Looking for a different way to have fun? Leave the driving to somebody else, and try a wine-tasting tour in a hired limousine.

You and your friends can enjoy all the luxury amenities of today’s modern limousine. Now sit back and relax, while sipping tasty wines and leaving the driving to a limo professional.

California is known around the world for its vast number of world-class wineries. But don’t be surprised, if you don’t have  a boutique or even major winery near where you live.

Many smaller wineries feature wines from grapes that are well suited to that particular area’s soil and climate. What better way to discover those winery gems but by taking a limo tour. Invite your friends and visit these establishments. Discover local flavors and enjoy an entertaining way to spend a day.

Hiring a limousine to arrange our wine tasting tour adds a touch of class and sophistication to the outing. Your guests will be free to sample various wines, and not worry about getting a little tipsy or more importantly, going over the legal drinking limit.

Today’s modern limousines offer an extensive variety of amenities. Most include beverage bars, complimentary drinks, as well as audio and video entertainment for your enjoyment, as you drive from place to place.

Most vineyards use trained tour guides and knowledgeable wine connoisseurs to assist your wine tasting experience. Call ahead to see what each winery offers. Wineries do serve breads and crackers to help cleanse the palate between tasting samples.

Many will offer fruit, cheese and nut platters as well. Larger wineries have on-site restaurants offering from quaint to a fine dining experience.

Remember to do your research to maximize your outing. call ahead to determine what wineries you want to visit. Educating your guests with information about each winery will add a taste of etiquette your guests will appreciate.

Another idea is to create a wine evaluation sheet that you hand out to each member of your party. They can write down their wine tasting thoughts and opinions during each stop. Sharing these comments with others is both informational and entertaining.

So what are you waiting for. Plan out your trip, invite your guests and enjoy a memorable trip you will not soon forget.

You take a vacation to a tropical paradise like Hawaii but so many people spend all their time researching where to stay and finding the best resorts.

If you are planning to visit the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui, and need to learn about the best restaurants Maui has to offer, then this new book is for you.

The 2010 Top Maui Restaurants book is the latest version, written by Molly and James Jacobson.

Anybody who has traveled knows how difficult it is to find a nice restaurant. We all have our own budgets and preferences. The 2010 Top Maui Restaurants restaurant guide has them all covered.

Don’t be fooled by other inferior tour books that write short reviews. They’re too generic and often way off the mark.

The 2010 Top Maui Restaurants restaurant guide is a must have for any visitor to Maui.

Whether you prefer romantic waterfront dining, a quiet lunch over looking a tropical garden, or a memorable sunset dinner, you’ll find it all in this “must-have” Maui restaurant guide.

The book is in paperback form and covers 248 pages. Married couple James and Molly Jacobson are respected food journalists and dine out approximately eleven time a week.

The Jacobson’s primary goal is to present a fair and well balanced review of Maui’s restaurants.

Previous versions of this highly acclaimed book have been read by tens of thousands of satisfied readers.

In the new 2010 edition, you will discover:
* The best romantic restaurants that worth your money.
* Discover the hot spots where the locals eat.
* Inexpensive restaurants offering the best value.
* A handy reference to help you find the dining nationality you desire.

There are detailed reviews for almost 200 Maui restaurants, which represents about half of all restaurants on Maui.

Each restaurant review contains a table with the restaurant’s address, location, types of meals served, hours, parking, phone number, and website.

The authors use a graphical “Star” rating system (from 1 to 5 stars) that makes it very simple to quickly identify how a particular restaurants ranks. There are five major categories (Food, Ambiance, Service, Love and value) along with an Overall Star rating.

Another nice feature is an iconic representation of the restaurant’s Cost, Amenities and type of payment accepted.

I like the variety of restaurants reviewed, in addition to the balance of the writers’ opinions. Another important fact is each restaurant in the guide, has been personally reviewed at least twice, and most either three or more times.

In summary, the 2010 Top Maui Restaurants book offers readers excellent overviews and detailed reviews of the various cuisines of the Hawaiian island of Maui.

