I love the summer heat. It makes me thirsty. Really thirsty. I drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily--from the tap. I don't do mineral water anymore. I choose tap water, normally passed through my trusty old Brita filter. I have decided to avoid buying bottled...
Viva Santiago! Yay! Way to kick off the year, Chile. It filled my heart with joy on Sunday morning when I opened, okay clicked, the New York Times travel section to find my hometown holding down the lead spot of, “41 Places to Go in 2011”. Santiago described as...
The wind is howling. Gale force gusts moan and it sounds like a stampede on the roof. I peer through our hotel room window overlooking the icy Fjord of Last Hope. White-capped swells crash towards the rocky shore, jostling the fishing boats rhythmically....
As of late, I have gotten extremely philosophical when flying. I have attributed this partially to the period of my life, one of intense introspection and growth. Maybe it's the time of year, too. A New Year provokes reflection. But somehow, being suspended...
I will never forget my first Christmas in Chile. The Mercury registered 32 C (94 F) at 2pm. Here I sat, alone, feeling like it was the Fourth of July. All the festivities had happened the previous night. Presents, late night multi-course dinner, undisclosed...
Being in the loop of what's happening on the forefront of luxe wine lodges front here in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, I was recently commissioned to write this piece for LAN Airlines brand new IN Wines magazine. It's available on board for all you lucky folks...
I am back on the ground in Chile after a whirlwind "tour" promoting our culinary & wine tours business and Emiliana Orgánico wines with TV in Florida, cooking classes & wine pairings at Central Market in Texas, and wrapping up everything with the most...
When my editor from Placeres magazine proposed the theme "Grand Destinations" for the travel issue, he wanted to know where I would go to eat and buy food. I immediately began to take a mental inventory of my last culinary-focused shopping sprees outside Chile. I am...
One of the questions I field a lot is how wines should taste. What aromas should we be smelling? Sigh. What has happened with the language of wine and our ability to interpret a wine, even if we are newbies? The heart of the matter is that it's nearly impossible to...
I know, I know. Mala mía. Chile's Bicentennial celebration came and went--and I didn't say a darn thing about it on this blog--until now. Really my 18 holiday was wedged between two fun but exhausting weeklong trips for work in the Chilean wine country and Mendoza,...
You probably have been in this situation. There's a new restaurant of a well-known chef. It was hard to get a table but you managed to score one. You arrive with your date and the architecture is dazzling. There are beautiful people everywhere and the vibe is super...
When we talk about terroir-driven wines, one of the first wineries that Springs to mind, for my palate, is El Principal. Never heard of it? You’re probably not alone. It’s one of those (purposefully) under-the-radar wineries that pursues excellence in small quantities...
Yesterday afternoon around 3:20pm we were polishing off the final drops of an exquisite bottle of El Principal 2006 and the last bite of our pasta-less roasted vegetable lasagna. Out of nowhere, horns began honking like crazy outside. Since this is a normal ritual...
Move over olive oil, coconut oil has taken the front stage in our kitchen. That’s right, while I still use whole, natural oils like extra virgin olive oil, avocados, and tiny amounts of non-pasteurized butter from the campo (that’s right, they still sell that here in...
Ok, I have to admit. After ten years here, this is the first winter where I am NOT cold. And it’s the coldest winter on record yet. Let me explain. The Central Valley of Chile, where Santiago is located, is part of a lovely Mediterranean climate. Most of the year, we...
I want to introduce all of you guys to one of the brightest and best photographers I have had the privilege of meeting in Chile (and no, it's not my husband Francisco who does many of the pics for our books/website/blog, although he certainly qualifies. :). Meet Matt...
It cracks me up how different cultures crave different flavors and how those turn up in very pedestrian items like say soda pop. I am not a very big soda fan for obvious health reasons. I gave it up years ago and only succumb to the occasional diet coke when in no...
Friday I had a tecnological meltdown. I had been on the fence for months about whether or not to trade in old faithful, the crackberry-blackberry, for an iPhone. I was already sold on the concept, the Mac, but something had been holding me back—and no, it wasn’t the...
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