M-O-O-N, that spells “fun”
Werewolves, take note! The biggest and brightest moon of the year will be making an appearance for Cinco de Mayo.
The full moon has had a dangerous reputation for centuries. Women have “moon babies,” people lose their minds, and emergency rooms fill up with people suffering from strange and exotic injuries, or at least that's how the old wives' tales go. Tales of crazy behavior and the moon's phases are so inextricably intertwined that they spawned the word “lunatic,” which comes from the Latin word luna, meaning, of course, moon.
We don't think any of this is a bad thing. In fact, we think that this is a great time to go a little crazy! Come howl at the supermoon with us and we'll show you the best places to let your lunatic flag fly: Join us for the Cinco de Mayo weekend festivities!
Brooke B., Moonbat
Posted in Beer, Breweries, bus tours, Food and Vine, Happy Hour, holiday, Uncategorized, Walking Tours, Wine, Wine Train, Wineries |
Cinco de Mayo Beer & Wine Tours
Happy Cinco de Mayo! May 5th is a holiday that owes a lot to beer.
First and foremost, it's the day that commemorates the long-shot defeat of well-equipped French forces by the far scrappier Mexican soldiers in 1862, and whether beer was involved at the time is anyone's guess. Cinco de Mayo, a minor holiday in Mexico, eventually became a day to celebrate anti-imperialism and multiculturalism in the United States.
But it really took off in the United States in the 1980s when beer companies got involved. That's when Anheuser-Busch created “Hispanic Marketing” departments and started sponsoring big Cinco de Mayo parties, and Grupo Modelo began exporting Corona, which quickly became a huge sensation in the U.S.
So while the fifth of May isn't Mexican Independence Day as some believe (that's September 16th), it has become a big, cerveza-filled celebration in parts of Mexico and much of the United States – especially the parts around the border – thanks to big beer companies and savvy marketing.
We're not complaining, though. Everybody wins when beer is involved! If you get the chance, forgo the big brands for newer, tasty Mexican microbrews like Guëra from Cervecería Tijuana or Minerva's Imperial Stout.
For local wines and microbrewery craft beer tours and parties this Cinco de Mayo weekend, San Diego Beer and Wine Tours has got you covered:
We'll pick you up and take you to the best fiestas in town. And we'll drop you back in Mexican Old Town, San Diego to party all night! We'll be running our safe, fun, and sustainable GREEN tours May 1-7, so check out our Winery Bus Tours, Beer Train Tours and Winery Train Tours for an over-the-top Cinco de Mayo Weekend Celebration!
And if getting a driver and party tour guide while you drink isn't enough, we're going to sweeten the deal: Buy cinco (5) Brewery or Winery Tour Tickets, and get a sixth one FREE* (*Good through May 7th, 2012, mention “Cinco5”)
Posted in Beer, Breweries, bus tours, Food and Vine, holiday, Local Business, San Diego Wine Country, Theme Tours, Tours, Wine, Wineries |
How to Save Money and Have Fun Too!
Now that you've done your taxes, you may be asking yourself: How can I save money and have fun too?
According to Travel + Leisure Magazine, San Diego is one of the “greenest” and most eco-conscious cities in the United States, and it's getting greener than ever: public transportation is on the rise. San Diego's transit system has also received top marks for its implementation and availability. With gas prices sky-high and rising every day, hopping on a bus or a train just seems like the natural choice.
Travel + Leisure also dubbed San Diego a “locavore's delight” because it has more farms per capita than any other region in the nation, which makes it easy to sample local delights. San Diego is also a leader in the “farm-to-table” movement, which only uses locally sourced foods to cut down on transportation costs and pollution.
That's why San Diego Beer and Wine Tours is offering Coaster tours to local breweries and urban wineries. It's not just good food, booze, and great company, it's also good for the environment, and you're helping local businesses by trying their delectably fresh and delicious food, wine, and beer.
So "hop" or "graft" onto one of our wine or beer train tours and pull ahead of the curve. It's the best of all possible worlds – you're sampling the best food in the country that's fresh off the farm on one of the highest-rated public transportation systems in the country. It's a win-win all around!
Sources:
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Americas-Greenest-Cities-146046975.html
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Embraces-Farm-to-Table-143007105.html
Creative Commons photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlwwycoff/3954032906/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/widnr/6583774277/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karmadude/128272330/
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Food and Vine, Local Business, San Diego Wine Country, Tours, Travel, Wine, Wine Train, Wineries |
The Most Handsome of Fare
“Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, please follow me.”