So don’t take a chance with a bad meal at some over-hyped restaurant. Trust the personal expertise of Molly and James Jacobson. It could very well be the best money you ever spend.

Purchase your copy now:

Courtesy of: Dos Lunas

The margarita is most popular cocktail in the U.S. What better way to celebrate the tasty drink than to party it up on “Margarita Day”, held annually on February 22.

Premium tequila maker Dos Lunas Tequila is encouraging everybody (above legal drinking age of course) to sit back and enjoy a delicious Dos Lunas Margarita.

Although here are other legacy accounts, the original Margarita recipe was invented in the Ciudad Juarez-El Paso region (where Dos Lunas is headquartered) on July 4, 1942 by Francisco “Pancho” Morales.

At the time, Francisco Morales was a bartender at a bar named Tommy’s Place. This is according to The Old Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide (a book that professional and home bartenders alike call the “Bible of Booze”).

Morales improvised the drink after a customer ordered a Magnolia, which was a drink recipe that Pancho was not familiar with. Morales only knew that the cocktail contained Cointreau.

The drink’s popularity immediately grew after Morales, who was an instructor at the local bartender’s school, began teaching the Margarita recipe to his students. The name Margarita is Spanish for “daisy.”

The original Margarita recipe is very simple. Start with 2 parts silver tequila, 1 part Triple Sec, and 1 part fresh lime juice). Like most cocktails, there are numerous variations out there but tequila lovers enjoy them all. variations of this delicious recipe. Happy Margarita Day!

Here is a healthy, modern version of an excellent classic recipe for a Dos Agaves Margarita (makes 1 Margarita)

– 1/2 ounce Agave Nectar (available at your local grocery or health food store)
– 2 ounces Dos Lunas Reposado Tequila, all natural and made from 100 percent Blue Agave
– 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine Dos Lunas Reposado Tequila, agave nectar and lime juice. Shake the mixture vigorously, and finally strain into a glass.

Dos Lunas Tequila was launched in 2006 and produces a line of award-winning ultra-premium handcrafted tequila made from 100% of the finest Blue Agave. Each Dos Lunas product is bottled and filled by hand: Dos Lunas Silver ($36.99), Dos Lunas Reposado ($44.99), Dos Lunas Anejo ($49.99), and Dos Lunas Grand Reserve ($2,500).

Dos Lunas Tequila is headquartered in El Paso, TX, and their tequila is all-natural and chemical free. Dos Lunas is also 100% pesticide free and is available in over 25 states in the United States and Canada.

For more information, please visit www.doslunas.com or call (866) DE-AGAVE

Courtesy of: Philip Stein

Created by the luxury watch brand, Philip Stein, the Wine Wand helps aerate red wine almost instantaneously! The Wine Wand comes in a travel size as well as full size.

“If it aint broke don’t fix it” is a good rule of thumb when it comes to many things. Red wine, while amazing on its own, could reach an ever higher standard of flavor with the magical touch of a Philip Stein Wine Wand.

The company, traditionally known for creating watches that relieve stress and help people maintain a general healthier well-being, introduces the breakthrough device which uses natural energy to aerate wine, enhancing flavors and aroma almost instantly.

Epicureans have taught to let the wine breath close to an hour before consumption. The wand works within 2-3 minutes in a glass and 5 minutes in a bottle or decanter, which living in the instant gratification world of today could satisfy even the most impatient.

The elegant wand with encapsulated glass jewels uses natural frequencies and allows the full bouquet and taste of wine to be enjoyed within minutes.

The Wine Wand makes for a great travel companion, coming in a mini size – perfect for a glass; it retails for $325 and comes in a bevy of colors. For a dinner party bring the full size version, retailing for $525 and pictured above.

TY KU presents a wide variety of spirits, including Premium Liqueur, Premium Sake, Ultra Premium Sake, and Soju.

