A September Escape to Marrakesh: Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone and Into the Heart of Morocco In September, we ditched the familiar and headed straight for the vibrant, chaotic charm of Marrakesh, Morocco. This wasn’t your typical vacation filled with predictable schedules or creature comforts; instead, we wanted to embrace something raw, real, and…
Vineyards and Villages – Episode 12 There are road trips… and then there is an epic roadtrip to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The kind that involves trusted old campervans, winding “B” roads, historic towns, Roman walls, sea cliffs, Scottish rain (of course), and one truly unforgettable night beneath Edinburgh Castle. With our narrowboat Spirit of…
Episode 10: A New Zealand South Island Road Trip (with Nettie… and the Sheep) INTRODUCTION Set off on an unforgettable road journey across the spectacular South Island of New Zealand, travelling from Christchurch to Invercargill in a characterful vintage campervan. This springtime adventure winds through alpine lakes, dramatic coastlines, welcoming rural towns, and some of…
To really enjoy blue strong cheese, we need to differentiate between the facts and the fiction. What all blue cheeses have in common is the presence of a strain of penicillin mold which is introduced directly into the cheese curd before it is shaped. The cheese is then pierced with metallic spikes to allow air…
There are many good reasons to drink Chenin Blanc. Sipping my favourite Chenin Blanc, I have come up with 5 good reasons to enjoy Chenin Blanc wines. Versatility: Chenin Blanc is an incredibly versatile grape variety that can produce a wide range of wine styles. It can be crafted into dry, off-dry, sparkling, or sweet…
The United Kingdom might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of world-class wine, but times are changing! Over the past few decades, England (and increasingly, Wales) has emerged as a dynamic player on the global wine scene. With picturesque vineyards, passionate vintners, and climate shifts reshaping the landscape, there’s…
Sparkling wines come in a wide variety, with huge price differences, sweet or bone-dry, yeasty or fresh and the difference in production method is of utmost importance. So, what is the difference between Champagne, Prosecco and Cava, aka sparkling wines? I am using the world’s friendliest online business engine…it’s free…forever! Sparkling wine is an umbrella…
Driving to the town of Olevano Romano, Lazio region of Italy in the pouring rain did not dampen our enthusiasm to discover Cesanese Comune, the ancient red wine grape from Italy. Cesanese Comune is an old and elusive vine of the Roman Empire dating back to the first century BC. The Romans were great consumers…
Chenin Blanc is a white wine grape variety from the Loire Valley of France. Its high acidity means it can be used to make varieties from sparkling wines to well-balanced dessert wines. Chenin Blanc makes lithe, dry summer whites and sparkling wines. It also offers oak-aged styles with similar flavors to Chardonnay. Thus, there really…
Book your flights and accommodation here! Early spring marks the awakening of sleepy vines in leafless vineyards. Join me as we are reminded of the annual tale of budburst, shoots, vines, and wine. Budburst or bud break is that momentous moment that happens in the vineyard each spring as the vines wake up from their…
