Author Archives: Jack

Spain Wine Country

By Jack
In March of last year I was treated to an extensive trip through several of the wine producing regions of Spain. Few things are as impactful when trying to communicate the character of a wine as a hands-on visit to the source, so it’s common for producers to sponsor travel to their vineyards for those of us who work in the industry.

The trip really opened my eyes to the diversity of Spain’s geography, and their wine culture. For nine days we travelled almost 3000 miles by bus and plane (mostly bus) from the arid southern Mediterranean coast of Jerez to the cool verdant hills of Galicia. I was struck by the variety and scale of the viticulture and the country, from the venerable traditionalists of Rioja and Jerez, to the innovators of Toro and Soria. Continue reading

Travel and Memory

by Jack
follow me on twitter @jacklhalsey

My dear aunt, a lifelong resident of Perth Amboy, New Jersey passed away earlier this summer. Instead of the traditional funeral, a memorial was organized at her favorite restaurant. Situated on the shank of a bluff overlooking the Raritan Bay, the large picture windows showcased the pastoral shore of Staten Island, just across the water. As the room filled with family and friends and I gazed out over the refurbished waterfront I was struck by the dramatic physical change to the town I had spent my early childhood in. Continue reading

Wine Lovers Guide to East Coast Beaches

by Jack
I love wine and as I came to appreciate it more and more the concept of “terroir” gained a firm role in defining what I love about it. A French term, terroir is the combination of grape varietal, soil and climate that together produce a unique and distinct wine. This is integral to the prominence of celebrated wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany and Napa where each are heralded for wines of a recognizable character from varietals well suited to their specific conditions. The ripe velvety Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa, the crisp, steely Chardonnays of Chablis, have their own special characteristics not found in Cabs or Chards from other regions.

Which brings me to Garrigue, another French term. Garrigue refers to aromatic mix of resinous herbs and shrubs in the rocky hills of southern France. Lavender, thyme, cedar and salt air combine on the warm ocean breezes to create an unforgettable perfume. Many say these transfer into the wines of the region as well. I was reflecting on this during a recent beach vacation and thought I could identify a “Garrigue” for each of my favorite seaside venues along with a wine or two that share it. Continue reading

Classic Summer

by Jack
There is something fleeting in a summer night. Sitting on a porch at dusk in a humid sponge of clipped sentences and car sounds passing from distant to here to distant again, watching a baseball game in a crisply air-conditioned living room hearing the contented murmur of a far away crowd in the focused lulls of the game, moments that seem to pause and stare before passing. Yet even as we bask in this languorous unfolding of the little, there comes the barely perceptible rush of an outward tide stealing away time at a frantic rate. The game is over, the hour too late for idle conversation, back to school, back to work.

Summer becomes precious early in life, it may be the first thing we realize we have squandered. The first summer after kindergarten arrives like morning after a bad dream and is received with relief and casual appreciation. The end of this summer is the true end of childhood. Continue reading

Escape from the City: The Full Relax

by Jack

The perfect weekend getaway.
Often the effort and expense of these short trips can leave you wondering whether you would have been just as happy with a walk to the local watering hole followed by some Netflixation. Going somewhere new, centering on weather dependent activities, pushing the envelope on time, all bring in some risk to the trip, admittedly with no small reward if everything clicks, but often inviting frustration and disappointment. So it follows going somewhere tried and true, with numerous different activities, just far enough away to be considered a trip, is about as risk free as it gets. Continue reading

Escape from the city: Introduction

Another DC rush hour

Another DC rush hour

My husband has agreed to write a series of posts on some of his favorite weekend road trips. Jack (not Kerouac, though the style is similar) has always lived on the East Coast. While he loves cities, he also has a deep appreciation for small towns, country and coastal landscapes, mountains and woods – and has helped me appreciate them more as well. Combined with history and humor, this makes for a good read.
– Wendy

Escape from the City: Introduction
by Jack

It’s the weekend.
I want to trade the smell of bus diesel and the sound of angry commuters laying on their horns for scents more marine or arboreal in nature and maybe at some point something close to silence.

So I hit the road. Continue reading