With that, we were welcomed into a palace.
Paul Anthony, my partner in love and business, and I had a delightful Valentine’s dinner this year at the Addison Grand Del Mar. I've traveled all over the world and eaten many fine meals, but this was hands down the best meal I've ever had!
The first thing I noticed and loved was the quiet of the place. The Addison is large and spacious, with fireplaces in each room, an open floor plan, and a huge, exquisite wine cellar. Despite the size of the place, we were seated in a luxurious private booth and treated as if we were the only people there.
The wine director, Jesse Rodriguez, was brilliant, helping us choose our aperitif drinks and directing us through the menu. Because we felt very safe, in the capable hands of Jesse, we chose the added option to have each of our menu courses paired with wine, already planned ahead by their experts.
To begin with Chef William Bradley (of whom we became extremely fond of as the night went on) made us a gorgeous amuse bouche to delight our palate: a refreshing sweet champagne consommé with raspberries and actual gold slivers in it.
Before the first course we had beautiful canapés paired with a lovely glass of La Guita, Manzanilla, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain NV and Txomin Etxaniz, Hondarrabi Zuri, Pais Basco, Spain 2010
The first course consisted of fresh calamari with a red pepper confiture and wild arugula. For a first course we also enjoyed a buttery hamachi with champagne, cucumber and caviar. The hamachi was incredibly fresh and melted in my mouth.
The hamachi was paired with Weingut Ecker, Grüner Veltliner, "von Stokstal," Wagram, Austria 2010. The naturally high acid and full-bodied texture of the Veltliner made a perfect exotic pairing.
That course was followed by a creamy butter-baked St. Pierre with a citrus, vermouth and basil sauce served at the table. We also had a separate course of wild-caught king salmon on a bed of green apples, radish and dashi.
The creamy St. Pierre was perfected complimented with the crisp freshness of a glass of Domaine Leroy, Chardonnay, Burgundy, France 2006.
The king salmon was paired with Betts & Scholl, Marsanne / Rousanne, Hermitage Blanc, Northern Rhône, France 2004. This wonderful Hermitage presented rich aromas on the nose and earthy minerals on the palate. We felt this was a very good pairing indeed.
Still excited, we anticipated our next course with glee. We weren’t disappointed. We were presented with canard roti and bavette “en eschallotte.” The canard was the most tender juicy duck I've ever tasted. I especially loved how Chef William paired the succulent bird with sweet date morsels. Along with the canard and dates the dish had caramelized endive and ginger. What a delight.
The canard was paired with a glass of Salchetto, Colli Senesi, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy 2010. This fresh, vinous red was bursting with sweet red fruit which made it a great pairing with the duck.
As a separate course we were served BAVETTE “EN ESCHALLOTTE” a delightful shoulder of beef paired with cremini mushroom gratin, potato croquettes and port wine. The beef was cooked rare to perfection, and the little potato croquettes were light and fun and absolutely delicious!
The beef course was paired with Mamete Prevostini, Nebbiolo, “Botonero,” Lombardy, Italy 2009. This wine showed great freshness and a smooth mouth-feel for such a young nebbiolo. Paul and I both thought this pairing was wonderful.
Each course was served with a separate bread service. The warm brioche straight out of the oven were so enticing that Paul Anthony and I had two each.
After an artisan cheese course that included a wonderful goat cheese and a bleu cheese that had just the right amount of sharpness and sweetness, we cleansed our palate with lychee sorbet and passion fruit zabaglione.
The cheese course was paired with a beautifully light, dry Riesling: Weingut Hermann Dönnhoff, Riesling, "Estate," Nahe, Germany 2010.
Then it was time for dessert. I'm not a huge fan of chocolate cake but this cake was fit for royalty. Alongside this decadent slice of heaven was a crispy meringue just like my mum made for me in Ireland while I was growing up in the early 80s! And to top the meringue and cake was a raspberry, caramel sauce.
This lovely desert was paired with San Francisco Chronicle 2011 Wine Competition Award Winner Tom Eddy, Zinfandel, “Late Harvest,” Sierra Foothills, 2008.
We finished our noble dinner with an extra treat as Jesse brought us a gorgeous Sherry: Alvear, Pedro Ximenez, “Solera,” Montilla-Moriles, Spain 1927. This Sherry is a tasting sensation not to be missed by any wine lover who appreciates the beautiful richness of a well aged dessert wine.
