Washington State’s scenic Woodinville Valley is just 30 minutes northeast of Seattle making it an ideal day trip for wine lovers. With 115 wineries and tasting rooms, as well as over two dozen restaurants and eateries, it’s worth an overnight or two to drink in the experience. Especially since this small area is home to the highest concentration of 90-plus point production wineries in a square mile.
Seafood reigns supreme all over Seattle. Fresh Pacific oysters and other mollusks, salmon of all kinds and the strangely phallic geoduck clam rest atop layers of crushed ice at Pike Place Market. But the city’s dining scene is so much more.
Geographically, “Rioja” is divided into three subzones, each with a distinct terroir. A “Rioja” can also be defined as a “Crianza,” a “Reserva,” or a “Gran Reserva” depending on the aging. And then, there’s the style of wine: traditional or modern.
Napa Valley insiders will tell you to plan your visit for midweek and off-season to avoid the crowds. Or, go off the beaten path to discover some “hidden gems” worth a visit for both their spectacular settings and wines. Here are five to check out; advance reservations are required.
Napa is worth a visit before you head up-valley. Here and there you can still see fenced off buildings undergoing repair, but you also see signs of growth such as new hotels, restaurant, and bars to rival Napa’s golden saloon era.
“The vineyards of the Bekaa Valley … enable grapes to develop thick skins and ripe flavors while hanging on to their refreshing acidity. These are not ‘shy wines.’ Rather, they are wines of structure, depth, and weight,”
Eileen Crane is often called “America’s Doyenne of Sparkling Wines.” She is CEO and Founding Winemaker at Domaine Carneros in Napa Valley with a 30+ year career producing méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines.
While there are many theories on the exact birthplace and origin of the word “cocktail” one thing is for sure: New Orleans is the birthplace of some very famous ones and home to one of the nation’s most exciting cocktail scenes.
Visiting the French Quarter is an unforgettable experience to see elegant historic architecture, watch engaging street artists, listen to live jazz and, of course, eat and drink. There are dozens of restaurants and bars tucked here and there. Here are five bars to visit and their signature cocktails.
