Need to Travel with Wine? Try the Wine Suitcase

If you have more than a few bottles of wine from a day trip or a long trip away, you definitely want to get them home safe and sound. Fortunately, there is luggage for that.

The VinGardeValise is a line of tough suitcases that are gentle on glass, thanks to their dense foam inserts created to cradle wine bottles.

The VinGardeValise® Piccolo doubles as an anytime, anywhere airline carry-on piece of luggage or as a checked wine travel case to travel safely with up to 5-bottles of wine – with room for your clothes and belongings on the other side

Available at https://vingardevalise.com

TASTY CREATIONS: The 6 Best Artisan Chocolate Bars of the Year for Chocolate Lovers

Each year the International Chocolate Salon tastes scores of artisan chocolate bars from around the world. The goal is to discover the Best Chocolate Bars of the Year. Even though this has been a challenging time due to COVID-19, the judges were able to make their choices, mostly because they say that the bar selections were so amazing.

If you have a taste for great chocolate, and possibly even for a little luxurious edible gold on top of it, then these 6 top-ranked award-winning bars should be on the top of your list.


The 6 Best Artisan Chocolate Bars of the Year

GOLD MEDAL

  • Michael’s Chocolates Bourbon Caramel Pecan Barre

SILVER MEDAL

  • Panache Chocolatier Columbian Gold Bar
  • Wildwood Chocolate Honey Cardamom Caramel

BRONZE MEDAL

Baetz Chocolates Return of the Bison


HONORABLE MENTION

Michael’s Chocolates Hazelnut Crunch Bar
Delysia Chocolatier Wine & Cherries Chocolate Bark


 

Favorite Holiday Food & Fashion Video: Burberry with Kristin Scott Thomas, Matt Smith, M.I.A and Naomi Campbell

In this time when it’s not clear what Holiday food and fashion events are going to be like, especially family gatherings and dinners, it’s nice to look back on a era (2018/2019) when Burberry was able to do an incredible Holiday photo-shoot and 90-second film featuring Kristin Scott Thomas, Matt Smith, M.I.A and Naomi Campbell (and her mother).

The video was directed by British artist Juno Calypso.


WINE PICKS: 3 Chardonnays that are Perfect to Drink Right Now

On a hot sunny day or in cool stormy weather, if you’ve closed a big deal or just sitting down to relax, these 3 Chardonnays are perfect for any situation or climate.


Tolosa 2018 1772 Chardonnay, Eden Ranch Edna Valley

Fermentation: French oak barrels

Aging: 9 months in French oak barrels, with 20% of them being new

Vineyard: Edna Ranch

Alcohol: 13.4%

Tolosa has a wine series they call “1772”. The series is named for the founding year of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and honors the local terroir and winemaking history of the cooler and Pacific Ocean-influenced climate and limestone sediment of the Edna Valley. The 1772 Chardonnay from 2018 is priced around $58 a bottle. Tolosa calls this their classic Chardonnay, and says that it truly captures the essence of the estate. The 2018 Tolosa Chardonnay has an appealing hint of bright acidity, with notes of the minerality of the Edna Valley, as well aromas of fresh fruits and herbs. This Chardonnay was aged for 9 months in French oak barrels.

Find here.


Anaba 2017 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Vineyards: Tolay Vista, Dutton (Shop Block and Mill Station), J McK Estate

Alcohol: 13.2%

Fermentation: Hand-sorted and whole cluster pressed. Barrel fermented (75% malolactic fermentation, 25% retained natural malic acid). Aged 17 months sur lie in French oak barrels, 25% of which were new.

Cooperage: Damy, Cavin, Taransaud, François Frères Cases Produced: 738

This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay comes from distinct areas within the Sonoma Coast AV. Some of these areas were impacted by the 2017 North Bay fires, however the fruit was picked before those events took place so they were not affected. In general, the regions from which they come are cooler or foggier than some other Chardonnays, giving this 2017 vintage a great year.

The Anaba Chardonnay’s fruit tends towards the citrus and vanilla bouquet, with a bit of minerality and a very subtle palate. The alcohol content is in the European-style of 13.2%. Only 738 cases were produced, and it was aged 17 months in French oak barrels.

Find here.


Sangiacomo 2018 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Alcohol: 14.3%

Production: 280 cases

The Sangiacomo family has been farming in Sonoma County for three generations and almost 100 years. The Vineyard is 100% certified sustainable, and it produces California Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sangiacomo Sonoma Coast Chardonnay has aromas that bring in tea-like flavors, including nutmeg and chai, as well as the French oak in which it rested. You might also enjoy some aromas that remind us a bit of a delicious pear cobbler. It’s very rich, and was aged in the aforementioned French oak for about 10 months. The alcohol content is medium-level 14.3%, and the retail price is a reasonable $55. Only 280 cases however were produced by James MacPhail the winemaker.

Find here


Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway Reopens to Guests with Revised Safety Protocols

One of our favorite upscale spots in Puerto Vallarta, the Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel, is available for private stays in comfort.

With Puerto Vallarta entering a new Phase of its economic and tourist reactivation and the reopening of its beaches, Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway has reopened its doors, while adopting new hygiene and safety protocols to ensure safe spaces and experiences for its guests.

