A while back, a visit to Napa Valley put me right in the middle of harvest. A winemaker handed clippers our group and sent us into the vineyard to pick grapes. We weren’t exactly going to make a dent in the day’s harvest, but we had a great time trying!
Since then, I’ve experienced crush in wine regions around the world: seeing the lights of harvest crews in the vineyards before dawn, watching grapes arrive on workers’ backs and in overflowing trucks, and tasting grape must straight from a fermentation tank.
And then there’s the smell! If you’ve ever been inside a winery during harvest, you know exactly what I mean. There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly crushed grapes fermenting.
Wine country during harvest is exciting, messy and completely alive. So naturally, it must be the best time to visit.
Well…not necessarily.
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Tucked between France, Germany, and Belgium, Luxembourg may be tiny, but its wines and cuisine are full of character. Along the Moselle River, the country’s wine industry thrives, producing elegant, cool-climate wines that are beloved by locals - and a well-kept secret abroad.
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You’ve heard of Oktoberfest - but what about Wurstmarkt??
One of the highlights of our recent Rhine & Moselle River Cruise was an unforgettable detour that I planned for our group - a private excursion to the Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt, Germany’s oldest (and the world’s largest!) wine festival.
Dating back over 600 years, the Wurstmarkt (which actually means sausage market) began as a humble local fair held near the Michael’s Chapel on the hillside above the town of Bad Dürkheim. Pilgrims would gather each September to celebrate the feast of St. Michael - and local winegrowers saw a perfect opportunity to sell their new wines. Over time, this small village fair evolved into a grand festival celebrating the region’s winemaking heritage. Today, it attracts more than 600,000 visitors each year who come together to toast with Pfalz wines, enjoy live music, and soak in the warm, convivial spirit that defines German hospitality.
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Last week, I had the pleasure of presenting the wines for a Greek wine dinner for the Naples chapter of La Chaîne de Rôtisseurs - and it was one of those evenings that reminds you why wine is so much more than what’s in the glass.
It’s history. It’s culture. It’s place.
And in the case of Greece, it’s over 6,000 years of it.
While the origins of wine trace back to ancient Georgia, it was the Greeks who refined winemaking and wove it into daily life - elevating wine into something deeply tied to philosophy, hospitality, and the table.
What makes Greek wine so fascinating today is that this sense of identity has never been lost. Greece is home to over 300 indigenous grape varieties - many of which exist nowhere else in the world. That means when you drink Greek wine, you’re tasting something truly unique. Not a copy of France or Italy - but something entirely its own.
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Wine tourism isn’t declining - it’s evolving.
Two recent industry reports - one global and one U.S.-focused - confirm what I’ve been seeing firsthand with both wine travelers and wineries. The result is a more experience-driven, more personal, and more meaningful way to travel for wine lovers.
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Pairing wine with Thanksgiving dinner can be tricky. The mix of flavors and textures - from savory turkey and herb-stuffed sides to sweet potatoes and tangy cranberry sauce - means you need wines that are versatile, balanced, and approachable. While Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are always popular choices, I’d love to share a few other wines to consider this Thanksgiving:
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Wine travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but packing for it can get tricky. After years of tasting in vineyards, hopping on wine cruises, and lugging bottles through airports, I’ve learned a thing or two about what to bring and what to leave behind. Whether you’re heading to Napa, Tuscany, or somewhere off the beaten path, here are my tried-and-true tips to help you travel smarter and sip happier.
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The Czech Republic, aka Czechia, is well known for their exceptional beers. But who would have guessed that Czechia also makes delicious wines?
I just returned from the International Wine Tourism Conference in South Moravia, Czechia. Every year, this symposium brings together international travel professionals in a different wine region around the world to explore the latest industry trends and connect with top travel suppliers. A select few of us were chosen to remain in the region for an in-depth exploration of the wines and hospitality opportunities in Czechia’s largest wine-producing area.
South Moravia is located in the southeast part of the country, just over an hour from Vienna, Austria. In fact, many of the vineyards reside near the Austrian border. This region accounts for the vast majority of the country's wine production. The other major wine region, Bohemia, is located near Prague. The proximity to major cities makes a trip to Czech wine country a no-brainer for anyone visiting Central Europe. In fact, it would make the perfect pre or post river cruise trip!
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During the recent grape harvest, I was honored to be one of 12 American travel specialists to attend Destination Vignobles, a professional invite-only tourism event dedicated to French wine and culinary experiences. It was INCREDIBLE!
