Category: Wine

The Communion: Cha McCoy’s Wine Pairing Series You Don’t Want to Miss

It’s happened to the best of us at one point or another: you’re perusing the wine list in a restaurant, only to discover that you don’t know a thing about any of the wines listed. Languedoc-Roussillon? Gewürztraminer? Blaufränkisch? What is this gibberish? Help!!

Enter The Communion, Cha McCoy’s unpretentious pop-up wine pairing series. The events, which are all about demystifying wines and pairing them with local cuisine, have been garnering serious buzz: she’s recently been featured in Food & Wine and New York Magazine.

I had the good fortune to attend one of her events in Québec City at the Women in Travel Summit this May, and can safely say I came away from The Communion armed with lasting memories and new friends. Here’s why you, too, need to grab a seat at the table.

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Yunessun Spa Resort in Hakone, Japan: Or, You Too Can Bathe in Wine and Coffee

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, also called Yunessun Spa Resort or simply Yunessun for short, is a wine-loving, coffee-guzzling tourist's dream come true. Here's the real deal about what to expect when you visit this hot springs theme park in Hakone, Japan. #Yunessun #Hakone

If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I’m a complete sucker for themed experiences. Whether it’s a Marie Antoinette-themed speakeasy or a Doctor Who-themed restaurant, I tend to seek out the quirkiest, wackiest themed experiences I can when traveling.

So it should come as no surprise that, when we discovered a magical place in Japan where it was totally acceptable — nay, encouraged — to bathe in wine, it was the first thing I booked when we were planning our stay.

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, also called Yunessun Spa Resort or simply Yunessun for short, is a wine-loving, coffee-guzzling tourist’s dream come true. Here’s the real deal about what to expect when you visit this hot springs theme park in Hakone, Japan.

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Why Lodi Needs to Be Your Next Wine Country Destination

Have you ever gone wine tasting in California? Check out the wineries in Lodi. They're the Zinfandel Capital of the World!

Spring is nearly upon us, which means it’s wine tasting season! Granted, you can actually go wine tasting year round, but now is generally the time I start daydreaming about driving around wine country and checking out vineyards with unbeatable views and delicious pinots. In previous years, I’ve toured Sonoma, Long Island, the Finger Lakes, and Paso Robles — but this year, I headed somewhere new: Lodi.

And you know what? After spending time there, I’ve seen the light. (Or at least the sunlight filtering through rows and rows of old vine zinfandel grapes.) I’ve become an official lifelong #LodiWine fan. In fact, if I wasn’t headed abroad soon, I’d be back in town for their ZinFest in mid-May.

But what wine does Lodi specialize in? And how the heck do you even get there? Patience, Vino Jedi. Here’s everything you need to know about why Lodi needs to be your next wine country destination.

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Where to Drink in Hawaii Right Now

Looking for the best places to drink in Hawaii? We've found spots serving cocktails, wine, and beer. One spot even overlooks a volcano!

Picture this: you’re sitting on the beach in Hawaii in your comfy lounge chair. You’ve got Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” in hand, your SPF 50 sunblock applied, and your sharpest Oakleys on. What’s missing from this picture? Why, a cold beverage, of course. You need to get a drink in Hawaii, stat!

Only problem is, where do you even start? The hotel bar is always a safe (and, let’s face it, usually lazy) option, but if you’re reading this post, you probably want something that’s a cut above a typical piña colada.

Not that I have anything against piña coladas… oh wait, I do. I’m allergic to pineapple, so that’s never happening. I’m pretty sad about that one. But I digress.

If you want to find a drink in Hawaii that will rock your world, read on to discover some of our favorites.

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Love Icewine? You’ve Got to Visit These Niagara Wineries

The Niagara region in Ontario, Canada is world-renowned for its premier icewine. Here are the top Niagara wineries you need to put on your itinerary!

Ahh, dear, sweet icewine. It’s one of those dessert drinks that leaves you feeling like you’ve tasted the nectar of the gods and are experiencing life fully for the first time.

I kid, I kid. (Well, somewhat.) Truth be told, though, icewine is pretty darn fantastic. The Niagara region in Ontario, Canada is world-renowned for its premier icewines, which is why we were so excited to fly out in January 2017 for the annual Niagara Icewine Festival. After a full weekend sampling icewines ranging from the traditional to the groundbreaking, here are the Niagara wineries you need to put on your itinerary for your next trip.

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5 Awesome Long Island Wineries to Visit This Summer

After months of blizzards, puddles of brown slush, and frigid rain in New York City, the weather gods have finally decided to relent and bless us with some actual warm weather. (Californians, I can hear your snickering across the country. Shhhhhh.) This, of course, means one thing: it’s time to get serious about planning your next wine tasting adventure.

While the Finger Lakes are where it’s at for truly high quality wine in the state of New York, Long Island wineries are an easy day trip from New York City, making it an ideal introduction to the state’s wineries for both locals and tourists alike. Here are five wineries to put on your itinerary for your next trip to Long Island wine country.

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The Best Places to Drink in Montreal Right Now

Montreal, I’ve got to hand it to you: I had no idea that the caliber of your watering holes (not to mention your food) was so high. Here we are, sitting in New York City after a fantastic whirlwind getaway to Québec’s metropolis last weekend, and all Mr. Five O’Clock and I can think about is how soon we can return to your charming city to revisit our favorite spots and scout out new ones.

While there’s no doubt that our current residence will always have a new, hot “bar of the moment” to try, there’s something really exciting about a city that hasn’t been overrun with dozens of speakeasies and can hold its own in the world of excellent microbrews. If you find yourself up in the Great White North with a hankering for some booze, here are the top spots to grab a drink in Montreal right now.

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“Revisiting”: The Only Wine Term You Need to Know

Giorgio set the glass of garnet-colored wine in front of me confidently, as if he already knew the ultimate decision I’d make.

“Thanks, but I’m not sure if I should try it,” I politely declined, still in disbelief at the fact that it was acceptable to legally drink wine under the age of 21. It was 2006, and the 20-year-old me, studying abroad in Rome, still clung to the rules and regulations she had grown up with in America.

My roommate and I had recently discovered a neighborhood Italian restaurant on one of the side streets near the Pantheon. Lured by the aromas of sizzling meat sauces and freshly-cooked tagliatelle, we were quickly seated in an outdoor table near the back. Upon learning that I had never had wine before, our server, Giorgio, insisted that I try some Montepulciano d’Abruzzo to “make my life complete.”

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