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When it comes to drinking the fruit of the vine there are wants and musts and there are Do’s and Don’ts. As wine drinking becomes democratized and more available to the masses quite often the wine connoisseur encounters “colorful” and unique behaviors associated with the enjoyment of fine wine that simply do not add up; in fact, these peculiar habits detract from the overall experiential value of fine wine drinking. For us, these are the three least favored behaviors associated with wine drinking.

Aromatic Candles

Drinking wine is an adventure for all your senses, in the case of fine wine, the wine maker has made significant investment of time, expertise and money to balance the bouquet and give the bottle the uniqueness in aromas that makes it valuable. The sense of smell is indispensable to fully appreciate finer wines. By having aromatic candles, more than 30% of the sensory feedback will not be processed. There is a time and a place for aromatic candles, and evenings of fine wine are certainly not it. If must have candlelight the best option is traditional tea lights.

Thick Glasses, Disposable Glasses and Plastic Glasses

Wine is a liquid jewel and it can be best appreciated for its color and visual qualities when presented in appropriate glassware. Thick glasses impact refraction and hinder wine observation. When appreciating fine wine you should be able to observe the intensity and viscosity of the wine. Plastic glasses absorb flavor and can pollute the profile of your wine. Disposables are simply a no no.

Wine aficionados and connoisseurs alike would do well to keep a basic collection of wine glasses. When embracing a wine drinking culture making this small investment which is usually less than the cost of a good bottle of wine will make a huge difference time after time when it comes to truly appreciating the flavor, aroma and visual qualities of the wine.  While generally speaking crystal is better than glass, glass technology has improved to the point where you can spot very high quality glass stemware that won’t break the bank.

Adding Ice to Your Wine
If you are drinking a finer more exalted wine you should keep your hands off the ice cube. Aside from the occasional cube dropped into a warm glass of white or Rosé and fortified/doctored wines like White Port, Vermouth, Sangria and Pineau de Charentes, adding ice to fine wine is virtually unheard of in the west. The chemistry and flavor profile will be numbed and not reflective of the craftsmanship of the wine maker.

Drinking fine wine is an art, a pleasure and a science. If done right your palate and your heart will thank you forever.

Salud

Javy

We’ve all been there. You’re at a cocktail party enjoying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon when you get a chance to steal a quick glance in the mirror and you gasp: purple stained teeth. Many different foods and beverages can stain the teeth. Red wine poses a high staining risk because of its intense color (chromogens), acidity, and tannins. The acid makes tooth enamel more likely to accept pigment and tannins bind to the teeth and hold on to color. White wine can also stain the teeth as even though it doesn’t have intense color, it’s still acidic and has tannins, which can make the teeth more likely to pick up the color of whatever else you’re eating or drinking at the same time. So what is one to do? Some turn a blind eye but those in the know use Wine Wipes! I developed these all-natural dentist and sommelier-approved wipes, infused with ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and salt, to remove and prevent wine stains on the teeth and mouth. In addition to removing surface stains and whitening the teeth, Wine Wipes neutralize acid that can corrode enamel and fight germs and bacteria. They come in a purse-friendly compact with mirror or in a box of individually wrapped wipes. Use Wine Wipes on the teeth and around the mouth before your first sip of wine and during/after tasting as needed.

About Borracha
Every time Kimberly Walker, the founder of Borracha, would enjoy a glass of her favorite Syrah, she’d get red stained teeth. After searching for a solution to this problem without any luck, she vowed to create something herself. Kimberly consulted with dentists, sommeliers and wine drinkers, and developed a formula in an FDA, CDC, and EPA licensed lab that instantly and gently removed wine stains from the teeth and mouth. Borracha was born. The company has grown to include Pearly Wipes, which freshen the mouth and breath and remove food and beverage stains from the teeth, and a variety of wine lifestyle products. Kimberly sees Borracha as a brand for people who like to drink socially and look good doing it.

“Drinking wine is so fun. Many people are intimidated by it, and don’t appreciate it for all its diversity and history. I hope Borracha can take some of the conventionalism out of it and add engagement and fun,” she explains.

