Travel Tips 48 Hours In Istanbul
Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. It’s a fascinating city with a rich history, having served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Istanbul is a city that blends old and new, with vibrant neighborhoods like Beyoğlu, full of 19th-century European stunning architecture, and Nişantaşı, known for high-end shopping and trendy restaurants. ‼️ Travel Tips for #istanbul – the “must see” if you only have 48 hours : 🔺Istanbul Modern is Turkiye’s first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Renzo Piano famed architect designed the building. The collection features works from both Turkish art alongside international artists – Paintings, sculptures, photography, design, architecture, new media, and cinema. 🔺Karaköy District walking tour – Once a port area, Karaköy offers a charming mix of historic buildings and a cool, artistic scene. Explore bustling streets lined with independent shops, art galleries, and trendy cafes. Don’t miss the Galata Tower, a magnificent Genoese structure offering stunning views. 🔺Bosphorus Boat Tour at sunset – It’s a waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, dividing Istanbul into European and Asian sides. 🔺Historical Peninsula – Hagia Sophia Mosque (a former church, mosque, and now museum,that features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics), Basilica Cistern (Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I, it’s one of the largest surviving ancient cisterns that boasts a forest of 336 columns and can hold a staggering 80,000 cubic meters of water. It’s like an underground palace filled with art installations). 🔺Grand Bazaar one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Built in the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is a testament to Istanbul’s rich trading history. Over 4,000 shops sprawl across 61 streets, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors daily. Its a veritable feast for all of your senses. 🔺Hammam experience at Hurrem Sultan. A hammam experience is a traditional Middle Eastern bathing ritual that goes beyond just getting clean. It’s a multi-step process designed to relax and rejuvenate your body. …. And let’s not forget the MANY glorious gastronomic experiences (post to follow) A huge heartfelt thanks to @melinamass @elcinozi of @goturkiye Turkiye Tour for an unforgettable experience in the magical city of Istanbul ❤️ Link to Instagram reel: 48 hours in Istanbul
The Flavors Of Istanbul
Explore the flavors of #istanbul one bite at a time. As part of our Turkiye Press Tour @serhatnarsap @goturkiye organized two incredible gastronomy experiences featuring food and wine pairings (which our dear Serhat hand selected to accompany each dish) from both the European and Asian side. Anatolian cuisine is the foundation of what most people know today as Turkish cuisine. It’s a rich and diverse culinary tradition shaped by thousands of years of history, geography, and cultural exchange. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Anatolia has been influenced by a variety of cultures. This means you’ll find elements of Greek, Roman, Persian, and Arabic cuisine alongside indigenous Turkish dishes. Generations of Anatolian cooks have perfected techniques like grilling, stewing, and baking in clay ovens. Aegean cuisine is a delicious blend of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods from the Aegean Islands and surrounding areas. The Aegean Sea’s bounty features prominently. Expect plenty of seafood, like fish and shellfish,alongside homegrown vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Let’s not forget local cheeses and olive oils are much part of the ingredients list as well as spices and herbs. 🔺Pearls of the Aegean at @alafrestaurant 🔺Jewels of Anatolia at @serafvadi It was the ultimate flavor journey exploring the best of Istanbul’s flavors and food culture. A big thanks to our hosts for the memorable experiences, Teşekkürler. Link to Instagram reel: Flavors of Istanbul
Turkish Wine Challenge 2024 Edition
The one and only @turkishwinechallenge #winecompetition was held for the fourth year in #istanbul on May 7th 🥇 2024 The international panel of judges were all led by #womeninwine of which I was one again & extremely honored at that. Three panels comprised of a fifty split of women to men. #türkiye was awarded the majority of the medals with newcomers #france & #czechrepublic coming in second and third for #medals ranking, a grand success! A wonderful lunch hosted by @themarmarataksim & @vinkarawines delightfully paired dishes. Thanks again to @serhatnarsap and team for an incredible event. Go #twc2025 Link to reel on Instagram: Fourth TWC 2024 edition
A Toast To Dog Rescue
I thought it would be fitting to have a glass of Dutcher Crossing Bernier-Sibary Zinfandel as they are big dog lovers. A toast to all the caring rescue workers, folks who’ve rescued and support the shelters in any way. Thinking about adopting a rescue dog? Look no further than Angels 2 The Rescue located in Houston, TX. This amazing no-kill shelter is dedicated to finding furever homes for abandoned dogs. On a weekly basis they (along with transportation services) deliver adopted dogs to their new homes. Our first rescue experience, thanks to Angels 2 The Rescue, was incredible. Amy Delsanter was an absolute lifesaver. We lost our beloved Shepherd-Rottweiler mix, Daisy, a few years back, and it took time to be emotionally ready for another pup. Then, I saw Cocoa’s sweet eyes and I knew she was the one. This American Pitbull Terrier had been waiting at the shelter for a few years. Fast forward a few months, and Cocoa needed a furry sidekick. Enter Radar, a German Shepherd Husky mix with a heart-melting face (and ears!) that earned him his name (any MASH fans out there?). Both pups adapted beautifully to our family and each other. These dogs are the biggest sweethearts, the epitome of kindness. Their eyes tell the story – they just want love and a place to call home. Angels 2 The Rescue made the entire adoption process smooth and supportive. If you’re considering rescuing a dog, I can’t recommend Angels 2 The Rescue highly enough. They are true heroes for Houston’s lost pups. Raising a glass with a Dutcher Crossing Bernier-Sibary Zinfandel who are a big dog loving winery, to be continued!) to all the amazing rescue workers and everyone who supports shelters. You make a world of difference!
