Ever since bringing liquids in your carry-on baggage became a misdemeanor, taking some wine back from your vacation has been quite a pain. Your options? Down the bottles before you hit security (no need for Xanax!), take the chance of packing them in your suitcase where breakage and spillage are very real possibilities or ship 'em home. Or consider the WineSkin.

The WineSkin is no engineering feat. It's basically just a big bubble wrap envelope shaped like a wine bottle. It has a dual-strip seal to keep any spillage from spilling over into your suitcase. However, a thin sheath of bubble wrap won't prevent breakage caused by overzealous baggage handlers. So while we like the idea of the WineSkin, we’d still want to wrap it in a shirt or two, just in case.]]> kjb 2009-04-28T12:01:46-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/21/162448/848

I recently got my hands on the new 2009 issue of Burgess Superyacht Living & Style Magazine, and I'm more convinced than ever that superyachting is for me. There's simply no more potent symbol of wealth, success, and conspicuous consumption than one of these 40-meter-plus luxe boats. A private jet is nice, but who's going to see it beyond a few people at the airport? An opulent mansion is a little more visible, but you can't force people to drive by your house to envy you (yet). With a superyacht, however, you can seek out the poor people (i.e. owners of "regular" yachts) whether they're in Monaco or Wildwood and slowly cruise by with a margarita in your hand, guaranteeing the admiration and jealousy of all who witness the spectacle. ]]> Victor Ozols 2009-02-21T16:24:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/7/183256/3436

Thousands of foodies will descend on the greater Miami area next month for the annual Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival, considered by many the biggest food event of the year, running February 19-22. But what to do in SoBe when you get tired of stalking Giada De Laurentiis, Rachael Ray and Emeril?]]> BS 2009-01-08T10:30:45-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/19/102558/57

To deal with holiday stress, some of us reach for the bottle. Turn stress-induced drinking into a learning experience with the Willamette Valley Wineries' Wine Country Thanksgiving.

Over a hundred wineries are throwing open their doors over the holiday weekend for wine snobs and "Sideways"-watching amateurs alike. How to choose? Check out the incentives some vineyards are offering: At Carabella Vineyard in Newberg, you can buy wine "futures" to get a great deal on next year's vintages along with this year's bottles; Stag Hollow Wines in Yamhill promises chocolate pairings with your vino.

Remember: Be safe and use a designated driver. Try sweetening the deal by offering to get them a Black Friday treasure like a Blu-Ray player!

Related Stories:
· Active Travel: Willamette National Forest [Jaunted]
· Portland Avalon Hotel and Spa: Don't Call the Town Car A Drunk Bus [HC]
· Set the Poker Table Instead of Mom's [Jaunted]
· Breathe! Restful Retreats At Home and Away [Jaunted]
· Thanksgiving coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: themarioblog]]]> egw 2008-11-19T13:00:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/1/95010/5191

Our Southern Africa embed Jill Nawrocki recently ducked out of Namibia for a field trip to South Africa.

Namibia is home to a handful of lagers and just one brand of wine, so I was excited to tour some of South Africa's vineyards and sample what the country had to offer. Kev--the go-to guy at our hostel for all things Cape Town--suggested Easy Rider Wine Tours.

At just R350 ($43) for a full-day trip to four different vineyards, including a delicious restaurant lunch, it was well within our budget. And plus, it sounded like a lot of fun.]]> Jaunted 2008-10-01T10:30:36-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/15/142412/755

Not all of us want to be clanking steins with our fellow men in Germany this fall: For the discriminating palate, why not visit the northeastern city of Logroño, Spain September 21-28 for the first fruits of the Rioja region?

The Festival of the Vendimia Riojana consecrates the wine produced by this temperate region that's also home to the Camino de Santiago. On September 21, the patron virgin is offered juice from the first harvested batch of grapes before it goes into bottles. Dancing, parades and cork-popping ensue!

And in case you miss the mellifluous sounds of polka, the German band Trachtenkapelle plays Monday, September 22. Just don't ask for the local beer.

Related Stories:
· Straight Lines Are for Losers [Jaunted]
· Tourism Board Travel: Cheap Wine in Philly [Jaunted]
· Wine Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of the Bodega de Herederos del Marqués de Riscal: tecnorrante]]]> egw 2008-09-15T15:05:28-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/3/133258/0264

Earlier this summer, we went wine tasting in New York's Finger Lakes region. Not all the wine we had was worth drinking, but these places deserve a stop.

Make sure to step over the cat when you walk into Chateau LaFayette Reneau. This winery, on the east side of Seneca Lake, keeps things rustic with its tasting room in a converted barn and its famous-for-Upstate feline mascot.

Like many vineyards in the area, Reneau levies a tasting fee of $4, but you'll get to keep the glass--and you get to try up to 12 wines. (Or more! On our recent stop, they let us sample all 20 offerings.)

After your epic flight of Rieslings and Chardonnays, stake out a spot on the back porch and unroll your picnic supplies. If you'd like to linger longer, there's also an inn on the property.

Related Stories:
· Chateau LaFayette Reneau [Official Site]
· Upstate New York Travel Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: FLWR]]]> pbb 2008-07-03T14:05:10-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/