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Totally Food Wine and Travel
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The Perks of Keyways
 We had so many wonderful perks on with our Conference at Sea, I need to share a little more about the Keyways Vineyard Winery in Temecula Valley Wine Country. One night when we came back to our room, Keyways was gracious enough to provide each attendee a bottle of their Sauvignon Blanc. It was packaged in a sheer rust colored material that had an inviting sheen. I'm one of those people who gravitate toward red varietals. However, the next evening, the Keyways Sauvigon Blanc was calling me. This wine is similar to the well-known and appreciated Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre, France. On the Keyways website, it says "it is very food friendly with aromas of flint and fruit." What it doesn't say is that its extremely light fruity aromas draw you in completely. It was a true compliment to my scallops. Since both Norm and I enjoyed this so well, I checked out the website once we were home. I expected it to retail around $24 to $29 and it is only $18 a bottle and $15.30 per bottle if you order a case - a tremendous value for a lovely light varietal. While visiting their website, I discovered Keyways has the unique distinction of being the first woman owned and managed winery in Temecula Valley. Since 2004 when Terri Peblley purchased the winery, it has undergone an extensive make-over including the tasting room and landscaped grounds. The original vineyards have been replaced with Viognier, Roussane, Tempranillo and Grenache which appeals to the palates of current wine enthusiasts. They also feature many special events. If you are in the Temecula, CA area, you may want to visit Keyways and definitely their tasting room. Keyways Vineyard Winery 37338 De Portola Road Temecula, CA 92592 http://www.keywayswine.com/951-302-7888 IFWTWA has Linda Kissam, lindakissam@aol.com, to thank for introducing us to Keyways. Linda represents many of the wineries of Temecula and the surround area. She also puts wine trips together. Linda is a great resource for all of you who write about and enjoy wine. Maralyn D. Hill President Labels: glog, ifwtwa, Keyways Winery, Maralyn D. Hill, slog, wine
The Perks? The Wine!
The Perks? The Wine! I was so excited about this wine, I just had to share it with you. My husband Kurt Winner, a fellow IFWTWA member won a bottle of Briar Rose Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve in our IFWTWA drawing. What a bottle! We opened it the grand Vista Dining Room aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam and enjoyed it with dinner. Sitting with us was a chef graduate of the renown CIA Ms. Diana Israel and notable wine expert and author Mr. Cork Millner. The rest of the complement tasting and commenting on the wine were notable writers,editors and foodies like us, delighting the moment! The wine was pronounced "elegant, full-bodied, hints of berries, cinnamon and very, very smooth!" What a delightful way to enjoy a superb bottle of wine among companions who really appreciate the care it takes to produce. I am a travel and food writer based in Oregon. With so many wineries to explore here I have not made the trek to the Temecula area of California. I say It's time for a pilgrimage. www.briarrosewinery.com Michelle Winner Vice President - IFWTWA
Travel and Food Freelance Newspaper columnist " Culinary Traveler" Labels: briar rose winery, ifwtwa, Michelle Winner, wine
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I agree with you. Norm and I enjoyed the Briar Rose wine and look forward to visiting their winery.
By Maralyn, January 28, 2009 1:17 PM
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Well, Michelle, I can taste the wine just by your colorful description.
Thank you for the Briar Rose tip, and for reminding us of all of the many perks of food, wine and travel writing, especially as members of IFWTWA.
Sante (Maralyn and I are in France) Brenda
By Brenda, January 28, 2009 1:32 PM
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Another Perk from Thornton Winery
 Not that we ever want to stop the flow of champagne. But, we need to thank Thornton Winery in Temecula Valley for introducing us to their champagne stopper. This Epic champagne stopper is elegant and useful. We find this airtight gem from Italy the perfect. gift for our friends as well as us. It is nickel plated. Ours happens to have the handsome black monogram of Thornton Winery. Not that champagne lasts 3 days in our homes, but it will with this resealable product. We are ordering several stoppers from Epic Products, Inc. In Newport Beach http://www.epicgifts.com/. Now when you're in the Temecula Valley, you may want to stop by Thornton Winery. They provided a flavorable dessert wine for our special dinner in the Pinnacle Grill prepared by Chef Mario Martinoli on Holland America Line's Ms Oosterdam for the IFWTWA Conference at Sea. Thornton was also generous in giving us a gift certificate for two for their Jazz Concert in the summer which was one of the prizes in our drawing. Brenda C. Hill and Maralyn D. Hill Labels: brenda c hill, ifwtwa, Maralyn D. Hill, Thornton Winery
The Best Perks
Recently, I just finished packing for a trip and was trying to unwind. Then I remember I forgot to put the sheet with my name, address, and phone numbers - along with my new wireless global number in my checked suitcase and carry on along with a copy of my passport - got up and did it.
