When exploring the vast open spaces of the Western United States, millions of travelers visit iconic National Parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. For the uninitiated, Death Valley National Park may appear to simply be a wasteland with record breaking temperatures famous for frying eggs on blacktop. But dig deeper and you have one of the country’s largest National Parks with extremely comfortable daytime winter and early spring temperatures … [Read more...]
About Steve Mirsky
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Food Drink & Hospitality Explored with your host Steve Mirsky
Verona’s Vaunted Valpolicella Wines
The Valpolicella in Italy's Verona province is renowned for ancient palaces, fabled villas, architectural jewels like Stelle Hypogeum Church, and Valpolicella wines that inspired Ernest Hemingway to write Across the River and Into the Trees. Preserving the region's longstanding collaborative wine making traditions, Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella (Valpolicella Wine Board) was founded in 1924 and now brings together over 80% of the grape … [Read more...]
Mexico’s Riviera Maya Has a New Luxury All-Inclusive
El Cid Resorts recently unveiled Ventus, a sophisticated all-inclusive conveniently situated just outside Puerto Moreles 20 miles equidistant between Cancún to the north and Playa del Carmen to the south along Mexico's Riviera Maya. The concept of Ventus, El Cid's seventh property in Mexico and now the brand's most luxurious, came to life following the success of sister property and next door neighbor Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach … [Read more...]
Sheraton Bay Point Resort: Florida’s Tranquil Retreat in Panama City Beach
Tucked away in tranquility overlooking the serene saltwater tidal estuary of St. Andrew's Bay flanked by Florida's most popular State Park and 7 mile barrier Shell Island in the distance, Sheraton Bay Point Resort is also just a shuttle bus away from the bustling beach front strip of Panama City Beach. Originally built and operated under different brands, Sheraton took over the Bay Point Resort in 2015 with a $30 million overhaul … [Read more...]
Red Lion Inn is Your Quintessential Berkshire Getaway
Classic New England villages in The Berkshires of western Massachusetts are typically defined by walk able centers with family run storefronts clustered around the library and post office flanked by towering gnarled centenarian maples & rugged foothills as a backdrop in the distance. Stockbridge is a post card example with the added distinction of having the Red Lion Inn anchoring the corner of Main and South Streets. Originally … [Read more...]
Chile Producing Premiere Carmenere
Chile’s signature grape varietal arrived just before phylloxera hit Europe in the mid 19th century. With the country's new wine region just getting established, a few Carménère cuttings were imported and planted in the valleys of Santiago among Merlot vines. Despite the sparse rainfall and hot days, they immediately flourished in their new climate. Carménère was at first confused for “Chilean Merlot” until a 1994 DNA analysis revealed its … [Read more...]
Paso Robles CAB Collective Wineries Producing World Class Bordeaux
Wine making may have begun in Paso Robles as early as 1797 with the Spanish missionaries but it wasn’t until 6 wineries were established throughout the 1940s that the region began developing a reputation for premium California wine. Fast forward to today where some reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, "out Bordeaux" France's Bordeaux and rival certain internationally recognized wine regions north of San Francisco. The Paso Robles CAB … [Read more...]
Celebrating The Broadmoor’s 100th Anniversary
How exactly do you celebrate the centennial of an iconic hotel built back in 1918 by real estate and gold mining baron Spencer Penrose who in his free time sped up hairpin turns in his “Yellow Devil” Pierce Arrow race car on a dirt road all the way to the summit of Pike's Peak's? You start with fireworks, champagne, special packages, and themed events scheduled throughout the year but fully immersing yourself in all The Broadmoor has to offer is … [Read more...]
Cannonball Wines Boldly Leap Into Distinctive Tastings That Don’t Break the Bank
Sitting down with wine industry veterans Dennis Hill & Yoav Gilat at a recent tasting I discovered more about their own history and the history of Cannonball Wines. They partnered in 2006 after noticing a gap in the market place - there were plenty of budget wines at varying levels of quality and also plenty of high priced wines. But very few premium wines (grown and made) that were priced at an affordable price. They decided to partner to … [Read more...]