Mar 28, 2013

When in Rome, Alpi Hotel

Rome is an amazing city. Period! There are ruins on top of ruins that are on top of ruins. For those who are up to walk (a lot) it is a never ending discovery of things to see. We had a recommendation to stay at Hotel Alpi.

The Hotel Alpi is a family owned hotel that is in a quiet area of town two blocks from Termini Station. Most people would probably need the bus pass (relatively inexpensive) as its about a mile and a half to two miles from the Collosem / Forum area. It's a bit closer to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish steps but still a good twenty minutes. Of course, these areas are not on the same path but are two different legs of the triangle. Most of the sights need to be visited twice. Once at night and again during the day to really appreciate them. The city seems very safe day or night and other than wandering street vendors trying to sell you junk souvenirs and the like offers no cause for concern. Buses are everywhere but be aware that at commuting times they will be packed. Literally!

The Hotel Alpi is a cute boutique style Hotel which is part if its charm and also part of its quirkiness. Koalas shower was so small and oddly shaped if you dropped the soap it was never to be used during that shower again. The elevator was almost exactly the size of a British phone booth and up a flight of stairs to get to it, then often down a flight to get to your room. Now with Kiwi's room you also had to get on a second elevator after all that as well.


The quirks aside, the rooms were clean and comfortable and it was a pleasant stay. The staff were very helpful and just as importantly, the breakfast was substantial.


The location worked well for us, mostly because it really is at one end of everything which allowed for a continuous loop of sightseeing. If you stay in the middle you need to go both ways to see things. Termini station gives you a lot of options as well. We found that out as we experienced the Rome subway to the Vatican that it is something to behold.
We spent very little time other than sleeping at the Alpi but we give it a 'Good, would go back'.

Cheers,
WineWalkabout





Mar 26, 2013

Rome and RomeCabs






We waited what seemed like a eternity for our bags. The last half dozen or so to come off the plane. Somehow this always seems to happen. Ah, but to be able to walk out of the airport without going thru customs again was a pleasant surprise (TSA take note). Although not as pleasant as the next hour is so would be with RomeCabs. Always wanted to be greeted at the airport by a guy with a sign. Actually a hot lady in a chauffeurs hat, but we digress. As we exited the terminal there was our sign welcoming us and a luggage trolley to relieve us of our bags. Even with wheelie bags it was nice. We were in the new comfortable Mercedes van in less than three minutes and quickly and fuss free heading towards Rome.


Our driver and mini tour guide, Sergio, was pleasant articulate very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm and passion for his city. Oh the things we saw and the stories we heard. Sergio even showed us the way to drink from the Rome drinking fountains.
Between surviving Rome's roundabouts that are 4 lanes wide with no lane lines and the locals habit of using every possible driving surface to get around, being in the capable hands of an experienced Rome driver made what could have been a nightmare into an Adventure. Having just flown in from California we can not think of a better arrival process than to have RomeCabs pick you up and give you a overview of Rome on the way to your Hotel. We would not hesitate to try some of their other services based on our experiences both arriving and being returned to the airport a few days later. A truly wonderful experience of just the right length to kick of your stay in Rome. An absolute 'recommend' and maybe a 'Must Do' for first timers like us. Check THIS out...