Because Everyone Likes To Try New Stuff!

Our sweet friends at Borracha have a gift for one lucky Napa Private Tours friend. Kimberly has graciously agreed to give one of you a wine wipe kit. What better gift for us wine lovers!

Enter the giveaway and if you win let us know what you think about this awesome product!

How to enter?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you love running and you love good wine and extraordinary landscapes get your group ready and come join us for Ragnar Napa. The Ragnar series is a fantastic series of relay races designed to build camaraderie and give you the opportunity to enjoy fantastic destinations.

What is a Ragnar Relay?

You and 11 of your craziest friends (or 5 of your crazier friends for an ultra team) pile into two vans and tag team running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style. Only one runner hits the road at a time. Each participant runs three times, with each leg ranging between 3-8 miles and varying in difficulty. So, from the elite runner down to the novice jogger, it’s the perfect race for anyone!

What if my spouse is not racing?

This is where we come in. If your significant other is not participating in this ultra fun event we are ready to give them the experience of a lifetime. While you rest after a full night of running we will take your spouse to exclusive wineries and magnificent dining venues. When you are ready to join us we will pick you up at the hotel so you can join us for an afternoon of tasting.

How can we help?

If you need assistance finding the perfect lodging or transportation for your group or you are interested in doing an after-race wine tour and party with your group give us a call.

Want to learn more about Ragnar Napa?

Visit their website here

Javy

Each time we have traveled outside the United States we have been delighted and surprised by efforts that locals make to cater to our every need inclusive of making language accommodations.

English Spoken is the norm overseas. The graciousness and hospitable heart of those that make the effort to present new experiences to us in our own language have enriched us greatly and made many vacations memorable.

Recently we were approached by a French speaking guest and we could not have been more thrilled to be able to say “oui” to their every need. The whole team of concierges and wine coaches at Napa Private Tours was eager to reciprocate and provide a unique service that made our newly met friends feel welcome in the beautiful California wine country.

Receiving a narrative in your heart language adds dimension to your experience and helps you discover details that are otherwise lost in translation. With utmost care we went into research mode and put together an itinerary designed to be memorable and enjoyable. Cindy Vega from our branding team graciously agreed to help us host a fully bilingual tour. Cindy is a true culinary maven who has traveled extensively and lived in France where she perfected her language skills.

When you are looking for a wine tour host with a commitment to delivering a personalized experience that takes into account who you are and where you are from, consider our team. We promise we will always say oui.

“La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin.”

At Napa Private Tours we take pride in delivering flawless and memorable experiences every step of the way. Our commitment to giving our guests the best wine tour in Napa has resulted in a five star score in Yelp and TripAdvisor. Our reputation is built upon pairing you with the best and most knowledgeable wine professionals in the industry. Our wine concierges are not “just drivers”. They are enology professionals who have had their hands in almost every aspect of the industry and have a passion for sharing knowledge without pomposity or pretention.

Just a few weeks ago we featured David James a young wine making entrepreneur who has graciously agreed to join us. Today I want to take a moment to share with you a little about the man who completes our trifecta of wine coaches. Jona Mendoza Fabiani has been with us almost from the start and always steps up to the plate when busy season arrives.

Jona has a solid resume in the wine industry with almost ten years of progressive experience in multiple areas of wine production and marketing. Jona’s heart however, is in hospitality. This passion for people has afforded him the opportunity to work at numerous wineries where he has expanded his product and process know-how and hosted a myriad of VIPs from all over the world. Jona has a unique gift both as a listener and as a communicator. This gift allows him to engage our guests in a fluid conversation and equips him to create perfectly tailored wine experiences that do not miss a beat.

Jona Mendoza is well known and well loved by the Napa wine making community and has a very wide network of industry friends. Jona has scouted Napa Valley extensively, and can point you to wineries off-the-beaten-path that will transform your tour into the memory of a lifetime.

Jona, we are so proud of you, and deeply honored to have you as part of the NPT family.

Javy