Episode 179: I Know What You Drank Last Summer – Trave
ls & Tastes
From Porto to Spain to the French Alps, this week is all about the beverage (and food!) finds from Steph’s recent travels in Europe. Menorca was the #W25Challenge treasure of the trip. We thought you all would be interested to learn about Steph’s special spirited summer and bring you along for the delicious ride.
In the Glasses (4:00)
Steph: White Port and Tonic (1-to-2 parts) with lemon wedge – the most common drink throughout Portugal.
Val: 2015 Assobio by Esporão,Douro DOC, Portugal. Touriga Nacional (40%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Touriga Franca (30%)
Heirbas liqueur by Xioriguer. No one knows what’s in it, but Steph brought it back for Val to try because she’s cool and thoughtful like that.
Steph’s Spirited Summer Sipping Session (4:00)
We are thanking you in advance for the opportunity to share these travel stories, as many of our listeners love to travel and often ask us for our two cents! So pour a glass, sip, click, and come along with us.
Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal (5:18)
Why not stop in Portugal? This was motivated by our interview with Adrian Bridge from Taylor-Fladgate back in Episode 154. You may want to revisit this delicious episode to see why Steph was so inspired to add this brief stop to her trip. You’ll be glad you did; she was glad she did.
Adrian mentioned the Yeatman hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia at the end of the interview, so, listeners, Steph made it happen on the way to Spain. Tell us more!
The hotel is actually part of Taylor Fladgate and is located across the street from the Taylor’s tasting room and museum. Everything about the hotel was special – from the heart-stopping views of Porto from nearly every room in the hotel, to the stunning artwork, sophisticated bar with live Portuguese music, and even a pillow menu in the room. It was high class all the way.
The Porto experience!
Besides the views, the best part about Steph’s time at the Yeatman was the “Gastronomic Experience” at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant inside the hotel. “The dining experience had seven courses listed on the menu, but Justin and I counted and took pictures of 12 courses! Everything was paired with Portuguese wine. It was out-of-this-world and the best dining experience in my life – this far!”
They also spent five hours touring Taylor’s next door. It is a lovely place to visit with a museum, rose garden, roaming peacocks, views, etc. She recommends giving yourself at least three hours or more. Of course wines were tasted, but the highlight was the customized tasting with Croft Pink and the 2016 Vintage Ports from Taylor, Croft and Fonseca. Learn more about these wines from Episode 154.
Port pointers
The 2016 Vintage Ports are not on the market yet. But Steph got some cute advice from tasting guide, Sky, that applies to all to all Vintage Ports. She says to think of Vintage Port as a person … and “avoid opening it when it is a teenager.”
Another bit of knowledge Sky passed-on was that Croft is considered to have the best vineyards in the region.
Finally, before 1986 the government supplied all the brandy (neutral spirit) to the Port houses for their fortification. It was the same brandy for everyone and there was no choice in the matter. Now, since 1986, the Port houses can choose their own.
Menorca, Spain (15:40)
The rest of the Europe trip was less about wine, but Steph visited one beautiful winery, Binifadet, on the island of Menorca. The island isn’t a huge producer of wine, so it wasn’t the main focus. They make sparkling, white, rosé and red wines, and Steph highly recommends their restaurant – which serves beautiful food on a stunning patio overlooking the vineyards. Also, if you have the chance, take the tour.
All in for Gin!
What’s more important on Menorca though is the Gin.
Mahón Gin is made from wine grapes and is the only gin produced on the island of Menorca. Also, Mahón Gin is the only geographically designated (PGI) gin in the world!
The only distillery on the island producing this super special gin is Xoriguer. You can buy their gin in the US and all over the world.
However, they also make a rainbow of other flavored liqueurs. The two she brought back to Colorado were featured in Episode 175, Licor de Manzanilla, and the Heirbas.
Chamonix, France (21:23)
You may think that all we do is eat and drink when we travel. OK, you’d be mostly correct. That’s part of experiencing culture, and so yes, that’s why we do it.
