Cork Talk
Drinking Champagne in Champagne
“All Champagne is sparkling wine, not all sparkling wine is Champagne“ Champagne is a term thrown around loosely, and its confusing. The truth is only the grapes grown in the chalky soils of the Champagne region of France, can produce a sparkling wine called Champagne. The world of wine recognizes this distinction and respects its
READ MORE
Cocktails
It’s Spritz Time
It’s late Spring, we are in Portugal. The cafes are humming, the weather is stunning, it’s Spritz time! The European remedy to “I like to start drinking sooner, but it’s too early.” I gave a stink eye to the shade of an orange sunset libation served up in ice packed jumbo size wine glasses, with
READ MORE
Food + Drink
Next Stop The Hague
Arriving late afternoon in Amsterdam, and moving quickly to baggage claim with the final exit just beyond the glass doors, we could see him. His oversized smile greeted us. A moment reminded me he grew older, a little wiser but, remained virtually unchanged. His smile, his incredibly sunny and optimistic disposition unchanged from his first
READ MORE
Travelers Notebook
Home of the Monks
München, literally translated (“Home of the Monks”) is the capitol city of the German state of Bavaria in Southern Germany. We spent several days exploring this beautiful city. Beer at breakfast? Yes, a malty wheat beer served at breakfast, and before you think scandalous, think about mimosas at brunch. Serving beer at breakfast alongside white
READ MORE
Food + Drink
Reflections at 35,000 feet and Hearty Vegetable and Beef Borscht
At 35,000 feet, I reflected on how blessed we were to be beginning a month-long journey through Europe. Our travels would bring us to Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. We have hosted students over the decades from three of these countries. These once high school students are grown-up with careers and families of their
READ MORE
Cork Talk
Pop, Fizz, and Clink
Gentlemen, in the little moment that remains to us between the crisis and the catastrophe, we may as well drink a glass of champagne. ~Paul Claudel Friends, when you visit this post, we will be celebrating the end of our first week in Europe. We are traveling with our European friends who we consider our