Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay
2009
Santa Lucia Highlands

“Movin’ to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches…” And this wine has a lot of them. The taste is fruity with tropical notes, no surprise coming from a bouquet like that. This wine is a walk through the tropical forest with a bit of acidity to keep you from relaxing too much. A trip to Hawaii in your own living room, anyone? $22.

Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
2008
Santa Lucia Highlands

Feelin’ peachy? Still? With an wonderfully aromatic nose, this oaked wine is a pleasant balcony sipper. Pineapple and coconut suggest a waterfront view. Sip it alone or serve with toasted almonds to snack on or if you’re in the mood for a meal, go for a light salad to compliment this calming wine. $32.

Conundrum – California White Wine (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat)
2009
California

Honeysuckle and rhubarb greet the nose. A bit on the sweeter side, this zesty and very floral wine would pair well with spicy Asian food. Keep this in mind for your next round of Thai takeout. Unless you like off-dry wines on the sweeter side, you won’t be drinking this alone. $22.

Meiomi – Pinot Noir
2009
Sonoma/Monterey/Santa Barbara

Strawberry and plumb jam, this Pinot has a very fruity nose. A standard Pinot Noir with suggestions of earthy forest floor, it’s actually a bit on the spicy side (hello clove!) and ever so slightly smoky. This easy and smooth sipper is perfect for a stand-up and mingle wine social. Or, pair it with pizza night. $22.

Belle Glos – Pinot Noir
2009
Santa Maria Valley

Fall is here which means winter is getting closer. A bit jammy (strawberry, cherry), this Pinot has hints of spicy oak and even reminds me of cinnamon boiling on the hearth (oh childhood memories!), Get in the holiday spirit and enjoy this with a rack of lamb or filet mignon. Worth $44? No. It’s what we like to call “overpriced.”

Caymus – Cabernet Sauvignon
2008
Napa Valley

So far, the best wine tonight! It’s smooth, not too alcoholic or acidic, and has an overall sense of balance. Toasted oak, white pepper, and creme de cassis – not to mention subtle coffee and vanilla – mmm… a true Cab! Invite the best and only the best to enjoy this vino. At $68 you’ll have to decide whether your potential guests have been naughty or nice.

(Sample Wines)

Now open in London is the NEW Assouline Culture Lounge at The Halkin.  The hotel’s lobby bar has been transformed to showcase some of Assouline’s most iconic coffee table books, including collections in fashion, art, photography, travel, architecture, and design.  The Halkin has long been one of the city’s best-kept secrets, nestled among the stately Georgian facades of Belgravia, minutes from Harrods.  Passersby now have the perfect place to stop for a midday or evening break. While enjoying signature cocktails and other light bites, they can peruse the beautiful books and other antiquities on display.  To bring the literature to life, the lounge will host a series of events with selected authors later this year.

We love the new concepts. Can’t wait to stop by and grab a glass of wine… and unwind after a Harrods shopping spree.

Ready to get off the beaten tourist track on your next Hawaiian adventure? Continental/United Airlines has just made it that much easier with a new non-stop flight to Hilo on the Big Island.

Instead of flying into Kona International Airport and driving 2.5 hours to Hilo, there will be daily direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). A huge timesaver!

It all begins June 9th, so start booking your tickets now.

What makes Hilo so appealing?

Instead of grand five-start resorts, you can expect quaint inns, bed & breakfasts, family-friendly hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. People love Hilo for its unique natural beauty. Just look at the photos:

Waipio Valley, from the Waipio Valley Overlook. Located about an hour north of Hilo, it’s one of the spectacular highlights on the Hilo-Hamakua Heritage Corridor. Credit: Bob Coello/BIVB

Kilauea volcano’s lava pouring into the ocean last year. Credit: Tor Johnson/HTA

Buckets of exotic tropical flowers at the Hilo Farmers Market. Credit: Bob Coello/BIVB.

Halemaumau Crater in Kilauea volcano…home to Hawaii’s volcano goddess Pele. As seen from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Credit: www.bluewaterjon.com

The Big Island Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is only 40 minutes from Hilo International Airport, and one of five national parks on the island. Yes, the Big Island is that big.

This shot shows one of several waterfalls at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens in Hilo. Credit: Bob Coello/BIVB

Now are you ready to visit Hilo?

Masút Vineyard & Winery owner Jacob Fetzer is a third generation winemaker who grew up on his family’s Fetzer Vineyards. No stranger to organic farming, Jake continues the practice today on his certified organic vineyard. Jake and his brother Ben take a very hands-on approach when it comes to winemaking, a skill demonstrated and modeled by their father, the late Bobby Fetzer.

This legacy of love and respect for the land coupled with healthy farming practices has paid off enormously because the Fetzer brothers have somehow managed to translate and infuse these values into each bottle of wine:

Relaxing with Masút Vineyard and Winery’s 2009 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir brings us back to what we’d imagine drinking wine with our great-grandparents would be like. There’s something about their Pinot Noir that evokes the feelings of refined, classy elegance.

This ruby red, well-balanced Pinot Noir from Mendocino offers a full-palate experience that’s so smooth, you’ll barely notice the tannins. With flavors of blackberry and black cherry jam, this wine wouldn’t be a Pinot Noir without that hint of earthiness. This elegant wine has been aged in French oak barrels for 10 months to give it a kiss of cocoa on the finish. It’s a great wine for drinking now either alone or with food.

Although this wine comes with a $40 price tag, it’s one of the few times I’d say IT’S WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Natalie! She’s…

Congratulations to Natalie who just won the Sony Cyber-shot WX9! We used Random.org to select the winner and her winning comment is:

Fave destination? That I’ve been to? Paris.

But on my “I know this will be a favorite” list is Greece or Italy.

Natalie is the amazing woman behind The Bobby Pin, a blog about everything and anything. A firm believer that “that life is best lived when you have a plane ticket in your hand,” Natalie always has a camera in hand whether she’s jet setting around the world, cooking, or showing off her latest bargains. The Bobby Pin is the wonderful blog that it is because of Natalie’s natural gift for the written word and an eye for beautiful photography. We have no doubt the camera will be put to good use.

We can’t wait to see your Sony Cyber-shot WX9 picture and hear what you think about it! Keep us posted.