Italy’s Best Kept Wine Secret

            Located at the foot of the Alps, Franciacorta’s quality rivals that of Champagne

Don’t even think of uttering “Prosecco” because Franciacorta's bubbly is on a completely different planet.  Think of the Franciacorta wine district as the Lamborghini or Maserati of Italian sparkling wine.  In contrast, consider a well-made Prosecco the Fiat.  

Serious wine lovers know that the name Champagne by law can only be used if the wine is made in the geographical district east of Paris known as Champagne.  Cross the Alps into Italy and you’ll find Franciacorta's sparklers commanding equally high prices and delighting even the most experienced wine drinkers.   Producing elegant, complex sparkling wines with great depth and finish, Franciacorta is world-class and deserves its own category.

               The same grapes are used in Franciacorta as are used in the Champagne region

Made in the exact same labor-intensive process (aka expensive) as is used in the Champagne area, the Franciacorta sparkling wines can definitely compete on the world stage.  While both Franciacorta and Champagne use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, there are some interesting flavor facets due to their geographical differences and terroir.  For example, Franciacorta is mostly glacial soil, while Champagne is limestone. 

Just as terroir plays a significant role in aromas and flavors of non-bubble wines, it does so as well with sparklers.  One can expect some of the same classical notes in both Champagne and Franciacorta (think citrus, almond, along with flavors & aromas of toast, brioche & pastry due to their second fermentation in the bottle). Nuances between these two world-class sparkling wines are present.  Champagne is often austere, while Franciacorta offers riper fruit flavors and a softer mouthfeel.  In many ways I prefer Franciacorta because of this.

Ferghettina’s owner is President of the regional winemaker’s association.

Do you have one of the spaces on the sold-out 2026 autumn tour to Northern Italy?  If so, you’ll be guests at one of the premier makers of Franciacorta, Ferghettina.  We’ll be tasting a full lineup of these award-winning sparklers.

As December is a time for special celebrations, why not pop the cork of a Franciacorta?  (Fergettina comes to the US, and it’s striking hand-made bottle should be a hint of the quality bubbles inside.  Also, Ca del Bosco is another equally compelling Franciacorta.)  I’m betting your guests and you will amore both of these over-the-top bubblies, certain to impress even the most discerning of Champagne lovers at any time of the year, but especially during the festive holidays.

As they say in Franciacorta"Felici festivita," and in Champagne, "Joyeuses fetes." 

Vietnam’s Best Bites & Sips

The upcoming trip Wine-Knows will dine in this private residence owned by the Governor's descendants

The countdown is on for Vietnam….in roughly two months I’ll be enjoying one of the cuisines I most dearly love.  Not only is it one of the planet’s healthiest, but it is a gastronomic feast for all five senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste).  Below are my three favorite bites and two celestial sips from many previous Vietnamese trips.

Anthony Boudain went so far as to call this place's Bahn Mi the best bite in Vietnam

Bahn Mi

More than a decade ago (well before street food became a phenomenon) I watched Anthony Bourdain’s foodie show on Vietnam.  He nailed this much-loved street sandwich inspired by the French colonization: Pâté & grilled pork with layers of fresh veggies on a just-out-of-the-oven baguette.   Every trip I make a pilgrimage to his beloved food-truck.  But I'm not the only one....it’s become so popular that it now has a restaurant.

            Pronounced BAWN SAY YO, this Vietnamese combines the best of France & Vietnam

Bahn Xeo

This is another French-roots street food specialty, although it’s become so popular that many restaurants are now offering it.  Bahn xeo is a savory Vietnamese-fusion crepe.  Common fillings include prawns, pork & bean sprouts, and it’s served with a mélange of leafy greens & herbs on the side.  For eating, think of a taco:  the greens act as a mini tortilla with pieces of bahn xeo & herbs make up the filling.

