A glass of wine

Last week I wrote about a good cup of coffee, and this week I wanted to take a moment to write about a sumptuous glass of wine.

While nothing may beat a good cup of coffee, there is something exciting and refreshing about an amazing glass of wine.  For me, the experience is often interlinked, and tremendously enhanced by, where I have the glass of wine and who I am with as we taste, sip, drink, throw back or throw out, the wine.

I have my favorite vineyards and tasting rooms - mostly in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand and the Napa Valley.  Both places hold wonderful memories and are very dear in my heart.  In Marlborough, Wither Hills is one of my favorite tasting rooms.  I enjoy their wine, however, it is their location and architecturally designed building that I LOVE.  As such, I make sure every time I am in Marlborough I take a drive to the Wither Hills property.

The photo above was taken by my dad on a trip when we were visiting family.  Wither Hills has a tower which guests can walk up with their glass of wine and look out over the valley - I love this view.

In October, while we had family visiting we went to Napa and had a couple of nice hours at both Mumm and Duckhorn.  Aside from the gorgeous weather, great champagne and wine, and tasting lessons from my sister-in-law (which was fantastic!), I loved the time spent with my family, the shared nature of tasting and the slowed down pace that comes with tasting wine.

I hadn't been to Duckhorn before, but I will certainly be going back.  The venue is stunning, gardens lovely and staff incredibly pleasant, friendly and accommodating.  It is simply one of the most relaxing places to sample wine - and their wines are fantastic to boot!

So, if you enjoy a glass of wine, be it at home after a long day, or at a dinner party with friends who make you laugh, take a moment to sit back and savor both the taste and the atmosphere that accompanies it, it is unique, precious, delicious and often, unforgettable.