Mother’s Little Helpers
Mother's Day is coming up on the 13th, and we're here to help! If you're looking for the perfect gift, look no further – our beer and wine tours will make your mother's day.
Dark beers were once known as"mother's milk," because hospitals in Ireland once gave stouts to expectant and nursing mothers to increase their milk supply. In fact, Guinness once ran an entire ad campaign on the premise that dark stouts are good for you, a claim that, happily, has been bolstered by modern science.
Red wine, which (like beer) is packed with flavonoids and resveratrol, will keep mom young and her heart happy, and white wine is associated with better lung function. And both types of wine will lower "bad" cholesterol levels. Around here, we like to call it "Mother's Little Helper."
So if you want to show your appreciation for your mom and help her heart, lungs, and cholesterol levels in the process, don't delay: book a wine or beer tour with us today!
Brooke B., So"mom"lier
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Health, holiday, Tours, Walking Tours, Wine, Wine Train, Wineries |
La Jolla Half Marathon – Beer Runner
The La Jolla Half Marathon is this Sunday, and in its honor we're going to tell you a secret. If you're a runner, you probably already know it. If you aren't a runner, this might change your mind.
Here it is. After a long run, there are a very few drinks recommended for recovery during training for a marathon. As hardcore runners and Hash House Harriers have known for generations, one of the shining stars of recovery drinks is… beer.
Thirsty after the run? La Jolla Brew House has just the ticket to quench your thirst!
That's right – after punishing your body after a long run, it turns out that tipping back a beer or two will not only help your body combat inflammation and soreness, it will also pump up your immune system and help your body fight off race-busting colds.
One study, from the Technical University of Munich, recommends up to a liter and a half a day during training – although it cautioned that non-alcoholic beer was probably better because of alcohol's dehydrating effect. Another group of scientists, these from Spain's Granada University, say that alcohol actually makes beer more efficient at rehydrating the body than water alone after exercise.
Lest you think that wine is getting short shrift here, we would like to point out that resveratrol, a component of red wines, can increase endurance by up to 100 percent – in other words, a liberal dose of red wine during training could double your long runs. After a run, to ease those worked muscles, try one of our walking wine tours or winery train tours, both have 1-2 miles of walking on them.
You can't argue with science, so drink up – preferably on our craft beer walking tours or craft beer train tours. Post-run recovery doesn't get much tastier than that!
Brooke B., Beer Runner
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Health, Local Business, Travel, Walking Tours, Wine, Wine Train, 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 |
The New Sexy?
Has it always been sexy for a woman to drink beer? We think so. We’ll even go so far as to argue that most men have ALWAYS thought it was sexy for a woman to drink beer. So, what’s the point we’re trying to get to then? What’s the issue? Is there even an issue?
Here’s our two cent’s worth: It’s women who used to think drinking beer was NOT sexy. Now there’s a huge trend where women are reevaluating that judgment and coming up with the conclusion that sipping or even guzzling a beer is completely sexy. We’re not talking just any beer (we won’t mention names!) With a booming craft beer industry all across America, in which San Diego is no small fry, more and more women are finding they LIKE beer (goodness, maybe even LOVE the thirst quenching stuff.) Science shows that women should like beer – moderate beer drinking can reduce blood pressure and risk of osteoporosis and contains fiber, calcium, magnesium, and plenty of antioxidants.
Walk into one of the 48 craft beer joints in San Diego and you’ll have more than just a couple of choices at each. There’s likely something here to please most every feminine palate. From a refreshing hefeweizen style beer with subtle banana and clove nuances to sweet ambers and browns, and then there’s the coffee and chocolate stouts, oh my! That’s a handsome lineup! And with the higher alcohol content of some of the barrel-aged brews, for example, you'll even get a smaller, sexier glass to tout your treasure.
Some of us ladies may not be quite ready for that big, bold muscular IPA that San Diego is famous for, but let me give you a tip: Keep sipping and you may just find that your palate has expanded and it’s now your cup of tea (I mean beer.) My next blog will be about high tea with those lovely watercress and cucumber sandwiches. Oh dear, I’m getting distracted….
Shira Bliss, San Diego IPA Lover
(thanks to www.blisstree.com, www.truebeer.com, www.passionbeer.com for above pics)
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Health, Local Business |
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 |
Spiritual Spirits
Orange poppies and purple iceplants are popping along the freeways, flocks of wild parrots are screeching like monkeys, and butterflies are happily fluttering around under a flawless blue sky – spring has arrived in southern California!