TY KU is a hit amongst celebrity including: Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gisele Bündchen, Bon Jovi, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Simpson, John Mayer, Rosario Dawson, Ne-Yo, and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

It seems everybody’s watching their calorie intake these days. Here’s a comparison of TY KU Soju vs. Vodka
* 40% fewer calories with a lighter, smoother taste—perfect for skinny cocktails
* Natural flavor catalyst instead of vodka’s added flavors and sugars.

TY KU’s delicious spirits are made with age-old ingredients combined with a unique modern flavor profile and striking, sexy package. TY KU blends Eastern tradition and Western ingenuity, embracing the company’s Mantra of “Respect Tradition, Embrace Tomorrow.”

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, here are some specialty TY KU cocktails just for Valentine’s Day. Even better, these tasty cocktails are each under 100 calories … so drink up!

Burning Love
1.5 oz. TY KU Sake
Cinnamon Hearts
93 Calories

Ginger Crush
1.5 TY KU sake
2 oz. Diet Ginger Ale
Ginger Snap Cookie
85 Calories

Will You Be My TY-tini?
1.5oz TY KU Liqueur
1.5oz TY KU Soju
Squeeze of Lime
Splash of Diet Sprite
94 Calories

Melt My Heart Mojito
1.5 oz. TY KU Liqueur
1 oz. Diet Sprite
Squeeze of Lemon
Squeeze of Orange
81 Calories

For many years, fine wine has been a satisfying and enjoyable complement to a lovely meal at a restaurant.

Wine tasting in a restaurant is a very rich and rewarding experience. Once you have made your wine selection, there are a number of steps involved in properly tasting the wine that will make the wine tasting experience even more pleasurable.

1) Smell the Cork: Detecting the aroma from the cork will tell how well the wine has been taken care of. Once the cork has been removed from the bottle, examine it to make sure it is not dry, cracked, or has mold growing from it. If the cork is dry on both ends, this means that oxygenation took place which affects the taste. If everything looks good, (one end containing wine and the other end dry) smell the end of the cork that contains wine. It should not have any unusual aroma such as a musty or sharp smell.

2) Smell the Wine: Pour a small amount of wine in a glass. (No more than few ounces in a glass) Hold your glass and gently swirl it around. This will cause the wine’s aroma to be released. Raise the glass to your nose and breathe in. Take a few seconds to get a sense of the aroma. Detecting distinct flavors tells you that the wine is good. If you detect any musty odors or a vinegar type odor, the wine has likely gone bad. When you smell the wine, make a note of any distinct aromas. For instance, white wines can have such aromas as flowers, grapefruit, peaches, apples, and other citrus. Red wines can smell like prunes, raspberries, cherries, etc.

3) Tasting the Wine: Take a small sip of the wine. Breathe in as you sip the wine so that you get the full aroma. Do not swallow the wine right away. Move it around a bit in your mouth to get all of the flavors. Note how long the taste stays in your mouth after swallowing. As well, note how it feels and tastes in your mouth. Is it acidic, fruity, or have a strong alcohol taste? Or, do the flavors blend well together and leave a nice flavor in the mouth that is not too weak or strong? Note if your mouth feels like it is drying out or if it feel refreshed. As well, is the texture of the wine smooth and silky or is it harsh and fizzy.

When ordering wine with your meal, always select wine based on you and your guests’ personal tastes. When choosing a wine with a particular meal, most people follow the general rule: “white wine with lighter foods and red wine with heavier foods.”

It is important to select a wine that you will enjoy, regardless of what you are eating. If you are unsure of what to select, your server will be able to offer some helpful tips.

Learning to smell and taste wine, including the characteristics of a fine wine, will go long way to ensuring you made the right wine selection.

Wine is a wonderful and satisfying complement to a meal at any restaurant. Knowing how to properly taste the wine will make the dining experience even more satisfying.

For a very long time, Italy has always occupied a place of pride in the ancient European culture due to various reasons and one of them is the Italian cheeses.

Although Italy has never really ranked among the best dairy industries in the world, the country’s Italian cheeses have always enjoyed a high status in the world in terms of quality and variety.

