A GRAPE TRADITION | A Guided Tour of Château Puech-Haut in the South of France film by Nicolas Wendl

Enjoy A GRAPE TRADITION at Hostellerie Les Frênes in Southern France with Visit to Château Puech-Haut

The southern half of France is a mixture of many cuisines, from the foie gras and truffles of Périgord, the abundant fish and seafood of the Aquitane coast, the sophisticated cuisine and wines of Bordeaux, the cassoulet typical of Toulouse, to the Mediterranean dishes of the south that are based on olive oil, garlic and tomatoes. Spectacular natural scenery includes the mountains of the Pyrénées and the Alps; the resort of Biarritz on the Atlantic Coast; the green hills of the Basque country; and the beautiful towns along the coastline of the Cote D’ Azur. Bordeaux is the hub of the largest region of vineyards producing some of the finest wines in the world.

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A GRAPE TRADITION | Crown Expeditions’ CEO Marc Abuhada Guided Tour of Chile’s Acclaimed Wine Region The Colchagua Valley

The Colchagua Valley it’s been called “The Next Napa.” And for excellent reason. As the modern Chilean wine industry has matured, and come to rely ever more on scientific methods for drawing the best from its exceptional soils and microclimates, it has become apparent that the Colchagua Valley offers exceptional advantages for growers and producers alike.

Located about 80 miles southwest of Santiago, the Colchagua Valley is about 75 miles long and averages 22 miles in width. It enjoys a balmy, Mediterranean climate matched in only a few other places on earth.
The Colchagua Valley is becoming an increasingly preferred destination not just a day trip as savvy wine enthusiast become more aware of all it offers. Wine critics have fallen in love with the region. Colchagua has been described as “The Next Napa” , “Chile’s premier region for world-class wine production” , and as “2005 Wine Region of the Year,” One of the leading hotels in the Colchagua Valley is the elegant Viña La Playa Winery & Hotel, a beautiful boutique resort offering a unique wine experience. … Continue Reading

LA VITA e’ BELLA | Life is Beautiful at Renowned Winery Estate of Castello Banfi Italy

Famous around the world for its wines and in particular for its Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi has been proclaimed as one of the most selected wineries, at the exclusive resort Castello Banfi Il Borgo, in the Tuscan countryside.

Castello Banfi La Taverna, for the second consecutive year, has received the prestigious “Wine Spectator Magazine’s Restaurant Award of Excellence”, an honor attributed when judging the wine carte, which “offers an excellent selection combined with the perfect pairing with the food at a very competitive price”. Wine Spectator, considered one of the most influential international specialized magazines, recognizes this excellence award to less than three thousand restaurants all over the world.

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A GRAPE TRADITION | Premier French Champagne House Veuve Clicquot’s Intoxicating Tour by Terence Loose

For any true lover of the grape, a “Grande Dame” tour of the Veuve Clicquot chalk cellars is a luxury experience not to be missed while in France. Still headquartered in Reims, France, the Veuve Clicquot label has been synonymous with tradition and indulgence since Philippe Clicquot founded the company in 1772 and producing a premium champagne that played a significant role in establishing champagne as a popular drink among Europe’s haute bourgeoisie and nobility.

Today, the full weight and tradition of the grape is displayed in their fine wines and premium champagne, and there is no better luxury tour for a wine connoisseur than a guided trip through one of their cellars, housed in the world-famous chalk tunnels which stretch over 24 kilometers and more than 60 feet below the lauded Champagne soil. Veuve Clicquot acquired the tunnels in 1910, however they have been used for wine aging since Roman times and offer all the mystique and magic that ancient world conjures. Also not to be missed is the oldest unopened bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a 1893 bottle in mint condition discovered in 2008 inside a sideboard in Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull, Scotland. … Continue Reading