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For an avid wine enthusiast, taking a winecation will be a truly unforgettable experience. With plenty of wine tasting opportunities, Michelin-quality cuisine, and the chance to explore incredibly beautiful areas of the world, here are some tips when it comes to planning a winecation.

Red and white wine glasses in a vineyard

Choosing a Destination
There are fabulous wine-producing regions all over the world, providing you with many winecation destinations to choose from. Two of California’s most popular wine regions are Sonoma and Napa, although the region of Paso Robles is just as beautiful, and has the added advantage of being less crowded. For those that are fans of Malbec, Central Argentina’s Mendoza Province is where to go, while the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France is the largest wine-producing area in the world. Another great destination to consider is the Piedmont region of Italy, with the most prolific grapes here being the barbera and nebbiolo. For those who want to travel further afield, Cloudy Bay, in the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand, produces some of the finest sauvignon blanc in the world and is surrounded by several other world-renowned wineries.

Create an Itinerary
Once you have chosen the destination for your winecation, it is time to begin putting together a list of all of the different wineries that you want to visit. Many wine regions have websites that are filled with useful information, from detailed descriptions of each winery to maps and planning guides, so be sure to make the most of these. There are also usually wine associations in each region that you can contact for extra advice and information on planning your winecation.

Woman eating in a restaurant

Eat Locally
When taking a winecation, you will notice that many of the wineries you visit boast their own local restaurants, making use of all of the fresh produce that is grown in their fertile land. Many of these restaurants focus on the finest gastronomy, pairing together elegant dishes with their extraordinary wines. Rather than visiting chain restaurants or establishments that target tourists, try to dine at as many local eateries as you can, as this will add an exciting element to your trip.

When to Travel
Although it slightly varies for different regions around the world, grape harvesting season usually falls somewhere between September and October, making these months the best time of the year to head off for your winecation. Not only will you be able to take part in the usual winery tours and tastings, but you will also be able to experience the different methods of harvesting grapes, and may even be able to help out.

No matter how well you may have planned your winecation, it is also important to be flexible at times, as you are likely to see many unexpected wine-related points of interest that are worth stopping off at. Do not forget to also leave yourself with some time to explore everything else that your destination has to offer, from its history to its culture, so that you leave your winecation with a rounded understanding of the many unique features that your destination likely has.

The food industry is constantly changing, and while industrialized fast food may have been the norm over the past few decades, this may not be the case for much longer. With the health and environmental concerns that are continuously being linked to fast, convenient foods, and the increased awareness that consumers now have in wanting to know exactly where their food has come from, more and more people are now shunning fast food options in favor of healthier options that focus on freshness and quality.

Farmers Markets
Ever since 1994, when the US Department of Agriculture began to keep records on farmers markets around the country, numbers have more than quadrupled, and there are now over 8000 registered farmers markets dotted around America. This trend is also being experienced in many other countries around the world, from Europe to Australia, with many people now preferring to buy their food directly from the farmer that has grown it. Of course, the goods on sale will be seasonal, and can be completely different depending on which region you are in, but with winter farmers markets now just as popular as the summer versions, it is definitely possible to have access to farm-fresh produce all year round.

Meal Planning and Delivery Subscriptions
Meal planning is essential for most households, and there are now subscription services available that make this even easier, doing away with the temptation to opt for a fast food meal on those late evenings when you do not much feel like cooking. These new companies allow customers to sign up for a weekly meal plan, after which the exact ingredients needed for each meal are delivered to the customer’s door. Not only does this make cooking healthy meals at home much more convenient, but it also does away with the need to shop at grocery stores, and reduces the amount of food wastage, since you are only sent exactly what you will need for the week.

Fresh and Seasonal Menus
With the increased demand from consumers wanting quality when they eat out at restaurants, a number of eateries are now creating seasonal menus, stocking their kitchens with fresh and local produce. This not only reduces food miles, but also expands awareness on the delicious ingredients that can be found locally. These restaurants can be found just about everywhere, ranging from high-end fine dining to casual café snacks.

Farm Co-ops
Small farms face a number of challenges when it comes to marketing and selling their produce, not only financially but also in terms of the range and quantity of produce that they can offer. This is where farm co-ops come in, a concept that has already seen plenty of success. Essentially, a farm co-op is a group of food producers that use combined efforts to sell their goods, sharing advertising costs and dividing up tasks between them. This makes it much easier for them to also sell to larger stores and supermarkets, as together they are much more likely to be able to meet the demands of these larger businesses.

The rise of fast food has led to the decline of local food traditions and cultures, and has severely altered the way in which consumers view food. Fortunately, it would seem as though the “slow food” movement is continuously gaining momentum, and once this has been embraced to a larger extent, we will soon be able to see improvements in the overall health of the general public, as well as that of the environment.

Tag Archives: Fresh Food

Planning Your Winecation

The Changing Scene of “Fast-Food”