Category: Germany

One of the most profound joys of river cruising is the realization that the view changes as often as the courses. As a food and wine reviewer, I find the true success of Avalon Waterway’s program lies in its balance of the modern traveler’s desire for healthful dishes as well as the culinary traditions of the European heartland.  I downloaded…

Many people have taken an ocean cruise travelling up to Alaska or around the Caribbean, or maybe the Mediterranean Sea, but fewer people have taken a river cruise, as far as I know.  I decided to go on a Rhine River cruise hosted by Avalon Waterways, travelling from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland.  It was an eight day trip and included…

As you may have noticed, I was on a Rhine River Cruise starting in Amsterdam, ending in Basel, Switzerland.  But inbetween, I spent many days in German cities.  In one city, Düsseldorf, I signed up for a German Altbier walking tour.  Here is what I learned about this style of beer from a local guide as he brought us to…

Here are my tasting notes for the last few wines I enjoyed on my Avalon Waterways cruise of the Rhine River. I did try several German beers while on excursions during the day and will try to write an article on German beer later. My Wine Tasting Notes Christoph-Seydel-Str 2024 Spätburgunder trocken Reinhessen.  Crystal clear. Medium minus red cherry colour. …

The ship has sailed and I am halfway through this trip on the Rhine River with Avalon Waterways.  I saw many steeply sloped vineyards yesterday south of Koblenz as well as a few castles perched on hillsides. Today we passed by Heidelberg.  Here are my tasting notes for a few more wines I enjoyed during my dinners.  I have been…

German white wine labels are a masterclass in precision, hierarchy, and terroir with each bottle offering a coded glimpse into sweetness, site, and style.  Germany’s white wines, especially Riesling, are among the most expressive and age-worthy in the world. But to the uninitiated, the labels can seem like a puzzle of long compound words and unfamiliar classifications. Once decoded, however,…

Top Drop Canada is a premier wine festival held annually in Vancouver, showcasing a curated selection of terroir-driven wines from around the globe. The event brings together over 40 international producers, including renowned estates from regions such as Piedmont, Champagne, and the Okanagan Valley. 50+ wineries in total.  None from the USA this year.  Attendees have the unique opportunity to…

When I started wine tasting seriously, I took a WSET 1 class using ISO wine-tasting glasses.  As I progressed with my wine knowledge, I began using glasses made specifically for red or white wine, or more specifically for a grape variety.  I received a set of four wine glasses from Josephinenhutte in Germany, which Kurt Josef Zalto, an amazing 6th…

Delving into the terms on German wine labels is a key endeavour for anyone eager to explore the diverse and nuanced world of German wines. German wine labels are replete with terms that provide invaluable insights into the origin, grape variety, and style of the wine. Familiarity with designations such as Qualitätswein, Prädikatswein, Trocken, and Auslese is paramount for making…

The Riesling grape, originating in the Rhine region of Germany, carries a legacy that spans centuries. Its journey across the world has resulted in an intriguing juxtaposition between Old World and New World expressions. In Germany and Alsace, the grape showcases its classic charm, producing wines with delicate floral aromas, racy acidity, and a pronounced mineral character. In contrast, New…