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    Blog Posts by Stefani Jackenthal

    • Sporting & Sipping in Hood River, OR!

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Tue, Sep 11, 2012 11:38 AM EDT

      The town of Hood River, OR, about an hour's drive east of Portland, has the makings outdoors oenophile's dream and perfect place for a romantic getaway. Home to super surf shops, great cycling, charming B & Bs and wineries, Hood River is also a foodie's favorite with restaurants serving wine friendly food prepared with local produce and fish, served in a contemporary, yet relaxed atmosphere.

      With wind speeds averaging 20 to 30 miles per hour, Hood River is a hotspot for world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing. There are local outfitters who will get you geared up and cruising across water. The area also has plenty of stand-up paddling boarding, kayaking, rafting and endless hiking, cycling and mountain bike routes topping out at mountain tops with magnificent bird's eye views of the rolling farms, riverbeds and vineyards below.

      One of my favorite cycling routes around wine country is the scenic thirty-five mile Fruit Loop. It makes is a terrific morning ride or a great

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    • Rose’ Uncorked!

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Tue, Sep 11, 2012 11:35 AM EDT

      By Stefani Jackenthal
      Rose' wines could be the most misunderstood style of wine ever. Are you reading this and frowning - thinking, I don't like rose? Are you a rose' fan? Perhaps, a rose' convert? Ah, rose' a delightful picnic and warm-weather sipper welcome at my dinner table, deck and picnic blanket most any time.

      There is a common misconception that rose' wine is syrupy sweet. But rose' wines come in a variety of refreshing styles from bone dry to fruity, sweet and savory. They can be a bolder than white wines, yet more restrained and subtle than red wines made from the same varietal (grape) - showing cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavors. Rose's are typically served chilled and are the perfect picnic, BBQ or dinner partner with everything from surf to turf, spicy Thai, ketchupy burgers and your favorite pizza or sushi.

      What's makes rose's such a great and versatile wine food is its natural acidity and the residual tannin from the winemaking process. Most

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    • Paddling, Wine & Concert ~ an Intoxicating Trio!

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Sat, Sep 8, 2012 9:49 PM EDT

      What could be more romantic than playing in Mother Nature's paradise, sipping wines from grapes grown nearby and kicking back on a grassy lawn to listen to live music? You want in? Head to Virginia's Loudoun county wine country!

      River & Trail Outfitters has teamed with Tarara Winery, named "Best Winery in Loudoun County" for eight consecutive years, to create an ultimate fun multi-adventure day for outdoor enthusiasts with a thirst for paddling, pouring and performing.

      The triathlon of sensory seducing goodness kicks off with a guided 4.5-to-7 mile mellow kayaking or canoeing tour down the gently flowing Potomac River. Known for its wealth of wildlife and water birds, there are Blue Herons, Wild Ducks and an occasional Bald Eagle spottings.

      Upon arriving at Tarara winery, which parallels the Potomac, get ready to chill out lakeside swirling, sniffing and sipping six savory wines, such as Viogner, Chardonnay, Rose' and Charval that are paired with artisan cheeses.

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    • Cava Crazy!

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Sat, Sep 8, 2012 9:47 PM EDT

      Spain's sparkler Cava is a superb aperitif and dessert treat that won't bust the piggy bank. A succulent summer sensation that is a bright, citrusy delight, offers crisp apple freshness that's a patio or picnic-sipping favorite.

      Meaning "cellar," Cava is Spain's alternative to Champagne. Similar to Champagne, Cava uses the "Champenoise method" for production and must undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle. This creates carbon dioxide aka: bubbles.

      Available in vintage and non-vintage, it is categorized by sweetness and aging - ranging from Extra Brut (bone dry) to Sweet. While standard Cava must spend nine months fermenting, "Gran Reserva" must age for at least 30 months in the bottle.

      Cava is tends to be a tad earthier and less frothy than its French cousin. Unlike Champagne, which is produced from a combination of white and red grapes (often Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Cava is made from solely white grapes, giving it its unique ab-fab flavor. Also, You can

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    • Sipping & Playing in LI Wine Country

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Sat, Sep 8, 2012 9:45 PM EDT

      Once fields of potatoes, cauliflower and sod, Long Island wine country has blossomed from a petite single 17-acre vineyard planted in 1973 to over 4000 acres of trellised verdant vineyards with over 40 wineries crafting world class Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Averaging 230-day growing season annually, it's not only ideal for nifty wine, but a fantastic outdoors destination for a romantic getaway.

      Located about 75 miles east of New York City, the majority of wineries pepper nearly 20 miles of the North Fork. Surrounded by sparkly waterways and scattered wooded parks, there is great kayaking, kiteboarding and SUPing on the Peconic River. If your date is hell on two-wheels, drop into BethPage Park to spike pheromones on the downhill chutes and single track. To keep it chill head to Stillwell Woods Preserve or Cunningham Park sporting mostly beginner trails and intermediate trails.

      While, hiking fans will love on the area's endless miles of

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    • California Crazy ~ on a Budget!

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Sat, Sep 8, 2012 9:41 PM EDT

      Sitting pretty on the Pacific coast and inland, the California wine country sports a wonderful assortment of varietals that are as diverse as the states countless microclimates. From restrained Pinot Noirs in Santa Barbara and rugged Rhone blends from Range Rover Randall Gram at Bonny Doone Winery in Santa Cruz. While, up north, the Zany Zinfandels in Healdsburg will bring a savory smile and bold Napa Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignons get down to business.

      The fun, fabulous sipping opportunities are endless, but selection a great date wine does have to mean a big dent in the piggy bank. While Cali crafts barrels of pricey pourers, they also have a lovely line up of nice-priced savory sippers that will leave you with enough pocket change to buy dinner - that hopefully, leads to dessert. Let's go!

      • 1. Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc, NV, Napa, CA

      Minerally brightness pops with every swirl, sniff and sip. Its delicate touches ofGrapefruit and gooseberry make this Sauvignon

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    • Going BYOB for the First Date

      By Stefani Jackenthal | Author Blog Posts – Sat, Sep 8, 2012 9:38 PM EDT

      So, you secured a date with the hottie you've been admiring for weeks. Can you go BYOB for the first date? Why not! Don't fear looking cheap or worse, worry about selecting the wine. Ugh! What to bring?

      BYOB is one of my favorite ways to dine. Not only do you get to bring the wine you want to sip, it's a fun adventure figuring out the perfect selection - and you save money for that second date.

      Finding the right wine should be fun, not a chore. It's like being a detective. All you have to do is gather and sort clues. Let's Go!

      • · Where to go for dinner? A fun choice is Thai food. Not only won't it bust the piggy bank, but the menu offers a wide selection of sweet, spicy and savory.
      • · How to select a wine: First, decide how much you want to spend. Be honest. What price range fits comfy into your financial situation or dating desires? Set a dollar limit and most important, stick with it. Don't let a pushy salesperson sway you to go for the "better," more expensive bottle.
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