How Important is your Wine Glass?

Wine glasses - fad or fashion?  It used to be that cut wine glasses were 'the thing' and if you didn't have a glittering array of cut glass on your table you hadn't got it right.

Wine glasses have changed hugely over the past few years, to the point when pretty much most popular wine glasses are super thin, super tall and super large, unless they're stemless, of course.

'Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found that the capacity of wine glasses has ballooned nearly seven-fold over the past 300 years, rising most sharply in the last two decades in line with a surge in wine consumption.'  So you really shouldn't be that surprised if you're given a glass that holds most of a bottle.

Putting size aside, and as someone who loves to travel and dine out, there are some truly fabulous taste enhancing wine glasses out there, and I've taken to asking in a restaurant (if I like the glassware) who the designer/glass maker is - so along with wine this can become another extremely expensive hobby.....

Riedel seems to be the No 1 favourite most probably because it's the most widely available and for the entry level glasses not over priced.  Having said that, the top of the range glasses are beautiful.  Try them out at Wolfgang Puck's Cut at 45 Park Lane....

Zwiesel 1872 - not to be confused with the less expensive (but great value) sister brand Schott Zwiesel.  Handmade lead crystal glasses of the highest quality. Glasses from this glass maker can be found at 3* Epicure at Le Bristol Paris.

Zalto is a new generation of modern wine glasses, beautifully designed and pricier than many.  Along with Mark Thomas's double bend wine glasses - below -  these are loved by Sommeliers and top restaurants everywhere.  


Mark Thomas Double Bend Wine Glasses - to be found at Le George in Paris - beautiful to hold and drink from, uniquely designed and not overpriced.  So if you want to have something different on your table consider these.

Lehmann Jamesse Prestige wine glasses - try these out at 114 Le Faubourg in Paris then buy them here for your table.  These are much less expensive than I expected, I have to say, and I wouldn't hesitate to start a collection.

Then there is the beautiful 'dishwasher proof' (I wouldn't risk it, personally) stemware by Sophienwald - another Sommelier and wine lovers' favourite.  Beautiful, lightweight and oh so elegant.

How many different wine glass designers do you need?  It's like designer clothing to me, you can never have too many Little Black Dresses - all different, beautiful and to be pulled out when the mood takes you.

There are so many wine glasses to choose from.  I have changed from enjoying using Georgian glasses (large ones, I might add and no, I'm not that old) to traditional cut glass, to simple clear glasses whose main purpose in life is to enhance the wine I'm drinking.  I'm going to stick with those.  No coloured glass, no odd shapes, no cut glass.  Just a great bottle of wine and a beautiful glass.  Thanks....

Great Gifts for Wine Lovers

Most people I know enjoy a glass of wine.  Some like a glass now and then, some share a bottle every night, some know what they're talking about, some think they do and others are so sure they do they'll bore you to tears.

It doesn't change the fact that finding gifts for wine lovers is easy; finding gifts they'll actually enjoy and use is not so.  So you need to know who you're dealing with - from the afficionado to the simple wine enjoyer.

This is a selection of gifts - from Le Creuset's simple to use and beautifully made waiter's friend to Coravin's super sophisticated wine system that allows you to open the bottle without really opening it.

You really can't go wrong with the Le Creuset waiter's friend.  It looks nice and does the job it's intended for perfectly.  If you know someone who would prefer something that requires much less effort, consider giving them the Joseph Joseph winding handle corkscrew which is incredibly easy to use.

Finally there's Vinology's Deluxe Electric Corkscrew which comes with a built in foil cutter and is charged and ready to open the first 50 bottles.  Perfect for a party?  I would think so.

Of course there are thousands of corkscrews on the market, however these are three from classic to innovative, not over priced and all of which will open your bottles with ease.
 Most wine lovers have at least one decanter, probably several, so you need to be a bit careful when you add to their collection.  My favourite, although it's quite tricky to clean is Riedel's Amadeo Decanter - a talking point at any table and beautiful when you're using it and when you're not.

Then there's the simple Riedel decanter which is excellent for ''entry level' wine decanter collectors and drinkers.  Just a perfect every day option.  Closely followed by the attractive contemporary wide base wine decanter which comes with an oak stopper.

 When it comes to wine gadgets again there are plenty, but here are three you might like to consider.

Coravin's unique needle system lets you leave the cork in place and allows your bottle of wine to remain 'intact' for a long time.  So for those who want to have a special glass from the cellar - Petrus anyone? - without needing to drink the whole bottle this would be a very good, if pricey, gift.

Then there's the wine aerator, which I know for a fact works very well.  Le Creuset's wine aerator, pourer and stopper helps to open up the flavours in your bottle of wine as you pour.  Every wine lover should have at least one of these.