Seafood Love With Albariño
A go to white wine choice of mine is Albariño. It is delicious and versatile wine that is sure to please any palate. Its bright acidity and refreshing flavors make it a perfect choice for seaside sipping or with Seafood. Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino 2022 This crisp and zesty Albarino from Galicia, Spain, is like a refreshing ocean breeze in a glass. Its delicate aromas of citrus, green apple, and white flowers dance on the nose, enticing the senses. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and lively, with flavors of grapefruit, peach, and a touch of minerality. The finish is clean and crisp, leaving a lingering aftertaste that begs for another sip. Pair this delightful wine with fresh seafood, such as grilled shrimp or scallops, or with a light salad drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. It’s also a perfect aperitif, best enjoyed on a sunny afternoon with friends. A refreshing delight paired with pan seared scallops with truffle mushroom and arugula risotto, freshly shucked local oysters and smoked salmon chips. All beautifully prepared at Red 36 in Mystic, CT.
Full Throttle for Le Piane
ᴀʟʟ ᴄʏʟɪɴᴅᴇʀꜱ ɢᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ɴᴇʙʙɪᴏʟᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴍɪɴᴇ @lepiane_italy A winery known for their sustainable philosophy producing high quality Nebbiolo wines in Boca DOC. Le Piane’s winemaking philosophy is rooted in organic farming, traditional winemaking techniques, including extended maceration and aging in large oak barrels. This red wine is predominantly Nebbiolo with a touch of Vespolina aged for nine months in stainless steel. ʟᴇ ᴘɪᴀɴᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟɪɴᴇ ɴᴏᴠᴀʀᴇꜱɪ ɴᴇʙʙɪᴏʟᴏ 2022 Le Piane – Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2022 Glowing rays of ruby in the glass. A mountain of freshness and crunchy fruit – black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, rose petals, wild herbs, tar and dusty earth. A quencher of a light red, its fruity personality shines through- bright fruit, leather and sweet tobacco carry into a mineral mint finish. The silky soft tannins are intertwined with inviting acidity. This red just revs my wine engine full throttle …. gloriously drinkable. Pair with stuffed mushrooms, truffle polenta fries or duck pâté.
Elixir Le Gallais Cuvée du Manoir
ʙʟᴏᴏᴍɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ʙʀᴜᴛ @legallais_champagne When you sip champagne, you’re joining a tradition that dates back centuries. Le Gallais’s sparkling elixir transcends borders and cultures. Charlotte’s champagnes embody craftsmanship, patience, and a deep connection to the land. Located in the Vallée de la Marne, the clos 7 plots are the home the family’s domaine. Sustainable viticulture, aged on lees 3 to 4 years before disgorgment with 6h/L. A blend of 50% Meunier, 35% Pinot Noir & 15% Chardonnay from 2019 harvest to round out the blend. ᴄʜᴀᴍᴘᴀɢɴᴇ ʟᴇ ɢᴀʟʟᴀɪꜱ ʟᴇ ᴍᴀɴᴏɪʀ ʙʀᴜᴛ Not a timid yellow but a glittering gold with bright flirting lights of persistent, fine bubbles. The bubbles lift the aromas effortlessly to greet your senses in an aromatic and fruity way with morello cherry, apricot, prune, bosc pear, baked apple apple pie, pastry cream, smoke, brioche and almond. The first sip opens has a well-rounded elegance brimming with promise of beauty. The flavors are playful and present mirroring the nose, with glorious acidity that makes the flavors shine with the joyous effervescence. As the wine breathes, hints of brioche, honeycomb, toasted almond and forest floor emerge with a lingering mineral backbone of a finish. This lady holds a special place in my heart, it has liquid luxury and finesse, a real personality. Time for apéro with salmon tartare wontons and stuffed mushrooms to regale in. Photos taken at the @wickedtulips #tulipfarm in #rhodeisland a beautiful spot to take pick your own tulips and create wonderful family memories 🌷 which I visit yearly with my daughters. Catch our live chat on this champagne and get yours asap from @iola.wines
Freistil Fun Frizzante
