Visit Paris: Champagne Tasting at Ruinart

Grounds of Ruinart

If you ever find yourself in Paris, consider a stop to Reims for a champagne tasting. Located about 45 minutes away by train, Reims is home to 15-20 world famous Champagne houses. Established in 1729, the first and oldest is Ruinart.

Tours are restricted to small groups so make your reservations early. We did not and so could only secure a French speaking tour. The classical cellar tour is a two hour experience that takes you into Ruinart's chalk cellars which are also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cellars run over five miles and almost 130 feet deep. The tour finishes with a tasting of two signature cuvees. Even though we couldn't understand the tour guide, we still enjoyed visiting the caves and the tasting.

Beautiful painted staircase

Ruinart is closely involved in contemporary art. This art installation is located inside the caves.

Down inside the crayeres - chalk walled cellars

Vintage cuvees are typically aged for about 5 years.

For the tastings, you have your choice of champagne or rose of each cuvee.

Read More

Visit California: Cache Creek Vineyards and Winery

We noticed a sign for “Wine Tasting” at Cache Creek Vineyards and Winery in the midst of a super long drive, so we decided to check it out. 

They offer several wine tastings for $15/flight (reserve wine tasting is $20/flight), and each flight includes a logo wine glass to take home.  

My friend did the Classic Wine Tasting, and enjoyed the Cabernet Sauvignon the best.  One of the employees was kind enough to let him try a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, stating how that was her favorite.

I’m not a huge wine drinker, but they did have lots of snacks and food items.  I bought some snacks to eat on the road and to take home.

They produce a very small amount of wines as a “boutique winery,” with many having won critical acclaim.

Unfortunately, there is no Cache Creek distributor in Hawai`i and you can’t ship the wines to Hawai`i, so if you have a chance to stop in, do so!

Cache Creek Vineyards and Winery

250 New Long Valley Rd

Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423

Read More

Visit Italy: Podere Forte

While in Italy, we went to a wine tasting at Podere Forte, founded in 1997 by Pasquale Forte, who strives for a symbiotic, sustainable environment for the people, plants, and animals to thrive on his estate (in addition to producing wine, the estate also raises farm animals).  

Pasquale and his team took us on a quick tour of the vineyards, which concluded in a wine-tasting of their signature wines - Petrucci Melo, Petrucci Anfiteatro and Guardiavigna.

We then proceeded to the winery, which encompasses five floors, where we tasted select wines from the barrel. 

The day ended with Pasquale showing us a very special mural that was done for him, featuring himself and his loved ones.

The integration of science with nature at Podere Forte helps to ensure quality wines.

For more information on Podere Forte experiences, click here. 

Podere Forte
13 Localita' Pod. Petrucci

Castiglione D'orcia, Si 53023, Italy

Read More