Finally a gift that I was given a couple of days ago and seriously like - there are many wine bottle foil cutters out there, but this one is well made, weighty and makes the task of removing the foil on the top of your wine bottle the work of a second.  Brilliant.

Last but not least there's Hugh Johnson's pocket wine book - indispensable to all wine lovers - an excellent stocking filler and a book that I buy every year.  Then there's the World Atlas of Wine - updated edition, written by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson and which every wine lover should own - just make sure they don't already before you splash out.

For any wine lover a subscription to Decanter makes a great gift.  Again make sure whoever you're thinking of giving it to isn't already signed up.  You have the option of giving the magazine or the digital edition or both and you can now sign up for six months or a year.  For anyone who likes reading up to date articles on wine and accessing Decanter's wine scores, this is an excellent choice.

For all my wine suggestions and travel notes come and follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/glamoursleuth/

3 of the Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara California from an Italian Feast to Paella Paradise

When you look up the restaurants in Santa Barbara you can pick and choose from any number of highly rated and expensive restaurants.  Look a little deeper to find those you might not have heard of and you'll be in for a feast.  Dining out in Santa Barbara is casual everywhere (at least where I went) so leave the heels behind.

Angel Oak

This restaurant is part of the Ritz Carlton Bacara hotel and is beautifully situated right on the ocean.  Well worth booking in advance after a long day's travel to Santa Barbara - choose a local wine (of which there are many, of course - see next post), some abalone pasta, and enjoy the view and the excellent service.  This is, by the way, the most expensive of the three I'm writing about today because after a long days travel, and just a few steps away from my room, it was paradise.....

Angel Oak Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Bacara
8301 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
805 571 4220
Book via Open Table.

Toma Italian Restaurant Santa Barbara

One of the most popular restaurants in Santa Barbara don't try to get in to Toma without a reservation.  Serving excellent Italian cuisine such as black spaghetti with shellfish (my favourite) polenta with Puttanesca sauce and on occasion tomato gazpacho with crab and avocado this is a must visit, highly rated, great food, excellent service, you really couldn't ask for much more.  Just book, as I say......

Toma Restaurant and Bar
324 West Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805)962-0777
Book via Google/Open Table




Loquita Santa Barbara

Loquita is another of the most popular restaurants in town - don't come to this marvellous Spanish restaurant if you don't like to share - from the delicious tapas to the excellent paella everything is for sharing.  If you like your sprouts please try one of their tapas starters - Brusela which is brussel sprouts with peanut romesco, chorizo, honey dates and gremolata - it is out of this world.  The paella too is superb with the tenderest chicken and incredibly flavoursome rice, chorizo and gigante beans.


Loquita Restaurant - book ahead
202 State Street
Santa Barbara CA 93101
(805) 880 3380Book via Google/Open Table

With most of the restaurants in Santa Barbara you can eat outside or inside so make sure you know which you prefer and ask in advance.  And as I've said, casual is the order of the day whether daytime dining or evening.

The temperature in Santa Barbara, being so near to the ocean, is usually warm but not boiling in daytime and can cool down quite rapidly in the evening so make sure you take a jacket or wrap with you.  

10 Ways to Make a Long Haul Flight Bearable

This is for those who, like me, travel in economy and travel often.  Some of this will still apply to those who turn left when they enter the plane, but for those who are regularly forced to walk right through Business Class when about to take off for a night flight this is for you.  As a regular long haul passenger I’ve worked out how to make it easier and much more comfortable. 

1.  Make sure you’ve joined your chosen airline’s loyalty program - it surprises me that so many don’t bother.  If you fly often you can quickly tot up award miles, and even on the lowest level that can get you, along with extra air miles, priority check-in, priority boarding and the ability to book a premium seat before anyone else.  Go one step up and you get the above plus a free premium seat - on some airlines - an extra bag and entry to the Business Class lounge for international flights. 

Join one airline’s loyalty program then look at the other airlines affiliated to it.  American Airlines for example is affiliated to British Airways and Iberia amongst others.  Always just use one loyalty number whichever airline within the group (such as One World) you’re booking, to ensure you rise through the ranks as quickly as possible.



2.  Have a four wheel lightweight cabin bag plus a tote that sits on top via a 'smart' sleeve or strap.  This just makes getting around the airport and to your seat much easier.  I prefer a cabin bag with a laptop compartment in the front which means you don’t have to open your bag to go through security.  By the way this probably won’t work for some of the budget airlines, but you can get packing for a full weekend away on a mainstream airline in one of these if you get it right.



