God bless them. Even though the Brits lost and are no longer part of the World Cup competition, countrymen all over Germany are showing that they’ve got the mettle to drink the country dry. Of course, the Germans knew what was coming. They tried to plan for the heavy-drinking Brits. But alas, in the end, the quaffing was just too much, and the 70,000 or so English fans who came to Deutschland drank some 1.2 million pints of beer, an average of 17 pints each hooligan…er person. A German beerkeeper said he had never “seen so many drink so much in such little time.” Let us raise a glass on this fine Fourth of July weekend for our brethren overthe pond. Here here, and God save the Queen.
Stop that Aging Wine
Those who like to travel in style should check out the Wine Steward Supremo from Pek wards off the effects of aging – for your wine, at least – by filling unfinished bottles with argon gas to reduce the wine’s contact with oxygen. Because argon is heavier than air, when you remove the bottle from the Wine Steward and cork it, the air stays out. Unlike some anti-oxidation systems, the Supremo also has controls to keep your bottle at just the right temperature. It’s available in silver or black. ($199)
One Night Stand: Scottsdale, Arizona
It’s been sometime since I last sought the counsel of the Gadling readers on an unfamiliar U.S. city, but the time has finally arrived once again. As some of you may recall I have been traversing the country in a three month long walk across America and have been stopping at some fabulous and well not so fab places. Remember Olney and Salem, IL? Oh, and let me thank those of you who chip in your recommendations. If I don’t get back to you with a report, it’s probably due to the fact that my fellow walking companions are turning the entire ordeal into something of a reality show. Sigh – 19 more days to go.
Anyhow, it looks like I’ll be dropping into Scottsdale, AZ this Fourth of July weekend and staying at a pretty nice hotel to boot. Anyone know anything about the area around Chaparral Suites Resort? On a normal day I would request any and all ideas and suggestions, but tonight I’m in a placid kind of mood. That being said what’s cool, hip, peaceful, relaxing, and quiet to do in Scottsdale? Any neat art museums worth checking out? How about shopping plaza? After wearing workout clothing for months I actually wouldn’t mind a day spent at an off-the-beaten track strip mall. Anything special happening this weekend for the holiday? There’s no time to be shy, so share any and all your Scottsdale city secrets. Before I know it, I’ll be in Wickenburg.
Java Blues – Springerville, AZ
After hours on the road coming out of Quemado, NM or Show Low, AZ Java Blues won’t be the most recognizable on the small Springerville stretch, but you can count on it being the most appetizing and healthier of choices. The happy humming establishment is bound to please the most finicky taste buds whether you settle in for a warm cup of coffee, fresh fruit cup, or tuna salad sandwich on butter croissant. Those rolling through the area later in the day might want to stop in for happy hour Monday to Saturday from 4 to 6 PM where the appetizers are $3.50 and you can score a $1 off beers and wines. I stopped in twice in less than 24 hours spent in the town. Great staff, awesome atmosphere and delectable dishes.
Java Blues is located at 341 E. Main St., Springerville, AZ 85938. Ph. 928.333.5282.
Cooking Tours
With the rise of celebrity chefs and the 24-hour Food Network, more and more travelers are incorporating a new-found love for cooking into their international travels.
A recent article in Time Magazine tracks a family’s journey to Oaxaca, Mexico for a week-long cooking course that embraces the wonderful flavors of the region’s tasty foods–such as spicy mole negro and mango-jicama salad.
Mexico is a popular destination for culinary tours, but quite frankly, the world is your oyster, as they say, when it comes to international cooking classes. For example, A Cook’s Tour–just one of a handful of companies that specialize in such trips–is offering more than 30 classes in the upcoming year to such locations as Italy, France, South Africa, and of course, Mexico.
“A Taste of White Truffles” scheduled for October in Piedmont, Italy has really got my drool going. Mmmmmmm.