For this particular trip, I need more clothes than my carry on since there will be business and formal functions. I'd skip the carry on, but my luggage has been lost more times than I can count on international connecting flights.
While trying to fall asleep, I started to think about what's good about travel? After all of these years, lost luggage, cancelled flights, etc. I still love it.
As I was thinking about the many perks of food, wine and travel writing, memories of the recently passed Conference at Sea where many of us were all able to renew old friendships and make new along with sharing food, wine, travel and educational experiences first came to mind.
Then I thought of years past and all of the wonderful individuals from various cultures I've been able to share meals with as I've heard their various tales. A bonus is that e-mail makes it so much easier for most of us to keep in touch. Some still require mail or phone, but that's o.k.
Currently, my excitement over sharing Bocuse d' Or with my long time writing partner, Brenda Hill, as well as our good friend, Master Chef Herve Laurent, is at the top of my list.
Brenda, Norm and I could write a book on our travel experiences that started with difficulties and turned into fond memories as well as those that went smoothly from the start. And, the best perk of all is being able to travel, experience various cultures, make new friends and share the tale.
What's the best for you?
Maralyn D. Hill President Labels: Conference at Sea, glog, ifwtwa, Maralyn D. Hill, slog
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Well, gee, Maralyn, funny you are writing about the perks, as well as the occasional down sides of travel and travel writing.
Here we are in Lyon France,writing our many stories after eating our hearts out all week.
It is midnight and we have a 3AM wake up call. Besides that, French trains, buses, maybe taxis and airlines are rumored to go on strike at this very moment, midnight.
Is this a perk or a negative? I will tell you tomorrow. In the meantime, if we are stuck in France for another day or two, it
may be a perk.
In any event, it will give us something else to write about. Brenda
By Brenda, January 28, 2009 1:46 PM
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Travel Perk--Caramoo Crumbles
 Maralyn says she didn't find it, she was fortunate for finding Joan Joffa, j.joffaacme@verizon.net. Joan represents many wonderful companies. I rarely eat sweets or candy, however I devoured the entire box of Caramoo Caramel Crumbles. The International Food and Wine Travel Writer's Association (IFWTWA) had been wined and dined like royalty throughout the entire journey from San Diego to the Mexican Riviera. This was the last night at sea, my bags were packed. I was ready for one last sleep under a full moon, the waves lapping as we glided toward the USA. My little pillow present on top of my freshly made bed looks tempting, thought I, but the last thing I needed. John Harnish, our Infinity publisher, and I recently polished off a bowl of real French onion soup, a thick, juicy T-bone, and hot, fluffy baked potato with all the trimmings with fresh crunchy veggies. Plus, a glass of the Holland American excellent Coastal house red wine. Candy was the last thing I needed. I thought, I will give it to Yanto, my cabin person, whom I wanted to tuck into my bag and bring home, when I handed him his extra tip. Oh well, maybe I will try just one, just to taste what they are like. My mouth watered at first bite, so I had one more. Then I read the label. Well, no wonder. Caramoo, note the moo, is made of real cream, European butter, and other cannot resist natural ingredients. Carmoo even contain vitamins and calcium, so might as well have another. I, a food writer, cannot adequately describe these caramel crumbles - an old fashioned flavor, reminding me of childhood treats - chewy, soft, firm, creamy, sweet, different and - addictive. Sadly, when I awoke in the morning, we had docked in San Diego and the box of Caramoo's was empty. Julia Child taught Maralyn and I to savor and enjoy these delicious and decadent indulgences once in a while. Now, who are we to disagree with Julia, so we joyfully follow her sage advice. You may want to order a carton or a gross and give them to all of your friends. A product of Poland, made exclusively for PD3, Inc. in Seattle, Washington. 98116 - http://www.caramoo.com/For those of you who were on the cruise, please comment on how you enjoyed these treats. Thank you Joan, for knowing how much we'd enjoy this fantastic treat. Bet you can't eat just one.
Brenda C. Hill
Labels: brenda c hill, candy, caramoo, food writer, ifwtwa
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These were fantastic. I thought I'd eat one and don't want to admit how many I really ate. Fortunately, Norm was sharing mine.