           Vietnamese street food from a portable grill is served with the country's classic fish sauce 

Betel Nut Leaf Filled with Minced Beef

I’m not much of a red meat eater and either are the Vietnamese.  These miniature treats remind me of stuffed grape leaves on the outside, but the betel leaf version is much more complex.  Adding to the complexity is a plethora of fresh herbs in the stuffing, the unique flavors of the betel, along with the flavors added by grilling over wood.

                                  Tea is made from lotus leaves, flowers, roots and stems

Lotus Tea

I had the honor of going on my first trip to Vietnam with a friend from California who was born in Saigon.  One of her favorite things as a child was lotus tea.  It was love at first sip (actually first smell) for me.  Lotus tea has an intense but delicate floral aroma and an out of this world flavor.  

    According to Forbes Magazine, the owner of this coffee brand is one of the richest men in Vietnam

 Vietnamese Coffee

The French introduced coffee to Vietnam in the 1850’s.  Fast forward to 2025:  Vietnam is now the world’s second biggest exporter of coffee, second only to Brazil. 

I still remember my first sip in Hanoi of coffee and that was over a dozen years ago.  I was so impressed that I brought home >5 lbs with me, never dreaming I could buy it here.  Wrong!    Appears there are many lovers around the world of Vietnam’s coffee.  Vietnamese coffee offers chocolate nuances along nutty flavors.  Keep in mind I’m not a fan of flavored coffees, but this one is way different. 

Coming on Wine-Knows' sold-out February trip to Vietnam?  You'll experience all of these gastronomic delights and more!   Afterall, how could I visit Vietnam without revisiting my favorite bites and sips?

My 2 Favorite Bites of 6 Weeks in Europe

I just returned from a nearly six week food and wine extravaganza spanning five countries.  There were a plethora of outstanding dining venues such as private dinners in several Bordeaux Grand Cru Chateaux, a French two-star Michelin restaurant, and a galaxy of other special restaurants and wineries on Malta, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and even Poland.  Want to know my favorite bites? 

      Pistachio gelato & shreds of cooked filo cover the top, while the bottom is Dubai chocolate gelato 

My first earth-shaking bite was in Sicily.  Yes, we were near Mt. Etna, but that had nothing to do with the gastronomic shaking.  It began with one of my clients insisting that I have a bite of her dessert:  a Dubai chocolate and pistachio ice cream.  I declined twice, but on her third insistence (thank you, Sharon!), I relented.  One bite to appease her, right?   It was a seismic moment and I was tremoring with delight.  I love anything-pistachio, however, what in the world was this Dubai chocolate after-shock?

                         Dubai chocolate & pistachio ice-cream bars have become a food fad
 

Since returning to the US I have learned that Dubai chocolate is one of the hottest food items in the U.S.  Google it and you’ll have over 7 million results in a nano-second.  People can’t seem to get enough of it.  On the market for only 3-4 years, it comes in a variety of luxury bars (Whole Foods carries them and even Amazon offers dozens of types).   Dubai chocolate is laced with shreds of cooked filo dough giving it a great crunchy texture.  In between those layers is a rich pistachio-tahini cream.  Pair this with Sicily’s famous volcanic-soil-pistachios which have been infused into a rich pistachio gelato....well, its magnitude goes off the charts.

                 Amalfi lemons are a special variety that are significantly larger & more aromatic

My second undeniably magical bite was on the Amalfi Coast.  This drop-dead coastline has been declared by the United Nations as a World Heritage site.  If you’ve been there you know that lemons are the star of this coast’s gastronomic show.   Ceramic shops are filled with gorgeous lemon platters, bowls, and sets of endless lemon dishes.  Souvenir shops feature an array of lemon dish towels, lemon salt and pepper shakers, and even lemon clocks.  Every store seemingly carries the area's prized limoncello.

The Amalfi lemon has a special status awarded to it by the Italian government, and only lemons grown in the coast's special volcanic soil can be called Amalfi lemons.  Naturally, they command a much higher price than any other lemon.

