On the Menu...Portugal's Other Wine: Vinho Verde

Most people are familiar with Port wine, the fortified wine named after Portugal's second largest city. But there is also another uniquely Portuguese wine produced in the Minho region called vinho verde, which literally means "green wine." The name "green" refers to the freshness of the wine, and not to the color, as the grapes are picked late and it is intended to be drunk within a year of bottling.

Vinhos verdes are light and fresh, have a lower alcohol content, and are a little bit fizzy. There are both red and white varieties; the reds are deep red in color and tannic, and the whites are lemon or straw colored, with fruity and floral aromas.

Vinhos verdes are served chilled, and go well with citrus-inspired foods and seafood. They are a perfect summer wine.

A few Minho region vineyards - click on name for their website:

• Casa de Vila Verde
• Aveleda
• Borges Wines
• Quinta de Santa Maria
• Quinta do Ameal
• Quinta de Gomariz

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Cheers...History of Sherry, Jerez (Spain)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sherry is the fortified wine produced in the Jerez area of the province of Cádiz. Its origin dates back to 1100 B.C. when the Phoenicians brought the first vines to the region. The name "sherry" is derived from the name "Sherish," which was the 12th C. Arabic name of the city.

In 1933, the Consejo Regulador was created to protect sherry's consistency. The EU ruled in the 1990s that all EU nations must recognize that Sherry only comes from this region of Spain. Today visitors to Jerez can visit a number of the sherry "bodegas" or cellars to learn more about the different types of sherry and how they are made, and of course enjoy a sherry tasting.

Just a few bodegas you may want to visit - click on name to visit their website:

• Gonzalez Byass
• Sandeman Bodegas
• Bodegas Tio Pepe / Gonzalez Byass

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Cheers...Party Sangria

It's getting to be the perfect time of year for backyard gatherings with friends, family and more delicious barbecue than you could ever consume in one sitting. As you fire up the grill, don't forget the sangria. A internationally-loved specialty of Spain, sangria is one of the more refreshing warm month beverages around. Here's a recipe to make enough for your entire party.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (3 oz) sugar
• 1/3 cup brandy
• 1/3 cup Cointreau
• 1/3 cup of lemon-flavored vodka
• 1 small lemon, sliced crosswise
• 1 small orange, sliced crosswise
• 1 small lime, sliced crosswise
• 1 medium pear, diced
• 2 medium peach, peeled, pitted and sliced
• 2 cups (8 oz) sliced strawberries
• 1 bottle carbonated lemon-lime soda

Directions:

It's pretty easy. Just grab a pitcher and combine all the ingredients except the soda and strawberries.

Chill in the refrigerator overnight. Immediately before serving, stir the strawberries and lemon-lime soda. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Cheers...Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop

At this point, it's no secret that we at ILC are into wine culture. Today we've come across a great opportunity to pass on to our travel professional readers: The Wine Pleasures Wine Tourism Workshop. This event, taking place January 27-28, 2009 at the Port Sitges Resort in Barcelona, will bring together European wine providers and tour operators/travel agents at a unique event devoted to achieving results and growing international wine tourism in Europe.

The event draws a distinction with normal trade fairs and exhibitions as it takes place in a private environment that is perfect for one-on-one business meetings between wine providers (wineries, hotels, restaurants, cultural venues, etc.) and travel professionals. This is a great way to secure those important business relationships without having to travel all over the continent in search of the right people. For more information on International Wine Tourism Conference click here

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Cheers...Wines From Spain

We recently came across a comprehensive 144 page guide to Spanish wine. It's a great resource for everyone from beginners to connoisseurs and covers the entire nation.

Check out http://www.winesfromspainusa.com/.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.