By Maralyn, January 28, 2009 1:20 PM
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Talk About Perks--Our Drawing Was Full
 On our Conference at Sea, we had a drawing to start up a scholarship fund. With tickets at only $5 each or 3 for $10, we all had a chance to take advantage of wonderful opportunities. Let me tell you, the winners were thrilled. Our prizes were:
is the author of Web Site WOW: Turn Your Web Site Into Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool and the creator of the popular Web Site WOW seminar series. Resume Package or Professional Bio - normally $450. The recipient will be provided with a professionally written resume, cover letter and a few other job-search resources of a professional bio. This service is provided by Lauren Milligan of ResuMAYDAY.com. (630) 836-9910 or (888) 556-2776 Getaway at The Heathman Hotel, Kirkland, WA - A two night weekend stay in a luxury suite, valet parking, a $75 food credit at Trellis and the Romance Package in Penterra Spa - Value $800. Park Hyatt-Chicago on North Michigan gave 2 luxurious nights with a wonderful dinner for 2 at NOMI.12 Bottles of Briar Rose Winery 2005 Award Winning Cabernet Sauvignon valued at $100 per bottle. Grand Prize - A Publishing package from Infinity Publishing - With the Advance Reading Copies (ARCs), a combined value of $774 to a lucky attendee. Package includes the publishing and distribution of your book, 24 ARCs of the proof books to be sent out by the newly published author to harvest blurbs, reviews, and readers candid remarks for possible use on a fly sheet and back cover as well as promote the bookOur goal with establishing a scholarship fund is to raise enough money annually so we can provide a full or partial scholarship to our next annual conference. We raised $500+ with this drawing. We hope to get another wonderful selection for our next drawing. A great opportunity for a fantastic perk at a value price and provide us a chance to help someone striving to improve their writing skills.
Maralyn D. Hill President IFWTWALabels: ifwtwa, Maralyn D. Hill, travel writing
Peelers Can be Different
For our Conference at Sea, many P.R. firms, wineries, hotels, and others provided wonderful gifts. I’m going to comment on them over the next month or so. Joan Joffa, j.joffaacme@verizon.net, represents over 300+ food and wine clients. Many are green or environmentally friendly. She was gracious enough to provide a series of gifts for welcome bags and pillow gifts. What’s better is Joan has stories about all of the companies. One of the gifts we had was a new product from Swissmar Imports Limited, http://www.swissmar.com/, or info@swissmar.com, 1-800 216-3492. They gave us a card with three Swiss stainless steel classic peelers. I was anxious to put these to the test when we returned home. The first is a serrated peeler and thinly peels delicate fruits and vegetables. I used it on a tomato and kiwi which was terrific. They say it also is good for mangoes and hard cheese and the side cutter removes potato eyes and blemishes and cuts groves in vegetables. The second peeler is a simple way to have thin julienne sticks in one stroke with carrot, zucchini and more. I tried this on some hard cheese to get some thin strips. The last peeler thinly peels hard fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and potatoes. I tried it on butternut squash and it was great. After being impressed with the quality of these peelers, I checked out the website, http://www.swissmar.com/. Wow, they have the difficult to find products at reasonable prices. I spotted several Raclette Party Grills. I may have to break down and order one since that has been a favorite dish since I first experienced it in Switzerland. For those of you who cook and want some easy peelers give these a try. Thank you Swissmar and Joan. For those who try these out, please let me know how you like them. Maralyn D. Hill President Labels: ifwtwa, Maralyn D. Hill, peelers, swissmar
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Maralyn, I love my peelers. The plan was to give them to one of my foodie children or friends as a unique gift. Instead I am keeping them for my self, useful and different. Thanks. Brenda
By Brenda, January 28, 2009 1:50 PM
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Now that I've used these more, thank you, thank you , thank you for my 3 stainless steel super peelers. I love and use them all. I will recommend these perfect. Peelers to my chef daughter, son in law and all of my friends who love to cook. Maralyn Hill and I plan to feature your Swiss classics on our next cooking video. I cannot decide which peelers I like the best. So far I use the julienne blade the most. Maralyn and I saw other peelers at 10 times your price at last weeks Bocuse dfOr in Lyon, France. For my fellow bloggers, order several ( great gifts) at www.swissmar. Com. Toll free 1-87-SWISSMAR (1-877-948-7627) toll free fax - 1-800-216-3492
By Brenda, February 28, 2009 9:54 AM
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IFWTWA Gets Great Press for Jan 09 Visit
As many of you may be aware, we've just returned from our 2009 Conference at Sea. It was tremendous and I'll say more about it later as well as those who contributed to our welcome bags, pillow gifts and drawing for our scholarship fund.But, for those who did not attend, we wanted to share some of the press we received:Mazatlan Press
Puerto Vallarta PressSince the above two links are in English, we know you'll enjoy. Be sure to join us next time.Maralyn D. HillPresident Labels: Conference at Sea, ifwtwa, Maralyn D. Hill, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta
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I have always loved Puerta Vallarta, and this cruise stop was no exception.
My surprise was my first time in Matzatlan. The ambiance, art, food, and most of all the people are fantastic. Brenda
By Brenda, January 28, 2009 1:55 PM
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