Steph recommended the fine dining restaurant Atmosphere if anyone visits Chamonix and the Hotel l’Heliopic (views from the rooms, craft cocktails in the bar, spa, location, etc.). She also had a killer Mezcal cocktail at a funky place called the Monkey Bar.
A return to Savoie armed with some wine/winery recommendations, and possibly pre-arranged appointments are a must!
Wino Radar (23:34)
- Sunday September 30th is International Podcast Day and we thought it would be fun if Wine Two Five listeners participated in “Show Your Swag” by wearing your Wine Two Five button or T shirt, or using your govino glass, or get creative. Maybe take a screenshot of how you regularly listen to the show. Share on social media and be a part of the celebration. Help us raise awareness for International Podcast Day (IPD)!
- Head’s Up – International Sherry Week is October 8-14th. Go to https://www.sherry.wine/sherryweek to learn more about it. We LOVE Sherry!!!
- AND we have a special surprise coming up… that our Patrons will hear (and see) first! Stay tuned for that 😉
Shoutouts from Steph (25:45)
- Victoria “Tori” Domenico who set up my appointments in Porto
- Chris Forbes – Export Sales Manager for Taylor Fladgate
- Sky – our tasting room guide at Taylor’s
- Chef Ricardo Costa at The Yeatman
- Nuno at À Bolina restaurant and Eric Menchen who recommended it
- Jana – from Gin Xoriguer Distillery
- Raj – from Glass Revolution who set up my appointment at the Gin Xoriguer
WTSO is our Podcast Sponsor! (26:45)
Wines Til Sold Out is wine at the best price online, one at a time, til sold out. They have free shipping options and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Meanwhile, our listeners have their very own listener page at: weeklytasting.com/W25 to sign up and get started! Or just go to our web page and click on the link to get started!
Big Patreon Love (27:30)
Thank you to our patrons who support us on our Patreon crowdfunding platform!
“Riserva Superiore Supporter”
- Robin from Girls Gone Grape
“Riserva Supporter”
- Antti in Georgia!
“TENacious Tasters”
- Jeff E from the award-winning We Like Drinking podcast
- Sebastian of Sassi Italy Tours
- Jen in Maryland (and the world, according to her Instagram feed)
- David and Lisa in Illinois
- Ann Marie in Virginia
- Lynn from France and the Savor the Harvest blog
We have to give a shoutout to Lynn, because she’s been a long-time supporter of the show. She’s become a wine friend, and you may recognize her from the W25 Community page, as well as Episode 70, where we talked to her about moving to France and answered more Burning Wine Questions!. You may also recognize her from her regular appearance in some Twitter chats such as #Winophiles and #ItalianFWT. In a way, this episode was done with her in mind, as she and some other listeners mentioned they were thinking of visiting Porto in the near future. Cheers, Lynn! We’re so glad to know you!
“It’s not five o’clock and we don’t care” Listeners
- Meg in South Dakota
- Clay in Arizona
- In California – Jon, Andrew, Aswani, & Kristen
- Chantel in Ontario, Canada
- Mary Lou in Pennsylvania
- Cathie in Georgia
- In Colorado – Chris and Janet, Diane
- In Illinois – Steve, Renee
- Cathey in Tennessee
- In North Carolina – Ashley & Sarah
- Sean in Ohio
“Tastemaker Listeners”
- David in Scotland
- Carole in Kentucky
- Karen in California
- Chip & Karen in Pennsylvania
- Danielle
- Sirena in New York
- Annie in Colorado
Our Patreon page has details www.patreon.com/winetwofivepodcast on how to be entered into our monthly giveaway, receive exclusive content and swag.
Connect (28:45)
Between each weekly chat you can find us on the social spaces @WineTwoFive, and play in our private FaceBook group called Wine Two Five Community!
Connect with Val on Twitter @WineGalUnboxed and everywhere else as @VinoWithVal.
Steph is in all the social spaces as @TheWineHeroine.
Also, find us on the My Wine Society App.