Following an immersive 5-day visit to the Rhône Valley, we gathered in the Loire Valley with our French colleagues to collaborate on creating unforgettable travel experiences around the country. After a week of nonstop touring, tasting, eating and exploring, I have chosen 10 of the best French wine and gastronomic experiences to highlight for you. The first five are listed below; the remaining to follow in Part Two!
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Germany may be famous for its beer, but it also is home to a vibrant wine industry. The cool climate, abundant sunshine, unique soils and steep hillsides create an ideal environment for many different grapes.
While Riesling rightfully takes center stage, Germany produces a variety of both red and white wines that offer a wide range of flavors and styles. I think you will be surprised to learn just how many German wines are of excellent quality and value.
In this short article, we'll take a tour through the different types of German red and white wines, uncovering what makes each unique.
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Bordeaux is the ultimate destination for wine enthusiasts. Iconic chateaux, ancient cellars, world-class museums, historic monuments… there is always something new to discover in this storied wine region.
This past fall, I escorted a group on a river cruise and 3-night post-cruise land tour in Bordeaux. We have so many incredible memories!
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Where will 2024 take you?
The world is bustling with incredible wine and food experiences, offering a tapestry of flavors, history, and traditions. My goal for the new year is to share these unique culinary adventures with you - inspiring you to explore the world through food and wine!
Here are some fabulous epicurean adventures to consider this year:
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Rolling hills, bright sunshine, and delicious wine - what more could you ask for?
A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a short visit to Paso Robles, a lovely wine region on the central coast of California. I soon realized that beyond its natural beauty, the friendliness of the people is one of Paso’s best features. And they also happen to make some great wine.
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This weekend, people all over the world will be popping a cork to celebrate the new year. Toasting with a glass of bubbly to ring in the new year is a cherished tradition - one made even more special with rosé Champagne. There’s something truly magical about this pink fizzy wine, but reserving it just for celebratory toasts is not doing it justice. Rosé champagne needs to have a place on your table this holiday season and beyond. Aside from being festive and so darn pretty, rosé Champagne is incredibly versatile, pairing well with all sorts of foods.
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A gastronomic tradition dating as far back as 1248, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs ("The Royal Guild of Goose Roasters") has come a long way from roasting geese!
An internationally renowned gastronomic society so prestigious it once had its own coat of arms, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an invitation-only membership organization for individuals and institutions possessing world-class culinary acumen. Among some 24,000 members from 80 countries, I was honored to be inducted into La Chaîne in 2018 as a Professionnel du Vin.
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Originating in Northern Spain and Southern France, the Basque people comprise one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe, dating as far back as 5,000 years. Centuries ago they were seafarers and farmers, believed in fascinating mythology, and spoke a unique language called Euskara, mysteriously unrelated to any other languages of Europe. Today, Euskara is spoken by less than 1/3 of Basque people, yet much of their culture and traditions still thrive - especially their cherished culinary traditions.
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With 20 official wine regions growing over 350 different grape varieties - most indigenous to the country - Italy's wine scene is staggering. Red, white, rose, still, sparkling, dry, sweet... With so many different wines being produced, how can you navigate the seemingly endless choice of Italian wines?
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What do Machu Picchu, the Roman Colosseum and Easter Island all have in common? Each receives special recognition and protection as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When travelling to different destinations around the globe, these Sites are highlighted as important cultural and natural areas to visit - Sites so precious that significant resources are spent to preserve and protect their ongoing legacy.
It may surprise you to know that many wine regions around the globe are home to UNESCO-designated sites (just one of the reasons I say there is so much more to wine country than wine!).
But what, exactly, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? And which wine regions boast the most Sites?
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...chocolates, macarons, brioches aux pralines, terrines, scallop mousse, andouille sausages, quenelles, charcuterie, sauces, truffles, sweets, cheeses and breads. Indulge in all of your French foodie fantasies and love of adventurous cuisine in Lyon, France.
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France’s picturesque town of Strasbourg is considered the capital of the Alsace wine region, famous for its exquisite, highly aromatic white wines like Riesling and Gewurztraminer. It also is home to possibly the oldest wine in the world!
Resting in an old cellar underneath the Hospices de Strasbourg is a wine that has been around since before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Deep in this cellar, originally built in the 1300s but recently renovated in 1994, is a barrel that is still filled with wine from 1472.
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