Discover the Wines of Don Quixote's Spain

Don Quixote by Ciprian Frunza

The wineries of Castilla-La Mancha look forward to bringing their distinctive wines to three US cities during the week of February 24th 2014. Just as local ‘celebrity’, Don Quixote, traveled through his region seeking adventure and noble experiences, trade and press at the Castilla-La Mancha US tastings will do the same as they discover the wines of 25 participating producers. Each of these events will offer guests the opportunity to experience the wines and traditions of this distinctive region. The events will welcome members of US wine trade and press.

Castilla-La Mancha is the most expansive wine-producing region in the world. It is a land of fascinating foods and cultural traditions and, naturally, a wide variety of wines. The land, composed of limestone clay and a great variety of subsoils, makes the region ideal for growing grape vines. Within the Castilla-La Mancha area, there are nine appellations of origin, four estates with their own appellations and many ‘Geographical Indication Wines’.

After years of focus and investment in quality wine production and a very successful reception of our wines by industry professionals on the 2013 tour, Castilla la Mancha is excited to bring their distinctive traditions to new cities and educate press and trade about the quality and diversity of these wines through these tastings.

Each event in all three cities will be hosted by wine expert Geralyn Brostrom, Advanced Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator. She will share the winemaking history of the region of Castilla-La Mancha, the technical qualities of its wines, and the sales opportunity for these wines in the US market with the trade and press, followed by an afternoon walk-around.

The participating wineries include Alcoholes de Tomelloso, Bodegas Arrayan, Bodegas Cristo de la Vega, Bodega Dehesa de Luna, Bodega Familia Mateos de la Higuera, Bodegas Los Aljibes, Bodegas Real, Bodegas Romero de Avila, Bodegas San Dionisio, Bodegas Videl del Saz, Bodegas Yuntero, Bodegas Zagarron, Bogarve 1915, Dominio de Punctum, El Progreso, Encomienda de Cervera, Finca el Refugio, Finca la Blanca, Finca la Estacada, Finca Los Alijares, Finca Rio Negro, Ntra. Sra. De La Cabeza, Vinicola de Castilla, Vinicola de Tomelloso and Vinos & Bodegas.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes Announces 2014 Event

Taste cool-climate wines from around the world, try wine and food pairings and learn why wineries in New York’s Finger Lakes have gained international respect. Joshua Greene, editor and publisher of Wine & Spirits magazine, will be the keynote speaker at the second annual Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes, which will be held June 13-14 in Geneva, New York.

“I'm excited to be visiting the Finger Lakes again. With so much emphasis on eating and drinking local, New Yorkers are blessed to have one of the world's great terroirs in our back yard—not only for wine, but for exceptional food as well. The Wine Symposium is a moment to consider Finger Lakes riesling, pinot noir and cabernet franc in the context of cool-climate wines from around the world,” says Josh Greene.

Riesling has become the region’s signature wine, so the Symposium will kick off June 13 with a Grand Tasting of finalists from the Finger Lakes AVA Riesling Challenge. Winners of the Riesling Challenge, taking place April 4, will be presented trophies in five different categories. Rochester Chef, Dan Eaton of the YNN network’s “Cooking at Home” will present cooking demonstrations. The Grand Tasting will be held from 4-7p.m. at the new Visitor’s Center on Geneva’s lakefront.

The event moves to Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Scandling Center on June 14. Greene and other wine world experts present programs that include a wine and food pairing seminar, three different cool-climate seminars and a five course luncheon prepared by Finger Lakes chefs and carefully matched with old and new world wines.

The Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes and the Finger Lakes AVA Riesling Challenge are the collaborative effort of Geneva Growth and the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, with support from the New York Wine and Culinary Center, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and the City of Geneva.

For tickets and program details, go to WineSymposiumFingerLakes.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Love Italian Style with Romance by Rail

“There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful,” said world renowned musician Paul Simon. ItaliaRail agrees and offers three enchanting rail destinations sure to inspire Amore.

