Blogs from Napa Valley, California, United States, North America

Do you drink red or white wine with cheese? Trick question—the answer is both! Both California reds and whites offer their own distinct benefits to your perfect match. Flavor, as well as acidity, tannin, texture, mouthfeel and aroma all come into play. So when it comes to pairing cheese with Paso Robles wine, you can’t go wrong. Paso’s premium, sun-ripened wines were born to be enjoyed with food. Looking for more cheese and wine pairing recommendations for beginners? Read on. What cheese goes with white wine? In general, soft, fresh cheeses are suitable for California’s crisp white wines, dry roses and sparkling vintages. Try serving a bright, crumbly Greek feta and tart chevre with a vibrant Paso Robles sauvignon blanc, as the floral notes in your glass pair nicely with the cheese’s piquant charm. Buttery chardonnay ... read more

Today we plan to hire bikes and cycle the Napa Valley Vine Trail. From the map, I had assumed it to be a ‘Dr Beeching’ style trail along a disused railway. In fact, the railway is still there and the trail is a tarmac strip which runs parallel to the track and the adjoining freeway. It’s not, therefore, as idyllically rural and scenic as I’d imagined, but it’s a pleasant 9 mile ride from Napa to Yountville in the morning sunshine. We reach the quaint little town of Yountville and stop for brunch amidst the tourists and Mamils at a café in a converted train. We take a wander along the high street, stopping to purchase the obligatory fridge magnet. Along the way, daughter no 1 manages to lose the card containing the combination number for ... read more

Regardless of the other great wine regions, like Lodi, Central Coast, and Temecula, California's famous Napa Valley remains number one in my heart. Why is that true? In 1968, the Napa County Board of Supervisors passed a landmark zoning ordinance that made Napa Valley the first Agricultural Preserve in the United States. The Ag Preserve, as it is known, mandated agriculture as the “highest and best” use of Napa Valley land. The effect of the ordinance was to severely restrict commercial development not directly related to agriculture. As visitors discover, with the exception of the small town of Napa itself, there are no strip malls or department store complexes in the valley proper. Instead, Napa Valley is home to 40,000+ acres of beautiful vineyards, and the picturesque rural landscape remains intact. As for the other possible ... read more

If you did not already know, the Napa Vine Trial is a 47-mile walking and cycling trail, linking Vallejo with Calistoga, basically the entire Napa Valley. I have ridden portions of this trail several times, There are still sections that need development. Background: In 2008, the Napa Valley Vintners, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Land Trust founded the Vine Trail Coalition. The Napa Valley Vine Trail will be a 47-mile walking & biking trail system to physically, artistically and culturally connect the entire Napa Valley from Calistoga to the Vallejo Ferry and the greater Bay Area.Beginning near the Ferry Terminal in historic Vallejo (thus linking with the greater Bay Area), the Vine Trail will continue north for 47 miles, through the world-renowned vineyards and towns of Napa Valley, to its northern gateway ... read more

Tan-fastic: Tannin in wine provides two things: structure and ageability. Found in the grape’s skins, seeds, and stems, tannin is a natural preservative. Red wines, with considerably more tannin than white, can thus age longer. Tannins belong to a class of complex compounds called phenols, powerful antioxidants. Some scientists believe that antioxidants offer a way to also slow fresh food spoilage by reacting with chemicals that cause oxidation. Paul Kilmartin, a professor of wine chemistry at New Zealand’s University of Auckland, discovered that plastics impregnated during the manufacturing process with discarded grape solids retained the tannin's antioxidant benefits. Testing their effect on packaging for various edible oils, Kilmartin was able to extend the oil’s shelf life up to 30%. Yes, thirty three of the world’s ... read more