In a three-way race between Italy, France, and Spain, the wines of Italy are victorious – outselling the other contenders – repeatedly. I am frequently asked why I write about the wines of Italy. The answers are quite simple: 1. Italy produces wines that are palate pleasers at value prices
Navigating Spanish Wines, Including the Important Label
Frequently, when I enter a neighborhood wine shop in Manhattan, I am stopped from browsing by aggressive salespeople which is counterproductive if the store owner is interested in increasing bottom line profitability. When I walk into a shoe store, I am given lots of time to look at each shoe on display, turn it over […]
Sparkling Wines from Spain Challenge “The Other Guys”
The French have spent many marketing dollars conditioning us to equate Champagne with good times, simultaneously encouraging us to believe that all sparkling wines are French. Results? Champagne has become a word that is ubiquitous. If we have an urge for a glass of sparkling wine our brain immediately latches onto the word Champagne, and […]
Wines of Spain: Taste the Difference Now
I recently had the opportunity to be introduced to a selection of the unique and delicious wines from Spain. The Master Class was directed by Alexander LaPratt who has been a Sommelier at Le Bernardin, DB Bistro Moderne, and the French Laundry as well as the head Sommelier for Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. In 2010 […]
Spain Ups Its Wine Game: Much More than Sangria
In 2020, worldwide wine drinking dropped by 2.8 percent, although there had been optimistic reports of people stocking up on wines. This is the third year in a row that worldwide wine intake has declined. Despite general population growth, worldwide wine drinking is at its lowest level since 2002 (wine-searcher.com). Even in China, wine consumption […]
Death Tourism: Travel with a purpose
Planning to travel? Your motivation is likely going to fall into one of these boxes: 1. Visits to friends and family2. Vacation3. Business What is missing from the list? People who travel to commit suicide. What is it? Death tourism (a specific type of medical tourism) is a system whereby non-terminally ill individuals travel to […]
Tourism and Pandemics: Do They Coexist?
What makes COVID-19 different from previous diseases in the speed and reach of the virus and the extent of the contagion beyond the traveler to the destination? Tourism is about movement. Pandemics are about stopping a spread. It does not matter if your news source is social media, television networks, or print, the link between […]
Hotels and Travel Reimagined. Better? Perhaps. Certainly Different!
“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste” Rahm Emanuel (American politician: adviser to U.S. President Bill Clinton; U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Mayor of Chicago). If not better, hotels and travel reimagined are easily different. Not Same Same Dr. Eran Avraham, left, and Dr. Izaak Cohen from Bar-Ilan University walk through […]
Wine from Kosovo – Not Costco
Searching for a WOW to pour into your wine glass? My suggestion: Wine from Kosovo, especially the 2018 Stone Castle, Rose, Pinot Noir, Rahoveci Valley. Don’t Get Puzzled Some people confuse Costco with Kosovo. Recently, as I was pouring wine into a glass, and brought attention to the beautiful coral hue, I mentioned that the wine was from […]
The French Vineyards of Occitanie
Occitanie is considered one of the newest French wine regions and it is located only 2 hours from Barcelona. The name for the region references a large southern European realm where people spoke a Latin-derived language called Occitan. This French vineyards region covers a territory similar to that ruled by the Counts of Toulouse in the 12th […]