                                                 Utter simplicity in a perfect bite

All the above said, it’s no wonder that my second most astonishing bite was made with Amalfi lemons.   It was simple beyond words…but so complex:  ravioli stuffed with ricotta infused with lemon zest, and topped with a superb olive oil from the area inoculated with the essence of lemons.   Now this was a World Heritage bite if I’ve ever had one.

Krakow: A True Jewel Box

               Dawn at Krakow's UNESCO World Heritage center square---said to be Europe's largest 

My extremely well-traveled German friends recommended I change my plans from visiting Warsaw to Krakow.  “It’s an untouched jewel-box, like no other city in Poland,” they exclaimed.  As I wanted to experience the Warsaw ghetto, I learned quickly that Krakow also has a Jewish ghetto---the added bonus was that it was close to Auschwitz, also on my bucket list.  When I realized it was also home to Schindler’s factory, that sealed the deal.   This was two years ago, and I’m now back in Krakow again.  That’s how compelling this town is.

                  Wawel Castle served as the home of Polish Kings & Queen for >500 years

My German friends were right in that Krakow is an eye-candy gem.  Even Rick Steves is also a staunch admirer: “Krakow is easily Poland’s best destination.”  Steves goes so far as to boast that it’s the real “next Prague.”  Once the capital of Poland (which was moved to Warsaw 400 years ago), Krakow still remains the country’s cultural and intellectual center.   The city is home to the country’s oldest university and the student vibe is pervasive.  Thought-provoking museums, countless art galleries, fabulous restaurants, >30 theaters, a fairytale castle, sprawling parks, and several Jewish heritage sights are just a few more of Krakow’s many charms.

                         Krakow's main square rivals St Marks in Venice for the most stunning.

On my first trip I stayed just off Krakow’s stunning main square, said to be the largest in all of Europe.  This buzzing area is the heart of the medieval city and has been awarded a the coveted World Heritage Site by the United Nations.  There’s something for everybody in this majestic town center:  breathtaking Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic landmarks including the incredible Town Hall Tower and St Mary’s Church, a plethora of outdoor cafes, atmospheric restaurants, and shops galore.      

   Jews were moved across the river from Kaimierz to a walled ghetto in the early 1940's

This trip, however, I’ve rented an apartment in the Jewish area, Kazimierz.   Before WWII, Krakow had one of the largest Jewish settlements in Poland with nearly 65,000 Jews.  There were 6 synagogues.  Only 10% of the Jews survived the war, a lot of them with the help of Oskar Schindler. 

     Pierogi (Poland's version of ravioli) accompanied a fabulous duck ragu & lovely Polish wines 

I visited Kazimierz on my last trip to dine in one of the top restaurants in Krakow.  I’ll never forget that meal (Michelin star quality), and I’ll never forget the feeling of this area.  Kazimierz is a special part of Krakow.  It looks different, it feels different.  The extraordinary atmosphere that the Jews left behind is palpable.   In fact, it was the Kazimierz district that Steven Spielberg chose to film many of the scenes for Schindler’s List.  Today, Kazimierz has become a poignant place of cultural significance.  Moreover, the Jewish area is now the heartbeat of Krakow’s foodie scene.  I plan to walk to the area’s best dining spots every night.

   This poignant square's oversized chairs memorialize the tens of thousands of Krakow Jews who died.

The former capital of Poland, Krakow was home to a line of many Polish Kings.  Today I toured for the first time the city’s former Castle which is now one of the country’s premier art museums.  A fortified landmark on a small hill overlooking the meandering Vistula River, the complex consists of numerous buildings of great national and historical independence including the Cathedral where Polish monarchs were crowned and buried.  In 1978 the entire hilltop was declared by the United Nations the first World Heritage site in Krakow.

                          The city is replete with atmospheric restaurants serving high QPR meals

Looking for a new very special travel destination?   Krakow is a treasure trove of rich Polish history, exquisite architecture, and profound WWII experiences.  Furthermore, it offers foodies superb culinary adventures at amazingly reasonable prices (and the country makes very good wine).  BTW: Krakow can be reached by air from most major cities in Europe.   

