Enobytes Wine Blog

The infamous Absinthe now appearing at a liquor store near you:
The green fairy came for a visit and I have to say I enjoyed her company. If you haven’t tried the real deal, go out and get yourself a bottle. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how smooth the anise flavored libation goes down. Read the rest of this entry »

As we returned home from our trip to California wine country, I was reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a place like the Willamette Valley and even though it was fun to see some old friends, and find some new favorites, it was great to get back home.

After being on the road for a while, it was relaxing to get into the kitchen. One of the things that make this area so fabulous is the availability of ingredients to make practically anything. I was thinking something Italian and had a dish in mind. So I pulled out and old favorite of mine, the Fattoria Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2005. I had not tasted this wine in a while and sort of swore off Sangiovese for a few months. It’s really a wonderful thing when you stay away from a particular varietal for a while and when you do try one, you find a fabulous wine that hits all the notes and impresses beyond your expectations. I got a little spoiled with a Sangiovese last year that I can no longer get so rather than be

disappointed, I’ve just not bought any for a while now and that included Chianti’s, not even an old favorite like Selvapiana.

Read the rest of this entry »

Are TSAs restrictions effecting the way you travel with wine? It’s a good question posed by Annie, one of our forum readers. “Getting wine from point A to point B has always been a bit of a challenge for air travelers. But since the liquid carry-on restrictions went into effect, it’s more difficult than ever”.

She is questioning the effects of these restrictions on people who travel with wine, whether it’s bringing a few bottles home from a wine country trip or taking a special bottle to a vacation destination. So what’s the scoop?

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Anyone that has traveled with their wine in hand has experienced some sort of problem along their route. Here are a few tips to consider when traveling by air, boat, train or bus.

If you are flying any time soon, be certain to read up on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Permitted and Prohibited items list. Rules seem to change often enough to require a quick review of the limitations before you travel. The 3-1-1 rule regulates carry-on liquids, and to date, the TSA will only allow each passenger a three ounce liquid limit (or less) stored neatly in a one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag. So if you have a 750 ml bottle of wine,

expect to pack it in your checked luggage or leave it at home. There is one exception to the rule: Items purchased after the checkpoint have been pre-screened and are allowed on the plane so if you want to pay the airport prices, you can carry your purchase onboard. Read the rest of this entry »

If you live in the Pacific Northwest and you love wine, why not find some
time to join in on the fun by visiting the wine country and sampling some of
the best wine Oregon and Washington has to offer. This traditional Thanksgiving
weekend is the oldest and largest event in the Pacific Northwest and visitors
come from miles to visit hundreds of wineries located throughout the Washington
and Oregon region. Read the rest of this entry »

For all those who travel on business and don’t take advantage of the wineries to visit in your destination cities, this column is for you. There are several good reasons beyond your own selfish needs that make visiting any available winery within reach during your business travel advisable and in some cases even necessary and I will list the top ten now… Read the rest of this entry »