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!

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.

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!

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?