The World’s Most Famous Wine Society

                 The Jurade's harvest ceremony is one of the most impressive wine events in France

The year was 1199.  England controlled the Bordeaux region.  King John (the brother of Richard the Lionheart), commissioned the forming of a brotherhood of Bordeaux wine in in the medieval town of St Emilion, located across the river from the city of Bordeaux.  Known as the Jurade, this elite organization received special privileges from the English Crown.  In return, England was given the first rights to Bordeaux's wine. 

The Jurade was composed of St Emilion’s top winemakers.  The freedom provided to the wine brotherhood, allowed the Jurade to maintain rigorous quality control.  If the vintage was poor, winemakers were encouraged not to make wine that year.  Over 800 years later, the Jurade of St Emilion is still active.   Wine-Knows’ participants on the upcoming harvest festival tour to Bordeaux will be guests of the Jurade at their extravaganza private luncheon.

                       June Dunn, owner of Wine-Knows, became a member of the Jurade in 2016

On September 21, Wine-Knows will attend a private breakfast in St Emilion’s City Hall with the Mayor and members of the Jurade.  Dressed in long flowing theatrical red robes, the Jurade will depart city hall in unison and parade down the crowd-lined cobblestoned streets (with Wine-Knows marching right behind them in the procession).  This is one of the most important events in the Bordeaux wine district.  Photographers and television cameras abound.  Security is tight.

            The blessing for this year's vintage will be conducted in St Emilion's impressive church

The procession of the Jurade will continue all the way to St Emilion’s church where a mass for the blessing of the harvest will be held.   Next, the new members of the Jurade will be inducted in the Cardinal Palace's former medieval moat. Wine Knows will have seats to witness this impressive spectacle.  Then, Champagne & hors d'oeuvres will be served in the gardens of the moat while spectators & photographers watch from the above ramparts.

       The Jurade luncheon is a regal event that will long be remembered

The coup de etat, however, will be the private luncheon in one of St Emilion’s most famous palaces.  As June Dunn is a member of the Jurade, Wine-Knows will attend this once-in-a-lifetime event.   At the last Jurade lobster was the first course, foie gras the second, and the main was a tenderloin of beef.   Ten bottles of Premier Cru St Emilion adorned each table for 8 persons.  The lunch typically lasts for 3-4 hours.

A toast to the Jurade of Bordeaux!

 

 

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“Best Small City in the World” is in Mexico!

This artist colony even has a palette of approved colors to paint homes & businesses

Based on the magazine’s reader choices, travel behemoth Conde Nast has awarded charming San Miguel de Allende the “Best Small City in the World” five times in less than a decade.   Moreover, Travel & Leisure recently bestowed upon San Miguel de Allende the “Best City in the World” honor.  Indeed, San Miguel de Allende is used to receiving a plethora international accolades.  The United Nations, for example, granted this enchanting enclave of stunning architecture, bright candy-colored buildings, and a global food scene its special “World Heritage” cultural award (UNESCO).

                               This hacienda could easily be in Spain…but, it’s in downtown San Miguel!

San Miguel de Allende, established in the 16^th century during the height of the area’s silver-mining, is more reminiscent of Europe than the Americas.  The city’s Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets, ornate churches, and tree-shaded plazas remind most visitors of Spain.  Moreover, San Miguel has become a magnet for artists (Diego Rivera was born nearby), and this creative energy has been synergistic with the development of a foodie movement---which in turn, has given rise to a wine industry.  In unison, art, food and wine have created a cosmopolitan flair evocative of Seville or Cordoba.

San Miguel’s version of ceviche has ahi tuna, local avocado, tomato, corn & hearts of palm

Foodies will be enchanted with San Miguel de Allende.  As upmarket tourism is very important to the city’s economy, there are a mind-boggling number of dining venues:  everything from a restaurant with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, to food trucks.  The city’s gastronomic heartbeat is palpable.   

