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Foodistais a wiki-type site that hosts a collection of recipes. The interface is simple and neat and appealing. Featured on the main page are tools to explore foods, tools, techniques, and recipes. The search function is great. Anybody who visits the Foodista website can contribute to the site by choosing to add tool, add technique, add food, or add a recipe. Recipes can be submitted anonymously too. (without requiring a sign-up).
There is something about the rich sweet taste of this deep red fortified wine called Port wine.
Port wine is so named because it is a wine from Porto in Portugal. It is typically a sweet red rich wine but also comes in pink and white too. It is a fortified wine. This means that additional spirits have been added to the original liquid during its manufacture. In the case of port wine it is brandy that has been added to the wine during the fermentation process. This addition of the brandy to the wine halts the fermentation process and ensures that there is sugar left in the wine which will increase its alcohol content. The wine is then aged in cellars before it is bottled.
Port is only made in the Douro Valley region, this is one of the oldest protected regions in the world. It is divided into three separate areas each which is known for producing a different type of port. The first area is called Baixo Corgo which produces mostly inexpensive ruby and tawny ports; the second Cuma Corgo produces wines of a higher quality and the third the Douro Superior produces fine wines.
Port wine comes in many different styles and it is often confusing when you look on the labels of the bottles – there are however basically two categories, those that are matured in oak barrels and those that are matured in sealed glass bottles.
Tawny ports are wines that are aged in barrels. They are sweet dessert wines with a nutty flavour which the barrel has imparted to them during the aging process. There are different types of tawny port which vary in price according to the length of time that they have been maturing in the barrel, they can get quite expensive!
Ruby Port is the cheapest type of port wine. It is bottle aged and does not generally improve with age – it is however still a fabulous drink and as it doesn’t improve once it is open you have no choice but to drink it all – a good buy for Christmas when you need that after dinner drink!
As well as traditional red port wine there are white and pink ports also available. These are usually served cold as an aperitif in the same way that sherry is served but they also make a great base for a cocktail should you be having that kind of party. Another interesting fact is that when white port is aged for a long time the colour changes so significantly due to the tannins in the barrel that it is often hard to distinguish it from the red version.
Port is a great wine to have in the cupboard at Christmas. It is a warming drink that epitomises the season.
Fiona Muller has been writing for over 20 years. She is a qualified journalist and has worked in food and drink writing for the last few years. To find out more information about laithwaites wines visit – www.laithwaites.co.uk
Volkswagen Forums are a great way to keep in touch with VW users from around the world. You can read through other peoples’ experiences using Volkswagen and answer other peoples’ queries if you feel like it. They are sure monitored by Volkswagen so you can post your problems or issues and expect a decent answer in reasonable time. Volkswagen Forums seems active with at least 8,000 registered users.
Food Arts is a Free Magazine for Professionals in the food industry.
The magazine provides information of interest to the food and beverage industry. Business tips and forecasts for the food & beverage business are included in every issue. Also has hints on where to find rare produce and other miscellaneous products of interest. It is FREE to qualifying professionals in the USA.
To subscribe: Free subscription to Food Arts Magazine.
When you have a vehicle of your own it is imperative that you will want car mats, cargo liner mats and EZ Car covers for protecting the interiors and exteriors of your car. A good place to get your car mats, and EZ car covers and side window deflectors that custom-fit your car is the online store Floor Mats n More – Car Floor Mats.
Snowboarding trips are ever increasing in popularity and it is ten years since strapping a plank of wood to your feet and looking cooler than a skier became an official winter sport. So if you’re planning on hitting the slopes this winter, before sorting out the travel insurance and packing your sun screen, here are the top five snowboarding destinations.
5: Tignes. Situated in Eastern France near Val D’Isare, this resort was heavily developed in the 1960s and the buildings certainly reflect that. Tignes is home to the Grande Motte glacier which has receded at a rate of more than 25 metres since 1982 but is still open for skiers and boarders alike for most of the year.
4: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. At the foot of Mont Blanc lies Chamonix. The popular resort is also home to the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, which rises 1035 metres to 3842 metres up the impressive Aiguille du Midi. The area has been a tourist destination since the 19th century but still draws the crowds because of its diversity of runs including the Vallee Blanche glacier, Les Planards and the off-piste run The Pas du Chevre.
3: Sankt Anton am Arlberg. St Anton is a village in Western Austria on the Rosanna River and was the host of the Alpine World Skiing Championships in 2001. The resort boasts an amazing 260km of pistes and many bars and pubs to relax in between runs. The area has a long history in winter sports, and there have been skiing teachers resident even since before the First World War.