1. Charming Cinque Terre

The five idyllic villages that make up the area known as Cinque Terre – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, are spread over the northeastern mountains of Italy, overlooking the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean Sea. With steep, winding staircases and secret paths that lead to heavenly views, Cinque Terre is a paramour’s paradise. Lover’s Lane or Via dell’Amore, between Riomaggiore and Manarola, is a short 30-minute walk along a wooden bridge path right on the ocean. If you choose to venture farther, the Cinque Terre National Park offers longer hiking paths between each town. Stop along the way to enjoy a glass of wine and a delicious meal at any of the quaint seaside cafes. If you don’t want to hike the whole way, hop on the regional train that travels between, and stops in each village.

By Train : From Rome, take the high­speed train to La Spezia, about a 3 1⁄2 hour trip with fares starting at $27. From Florence, regional trains run to La Spezia, which take about 2 1⁄2 hours. From La Spezia, take the regional train to any of the towns of Cinque Terre. This trip is about 10 – 20 minutes depending on which town you stay in and the fare is only $3 - $5.

2. Heavenly Fiesole

Five miles northeast of Florence, sits the dreamy town of Fiesole. It’s the perfect romantic day trip from Florence by train or bike. In ancient times, Fiesole was the center of a school for priests, or augurs, who relied on signs from nature to forecast intentions from the heavens. This was the start of a strong religious tradition in Fiesole evident today by the many monasteries, churches and cathedrals that inhabit the town. Fiesole is also home to the Bandini Museum, which boasts an impressive collection of religious artifacts dating back to the 12th century. Spend the day wandering through these hallowed, theistic monuments and museums, then enjoy a divine Italian lunch in an intimate ristorante overlooking the spectacular city of Florence.

By Train : From Rome or Venice take the high­speed train to Florence with fares starting at $27. From Florence you can take a regional train to Fiesole. It’s a ten to twelve minute ride and costs only $3.

3. Romantic Emilia-Romagna

There’s nothing more romantic than staying in a castle for a night or two, and from Bologna you can venture out by regional train to the Emilia-Romagna area, which is chock­full of castelli to choose from. Dating back centuries, many of these regal manors have been converted into hotels that include five-star restaurants and spas. Spend the day touring the Castelli del Ducato di Parma e Piacenza (castles of Parma and Piacenza). Start with the Castle of Torrechiara, in Parma, built between 1448 –1460. Here you can get a tourist map that provides information on the 19 castles in the area - what to see and how to get to them. At night, enjoy a delicious Italian meal fit for a king or queen and then settle in for a royal slumber in your very own castle.

By Train: Take a high­speed train from Rome to Bologna and be there in just over two hours. Fares begin at $27. From Bologna take a regional train to the city or town of your choice.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Five Helpful Tips to Ensure A Memorable Napa Valley Vacation

TourVin.net, a Napa Valley concierge service specializing in creating custom winery tours based on your individual preferences, would like to offer 5 tips for anyone preparing to plan their next trip to the wine country. The wine tasting, dining, lodging accommodations and unique activities available in Napa are endless. Incorporating the following tips, or the expertise of a professional like Tour Vin, will help you create an unforgettable vacation experience.

Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, a grape nut or just enjoy an occasional glass with dinner many consider Napa Valley to be the Holy Grail of wine production in the United States. Here is a bucket list checkmark that needs to be penned in before one takes the eternal afternoon nap. With that being said, the "Tour Vin", Napa Valley Concierge, would like to share with you 5 tips to consider when visiting Napa Valley.

1. Visit during high season

The right time to visit Napa depends on when you can visit and what activities you plan on participating in, but to industry professionals the best time to visit is the Fall. September to October is "Crush" time when the grapes are harvested. And in November the wineries are in full scale production, the weather is nice, the crowds dwindle and rates drop. The vineyards swing into full production mode and are full of action. The Summer months are enjoyable but draw the largest crowds especially on the weekends when day trippers from the “Bay area” compete with overnight visitors. Plan your trip in advance and your Napa Valley vacation will be enjoyable whenever you choose to visit.

2. Take advantage of deals

Most wineries charge between $25 and $50 per person, depending on the wines and food pairings. With that being said there are plenty of deals available to visitors . Many wineries offer free two-for-one coupons, or a % off of wine purchases, buy 2 bottles get one free or free vineyard tours. So do your research. A visit to Napa Valley should be a memorable experience for everyone that does not have to break the bank. Plan your trip accordingly and let Tour Vin help do your research in advance.

