Inevitably, each year we have the pleasure of turning another year older. Lucky me, I turned 30 last Friday. While I’ve always yearned for a weekend of wine tasting, I haven’t been fortunate enough until last weekend. For a birthday surprise, my boyfriend spoiled me with a week of wine tasting in Napa Valley and a private limo to tour us around (may I add, the best way to go!).

The Napa region tends to grow some of the greatest grapes that produce the finest wines. How nice to have the option of visiting wineries in this renowned winegrowing region. My favorites are Cakebread Cellars, Robert Mondavi and Mumm Napa (great for the bubbly connoisseurs). At each winery “the pourer” led a little 101 training about how to wine taste starting with the basics – look, smell and taste. Expand from their and you’ll be tasting like the pros in no time. With wine tasting comes wine pairing. Choosing a wine, pulling the cork and exercising arm to mouth with full glass in hand comes quite easy to me, but knowing how to pair wine with foods, well….not so much. I’ve been told from the “wine experts” (a.k.a my sisters) that white wine should be paired with fish, red with beef and the sweet wines are to be enjoyed with dessert. If I shall fall out of bounds from any of those categories, the wine police may track me down. My Napa wine tasting 101 taught me the best rule of thumb is to go for flavors that complement each other. My advice…stay open minded and taste frequently! It will make for a fabulous day.

Tags: Romance, tours, wine, wine pairing, Wine Tasting, wineries