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Friday, June 27, 2008

Tour around exciting locations of Northern California

Touring the Napa Valley Wine Tours could be a truly great experience. You can now raise a glass to your reveling companions from the open roof of a wine-tour limousine with wine country tours offered. It is now time to cruise through the plaid landscape of Northern California's Wine Country and take pleasure in the pleased sunshine and pleasant vintages. We have assisted thousands of visitors plan thrilling wine tasting tours to Napa's wine tour. This tour is in fact a great option for first-time visitors.

Whether you are a unique visitor, wine beginner, or a knowledgeable expert, our tours could custom design a tour itinerary to meet your needs. Even in case you would like to plan your own custom itinerary, we would be happy to assist you make the arrangements.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Interactive Wine Country Tours


California is famous for its vineyards and one of the best wines of the world comes from these parts. There are more than two thousand wineries. Touring this grape-rich country is a thrilling experience. The travel is on a cruise which takes you to the wineries. The people travel by small ships enjoying the beauty of the sea. There are interactive sessions with wine experts and special guests who give us a background about the history about the place. There are visits to wineries on shore.



August is the harvest season in the area and this is the best time to visit there. The Mediterranean climate is just right for growing grapes. There are special wine events and festivals around this time. So, one can enjoy the scenic beauty of the beautiful bay and riverside and visit the wineries and also tour the architectural places of the glorious past. This a tour that expert wine tasters and novices will enjoy to the maximum, since there is wine, culture and beautiful scenery all put together in one journey.


There are many famous areas that can be visited on this tour. Some of them are Amador County, Lodi Country, Monterey Country, Napa Valley, Pasco Robles, Santa Cruz Country and Sonoma Country.


Amador Country is famous for its Gold Rush attraction. In Jackson town you have the Amador Country Museum which houses the memorabilia from the Gold Rush period. Indian Rock Grinding State Park is 2,400ft. above sea level, situated at Pine Grove. At Suffer Creek you can the buildings of the Gold Rush era and can also do some shopping.



The wineries of Shenandoah Valley have high class Amador wines. Ario in a new winery and has Italian wine and Dobra Zemula produces "Big Reds' of Amador.

Lodi country is said to be the hidden jewel of the California wine country. Here you can taste wine at the Lodi wine country and Jessie's Grove Winery where you can get to know the history of Lodi wineries. There are many marshes and the river basin houses hundreds of birds, reptiles and fishes. Many people come there for bird watching. During winter many Sandhill Cranes come there. At the Lodi Wine and Visitor center there are demonstrations on wine grape growing and wine making.

The Monterey country has 40,000 acres for growing grapes. Monterey and Camel area by sea are great vacation spots. The sunset is beautiful. People can go kayaking, watch the whales and visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. National Steinbeck Center at Salines showcases John Steinbeck's world and has exhibits for all ages.



Napa Valley has almost four hundred wineries, all world class. It was the first to be recognized by the American Viticultural Area (AVA). The famous types of wines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Malbec are found here. At Oakville you have the Robert Mondavi Winery. Grot h, Duckhorn, and Stag's Leap Winery are some of the wineries on the Silverado Trail. The town of St. Helena's is great for shopping. The view from Napa valley and the tram ride to Sterling Vineyards hilltop winery are really enjoyable.


Pasco Robles is between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It has 170 wineries and about 26,000 acres of vineyard. It has wide selection of wines like, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Marsanne etc. You can walk leisurely down the coast and visit the downtown City Park. At Pasco Robles vineyards you can listen to a talk about wine planting and wine growing.


The Santa Cruz country has the David Bruce winery, Beach Bargetto winery, Copper-Garrod vineyards and Beauregerd vineyards. You can go over the mountains and walk on Bear Creek Road. You can see the David Bruce chateau and Santa Cruz wharf.



Sonoma is famous for its variety of wines. You can taste Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernot and Sauvignon. You can walk on the beach and watch whales at The Bodega Bay. The Jack London State Park and museum is there.