3.   A lightweight tote with a sleeve that slips on top of the handles of your cabin bag works in so many ways and not just for travel.  My favourite is by Liphault - Selfridges have the best range online.  These not only look good, hold far more than you think they will, and stay attached to your cabin bag but I sit my normal smaller tote/handbag inside plus my shoes once we’ve taken off, slip it under the seat in front and use it as a foot rest particularly at night.

You may get strange looks when you leave the plane with an extra bag (which you’ve removed from your Liphault tote just before landing) but frankly who cares? 

4.  Invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones - my headphones of choice for travel are by Bose.  Nothing cancels out the sound of that yelling baby completely but you’ll almost get there.  Make sure you carry a spare battery with you at all times.  I usually also have pair of every-day in ear headphones with me in the case as well to start off and land with so I can be all packed up and ready and yes that probably makes me obsessive but where travel is concerned I like to be totally organised.

You may think ‘ouch those are so expensive’ but if you’re travelling a lot they’re definitely worth the money and a great pair of headphones will  never let you down.  You can use these wireless with bluetooth, or wired if you want to plug into a sound or video system.

                                                 

5.  The essential portable charger.  I am never to be found without one of these (most likely two).  On some long haul flights all you’ll need is the cable to charge your smartphone/tablet, on other planes, in economy, there’s no power source other than what you bring so don’t take the risk.  This one by Belkin packs 6700 mAh which is enough for a couple of smartphone charges and one iPad charge.  Make sure you’ve charged up your power bank first and don’t forget the cable…………..



6.   Get a good, supportive neck pillow.  This one above, the BCozzy chin supporting travel neck pillow is quite simply the best I have every come across and it’s worth every penny so ditch the U shaped ones - which don’t do the job anyway, and invest in one of these. 

Having also spilt coffee all over mine on one flight recently I can tell you it washes and dries to perfection in a machine (dry it on a low heat though).  For night flights and when you want to take a nap you need something that’ll keep you stable no matter how close the person sitting beside you is.  This one is brilliant.  You’ll find my full review here.

7.   Buy some travel socks.  I always put my feet up on my bag - see above - and move around the plane a few times and I don’t find I have a problem putting my shoes back on, however, I would never suggest wearing footwear that is high or restricting.  Sneakers are my footwear of choice.  So when I sit down I take them off, slip them into my tote and my feet into some travel socks.  So much more comfortable for a long flight.  I’ll confess I haven’t yet tried compression socks.  I probably will in the near future.


8.   Pack an Eye Mask
To keep out the light while you’re taking a nap.  It makes such a difference.  I keep mine in my headphone case.

9.  Take your own travel blanket.  This may sound like overkill but I assure you it isn’t.  Those economy airline blankets are dreadfully thin and will not keep you warm.  If you’re anywhere in the US look out for XpresSpa and buy (or order) one of their fleece travel blankets  - they’re divinely soft and will keep you snug.  Alternatively buy a fleece blanket from Mountain Warehouse - expand your carryon if necessary.  You definitely won’t feel the plane chill and frankly if you’re on a long flight that’s the worst.
                                                

10.   If you don’t want to get off the plane looking as if you’ve just got off a plane then treat yourself to a new makeup pouch - unless you already have one and are not one of those who just lets everything sit at the bottom of their tote.

Fill it with the following:  Powder foundation, blush, small retractable brush, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner pencil, lipstick, mini face wipes, travel tooth brush and toothpaste.  The last three you'll find at the airport.  I never go anywhere without these. 

A tip for those who do a lot of long haul travelling is to keep all of this together when you’re at home, preferably ready to go in your wheelie so that all you need to do is get up and go.  This really is long haul travel made so much easier, and you can even arrive looking as fresh as a daisy…..well, hopfully.

Updated 6th August 2019

Hostellerie de Levernois - A Beautiful Place to Stay in French Wine Country

Just outside Beaune and in the heart of the Burgundy vineyards sits Relais & Chateaux hotel Hostellerie de Levernois.  This is a wonderful place to stay if you're visiting this part of French wine country.  A stone's throw from the Route des Grands Crus, Hostellerie de Levernois is a lovely haven where you can relax, have a glass of wine - obviously - and a Michelin star dinner.


The rooms are rustic, beautifully appointed and extremely comfortable, as you'd expect from a five star hotel - this is not a huge multi-room hotel, but 'a small country place' as the owner, Jean-Louis Bottigliero,  put it, full of luxurious touches, lovely food and of course, sensational wines.



One thing I would say is to not even think of visiting here unless you have a car.  Beaune itself is of course full of wine history - and great wine stores, but driving through the vineyards on a sunny day (or if necessary a not so sunny day) is fascinating.  There are, of course, plenty of tasting rooms to travel to and plenty of wonderful wines to taste.  My advice, if you want to go the tasting route, is to get a taxi from the hotel into Beaune then you can browse and taste to your hearts content.