Italian cheeses have been a part of the rich cultural heritage of the nation when they were relished by the famous Julius Caesar, devoured by the invincible Roman armies and served as important constituents of many of the traditional dishes.

The most popular culinary delights which are associated with Italy are the pizzas and the lasagna preparations both of which make use of the legendary mozzarella cheese. This cheese is white in color since it is a product of buffalo’s milk and its soft and chewy texture is one of the main reasons for the immense popularity of the dishes in which it is used.

The region of Lombardy in Italy boasts of having given the world its only blue cheese named gorgonzola in form of two main varieties namely gorgonzola mountain and gorgonzola dolce. While the former serves as an accompaniment for white wines, soups and stews due to its sharp flavor, the latter is served with fruits and desserts because it is comparatively sweeter. The special feature of this cheese is that it is mild when it is young and becomes progressively sharper in taste as it becomes older.

Mascarpone is a rich, creamy and mild-flavored Italian cheese which is often used as a replacement for whipped cream in many dessert preparations likes cake, rolls and pastries not only in Italy but throughout the world.

Grated parmesan cheese or sliced parmesan cheese is a well known delicacy all over the world and it happens to be a full flavored Italian cheese which has been matured for two-three years. This cheese is distinguished from others due to its hard rind and cheese gourmets claim that it tastes best when it is absolutely fresh.

The Scamorza is distinct among all the Italian cheeses because of its shape which it acquires during its maturation. This cheese is prepared by hanging the fresh and unpasteurized cow’s milk by a string and it is usually served with fruits.

The Pecorino is the only one among the Italian cheeses which is prepared from ewe’s milk and therefore salty to taste. This cheese comes in a number of varieties namely the Pecorino Romano, the Pecorino Toscano, the Pecorino Sardo and the Pecorino Siciliano and it is served as an accompaniment with desserts after having gained maturity.

Italian cheeses have been an inevitable part of the country’s tradition and one particular variety which surpasses others in this regard is the Grana Padano. The main characteristics of this cheese are that it is prepared from unpasteurized milk, is pale yellow in color, is surrounded by a thick natural rind which is smooth as well as hard to touch and tastes like a pineapple.

We tug open the temple like doors to Restaurant Guy Savoy and find the chef’s son, Franck Savoy, waiting on the other side with an enthusiastic greeting.

Like most big-name toques with Vegas restaurants, Guy Savoy visits only a few times a year, but his son moved here to oversee the restaurant.

The dining room of Restaurant Guy Savoy is minimalist luxe, almost like a gallery, with modern art and tables spaced for privacy but not isolation. It provides a rich juxtaposition to the food, which is a lush amalgam of consummate French techniques with contemporary flourishes.

Artichoke and black truffle soup, a Guy Savoy classic, satisfies as much from its heady aroma as its surprisingly delicate flavor, given the assertive nature of the ingredients. Crispy sea bass is also rapturously fragrant: Vanilla and ginger envelop the fish in a tango of sweet scents.

Accompaniments prove nearly as extraordinary as the dishes. Our server takes pains to explain the characteristics of each option on the champagne cart.

Types of breads are matched to featured seafood and meats: lemon confit bread for the sea bass; a chestnut variation for a course featuring foie gras with glazed chestnuts; bacon for poussin with fingerling potatoes and chanterelle mushrooms.

Wine pairings, particularly a toasty 1990 Henriot Champagne with black truffle risotto, marry poetically with the food.

I dined at Guy Savoy the night before Joël Robuchon, and honestly wondered how the latter could trump the former. It did, but only by a nose. In my version of the Michelin rankings, based on one meal, Guy Savoy hovers within close reach of the coveted three-star rating.

A confession (and a consideration when you’re counting your winnings): Both meals at Joël Robuchon and Guy Savoy reached into four digits. Were both worth it? For sworn food lovers, yes. If you’re feeling flush but not quite that gilded, consider the next two restaurants.

