Wine With Wanda

Add Some Sabor to Thanksgiving with Wines from Rioja

How is it possible that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'm completely unprepared for the holidays? Beyond being truly grateful that I will be spending the day with my family, the only other thing I'm certain of is that I'll be bringing over a bottle of wine from Rioja. Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday but during the two years I studied in Spain, my friends there joined me in celebrating the day with great food and wine. All these years later, I like the idea of bringing a bit of Spain to my table in New York and raising a glass in honor of my old amigos when I'm counting my blessings.

Even if you've never been to Spain, wines from Rioja are a good match with your Thanksgiving feast. The cool growing conditions in north central Spain nurture vino that is elegant, fruity, and well-balanced. Here are two fabulous and affordable options for your holiday meal.

Bodegas Palacios Remondo
La Montesa Crianza 2009
$14
A beautiful blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo,and Mazuelo; this vibrant vino is aged
twelve months in French and American oak. It charms with a subtle minerality and hints of  chocolate covered cherries, toffee and spice.




Bodegas Ontañón
Ontañón Gran Reserva 2001
$31
Velvety and voluptuous, this balanced blend of Tempranillo and Graciano is aged thirty-six months in French and American oak. Hearty enough to pair with turkey and beef yet soft enough to pair with dessert. Wonderfully versatile!

To learn more about the wines of Rioja, visit the Vibrant Rioja website.

Wine, Dine, Sunshine: Cancún-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival

As the temperature starts to drop in New York City, the thought of escaping for four days of extraordinary wining & dining in sunny Mexico is muy appealing. If I can just hold out until March 13-16, the Cancún-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival sounds like the perfect gourmet getaway. Showcasing the culinary excellence of the Americas, 2014 will mark the third year of the Festival and it will include the participation of acclaimed chefs from Mexico, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Venezuela, and even the United Kingdom.

Chef Daniel Boulud was very enthusiastic at a press conference in NYC when discussing his participation in the Festival.

The Festival's theme is Europe Meets the Americas and acclaimed Chef Daniel Boulud will be honored for his tremendous success in leading the evolution and ever-growing popularity of French cuisine in the Americas and around the world. Chef Guillermo González Beristáin from Monterrey will also be honored for revolutionizing traditional and contemporary food in northern Mexico.

After a day of gastronomic indulgence, relaxing in a room at Hotel Secrets the Vine Cancún is the perfect nightcap.

Fesitval highlights include a Gourmet Tasting Village showcasing gourmet foods and 55 wineries from Europe, Mexico, and the entire American continent. Host hotels include Hotel Secrets the Vine Cancún and they are offering special packages for the Cancún-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival.

I recently attended a press conference hosted in NYC at Bar Boulud to learn more about the Festival and it sounds like a really exceptional event. Chef Boulud was in attendance and was very enthusiastic about being a part of the Festival and had even assembled the all-star team of chefs from around the globe that will cook at the gala dinner honoring him.

With major sponsors including Food & Wine Magazine and Travel + Leisure, in just a few years the Cancún-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival has garnered support from world-class companies, chefs, and wineries. I'm ready to go - vámonos!

Make Plans with Michelin: Great Guides for Globetrotters

Did you know the Michelin Man's name is Bibendum? He is quite cuddly!

 When yours truly was invited to be a Brand Ambassador for Michelin Guides, it was a dream come true because I've loved their guides for years. Even in our world of apps and online guides, I still refer to traditional guidebooks when planning a trip and Michelin excels at delivering detailed information in a user-friendly format. I used Michelin guides extensively on my recent trip to France and they were indispensable for navigating our way to major sights and places to eat. And, for the past few weeks, I've been flipping through the Michelin 2014 guide to New York City restaurants for their reviews on some on my favorite places to eat and for tips on new places to dine. I'm also in the early stages of planning a trip to Italy in 2014 and I'm doing some armchair traveling with Michelin Guides as a supplement to the advice (some unsolicited!) I've been getting from friends.

Michelin is hosting a fall sale and for a limited time their guidebooks are 25% off. Go ahead and save a little money on a great gift to yourself and for the travelers in your life!

 

 

Related articles

Take a Delicious Bite of the Big Apple with the 2014 Michelin Guide

Michelin Moment: Chef Marcus Jernmark of Aquavit