Hostellerie de Levernois in an instant has become one of my favourite hotels in Europe, and another trip already planned - which says something.  If you want to go there make sure you book really early for the hotel as otherwise you may well not get in.

Hostellerie Levernois
Rue du Golf, 21200, Levernois, France
[email protected]
Phone +33 3 80 24 73 58

The Best Power Bank, Portable Charger and USB Charger for Travel to the US - Travel Tech

There are ways to keep your travel tech and tech gadgets charged up in the USA that are better than others, as I’ve discovered on many visits. You know, of course that the USA doesn’t use the same plugs that we do in the UK (or in the EU for that matter) and you most likely also know that the voltage is different - so don’t try taking your UK hairdryer, because it won’t work unless it has dual voltage.  But if you’ve ever wondered how to easily keep your tech fully charged, not to mention why your US adaptors keep falling out of the wall, read on……

Where tech is concerned, your laptop or tablet, smartphone and portable charger, these will all work in the US and you can charge them using a US wall plug.  There are two types of US wall plug, 2 pin and grounded 3 pin.  I’ve found that the 3 pin wall plug is much more stable, particularly if you’re trying to charge a laptop with the charging block and plug in one unit.


This UK to grounded US wall plug and extender cable is much lighter than you’d expect, and is extremely useful if you have two items you want to charge/plug in at the same time.

Both single UK and EU plugs will happily plug in to these and you’ll find the wall connection so much more stable than the usual 2 pin adapter.  Order these for your arrival in the US or have them shipped to you in the UK.  A pain I know but these are soooo much better than the normal adapters you can buy at the airport.

This one again you’ll need to either order from Amazon in the US, or ship it to yourself in the UK, or preferably have it shipped to wherever you’ll be first staying in the US.  With 2 USB ports plus a grounded wall connection this charger sits flat on the wall.  It’ll let you plug in 2 USB cables directly and it won’t fall out of the wall.

Renting a car in the US or anywhere else for that matter?  I never travel without one of these.  Make sure you buy one with 2 USB ports of you’ll be fighting to charge your phone first

Another obvious essential is a portable travel charger for when you're on the move - and not travelling by car - this one by Belkin comes in three levels of power.  Be aware that it may be attractive to buy the most powerful but the more power you go for the heavier your battery will be.  I take a 5K portable charger with me everywhere.

The 10K and 15K version of this Belkin portable charger also have dual USB ports.  Silver and black are also available if you don't fancy the rose gold.

Finally a multi use charging cable which will allow you to charge up your phone whichever make you have with lightening, micro usb and type C usb connectors.

One reminder - make sure when you're on the move that whatever you've plugged into the wall gets to go with you .......

Smart Luggage with Built in Phone Chargers and GPS - Is this the Next Best Thing for Travellers?

A few things you should know about me;  I travel a lot.  I always carry a spare portable battery, I like my cabin bag to be light - I'm that person asking for help getting her bag into the overhead locker on a plane, I never travel light.

To that end my perfect carry on bag (or any other suitcase for that matter) has to be lightweight, preferably expandable, soft sided, - they're usually lighter - and hard wearing.

Three Traditional but Excellent Carry on Bags


Now this of course means that I'm never going to be seen with one of those hard sided wheelie bags which seem in all cases to be heavier than the rest.  More protective?  Almost certainly, but my tech is always in a special protective sleeve in any case.  My current carry on is Travel Pro's expandable spinner which is brilliant and ticks all the boxes for me, including price.

There is a new breed of luggage which you are probably aware of - smart luggage.  Suitcases with GPS, combination locks, apps and battery packs.  These are almost certainly excellent if you're willing to shell out a bit more and heft the extra weight.

Three of the best Smart Carry On Bags



Leading the pack here has to be Away Travel, with its lightweight smart carry on.  Featuring an ejectable battery - essential - and less expensive, this is where I might start if I wanted a truly hard sided carry on bag..

Horizon Studios M5 Smart Carry on Bag also looks excellent with a powerful ejectable charger.  It's reasonably lightweight and has a sleeve for your laptop in the front.

I particularly like Samsonite's X Rise Spinner Smart Carry On - it includes a Tile Mate bluetooth tracker as well as a removable 6000 mAh powerbank.  And it's lighter and not as brick like as so many of the hard sided cases.  So if I was willing to shell out the £300 price tag this is the one I would go for.

These smart suitcase options are going to develop quite quickly I would expect.  The only thing I'd ask is do you really need one?  If you're sensible and never go anywhere without your charger/battery pack (which you don't want to be grappling for in the overhead locker after take off.....) then the answer for the moment is probably wait a while.  This tech is definitely on the move.