2: Banff. There are three resorts to choose from in Alberta’s Banff region, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Mount Norquay. Famous for its Champagne Powder snow, Sunshine Village encompasses three mountains and is about 15 minutes drive from Banff town. A little further – about an hour – is Lake Louise, a more quiet and romantic setting and suitable for all level of riders. Mount Norquay is considered more challenging and has been skied upon since 1926.
1: Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler and Blackcomb used to be two respective resorts but became fully integrated in 2003. This means that the area is now the biggest resort in North America with 8,171 hectares of terrain and more than 200 trails. The 2010 alpine events of the Winter Olympics are due to be held in the area and the area is well developed with 7 hotels and has been ranked No. 1 ski resort in North America by SKIING Magazine for 12 years in a row.
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If the thought of a holiday in a five star resort sounds boring or you just want to add a bit of adventure to your life, one of these top 10 trekking experiences from around the world may be just what you need.
1. Nepal
Trekking through Nepal is an ideal way to immerse yourself in culture. Spend some time trekking through the Langtang Valley, not far from the Tibetan border, where you can take in the superb views of the Himalayas. Other great treks in Nepal take in the amazing Mount Everest Base Camp, Kathmandu and the sacred monastery at Khumbu.
2. Kokoda Trail
The Kokoda Trail is an arduous trek through harsh yet magnificent, jungles between the north and south coasts of Papua New Guinea. This 96 kilometre trail is best known for its history during World War II and is often traversed each year on ANZAC Day in memory of the many soldiers who died there.
3. Patagonia
Located within Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a magnificent wilderness with an abundance of untamed beauty, reserved only for those who are prepared to trek through this region. While hiking through Torres del Paine or Tierra del Fuego, keep a lookout for the splendid pink of the local flamingos.
4. Macchu Pichu
If you like the idea of incredibly steep climbs in thinning air while learning all about the Incas then a trek to Macchu Pichu may be ideal for you. This ancient area of Peru is full of mystical wonders but is not for the unfit. Horse-packing is also a popular option for treks around Macchu Pichu.
5. The Camino
The pilgrimage along Spain’s Camino de Santiago de Compostela has been popular for many years with people from all walks of life but was made famous when US actress Shirley Maclaine took this trip. This trek, thought to help trekkers to find spiritual meaning in their life, is actually a series of treks that can be undertaken with other routes or on their own, but they each end at Santiago de Compostela. The Camino is another challenging trek that requires a good amount of fitness and planning, but it’s well worth the effort.
6. Gunung Tahan
If you are thinking about a trek in Malaysia then Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in West Malaysia, is ideal. This rocky trek through thick rainforest will take you past sights including ancient flora, unique wildlife, carnivorous pitcher plants, spectacular orchids and the local Malaysian people, the Orang Uli, who still live in these forests. This is also a challenging trek that incorporates many river crossings and rope climbs.
7. West Coast Trail
For a trekking experience in British Columbia, you can’t beat the popular West Coast Trail. Along Vancouver Island’s southern west coast, this trek is a part of the Pacific Rim National Park. Visitors can experience the craggy headlands, glorious beaches and dense rainforests.
8. Mount Kenya
One of the most amazing treks Africa has to offer is hiking Mount Kenya, the second highest peak in the country. There are numerous routes you can take, although the quicker ones often mean that you’re more likely to experience nausea from the sudden high altitudes. Many experienced trekkers suggest using the Chogoria Route which is slower, allowing your body more time to adjust to the altitude. Whichever path you take, you’re sure to see unusual craggy landscapes and a variety of African wildlife.
9. Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are world renowned for their breathtaking beauty and what better way to experience this than by trekking the age-old paths. Along with the most incredible views of the glaciers and snow capped Alps, trekkers can discover a variety of local farms and dairies. For visitors who enjoy a touch of luxury there are many comfortable inns scattered throughout the Swiss Alps – perfect for trekking from one cosy lodge to the next.
10. Ladakh Range
Ladakh Range, a desert region of India, is very dry and can be extremely harsh. Locals still use yak and sheep so you’re sure to see plenty of them on your way to the stunning Lake Morari, the peak of Stok Kangri or the local monasteries. This is part of India’s high country in the Himalayas.
These treks may not be your standard luxury resort travel but they are certainly more unusual than regular vacations and will leave you with some of your most remarkable lifetime memories.
Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au
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