Happy Adventures,
Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala






Mar 24, 2013

Italy Adventure Starts with KLM



Bubbles Wine Bar Schiphol Airport
The start of a journey or Adventure can often set the tone. At least for a while. It's important then that it be a good experience to start off with. Kiwi and Koala were leaving SFO with KLM airlines to Rome with one layover in Amsterdam. Flying aboard their MD-11 was comfortable and pleasant. Couple of hints. If you're flying on one of these it's a 3,3,3 seating layout so traveling with 4 is a bit awkward but no dramas. Arriving at our seats and getting settled was something we wish someone had been filming. First off we had booked and preprinted boarding passes with seats A thru D. Not one of us double checked our seating assignments when after luggage checkin we received new boarding passes. Now we were D thru G. As luck would have it the D ticket holder boarded first and was sent down the first isle and being the smart assets (thanks auto correct) we are, we just told the cabin crew that we were with them and followed. Well that puts most of us on the wrong side of the plane. Then the, who sits next to who fiasco starts, we literally did two 360 degree turnabouts as we each sat in each and every seat and moved bags in the overheads to match. Massive comic relief to our cabin attendant. He was certain we had arrived at the airport on a very short bus. Wine served was a 2011 and 2012 Terra Andina Cabernet - Merlot from Chile in a 375 ml screw cap bottle 2012 already you ask? Yes and maybe that may help explain the lack of character. Not a bad drop but not one that would lead you to overindulge and maybe that's the plan. Food was decent and a little surprise of ice cream in the middle of the night / flight was nice. Overall a very nice flight.
A couple hour layover in Amsterdam was put to good use with a cappuccino to start and a bottle of French wine (because we could) at the lovely Bubbles Wine Bar Not a bad airport to have to burn a few hours. Leg two to Rome was handled by Alitalia for KLpM and was on an Airbus A-320. Other than the incessant chatter of the 30 or so over excited high school kids on the Rome leg another good flight. After what seemed like an eternity our bags showed up and to our pleasant surprise our exit from the airport did not involve any security or customs checks! Our new best friend Sergio from Rome Cabs was there to whisk us away to Rome to begin our Italy Adventure for real. All in all KLM gets a 'good' rating from us and we would definitely choose again.


Cheers,
WineWalkabout
Kiwi & Koala

This was not an isloated experience. Read: KLM Part Deux



Mar 15, 2013

WineWalkabouts WW

Having spent some time with the people of Yalumba recently, any time we find some of their wine at a local wine shop it's hard not to buy some. With 2013's quest to find affordable wines in the **** range more often the WW this week is a Y series Yalumba Shiraz Viognier. This is a great wine for this price range or a price range more than twice what was paid. Lovely purple color and nice clarity, it's easy drinking with dark berries, most notably blueberries and a touch of sweetness that is subtle and hard to put your finger on (Yalumba says Turkish delight) and a nice soft finish. This is a good wine to share and is easily paired with a variety of meat and pasta dishes. A solid 6 and **** this Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier is a bloody good drop so go get yourself some!


Happy Tasting Adventures,
Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala


Mar 12, 2013

Paso Robles Wandering, Villa San-Juliette



Being in Paso Robles one cannot miss an opportunity to taste some local wine. No really, you just should not fight the inevitable. The area has a plethora of good and great wines to experience, and with so many to get through, one you miss is the one you may never get to.  With that in mind, a visit to the East side and off to the north for a change of pace was the choice. Technically in San Miguel it was later discovered, the venue was Villa San-Juliette. It has a spectacular facility that is perhaps even a little intimidating. But not to worry, as it really is just wine.
Driving through the gates and up to the Villa is a transporting experience, taking you from the back roads of rural Paso Robles / San Miguel and into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. The facility is positioned on the top of a rolling hill and overlooks the surrounding vineyards in grand style. The Tuscan style tasting room was just opened this last October 2012 and it is truly beautiful.

Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick (successful TV producers), purchased the vineyard in 2005 and originally named the winery Villa San Michelle.  Taking note that there was another “Michelle” in the wine industry, Ken and Nigel stood among their vines and put their creative juices to work to rename the winery.  In the final draw, the winery was named for Ken’s lovely wife, Julie, and thus was born Villa San-Juliette. While rookies in the wine business, their business savvy and ability to build a successful team appears to have them on the right track. The dream was born during a trip Nigel took to Napa Valley. Ken caught the fever and the journey then began to find a vineyard to bring the dream to fruition. While a bumpy road to their dream they stuck to it and have see it start to blossom.
With two lines wine for sale, an Estate label and a more cost approachable line called Fat Monk. The boys will be going back to take a closer look at the Fat Monk label among other things as the “We call it the Tuesday-Wednesday wine” has our attention.