March 21st is a day known as the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are roughly the same length. In the northern hemisphere, the equinox heralds the official beginning of spring.In ancient Rome, March was a very important time; it was the month of Bacchus, the god of grapes and wine. In ancient Greece, the same god was known as Dionysus. These twin gods were known as the “Liberators,” who freed careworn people from their sorrows and helped them laugh, dance, and be happy.
drawn by RaeRay-Shira Bliss’ daughter
A few hundred years later, European monks subsisted on beer as a way to stay strong during their Lenten fasts. Some of these abbeys, such as Chimay, are still producing and selling beer, as well as keeping it part of their yearly religious tradition.
thanks to http://www.chimay.com
So when you join one of our wine or beer tours, it's not simply a fun way to learn about San Diego's best beer and wine – it's also a way to be a part of spiritual and cultural traditions that span centuries!
Sources:
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Liberalia
http://www.musesrealm.net/rome/festivals.html
Brooke Binkowski
Resident Journalist for San Diego Beer & Wine Tours
Posted in Beer, Breweries, Health, holiday, Uncategorized |
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 |
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 |
Every Day is Valentine’s Day
Every day is Valentine’s Day when you’ve got Love in your heart. Whether or not, you have a Special Other to join you in celebrating Valentine’s day, why not create a party just for yourself? When it comes to finding the Love of Your Life, he/she may be closer than you think. Look inside your heart. You may be surprised to find that all the Love you need is right there looking back at you in the mirror.
We’re much more likely to draw our Love Partner to us if we first cultivate a deep, accepting love for ourselves. One way to do that is to nurture yourself, as if you are hosting an honorable guest. On Valentine’s Day, which, by the way, is my favorite holiday, I pop open a bottle of bubbly and create a grand meal, whether I’m with another, or by myself. I’m going to share with you one of my favorite romantic dinner menus.
For the basic ingredients, you’ll need fresh halibut, bok choy, capers, lemons, and white wine (cheap stuff is fine, this is not for drinking!). We’ll serve our “Pan Fried Halibut with Capers” on a bed of sautéed bok choy, and alongside oven roasted gold and sweet potatoes. In the spirit of Love, I like to add heart shaped, red bell pepper to this main dish. A fresh, green salad with the addition of apples, berries, and caramelized pecans, drizzled with raspberry dressing will happily accompany the entree. I paired this delightful main dish with a wonderful, local San Diego white wine blend from Salerno Winery – Bianco Tosto 2007. Our romantic dinner wouldn’t be complete without a decadent desert. You’re going to love my tasty chocolate Fudge topped with red candy, shaped into a heart. (Recipes are below.)
So, this Valentine’s Day, and everyday, celebrate the Love you have in your heart for yourself, and watch how others are drawn to your beauty that radiates from within.
And if you feel like joining others on Valentine’s Day, we have wonderful romantic tours. Come as a single or bring a friend.
Shira Bliss, La Jolla Wine Tours.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz halibut pieces
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 Tbs Italian parsley chopped
- 1/4 lemon juiced
- 4 chopped spring onion (green only)
- 3 tablespoons capers, with liquid
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the halibut on both sides until nicely browned. Remove from pan, and set aside. Sauté the bok choy in a little butter set aside.Pour the wine into the pan, and use a spatula to scrape any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce to almost nothing, then stir in the garlic, lemon juice, butter and capers. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for a minute to blend the flavors. Return the fish to the pan, and coat them with sauce. Cook until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve fish immediately with the sauce from the pan poured over it, on top of the cooked bok choy.
Oven Fried Gold and Sweet Potatoes
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 gold potatoes and 2 sweet potatoes sliced thinly
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2 large cloves garlic, chopped
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Parsley, marjoram
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Coat the potatoes with parsley, marjoram, olive oil, salt and pepper and freshly chopped garlic. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 mins. Turn once halfway through.
Valentine’s Fudge
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6 tablespoons butter
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3 1/2 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar or agave
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1/2 cup cocoa
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1/4 cup milk
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1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Directions:
Lightly grease a 5×9 inch loaf pan using a little of the margarine. Place the remaining butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and soy milk in a heatproof mixing bowl or the upper part of a double broiler. Place the bowl or broiler over simmering water and stir until smooth. Add the nuts if desired. Pour the mixture quickly into the prepared pan. Chill thoroughly, and cut into squares. Decorate with red candies into the shape of a heart. For a great pairing try San Diego's Witchcreek Winery Cool Cat sparkling wine!
Makes 2 to 3 dozen squares. 
Posted in Food and Vine, Health, holiday, Recipes, Theme Tours, Tours, Valentine, Wine |
A Wonderful Vegan Life
Posted in Beer, Food and Vine, Health, Recipes, Wine, Winemaking |