If you enjoy European wines and cruise ships Food & Wine Trails Epicurean Tours has the vacation for you -- the Oregon Cult Pinot Noir Wine Cruise.
On June 25, the Regatta will leave Barcelona for a 10-day cruise to Athens. In between the ship will visit the Provence region, Florence, Rome, Amalfi, Ephesus and Santorini.
Hosts will be well known Oregon winemakers and winery owners Dick and Nancy Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards and Rollin and Corby Soles of Argyle and ROCO. Ashore, the winery owners will lead tours to such famous wineries as Ornellaia in Tuscany and Domaine Sigalas on the Greek Island of Santorini. These tours are priced separately and include a gourmet lunch matched to the winery's vintages.
Cost of the cruise is $3,849 per person and includes meals, entertainment, private wine tastings and seminars and airfare from 22 locations worldwide.
For more information about the tour company or the Oregon Cult Pinot Noir Wine Cruise, go to www.foodandwinetrails.com and click on "cruises."
Liquid fire
Anyone who likes the spicy, fiery bite of the Tabasco pepper sauces will likely enjoy a new product on liquor store shelves. Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper is a fusion of Southern Comfort and original brand Tabasco sauce.
Meant to be served as a cold shot or incorporated into cocktails, this new liquor is sure to add a bite to any drink.
Fair Trade year round
Fair-trade certified products ensure farmers and workers in developing countries get decent pay and working conditions. There are more than 10,000 products available in the United States, from coffee and chocolate to clothing and sports balls, and consumers can make a difference in the lives of workers in 58 countries.
To make it easier, Fair Trade USA has a Fair Trade Finder. Find a link to it, as well as the group's mobile application for iPhone and Android, at www.fairtradeusa.org.
New read
The book: The Glorious Pasta of Italy by Domenica Marchetti.
Cost: $35
Best for: Celebrating pasta in all its glorious forms, the author draws from her Italian heritage to share more than 100 classic and modern recipes. Step-by-step instructions for making fresh pasta offer plenty of variations on the classic egg pasta, while a glossary of pasta shapes, a source list for unusual ingredients, and a handy guide for stocking the pantry with pasta essentials encourages the home cook to look beyond simple spaghetti.
*Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com.