September is celebrated as wine month. Why not visit this year and enjoy the tour of vineyards in California.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Wonder the benefits of Wine

One of the oldest alcoholic beverages, wine has quite a number of benefits .On the other hand heavy drinking can pose a heavy loss rather than imposing benefits. Current results suggest that moderate consumption of wine can provide much more than relaxation.

European researchers suggest that a limited amount of wine has a protective effect on mortality. Thus the wine at wine country tours can have an effect of increasing few years of your life. The red wine with or without the alcohol content can reduce the harmful effects of smoking on the endothelium layer of cells. Scientists believe that moderate consumption of wine acts as a preventive for coronary heart disease by reducing production of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and boosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It also reduces the risk of the formation of kidney stone. Recent studies have also suggested that the consumption of red wine reduces the risk of blood clots. There are several other benefits of red wine consumption. But it is always suggested that the consumption of wine should be on a limited basis otherwise it can have a negative effect.

Monday, June 16, 2008

For a shopping spree in wine country

The Wine Country is situated in North California and derived its name because it is the foremost wine-growing area. For over a century and a half. There are over 400 wineries in the area north of San Francisco including Napa Valley in Napa country.

Smack-dab located centrally in the Yamhill-Carlton winery loop is a convenient stop to pick up supplies and food items if you have come for a picnic.

The oasis of downtown McMinnville runs perpendicular to the commercial Oregon 99W. Women looking for a comfortable shopping experience should not miss Mes Amies at 522 N.E. Third St.; 503-474-1721, a storefront stocked with baubles and cappuccinos. The outlet at 334 N.E. Third St.; 503-472-7786 operates as a busy center of sorts, with afternoon knitting, writing classes and French-conversation hours and new and used books. Found Objects at 512 N.E. Third St.; 503-474-3711 is a modest place serving an array of spruced-up castoffs and gifts.

Lafayette, located at down Oregon 99W, is a quiet town place known for its reasonably priced heirloom hot spots. Rick's Wholesale Antiques at 780 Third St./Oregon 99W; 503-864-2120 is replete with imported furniture. If you are looking for decorative items, oddities and curiosities, walk next door to the Lafayette Schoolhouse Antique Mall at 748 Highway 99W; 503-864-2720, which is a commodious shopping area consisting of three full floors.

Salem, which lies A quick jaunt east from the Eola Hills, is ideal for a round of window-shopping in its nearly a century old building bound by Ferry and Chemeketa streets. The Arbor at 367 State Street offers moment decor for home and garden. For a variety of older items stop by the Reed Opera House at189 Liberty St. N.E. The French Unicorn is a spot for antique-loving Francophiles, and Fine Things is a boutique specializing in vintage furniture.

The famous boutiques of downtown St. Helena draw plenty of not only wine country visitors, but all those who enjoy a shopping spree. People - wanting the delicious sandals at Foot Candy or the world famous aromatic elixirs at Diva Perfumes - are all there.

If there's one style area in Southern Williamette Valley, it is the historic Broadway and Pearl District. A few tree-lined blocks between Eighth, Broadway, Oak and Pearl house the elite yet affordable home, garden and antique shops. One should not miss the Passionflower Design (128 E. Broadway; 541-344-3857, a much-sought after flower, gifts and home-accent shop. Then cross the street to Nick and Nora's Classic Interiors at 191 E. Broadway; 541-484-5522, to find a collection of everything from locally designed jewelry to fine china tableware.

Ashland in Southern Oregon the dream place and its shopping epicenter is at East Main Street, a quick saunter up from Lithia Park. The most popular stop is Prize Shoppe at 264 E. Main St.; 541-482-0345 - is more in the nature of a modern general store stocking everything from a collection of vintage flashcards to pink-packaged bonbons. Shoppers must visit Ashland's recently renovated Blue Giraffe at 51 Water St.; 541-488-3335. a well spread out full-service spa.