The state of Jalisco, and Puerto Vallarta along with it, was recently recognized with the “Safe Travels” stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The specially designed stamp allows travelers across the globe to identify governments and companies that have adopted world-class hygiene and sanitation standards so that consumers can experience “Safe Travels.”

Beaches located in front of Puerto Vallarta’s hotels are open to visitors, and hotels are now authorized to operate with controlled capacity. Hotel swimming pools, beach clubs and restaurants are permitted to open, but hotel gyms and spas will remain closed.

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway, as part of Buenaventura Hotel Group, has developed and implemented safety and hygiene protocols pointing out the five directives under which the protocol was created —  “HOGAR,” which stands for “HOME” in Spanish — to make you feel as safe as in your home:

  1. Hygiene & Disinfection
  2. Order & Control
  3. Guarantee of Everyone’s Well-being
  4. Accommodations and Social Distancing
  5. Responsibility

The following are some of the practices that will be implemented as part of this “new normal,” including investments in specialized equipment for disinfection, washing, rinsing and drying accessories in rooms and kitchens. There is also new equipment and procedures in place for disinfecting footwear, suitcases, bags and strollers upon guest arrival. Frequent cleaning and filter replacement of cooling systems and swimming pools will be strictly supervised.

As for customer service, social distancing of 6 feet between individuals in waiting spaces — such as check-in / check-out, access to bars and restaurants, and lounge areas, among others — will be maintained. Specific personnel for maid and butler service will be assigned to each floor and reservations at specialty restaurants will be suggested.

Antibacterial gel dispensers have been placed in common areas. To respect minimum social distancing of 6 feet, furniture has been relocated, thus reducing restaurant capacity, with a maximum of six diners per table. The distribution of lounge and beach chairs will respect social distancing and the allocation of rooms will be alternated, maintaining as much distance as possible between designated rooms. The constant use of airway protectors for all guests will be suggested and a personal protection kit for each guest will be included in the room amenities.

These safety and hygiene protocols follow the recommendations of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); the World Health Organization (WHO); and federal, state and municipal government guidelines, as well as the criteria and contributions of Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Association for the reactivation of economic and tourism activity.

With these actions, Buenaventura Hotel Group and Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway aim to provide safe spaces for guests, suppliers, collaborators and, in general, society at large, while generating experiences of leisure, fun and comfort through products and services with quality and warmth, placing visitor well-being first.

For more information visit,
Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway

www.premiereonline.com.mx
Boutique Hotel, Adults – Only

The Seafood Brand you Have to Know includes All of Your Grilling Favorites

Mahi Mahi in a Red Wine Sauce

Fresh seafood is one of life’s pleasures, and flash frozen seafood delivered quickly to your doorstep can often be almost as good. One brand that we love is Vital Choice Wild Seafood.

Their premium sustainably-caught seafood tastes so fresh and delicious that it is hard to believe it wasn’t just caught. Not only does it taste fresh, it also looks and smells fresh. As many seafood lovers know, fish that smells fishy is often not in good condition. As far as looks, Vital Choice’s Mahi Mahi and salmon both look and feel firm — neither soggy and gray nor hard and dry — and have enticing colors that are a bit surreal.

Vital Choice GrillBox

Vital Choice has a combo package called the Limited Edition GrillBox. The GrillBox includes seasonal favorites and grilling planks — everything a seafood grill master would want — including:

  • Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, boneless, skin-on
  • Sockeye Salmon Burgers, four 5-oz patties, gluten free
  • Wild Mahi Mahi, skinless, boneless
  • Wild Artisan Blue Shrimp from the Gulf of California
  • Alder Grilling planks

Salmon Fillet

The GrillBox portion sizes are perfect for long or short term storage and use. It’s not practical to want to make a serving for 1-2 people and have to thaw out an entire fish and just use half. The Vital Choice GrillBox sizes are therefore a good fit for various meals, plus don’t dominate available freezer shelf space. Fortunately, the GrillBox does come with several pieces from which to choose when it’s time for your next recipe.

Jerk Salmon and corn with cheese

Interestingly, among our reviewers the fan favorite was the Wild Mahi Mahi (dolphinfish), while the ruby red Wild Sockeye Salmon was a very close second. Once you start cooking with the Mahi Mahi, it’s clear that the sweeter but more neutrally flavored fish is much more versatile than the salmon, whose flavor is more robust and recognizable. The Mahi Mahi can be used in pasta, soups, bouillabaisse, or even in fish and chips and grilled or fried fish sandwiches. We tried the fishery raised Wild Sockeye Salmon with various marinades, jerks, and rubs, and were never disappointed.

Mahi Mahi with a batter crust

The one area for improvement with the GrillBox is possibly the addition of a larger package size of shrimp. The single packet included is great for 1-2 diners but not extendable to 3 or 4.

FIND THE GRILLBOX HERE

About Vital Choice:

Known for high quality, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, Vital Choice has thoughtfully curated our version of an ultimate grilling sampler with their launch of the Limited Edition GrillBox.

Vital Choice believes that healthy, delicious food shouldn’t harm the planet. Initially focused on wild Alaskan salmon, they’ve since expanded to provide customers with sustainable seafood from around the world. Today, Vital Choice is the trusted source for fast home delivery of the world’s finest wild Alaskan seafood, whole-food supplements, and organic fare. Vital Choice foods are the purest available, always sustainably harvested from healthy, well-managed wild fisheries and organic farms.

www.vitalchoice.com