But what I really want to know is, Are you going to go my way? Lenny Kravitz Thomas Niedermayr Metodo Ancestrale Freistil 2021 From father to son, their down to earth approach to biodynamic and sustainable farming has continued working in the midst of nature and utmost respect to the environment in Alto Adige, Italy. They focus on growing the right varietals in the right optimum location – fungal resistant grapes called PIWIs. They are cold hardy & robust, a wilder breed that are crosses between vitis vinifera varieties. This allows for a signifiant less use of pesticides thus protecting the environment. Thomas Niedermayr is also a member of the PIWI regional association in South-Tyrol “Anyone specialising in natural wine production has to accompany the wine all the way. Only so doing can you influence the quality of the resulting wine at every stage in the process.” That is Thomas’s mantra Vino Bianca Frizzante is a blend of 100% PIWI varietals Souvignier Gris, Solaris, and Bronner. Spontaneous fermentation started in stainless steel after few days on the skins made in the ancestral method, relies solely on the residual sugar to feed the yeasts in the wine in order to create the bubbles. This is a challenging method to produce sparkling wine as its difficult to control. The wine is left to its own devices to create the secondary fermentation ( no dosage or sugar addition), thus tiny delicate bubbles are created. A pretty Pet Nat full of sloping aromatics of crunchy pears and apples with a hint of bread and herbs amongst the barely there bubbles. A youthful cheer full of bright acidity and equally orchard fruit, melon to bread crumbs, raw hazelnuts gliding into a sage, mint and ginger finish. This natural wine screams alpine freshness all the way. Pair with deviled eggs, Marconi almonds or fish croquettes with aioli.
Frankfurt International Trophy
Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Frankfurt International Trophy wine, beer and spirits competition. ▪️ 4,050 high quality wine, beers and spirits tasted over two days at the beautiful @palmengarten in #frankfurt I judged 60 wines from Switzerland, New Zealand, France (all over the Loire), Italy (many regions), South Africa and England. Some wonderful wine discoveries 🍷 ▪️Lovely to meet some new #winejudge from Germany, France, Croatia and Italy as well see some familiar faces in the #wineworld ▪️Many thanks to the organizers for hosting an incredible two days. See you next year. #winecompetition #germany #loirewine #nzwine #sawine #piedmontwine #winestyles #englishwine #italianwine #swisswine #frenchwine
Bewitching Boca Alert
Anna Sertorio of Podere Ai Valloni in the Boca region of Alto Piemonte, knows how to naturally treat her old vines and create such expressive elegant wines with finesse. Boca is both a small DOC in the northeastern Novarra province of Piedmont, Italy. A relatively young DOC established in 1969, it is known for its unique red wine grown in volcanic soils. The wines are made from the Nebbiolo grape (locally named Spanna) (70-90%) with Vespolina and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese) together or separately (10-30%). The wine has to have Nebbiolo’s calling card is the high acidity, the Vespolina contributes color and softness, UVA Rara brings red bright fruit. The wines are very approachable and have great ageing potential. Comparatively, wines from Langhe region, located in the southwestern corner of Italy. This region is known for it’s famous big bold wines from Barolo (the king), Barbaresco (the queen) etc. These wines are 100% Nebbiolo, have different DOC regulations (longer ageing and oak requirements), The wines are grown in calcareous, clay soils which creates a much richer structure and complexity, grippy tannins and rich fruit. Other DOC regulations for the region: Vineyard elevation: Minimum 300 m (985 ft); maximum 550 m (1,805 ft) Minimum alcohol level: 12.0% for Rosso and Riserva, except 12.5% for Riserva with a vineyard name Aging: For Rosso, minimum 34 months, including 18 months in barrel, for Reserve, minimum 46 months, including 24 months in barrel ᴘᴏᴅᴇʀᴇ ᴀɪ ᴠᴀʟʟᴏɴɪ ᴠɪɢɴᴀ ᴄʀɪꜱᴛɪᴀɴᴀ ʙᴏᴄᴀ 2012 A blend of Nebbiolo 70%, Vespolina 20% Uva Rara 10%, aged for 36 months in large oak barrels. A glorious garnet gleams in the glass, my favorite gem and color of wine. Be mesmerized by the swirl of the color and intense aromas of sour cherry, pomegranate, fig are accompanied by a beautiful floral bouquet of violets and roses. The volcanic terroir makes its appearance with a smokey whiff of underbrush, followed by aged notes of leather, cedar and espresso. The ever warming hug of star anise and licorice are rounding out the aromas. First sip is a waterfall of acidity alongside firm close-grained tannins. A linear offering of tart and fine red fruit, dried cherry and fig, floral to an adoring savory undertone of balsamic, blood orange, tar, graphite and salted almonds. Long and lasting finish on allspice, anise and cedar. A perfect persistence and balance between tart and savory. Elegance is bliss. Pair with Venison burgers, arancini, steak and blue cheese .