If you walk ten minutes northwest of Ashland you will come across Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Mercantile at 120 E. California St.; 541-899-1047 is the stores known for artisan sauces, salts and vinegars. Jacksonville is antique lover's paradise - visit Cottage Antiques at 740 N. Fifth St.; 541-899-2070, L & K Antiques at 660 N. Fifth St.; 541-899-7143 and Pickety Place at 130 N. Fourth St.; 541-899-1912.

When the weather is agreeable, go to downtown Hood River, grab an ice cream cone and visit Parts + Labour at 112 Third St.; 541-387-2787 to buy some Blue Cult denim and sexy tops. Frolik at 211 Oak St.; 541-386-2050, has fashion-forward duds for men and women. Also stop at Big Winds at 207 Front St.; 541-386-6086 - to choose from an enormous selection of gear, wetsuits and accessories.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Get Expert in Wine by Visiting Napa Valley

In the state of California, Napa valley is admired to be wonderful place that has been visited in every body’s lifetime. The Napa valley in northern California is only an hour drive that consists of six towns St. Helena, Oakville, Calistoga, Rutherford, Yountville and Napa. Wine tours are most unique tours that offer premium wineries mix of red, white and sparkling wines. If you are a wine expert, then have a visit to Napa valley wine tours. Each town is featured with first class wineries, spas, resorts, hotels and restaurants. Along with driver, separate tour guide is available in wine country tour shuttle to show many things in California and give short presentation on wine 101.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Taste Wine Serve Wine

Wine is not meant for mere drinking. As a matter of fact, anyone can drink wine but to taste wine calls for expertise. A seasoned taster of wine will be able to recognize with ease the wine's distinct flavor and other characteristics.
If you are a beginner and interested to learn about tasting wines, the right thing to do would be to join a wine club. Most online wine clubs are quite inexpensive and surely a great way to explore and understand the growing range of wines available in the market.

You must learn to read a vintage chart to find out a really good old wine. Vintage charts are easy reference guides to let you know the various grades of wine like the excellent wine, the good wine and the not so good wine coming from various regions. You will have to learn more about vintages of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and Port from these vintage charts.

A good wine tastes smooth and pleasant and leaves an agreeable taste in the mouth. Occasionally you may come across a wine that tastes somewhat bitter and unpleasant. That wine is evidently spoilt. The two major causes of wine getting tainted are cork influence and oxidation.

The color of wine varies sharply, even if they belong to the same type of wine. For example, white wines are not actually white but range from green to yellow to brown. Red wines are not just red; they range from a pale red to a deep brown red, usually becoming paler in color as they age. Swirling the wine allows you to observe the body of the wine. A thicker body indicates a higher alcohol content and sweetness level.

Take a quick whiff and form an initial impression, before you take a second deeper whiff. After you smell the wine, sit back and think deeply about the aroma. It may be difficult for a novice, but after acquiring adequate experience, you will be able to discern the similarities and differences of wines effortlessly.

Merely learning about the taste of wine will not do. You must learn the proper way to serve wine and know what types of wine glasses are suitable for what types of wine.

Serving wine may appear seemingly trivial and inconsequential issue. But serving wine in the manner prescribed can add class and grace to any occasion - be it a casual get-together or a more formal wine and dine party.

The temperature at which a wine is served can also influence the taste of wine. Serving wine cool may cover up some imperfections of a cheap wine. But a warmer wine temperature better indicates the wines characteristics-particularly an older or more expensive wine.

Decant the wine by pouring it into a decorative container before serving. Wine decanters facilitate the wine to breathe and may improve the flavor of older red wines. Still wines should be poured towards the centre of the glass, while sparkling wines should be poured against the side to preserve the bubbles. When pouring wine, fill the glass only up to two-thirds which will allow the guests to swirl the wine, smell the wine and check out the wine's "legs"

The types of wine glasses in which wines are served are as important as the wine serving temperatures. The three main types of wine glasses are: White wine glasses (tulip shaped), Red
wine
glasses (more rounded and have a larger bowl), Sparkling wine flutes (tall and thin). At a dinner party, serve wine to the women and elderly guests first, then the men and finally your own glass.