Augustus Tower, Caesars Palace,
3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South;
(877) 346-4642  Restaurant Guy Savoy

Article by: Bill Addison Restaurant Critic – Dallasnews.com

The Moyer Foundation, founded by MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen, are joining together with The Mario Batali Foundation to present their “Super Bowl Super Brunch” on Saturday, February 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Viceroy Hotel in Miami.

This exclusive brunch with tickets priced at $1,000 will be hosted by the Moyers and world-renowned chef Mario Batali, with honorary celebrity co-chairs – comedian Jimmy Fallon, legendary musician Jimmy Buffett and Chef Emeril Lagasse – along with guests including professional athletes and sports personalities.

The afternoon will include a gourmet brunch designed by Batali, wine & specialty cocktails, cooking demonstrations by Batali & Lagasse, live entertainment and a silent auction.

Proceeds from the special event will benefit The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin(tm) program and The Mario Batali Foundation.

Camp Erin was created in 2002 by The Moyer Foundation, founded by World series champion and MLB All-star pitcher, Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen.

The Mario Batali Foundation was launched in 2008 and was established to feed, protect, educate and empower children, encouraging them to dream big while providing them with the necessary tools toi become an active force for change in today’s world.

For more information got to the Moyer Foundation or contact Katie Hamilton (206) 298-1217

Chateau Petrus is probably the world’s most famous and most coveted fine wine. The fine wines of Pomerol have never actually been classified, and Château Pétrus is therefore considered an Unclassified Growth.

The official name is Chateau Petrus but even its label refers to it as simply “Petrus.”

The small vineyards (only 12 hectares) are planted with an approximate split of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged for twenty-two months in new oak barrels.

The vineyard’s grapes are usually harvested early and left to mature slowly. Extremely fruity, suggestions of berries, vanilla, mocha, and oak emanate from its rich purple robe. The wine’s finish is something to wait for as it slowly caresses the waiting palate.

The 1998 Pétrus Pomerol is a deep red colour and has a highly concentrated nose with notes of plum and black truffle. Upon swirling, it releases rich aromas of mocha. Concentration, balance and complexity are inseparable qualities of the 1998 Pétrus.

Good acidity matched with a tannin structure that is elegant but still slightly closed confirm the quality of the vintage and the skill of its master vintners. Dark fruit and a slight touch of pepper are integral to the persistent finish.

This particular Merlot was actually one of the favorite wines at the White House during the Kennedy years. Petrus Pomerol 1998 is a truly exquisite vintage and it should reach true maturity after the year 2012.

Petrus Pomerol 1998 sells for about $1,459 per bottle.

It’s no secret that HINT is the drink of choice for many celebrities. Take a “Hint” from many celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Blake Lively and Jennifer Love Hewitt who sip HINT Flavored Water to quench their thirst without the carbs, calories, sugar or sodium.

With thirteen delicious flavors, this simple, healthy, light and delicious beverage is a great way to start off a new year … including to help take care of that hangover! Additional celebrity fans include: Kellan Lutz, Miley Cyrus, Lauren Conrad and so many more!

HINT was launched in 2005 and was developed in response to the growing onslaught of sugary juices and sodas.

The driving force behind Hint is Kara Goldin who is both the founder and CEO. Kara is a mother of four and her initial purpose was to develop a refreshing, unsweetened and no calorie beverage to give to her own family.

The Hint slogan is – “Drink Water, Not Sugar.” The primary message is quite simple, offer a great tasting water without all the unnecessary additives.

Kara Goldin stated, “Hint is changing the beverage environment by demonstrating that ‘all natural’ and ‘best tasting’ go hand in hand.”

Goldin continued, “It’s all about simple great tasting choices. Consumers are tired of complicated functional claims and they don’t want to worry about preservatives and other artificial ingredients. They want a simple drink that tastes good.”

The fresh taste of HINT water helps drinkers stay hydrated and healthy, while helping avoid the empty calories and over abundance of sodium in today’s many diet drinks.

At the recent Jingle Ball 2009 concert hosted by Z100 in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on December 11th, many of the performers were enjoying their favorite flavor of HINT backstage.

For more information and where to purchase, go to HINT