This recently retired physician teaches cooking using all local items…many from her garden

While fusion cuisine is popular (Mediterranean-Mexican, sushi meets taco, pizzas from wood-burning ovens featuring Mexican cheeses & toppings such as cactus), there are also terrific traditional restaurants serving dishes such as guacamole, green chicken enchiladas and chile verde.  Want to take a cooking class?  No problema, there are mucho good choices most nights of the week.   Culinary walking tour?  Ditto!  Popular walking tours for foodies include “Tequilas & Tacos,” as well as “Chocolate & Cobblestones.”

Are you in Spain?  Italy?  France?  Argentina?  No, it’s San Miguel Mexico!

The intense interest in gastronomy has given rise to a developing wine industry.  Dating back to the late 1990s – early 2000s, the region has grown & now has 25 wineries, with more on the drawing board.  Its high altitude (>6,000 feet) provides for hot days and cool evenings---a perfect climate for making complex wines.  International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are grown, as is Argentina’s famous Malbec & France's Semillon.

The public library’s ceilings & walls are works of notable art.

While San Miguel is a mecca for food and wine lovers, perhaps it is even more known for being a world-famous magnet for artists.  The city offers numerous universities and schools of art.   Modern painting and sculptures adorn everything from convents and churches to building exteriors and parks.   Even the humble public library is a tribute to the importance of art in this city.   

Wine-Knows was so impressed with San Miguel that it's offering a tour in April 2026.  The tour is completely sold out, but if you're interested in being placed on the waiting list, please contact us. 

San Miguel de Allende – Wine-Knows Travel

Sicily: a Wine Lover’s "Paradiso"

              Sicilia offers unknown varietals grown in volcanic soil with an abundance of sunshine

Goethe got it right in many ways:  “To see Italy without having seen Sicily, is not to have seen Italy at all.”   That is certainly true of Sicily’s cuisine, but it is just as true of the island’s treasure trove of well-crafted wines.  Sicily’s huge number of indigenous grapes are a wine lover’s dream.  Nowhere else in the world can an oenophile experience this plethora of little known grape varietals all located within one region.  

                     The Ancient Greeks called Sicily "Oenotria," meaning the land of the vine 

One of the biggest show-stoppers in Sicily is its wines made from indigenous grapes.  Sicily has been making wine for more than 3,000 years.  As an important crossroad on the Mediterranean for centuries, the island was visited by everyone including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Moors, French & Spaniards.  All brought grapevines with them.  More importantly, it boasts nearly ninety varieties of wine grapes not grown anywhere else on the planet.

     Mt Etna has a tremendous effect on Sicily's weather & grape growing

Adding to the attraction of Sicily’s wines is the unique terroir of the island, much of which is influenced by volcanoes on the island.  “Volcano wines” is a new international buzz word and Sicily is at the epicenter of these new sought after wines.  As most wine lovers know the soil in which grapes are grown is instrumental.  Mineral-rich volcanic soil imparts deep complexities into the wines.  Volcanos also dramatically effect the island’s weather.  All of this translates to lush, fruit-forward complex wines with a hint of minerality.  Simply put, Sicily’s wines are stunning and offer wine lovers exciting new adventures in their glass.

                                            Vineyards on Sicily are never far from the sea

Take a look at three of these only-in-Sicily-wine grapes whose wines have won an array of international awards:

• Carricante is Mt. Etna’s signature white grape which has been growing on the volcano's slopes for >1,000 years.  Its wines offer a full range of citrus flavors, as well as herbal notes such as mint and licorice.

•  Frapatto, a red grape, is low in tannins making it a perfect summer red.  If you like strawberries, you’ll enjoy this wine.

•  Nero d’Avola is the island's hallmark grape.  Often compared to Syrah, Nero is a dark red grape that creates bold dark cherry, plum & spice flavors. 

Fantasy Island?  Treasure Island?  Paradise Island?   For wine aficionados, Sicily is all of these and more.