3. Choose centrally located lodging accommodations

Whether you're seeking a hotel close to night life and dining, or a remote vineyard setting, finding the perfect place to stay can be a daunting task for newcomers. It’s a 45 minute ride between the town of Napa in the south and Calistoga in the north. You can find a multitude of lodging options in this area but choosing one that is close to the wineries you are visiting and activities you are participating in is recommended. You will have more fun if you match where you stay to your plans and preferences. The towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga are all great locations with many lodging options to consider depending on the activities you have planned. Consulting with a concierge service is a great idea when planning your itinerary.

4. Stick to your itinerary

It's not called the Napa Valley Raceway! It is easy to get excited about the magnitude of offerings available to you when visiting the wine country. With so many options available to you it is difficult not to feel like a kid in a candy shop. For many visitors their vacation becomes one of quantity not quality. "On our first day we hit 5 wineries before noon, when do the rest of them close?” The Tour Vin suggests that "you take time to smell the grapes (roses), the Napa valley experience should not be a race". Plan your trip accordingly and leave time in between activities that allow for the occasional detour and try to relax. A well planned trip can be very rewarding.

5. Take advantage of the many unique activities Napa Valley has to offer

Yes, Napa produces world class wines that need to be explored but there are a multitude of other unique activities visitors can enjoy. Your Napa Valley vacation should be a memorable experience. Why not take a day off from wine tasting and enjoy some of the other activities Napa Valley has to offer? From hot air balloon rides, cycling tours, golf, tennis and hiking to live music and nightlife, culinary adventures, spas, galleries and shopping.

When planning your next Napa Valley Vacation remember to follow these 5 tips to ensure that your Napa experience is a memorable one. Tour Vin states that "The wine country is a beautiful place that begs to be explored and has something for everyone and every budget.”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Stags Leap District Celebrates 25 Years as the Birthplace of Iconic American Cabernet Sauvignon

Stags Leap District, the birthplace of iconic American Cabernet Sauvignon, today announced that 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of this world class region as one of the first sub American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the Napa Valley. Recognized as an official AVA in 1989 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Stags Leap District was the first sub-AVA to be defined completely by soil, climate and natural barriers. Its AVA status and distinctive terroir are a result of the combination of rolling hills, cooling wind, loam and clay soils, and the west-facing range of the Vaca Mountains.

The Stags Leap District is the smallest producing Napa AVA by acreage, and wines from this region remain limited, highly allocated and collected. Approximately 90% of the 1,200 acres currently planted to grapevines in the district are Cabernet Sauvignon or other Bordeaux varietals.

"The Stags Leap District produces some very age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines," said Kelli White, Sommelier at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena. "The region is truly a place of distinction. The geography of Stags Leap District makes it different than any other place in the Napa Valley and results in the seductive, soft tannins for which Stags Leap District wines are highly regarded."

While 2014 marks the silver anniversary for the AVA; Stags Leap District has been a grape-growing region since the mid-1800’s. The first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1961 by pioneer Nathan Fay. His fruit was in high demand and sourced by winemakers throughout the valley in the early 1970’s. In 1976, the famed Tasting of Paris catapulted the region into the global spotlight when French judges awarded a 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars first place over legendary Bordeaux producers.

Ten years later, when the same wines were tasted blind a second time, top honors again went to a Stags Leap District wine, the 1972 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Stags Leap District is represented by one of only two American wines in the Smithsonian National Museum of History.

"The beauty and lushness of the wines produced in this region were around long before Stags Leap District was named an AVA," said Doug Shafer, President of Shafer Vineyards. "It was a privilege to be here in the early days when my dad, John Shafer, helped organize our neighbors to pursue official recognition. Over the past 25 years the appellation has continued to evolve and is now widely recognized as a special site for world-class wines. Even so, it really feels like we're just getting started."

"Stags Leap District was the first area to be recognized for its world-class American Cabernet Sauvignon and really was the birthplace of America’s Cabernet culture," said Michael Beaulac, General Manager and Winemaker at Pine Ridge Vineyards and President of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association. "Stags Leap District is one of only a handful of Napa Valley appellations that matter and the producers in this region continue to be visionaries committed to crafting the best quality wines."

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.