The tasting of the Estate line was a very pleasant experience expertly handled by Leanne. All the wines were very shareable and one in particular was not only very nice to drink but had an exceptional price point. The bottle purchase of the taste was the Signature Blend ‘Chorus”. At a 7 and **** it was too good a value not to buy. All the wines tasted were well worth trying and were very nice. You will undoubtedly find a few new favorites. Villa San-Juliette also offers a nice selection of Small Bites daily to enhance your wine tasting experience. These small bites are prepared with the wines in mind as they seek to bring out the subtleties of the wines. A nice touch particularly when it’s a ways to a restaurant.


While this was a quick stop and tasting, we would look forward to going back and talking with some of the folks behind the scenes as this has all the potential of becoming a destination winery in the area.

This winery and its wines get a ‘Recommend’ from us. Go on by and check it out and let them know we sent you.

Happy Tasting Adventures,
Cheers,
WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala


Mar 10, 2013

The Kiwi and Koalas WW



Recently, the gift of wine was bestowed upon us by an individual, who knowing of our interest in wine wanted to share one of his favorites from his home town area in Amador County. The bottle of his choosing was a lovely Estate bottled 2008 Zinfandel from Convergence Vineyards. This 2008 Estate Zinfandel from Convergence was voted ‘Best Zinfandel’ in The Sierra Foothills and received 2 Gold Medals at the Calaveras Wine Competition. Not bad, and as it was enjoyed with dinner it reminded us of just how enjoyable a good Zinfandel can be.
To quote their description: Brambly blackberry fruit mixes with smoky spice for a classically styled Zinfandel. A big rich mouth feel and bracing acidity assures years of age-ability. “Life would be hell without Zinfandel”.
With our rating of a 7 and a price point that has it only $1 off being a **** wine this is a great WW drinker. We will definitely be looking to this area for some more nice surprises and in particular from Convergence Vineyards.

Happy Tasting Adventures,
Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Mar 2, 2013

Walkabout Clare Valley, Greg Cooley Wines




View of part of the Clare Valley.
It just happened that on this blustery Wednesday while driving through the Clare Valley the boys had an hour or so to kill before their next appointment. Located approximately 120km north of Adelaide, the region has more than 40 wineries including Skillogalee, Cardinham Estates, Annies Lane, Claymore Wines, Grossett Wines, Jim Barry Wines, Killikanoon, Kirrihill Wines, Knappstein Wines, Leasingham, Neagles Rock, Paulett Wines, Pikes, Reillys and Taylors. With all these options luck would have the boys looking left and pulling into Greg Cooley Wines.


A cozy little tasting room with a free standing wood burning fire giving off some magic warmth on a cold winters day and a tasting list that immediately got their attention. The list had all the usual suspects but also some not so usual and all had names that required questions. The wines are named after people who have been of influence to Greg over the years and their influence is as varied as the wine styles - from South Australian author Monica McInerney to his Greyhounds vet, Graham Beh! An interesting approach to naming wines for sure.Unfortunately, Greg was not on site during their visit but next time the boys will be looking to get more of the back story for you (and them) as it sounds like it may be very interesting.

A lovely young lady, we will call her “Lisa” (embarrassed we have lost our notes)was serving up the tastings and filling in the story of each one. She was well versed in the wines and holding her own with the boys verbal sparring. Staying on task with those two going at it would be a test of the best. The wines were delightful with a common theme of well balanced and approachable wines. None were over oaked and most were already to take to dinner. The Rehbein &Ryan’ Reserve Cabernet and the Bennet & Byrne' Reserve Shiraz were the take home bottles of the day. We will be back and next time plan ahead.

Greg Cooley wines not only gets a ‘Recommend” from us but recently received ‘5 STARS - JAMES HALLIDAY AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 2011 EDITION’.

Go by and have a taste. You will be glad you did.

Happy Adventures,

Cheers,
WineWalkabout
Kiwi & Koala