We’re not going to tell you how much the bill was, but let’s just say it was close to a couple of car payments!
On our way out one of the lovely staff took our photo next to the roaring fire. They even had the menus and wine list in the car for us. And the treats kept coming…as we left they presented us with housemade shortbread wrapped with a ribbon. I enjoyed mine with my coffee the next morning. Now, the question is, how am I ever going to top that meal!
Posted in Company News, Food and Vine, holiday, Local Business, Recipes, Valentine, Wine, Wineries |
Don’t be an April Fool!
Expensive wines aren't always good wines. Who hasn't had the experience of being seduced by snappy packaging into paying way too much for a bottle of wine that is, quite frankly, mediocre? The same goes for beer. Even here, in the heart of craft beer country, there are great beers… and then there are duds.
This April First, don't be “fooled” by bad beer and wine in a beautiful glass! How do you learn to tell the difference between what's pleasing to the palate and what's just barely palatable? Often, learning which brands are delicious and which to pass on is a matter of trial and error or personal taste, but sometimes people don't know the signs of a corked wine, especially when it's being served to them in a restaurant. Here's a tip – if your wine smells like a lit match, a horse blanket, wet newspaper, or a basement, pour it out or send it back, and get a clean wine glass!
Craft beer is subject to issues of its own. While mass-produced beer is pasteurized, which stabilizes the product and makes it taste homogeneous, craft beer is often “alive,” which means it is still in the process of fermentation and therefore prone to infection (yes, that's what it's called.) If your beer tastes overwhelmingly of corn, butter, sulfur, or just plain skunkiness, toss it out. However, sourness and bitterness is usually intended by the brewer.
Want to know more? Join one of our walking or train tours and learn about wine and beer from our experts. If you don't feel like walking, we’ll pick you up and drive you to sample the superb wines of San Diego Wine Country.
No fooling!
Brooke B., SDBW Resident Writer
Sources: Huffington Post Beer Advocate Rate Beer
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Food and Vine, Health, San Diego Wine Country, Theme Tours, Tours, Travel, Walking Tours, Wine, Wine Train, Winemaking, Wineries |
12 Signs Wine: Introducing wine for your zodiac sign
“Hey Baby, what’s your sign?” is more than just a pick up line these days. According to the San Diego based company 12 Signs Wine, there is also a wine for every sign!
12 Signs Wine (www.12signswine.com) is the first brand to pair wine with astrology. Each bottle was handcrafted to match the personality of your sign, whether that is bold and feisty like an Aries Old Vine Zinfandel, bright and vibrant like a Gemini Chardonnay, or romantic like a Pisces Pinot Noir.
For the first vintage the wines are categorized by Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Read below to find out which wine is paired with your sign.
Fire Signs include Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These naturally outgoing signs need a wine that makes a statement as big as they do! The Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius wine is a bold, fruit forward Old Vine Zinfandel with a little bit of spice. We believe that these signs work well with a spicy and feisty wine because they are the most energetic and dynamic signs of the zodiac.
Earth Signs include Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These signs are grounded, earthy, and practical. They make reliable, trustworthy friends who love the pleasures of good food and fine wine. And like a reliable Cabernet Sauvignon, they only get better with age. This Cabernet Sauvignon is earthy, well structured, and sensual. Perfect for Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Air Signs include Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. We decided to pair these signs with a white wine since air is the lightest element. Air is also the symbol for intelligence and communication so we created an extra "bright" and "vibrant" Chardonnay that is "well balanced" for all the Libras out there. These social signs are extremely flexible in their ideas which fits with Chardonnay because not only is this varietal "perfect to share," it is also one of the most versatile grape varietals grown.
Water Signs include Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water rules the emotions and these signs are gifted with intense emotions and a creative sensitivity. They are extremely intuitive and naturally aware of what is happening underneath the surface around them. The Pinot Noir grape has a very thin skin, which makes it very sensitive to its environment, much like a water sign. Additionally, the Pinot Noir is classically considered the wine of love and an aphrodisiac, which works well for the sentimental signs of Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio.
About 12 Signs Wine: 12 Signs Wine is currently sold online at 12signswine.com and at select retailers in the San Diego area, such as Finch’s Wine Bar, Sea Rocket Bistro, Vin de Syrah, Boney’s Bayside Market, West Cedar Market, and Splash.
12 Signs was created by San Diego local, Marie Fox. All wine was sourced from boutique vineyards of California, such as Alexander Valley and Santa Maria Valley. Find out more about all the unique wines and your zodiac match at 12signswine.com.
