Unusual Wine Countries

[obrienkf]

cruisinred



one of the standards that I employ in these 'unusual wine countries' is, do they 'export wine'? Just about every country in the world claims to 'produce a grand chardonnay', but not all countries use the same production standards that would meet any importing laws of a first world country. Wine is regularly 'topped up' with enhancers, basically sulphites and other flavour additives, and some of these can set you upside down if they are not used in a proper balance. Nothing worse that having a glass of local plonk, and then having a slight reaction, or worse, to an off balance chemical additive. Beer, just about anywhere in the world, is a safer choice than a wine that is not subject to production controls and monitoring that would meet normal health standards (in this, I speak from experience). Read labels. Chose wine carefully in countries that sell headless chickens in open stalls, unrefrigerated, swarming with flies. Those same 'high quality meat standards' may be used in wine production. Even cheap cork can cause havoc with your holiday.

[CMDAVILACLI]

thanks, Funtimes, for the wine recommendations... I'll be sure to pick up a couple of these bottles when I'm in Arizone at the end of this month! Cathy

[funtimes]

Hello everyone Obrienkf THANKS for the wonderful Tuscany and Florence reccommendations We are going in August YEAH I will try to book these restaurants although I've heard that much of Italy takes their own holidays during August and many places may be closed.

Another US place I've been thinking of recently is Washington - GREAT wines here We stayed on Whidbey Island once at eagles nest B&B - fabulous place and not far from Chateau St Michelle winery Their Chardonnay is one of our favorites! Also understand there are some wineries in the San Juan Islands between Washington State and Vancouver Canada - Lopez Island and San Juan Island. Enjoy

[obrienkf]

Funtimes, do report back on your wine experiences in tuscany. There is so much to chose from ... it makes it difficult. If you can go to Banfi, you'll love it. And that Cantinetta Antinori in Florence is a nice 'guarantee' in a city with so many options, you may find yourself overwhelmed. There is also the frescodaldi wine bar in Florence, that is also very reliable. Big Wine houses dont serve bad food with their famous wines. Ever. And its their wine that they serve, so their profit margin need not be so outrageous.



I have, by the way, always found that some of the big wine house wines are cheaper in grocery stores, sometimes as much as 40% less than that charged 'at the winery'. so, shop abit. or, dont sweat it, and just enjoy your holiday.



kind regards

[needtoescape]

Looking forward to hearing about Tuscany experience. It's a great place to visit though we've never done wine-tasting there.

May I also suggest lesser known areas of France? Especially Languedoc Roussillon. If you have a knowledgeable guide or planin advance there are some excellent wines to discover - at reasonable prices.

I've also just posted a question prompted by the Dollar-Sterling exchange rate on the Q&A board asking about LL trips to US wine regions. Suggestions welcome.

[romualda]

I have been told that teh Finger Lakes in New York produce some good wines. Can anyone else confirm that? The weather in the summer in that part of the country is amazing - and it would be fun to try and work some wine tasting into our next trip to that region.

[funtimes]

ObrienKF Thanks for the info Our Tuscany trip is not scheduled until the end of August - extended into Sept ...ooopps could not pass up the LL Umbria package as an add on. Is everyone else as addicted to LL as I am??? ...Funtimes

[JemmaG]

I read your message about being addicted to LL. I have just started to look at the site. My question is what have your found "subjcet to availability" means. I am concerned that the available time is limited if it is keyed to some consolidators purchases rather the the hotels actual available dates what has your experiance been on this point? In am travelling to Europe in September. Have i left the booking too late?

[kyshel]

hello, mdmac--welcome!
Re: Availability
I have found that it varies mostly with seasonal restrictions and property size (limited # of LL bookings at the same time). I just returned from an off-season stay at a very small game lodge in Africa and there was another couple on LL pkg. That surprised me since we comprised 1/4 of the guests!!
I've emailed about space more than once and was told that some places permit only one LL booking at a time.
SOP is to contact property prior to bidding and ask what is the current availability for your choices of dates and how flexible are they for changes.
I've gotten replies that also say that if the dates expire, they will honor them within reason--pre-arranged, of course. Hope that helps--a bit ambiguous since there are so many properties at LL.
I purchased my last auction in May and we went end of June. I have also held an purchase for 4 months before traveling, but that was really difficult--like having money burning a hole in your pocket!!

PS--yes, many of us are "hooked". Not a bad way to be, no?

[lhbrown]

Hi mdmackinnon

"Subject to availability" means just that. If the hotel is booked out, you will not be able to make a reservation just like with any other hotel. However, to avoid disappointments, before you bid on an auction, e-mail or call the hotel, ask them if they have availability for the dates you want and inform them that you are planning to bid on an LL auction for these dates. As soon as you win the auction, inform the hotel that you won the auction and confirm your dates. Following this procedure, we have never had a problem. The hotels are usually very happy to work with you. So 'subject to availability" is really not a problem.

By the way, welcome to the LL community.