Wine and Food Pairings Archives

Wine Tourism Review: Dimora Cottanera on the slopes of Etna

This is a retreat where Sicilian authenticity meets understated luxury – vineyard views, an infinity pool that spills into the landscape, and gardens perfumed with exotic flowers, lavender and citrus.

Lunch by the pool was all about simplicity and elegance: seasonal dishes paired with Cottanera’s Etna Bianco.

As the sun set, the Winter Restaurant revealed its magic. We savoured the essence of Sicilian cuisine – simple, elegant flavours paired with Cottanera wines, against a stunning backdrop of mountains with their vineyards glowing in the evening light and soft mountain breezes.

This one-night stay felt like entering a different rhythm of life – where time lingers, and every detail invited me to savour the moment… final article to follow on ……www.liz-palmer.com

For further details on Dimora Cottanera https://dimoracottanera.com/

Etna Days 2025: A Landmark Edition

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the Etna Days 2025 “Welcome Presentation” and “Technical Tasting” where an extraordinary lineup of Etna DOC wines and producers set the tone for what promises to be a landmark edition.

“The energy and diversity of wines from Mount Etna are simply remarkable.” Liz Palmer

Etna Days 2025 takes place from September 18 to 20 with 90 wineries presenting over 500 labels to over 70 journalists, educators, and trade professionals to celebrate one of the world’s most dynamic terroirs: a living mosaic of lava-stone terraces, ungrafted vines, extreme altitudes, and endlessly shifting microclimates.

Promoted by the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Etna DOC, the event is designed to showcase the extraordinary identity of Etna wines, the very summit of Sicily’s qualitative pyramid.

Anchored at the Picciolo Golf Resort in Castiglione di Sicilia, the program unfolds with guided tours, immersive masterclasses, and a grand walk-around tasting featuring all 500 labels. This evening’s “Gala Dinner” will unite producers, winemakers, and international jurors of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a testament to the denomination’s growing global prestige.

As Francesco Cambria, President of the Consorzio, emphasizes: “Etna Days is not only about wines—it is about the cultural and identity value of a collective heritage. Each bottle tells a story that intertwines resilience, memory, and vision.”

Etna is more than a vineyard. It is a living laboratory of biodiversity and sustainability, where indigenous varieties such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante thrive on ancient terraces carved from volcanic stone. This heroic viticulture has become emblematic of Sicily’s ability to preserve tradition while forging an avant-garde path on the world stage.

With the collaboration of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the presence of over 70 international journalists and educators, Etna Days 2025 confirms the denomination’s stature as a global benchmark. Beyond wine, the ambition is holistic: to weave together hospitality, gastronomy, and cultural heritage into a sustainable model of growth for the territory.
For further details: https://consorzioetnadoc.com/en-US/home

Alto Adige Wine Summit 2025: Expanding Horizons and Strengthening Global Influence

The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines has successfully concluded the Alto Adige Wine Summit 2025, marking its most ambitious and internationally resonant edition to date. Held biennially, the summit serves as the preeminent platform for positioning Alto Adige as a dynamic contributor to the global wine dialogue, uniting international trade media, sommeliers, wine merchants, and hospitality professionals.

For the first time in its history, the summit extended its program by two additional days, reflecting its growing scope and influence. From September 4 to 8, a total of 82 delegates from thirteen countries immersed themselves in the cultural and viticultural fabric of Alto Adige. Participants engaged in exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, in-depth tastings, and direct exchanges with local winegrowers and producers, thereby gaining a comprehensive understanding of the region’s unique terroirs and winemaking traditions.

The summit’s opening sessions introduced international wine journalists and opinion leaders to the region’s viticultural identity, while the expanded program specifically targeted sommeliers, wine merchants, and hospitality professionals. This deliberate broadening of audiences reflects Alto Adige’s strategic aim of deepening its global market presence and strengthening cross-sector partnerships.

A major highlight was the large-scale tasting hosted at NOI Techpark in Bolzano, which presented 365 wines from 100 producers. This unprecedented showcase provided delegates with a singular opportunity to appreciate the breadth, quality, and stylistic diversity of Alto Adige’s contemporary wine production.

The strong representation of U.S. media reinforced Alto Adige’s rising prominence in the American market, its most dynamic export destination.

With its expanded scope, the Alto Adige Wine Summit 2025 has further cemented its role as a global reference point for promoting wine culture, trade dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange, strengthening Alto Adige’s position within the evolving landscape of international wine.

The Best Hotel Wine Cellars in North America according to MICHELIN Guide

Wine has long been intertwined with the art of hospitality, yet a select number of hotels elevate the experience to the highest level by curating world-class cellars that rival esteemed restaurants and private collections. According to MICHELIN Guide, these properties redefine the concept of luxury lodging, offering immersive oenological journeys that appeal to both seasoned connoisseurs and aspiring enthusiasts.

At these destinations, wine is not simply an accompaniment to a fine meal; it is the foundation of the entire stay. Guests may encounter sommeliers who serve as personal guides, expansive cellars that read like encyclopedias of viticulture, and opportunities to pair rest with rare vintages.

