History of the Margarita and a Recipe for a Classic Margarita Cocktail
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, Wines & Spirits Mexico
Happy National Margarita Day! The margarita cocktail is a bit like the Italian dessert tiramisú. There are many different stories for how it got invented and by whom! And there is not even consensus on how the name of the cocktail came about. One thing there is consensus on? That it is one of the world's most beloved and recognizable cocktails. So what is a margarita? It always includes three… Read
Post
Loire Valley Wine Tours with The International Kitchen
Filed Under Destination Features, Wines & Spirits France
What is there to see in the Loire Valley? Some of the world's most stunning chateaux, Renaissance art, verdant fields, and rolling vineyards. What is there to experience in the Loire Valley? Amazing wines and first class gastronomy! In fact, the Loire is known for having some of the best wines of France, even though it is perhaps less known by Americans than Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Champagne. Loire Valley wines… Read
Post
Italy Vacation Packages: Our Favorite Tuscany Trips
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips, Wines & Spirits Italy
At The International Kitchen, our Italy vacation packages are perfect ways to explore Italy, whether you think of yourself as a foodie or not. Our culinary trips are for private and small-group travel - no busses, no tourist traps, nothing but intimate and authentic foodie and cultural experiences. In a destination like Tuscany, where vacation packages can be overpriced and touristy, it's particularly important to have someone who knows the… Read
Post
La Maremma Toscana
Filed Under Destination Features, Wines & Spirits Italy
... Ma di lontano pace dicono al cuor le tue colline con le nebbie sfumanti e il verde piano ridente ne le pioggie mattutine. - Giosuè Carducci Tuscany is one of our best-selling destinations, which should be no surprise to anyone who knows anything at all about Italy. But to many people, Tuscany means Florence and the Chianti area, while they ignore the rest of the region. Some people do… Read
Post
Rose Wines
Filed Under Wines & Spirits France, Italy
What's a rose wine, and how does it get it's pink hue? First, as you (hopefully) realize, the dark color in red wines comes from the skins - when the grapes are crushed, the resulting "must" is left to macerate with the skins and seeds. For white wines, the skins are removed right away (or almost immediately), and for rose wines, the maceration is abbreviated, usually lasting one to three… Read
Post
Like Wine? We've Got the Trips for You
Filed Under Destination Features, Wines & Spirits France, Italy, USA
For those of you who can't think "vacation" without thinking "winery" - we've got you covered! Most of our itineraries take place in areas where wine production is a key part of the local gastronomic scene (although there are of course exceptions). If you are interested in doing a food and wine tour that focusses a little more heavily on wine, here are a few options for you to consider:… Read
Post