We are very proud of our tour director Stephen Ansley who assisted in the creation of the wine brand 12 Signs Wine, providing expert wine-related advice by evaluating dozens of wine samples, ultimately becoming a member of the team responsible for creating the four varieties of wines during the blending session.
Posted in Food and Vine, Health, Local Business, San Diego Wine Country, Uncategorized, Wine, Winemaking, Wineries |
A Soy Stroganoff Did You Say?
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Company News, Food and Vine, San Diego Wine Country, Wine, Wine Train, Winemaking, Wineries |
Leap into Fun!
Ask us about our Saint Patrick's Day tours!
Leap into something new, turn your routine on its ear, and have fun doing it! That isn't just a suggestion – it's part of a long and storied tradition.
Leap years, as you probably know, occur only in years divisible by four (or, in the case of a brand-new century, by 400.) The extra day that gets added onto the end of February helps synchronize the Gregorian calendar with the solar year, keeping important dates, such as the spring equinox, from drifting off into other seasons.
Since it is out of the ordinary, the Leap Year is also the subject of colorful folklore. In the British Isles, back when gender roles were much stricter, February 29 th was traditionally the only day that women could propose marriage to men; if he turned her down he had to pay a substantial amount of money, either to the would-be bride or to the Crown. It all started, according to tradition, in Ireland sometime around the 5 th century, when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick that women had to wait far too long for men to propose – and thus, “The Ladies' Privilege” was born.
Whether or not the story of St. Bridey's Complaint is true is anybody's guess. What is indisputable is that February 29 th is associated with good luck (babies born on this day are thought to be exceptionally blessed) and a happy break in the routine.
So, whether you need a romantic setting to pop the question, a decadent way to celebrate your singlehood, or just a way to enjoy yourself on a lucky day, this is the perfect time to shake up your schedule in the best way possible: by booking one of our popular tours and savoring delicious wine, beer, and tasty food with us. And if you miss the quadrennial, don't despair – there are plenty more tours coming up!
Cheers!
Brooke Binkowski
Resident Journalist
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Food and Vine, Happy Hour, Health, holiday, Theme Tours, Tours, Travel, Uncategorized, Walking Tours, Wine |
Welcome Stephen!
The San Diego Beer and Wine Tours Team is thrilled to announce a new addition to our team! Stephen Ansley has just joined us and we couldn't be more pleased!
Stephen Ansley is well-known and respected in the local craft beer community, and a personal friend of many highly respected local brewers. As a recognized BJCP judge (since 2007), he has been a judge at several home brewing and commercial craft beer competitions in San Diego, as well as a judge at the Great Alaskan Beer & Barley Wine Festival in 2010 and a steward at the World Beer Cup in San Diego in 2008 (and will steward the upcoming World Beer Cup event in 2012).
In 2011, Stephen achieved certification for Level 2 Sommelier with the International Sommelier Guild and also completed the certificate program for the Business of Wine at San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies.
Click here to read more about Stephen's accomplishments and career…
Welcome to the team Stephen!
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Company News, Food and Vine, Local Business, Wine, Winemaking, Wineries |
Savory Saffron Rice Stuffed Tomatoes
When you’re busy at work all day, it’s hard to find time to cook in the evenings. So this week I’m practicing some quick, easy and healthy meals that you can prepare fast with limited ingredients.
With two only two juicy tomatoes, a bag of saffron rice and a handful of collard greens, I prepared two scrumptiously stuffed tomatoes.
First, I started a medium sauce pan with 1 2/3 cup of water to boil. I added a dash of salt and a dollop of butter. Once it came fully to a boil, I added the rice, plopped on the lid and turned down the heat.
While the rice cooked, I hallowed out the tomatoes. Simply cut off the top and use a spoon to gently scrap out the insides. I placed the tomato inside bits in a bowl to make a salsa with later.
By the time I finished both tomatoes, the rice was done. I mixed in a handful of collard greens to rice for flavor, color and some extra fiber. I spooned the rice mixture into the tomatoes and then placed them in the broiler for 10 minutes. The tomatoes came out soft and juicy and the rice was flavorful and crunchy on top. Fantastic!
I paired a glass of Project Happiness Red Table Wine from Oreana Winery (the winery I worked at in Santa Barbara, CA!) with this quick and delicious dinner.
Cheers!
Heather
La Jolla Wine Tours Writer and Tomato Stuffing Expert
Posted in Food and Vine, Health, Recipes, Wine, Wineries |