From California’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon estates to the refined lakeside retreats of Québec, these hotels embody the essence of wine tourism in North America. They serve as cultural crossroads, blending terroir, tradition, and innovation into an experience that extends beyond the bottle.

Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, California

This Two-MICHELIN-Key resort looks and feels like a posh summer home. It’s fitting then that Caruso’s isn’t just a MICHELIN-Starred and Green Star restaurant with an ocean view—it’s also home to one of Southern California’s most extravagant wine cellars, stocked with 22,000+ bottles and a serious Burgundy collection. The sommelier team is armed with rare verticals and white gloves, and you’ll find that most guests here dress for dinner, even if they’re just heading downstairs, or opting to enjoy from their suite. Also located at Rosewood Miramar Beach? AMA Sushi with edomae-style sushi, available à la carte or as an omakase.

Rosewood Miramar Beach Wine Cellar, Napa Valley, California

A 15,000-bottle cellar. Lunch overlooking the Rutherford vines. And a wine list that reads like the Napa Valley Book of Genesis. This Three-MICHELIN-Key resort with a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant of the same name doesn’t shout — it purrs, in silky Bordeaux and well-structured Chardonnay. Whether you’re toasting at the bar or reclining in a vineyard-view suite, every sip is a reminder that heaven might just be spelled C-A-B.

SingleThread Inn, Sonoma, California

SingleThread is a unicorn; it’s a Three-MICHELIN-Key hotel with a Three-MICHELIN-Star and Green Star restaurant tucked inside. Here in this culinary sanctuary, dinner unfolds like a symphony, and the wine pairings are its most delicate movement. Located in California’s Wine Country, the inn’s cellar is both impressive and intimate; designed not just to dazzle, but to deepen your understanding of the bottle in front of you. Expect somm-led education, rare local vintages and a breakfast that might just come with a splash of Pét-Nat.

The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado

Come for the snow, stay for the Pinot Noir. The One-MICHELIN-Key Little Nell may be best known for ski-in, ski-out luxury and its Element 47 restaurant, but oenophiles know it for its award–winning wine cellar: over 20,000 bottles deep, with verticals that rival some European royalty. Prefer your wine with altitude? Book a sommelier-led ski tour, complete with slope-side sabrage. Yes, really.

The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, D.C.

This spot is in a sleepy little town outside of Washington, D.C., but just happens to be home to the region’s only Three-MICHELIN-Star and Green Star restaurant. The dining room is like a Versailles fever dream, and the wine cellar could double as a museum. At Patrick O’Connell’s countryside fantasy, the wine program is an experience unto itself, with deep French and American verticals, pairing flights that border on spiritual and tours that feel like a pilgrimage. You’ll sleep well—but not before a Château d’Yquem nightcap.

Post Hotel & Spa, Lake Louise, Canada

You’ll come for the glacial views and stay for the cellar, which spans more than 22,000 bottles. Discover rare vintages, winemaker dinners and private tastings—all housed in this MICHELIN-Key alpine lodge. It’s the kind of place where après-ski means Amarone, and the wine cellar is deeper than the snowpack.

Manoir Hovey, Québec

Québec’s most refined country escape comes with a serious side of vin. The Two-MICHELIN-Key Manoir Hovey houses a 15,000-bottle cellar and leans proudly into local pairings, offering Québécois wines you won’t find at your downtown wine bar. Book a table at Le Hatley for fine dining or Le Tap Room for a more casual setting. It’s as much about terroir as it is about taste—and yes, there’s foie gras involved.

As wine tourism continues to flourish globally, the MICHELIN Guide’s recognition of these hotels underscores a growing trend: travellers no longer seek only a destination, but a holistic experience that marries luxury, culture, and vinous discovery.

Source: MICHELIN Guide

Emirates Elevates Luxury Inflight Experience with Dom Pérignon Rosé Champagne in First Class

Emirates has further strengthened its reputation for offering one of the world’s most exclusive inflight wine and champagne selections by introducing Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2009 to its first-class menu. This distinguished cuvée will be available for a limited time across all Emirates routes departing from Dubai.

The airline maintains exclusive global rights to serve Dom Pérignon Champagne onboard, including the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 and the Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 2006, which already feature prominently on its first class offering.

Emirates has invested more than USD 1 billion into its wine program over the past 16 years, with its dedicated wine cellar in France currently holding a remarkable 6.5 million bottles. This long-term commitment underscores the carrier’s dedication to curating a refined and unparalleled gastronomic experience in the skies.

Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009

Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009 is crafted with a higher proportion of Pinot Noir than its classic counterpart, is renowned for its intense color, bold structure, and layered complexity. Emirates describes it as embodying the richness of a “generous growing season,” with tasting notes highlighting a bouquet of rose petals, orange oil, and saffron, followed by vibrant flavors of raspberry, cherry, cassis, and fig, deepened by undertones of liquorice and gingerbread.

By adding this celebrated vintage to its portfolio, Emirates reinforces its position as a leader in luxury air travel, where fine wine and Champagne form an integral part of the passenger experience.