to find a cider that we’d enjoy more…

 

 

 

Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay
2009
Santa Lucia Highlands

“Movin’ to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches…” And this wine has a lot of them. The taste is fruity with tropical notes, no surprise coming from a bouquet like that. This wine is a walk through the tropical forest with a bit of acidity to keep you from relaxing too much. A trip to Hawaii in your own living room, anyone? $22.

Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
2008
Santa Lucia Highlands

Feelin’ peachy? Still? With an wonderfully aromatic nose, this oaked wine is a pleasant balcony sipper. Pineapple and coconut suggest a waterfront view. Sip it alone or serve with toasted almonds to snack on or if you’re in the mood for a meal, go for a light salad to compliment this calming wine. $32.

Conundrum – California White Wine (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat)
2009
California

Honeysuckle and rhubarb greet the nose. A bit on the sweeter side, this zesty and very floral wine would pair well with spicy Asian food. Keep this in mind for your next round of Thai takeout. Unless you like off-dry wines on the sweeter side, you won’t be drinking this alone. $22.

Meiomi – Pinot Noir
2009
Sonoma/Monterey/Santa Barbara

Strawberry and plumb jam, this Pinot has a very fruity nose. A standard Pinot Noir with suggestions of earthy forest floor, it’s actually a bit on the spicy side (hello clove!) and ever so slightly smoky. This easy and smooth sipper is perfect for a stand-up and mingle wine social. Or, pair it with pizza night. $22.

Belle Glos – Pinot Noir
2009
Santa Maria Valley

Fall is here which means winter is getting closer. A bit jammy (strawberry, cherry), this Pinot has hints of spicy oak and even reminds me of cinnamon boiling on the hearth (oh childhood memories!), Get in the holiday spirit and enjoy this with a rack of lamb or filet mignon. Worth $44? No. It’s what we like to call “overpriced.”

Caymus – Cabernet Sauvignon
2008
Napa Valley

So far, the best wine tonight! It’s smooth, not too alcoholic or acidic, and has an overall sense of balance. Toasted oak, white pepper, and creme de cassis – not to mention subtle coffee and vanilla – mmm… a true Cab! Invite the best and only the best to enjoy this vino. At $68 you’ll have to decide whether your potential guests have been naughty or nice.

(Sample Wines)

Last night, Katie and myself had the opportunity to attend the premiere in Los Angeles of “Mexico: The Royal Tour” at the Regal LA Live cinemas in downtown LA.

The event was not only special because of the amazing production Emmy Award-winner Peter Greenberg achieved with this travel documentary, but also because of the honorable company of the President of México himself, Felipe Calderón, the First Lady Margarita Zavala, and other distinguished diplomats and special guests.

“Mexico: The Royal Tour” is a very unique travel documentary starring President Felipe Calderón as your tour guide as he takes you through some of the most fascinating places Mexico has to offer.

In the film you see President Calderón like you have never seen him before. He’s not only an amazing tour guide – he knows the country extremely well – but he has a very adventurous spirit and a great sense of humor.

The film begins as Peter Greenberg (see photo) is welcomed by President Calderón at Los Pinos, the official presidential residence in Mexico City.

He then takes you on his helicopter to discover a wealth of touristic possibilities around the country.

Some of the places and activities featured are the Mayan ruins of Palenque in Chiapas and Chichen-Itza in Yucatán, the President’s hometown of Morelia, Puerto Vallarta, rappelling the Cave of Swallows in San Luis Potosí, Tequila tasting in Jalisco, whale watching in Baja California, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, and a fantastic ride on a hot-air balloon over the archaeological site of Teotihuacan.

The film is very well done and throughout it you can see how well both President Calderón and Peter Greenberg got along. You could almost think they’ve been friends forever.

“Mexico: The Royal Tour” is a very enjoyable film that also represents an incredible opportunity to learn about one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Tonight is the TV premiere at 7pm PST on PBS. Please see the trailer below and don’t miss the show!