All Posts related to ‘On the Road…’

Shanghai Impressions: A little about Lafite-mania and the rise of chinese wines


Lafite bottles at Frankfurt Airport Duty Free

When talking about China and wine, “Château Lafite” is an inevitable topic, such big is the hype about this famous Pauillac estate. Some say the success of this Château in particular is linked to its uncomplicated name compared to other Bordeaux Chateaux’; it has a brand-name-quality to it which probably also helped making it the ultimate gift in China. Everyone receiving a bottle of Lafite as a gift would instantly recognize its value . Read the rest of this entry »

Napa Wine Bar and Kitchen in Shanghai – A mansion for Wine-Dining

Napa Wine Bar and Kitchen Front

What might look a bit like a haunted mansion within the high rise buildings of Shanghai, actually is a very charming old Tudor house and represents a beautiful setting for wine and food.

For our last dinner in Shanghai I went online and made some research about what the Shanghai fine dining scene has to offer. There are a few branches of international 3 star chefs (The Pourcel twins and Boulud) which I suspected might only be less good copies of the originals. Then there are those much talked about hip restaurants such as “Mr. and Mrs Bund”, which might actually be worth a shot, but also bear a big risk for disappointment. But we wanted none of these, and rather picked a restaurant with a wine theme that seemed to offer a reasonable package: Napa Wine Bar and Kitchen. Read the rest of this entry »

“Din Tai Fung” Restaurant in Shanghai – Dim Sum Galore!

Din Tai Fung Bamboo Basket

Admittedly, Din Tai Fun is a chain restaurant with branches all over Asia and even in Los Angeles and Seattle, and so in general it represents nothing that would put the epicure mind in a spontaneous state of excitement. But on the other hand it rather is an upscale kind of chain and the food just tastes so delicious that I have to post about our dinner there. Din Tai Fun is specialized in the preparation of Dim Sum, these steemed dumplings and buns that are part of Cantonese cuisine and that have this intrinsic yumminess which doesn’t need much description. So from here on we’ll nearly keep it to food-porn level. Oh, and thanks a lot, Laurence, for having taken us there (Not her first influence on this blog -she once took us to Lei Garden Restaurant in Singapore)! Read the rest of this entry »

Hunan cuisine at “Di Shui Dong” Restaurant in Shanghai

Di Shui Dong Restaurant

Now back to our Shanghai-trip that actually just ended a week ago and still is pretty fresh in my memory. Many of the activities there were been taking care of by our hosts, but I still had a small list of recommendations compiled by my friend Toby (Thanks again!). One of those was Di Shui Dong Restaurant within the French concession, a popular place both among locals and expats, famous for its spicy and aromatic Hunan cuisine. We entered the locality for lunchtime on day one. Read the rest of this entry »

Weekend Escape to Sardinia

Thanks to Ryanair, a spontaneous weekend getaway to Sardinia isn’t so much out of reach. There are several connections from Continental Europe serving the charming city Alghero on the West-side of the island, and with a little bit of luck with timing one might be able to get those cheap seats. Then, a few hours of hardiness during the trip and you’re already in sunny Sardinia. Read the rest of this entry »

Categories: Italy,On the Road...

Bocksbeutel in Südafrika

IMG_6806

Und wieder was aus den südafrikanischen Weinregalen. Was mag der fränkische Purist wohl denken, wenn er dort einen Bocksbeutel mit der Aufschrift Grünberger Freudenlese erspäht? Eins sei gesagt: Es handelt sich dabei keineswegs um deutsche Billigplörre die feilgeboten wird, sondern um südafrikanische. Noch dazu süsse Plörre die aus Sauvignon Blanc und Gewürztraminer gebraut wird. Also dann, auf das Image des Bocksbeutels, Prost!

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