Page 11 - Boca Club News - September '20

Boca Club News, Page 11
Dining and Travel: Wondering When You’ll Travel Again?

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire. Now, how do we address the situation of getting us all board. Some cruise lines have indicated that a “passport”
Hungry Al has been the Dining back to the one thing we love to do: Travel? of good health might be needed prior to getting on the ship.
Out columnist for Boca Club It’s obvious to all, travel has basically fallen off a cliff Regardless, this protocol is going to be different and simply
News since our earliest issues, and hasn’t bounced back yet. Unfortunately, every sector of part of the new norm.
offering his expert perspective the industry has felt its wrath of destruction, including the Traveling within the “new” normal. Cruises, tours and
on current food trends, and thousands of travel employees, cruise lines, airlines, land hotels will need to retool some of their products to reduce
guiding readers through local operators, and many travel advisors. occupancy levels, improve health and safety conditions. My
restaurant choices. Now, as I can assure you that this industry will be very different suggestion is to select smaller travel operators. Think about
owner of Concierge Travel Consultants for the past five whenever this crisis is over. This disease will be history, and doing an independent land tour with a designated guide and
years, Alan and his staff bring 25 years of personal travel travel will once again become manageable. driver. Most of my clients have experienced this with great
experience to an exclusive clientele looking for luxury travel When? Here’s My Best Answer. These days, nobody expects success and enjoyment. Your own car, your own guide, your
planning. With the current mandated slowdown in local the industry to return to what it was just before coronavirus own villa. Imagine being able to visit a famous sightseeing
restaurant activity, Alan is devoting some of his columns to hit home in February of this year. Indeed, while many see venue with only you and your immediate party on location.
the subject of Travel. some business returning for 2021, they don’t expect a full As for cruise lines, I totally believe the safest way to
That’s a good question, because the only trip I’m taking recovery until 2022, or even 2023. cruise is on smaller luxury ships. For ships with over 1,000
these days is to my mailbox! Then, to make this journey Even domestic travel is hampered by the mixed regulations passengers it will be hard to avoid crowds regardless of
worse, I’m inundated with travel brochures telling me all the of states with certain 14-day quarantines for visitors traveling the cruise lines’ new protocols. In specialty restaurants on
wonderful places I could visit if only I could get there. Some nationally. But the good news is, the travel industry is doing luxury ships, you’ll experience a smaller table capacity, and
of you know me as Hungry Al, but besides eating I love to all that’s possible to reassure the public that it will be safe to excursions will have limited participation.
travel. So much that I own a travel consulting business. travel the world again. They will want you back. New incentives and offers! Yes,
When you think of it…I guess I’ve been furloughed from Here are a few safe travel protocols that are being the travel industry will do whatever to get you back into the
both endeavors. implemented. travel mode. So, expect special offers and ease of booking
With restaurants in partial lockdown, cruise ships Promoting newly developed health and safety standards. to come your way. Smaller deposits with easier cancellation
permanently anchored, and planes not flying overseas, you As I mentioned above, hotels and resort companies are policy will now be part of a way to lure you back to the high
can imagine all the time I have to reminisce what it was like promoting their own new health and safety standards for seas, or tour Europe once again. You can also expect new
to travel. With any hurdles of life, I always look for the silver their properties. These include new cleaning and hygiene amenities to be issued on cruise lines, with bigger shipboard
lining. The one that stands out is the opportunity to stay home protocols, touch-less check-in and checkout, social distancing credits and free excursion offerings.
with my wife, and enjoy being together without the hamster- in restaurants, use of masks by staff and guests, and lower There’s never been a better reason to invest in a good
wheel of traveling. capacity for resorts. One would assume that when the travel advisor. We all know that, eventually, there will be
Another benefit is the enjoyment of doing our best to major cruise lines weigh in with their own health and safety a vaccine to help us get over this bridge, and, hopefully,
harmoniously share our kitchen, having fun tackling new protocols, they will be similar to what hotels and resorts everyone will participate in this recovery. Will travel come
recipes, and making fresh pasta. Dusting off my KitchenAid have come up with. back? You bet it will. Many in this industry, including myself,
mixer for desserts is paying huge dividends with my sweet Use of masks, social distancing and good hygiene. You feel that the pent-up demands and months in isolation will be
tooth and, unfortunately, my waistline. can expect that most travel companies will require guests to the perfect incentive for travelers to return in droves by 2021.
As for the travel business…I’ve had time to reevaluate wear masks. The exception would be while dining, or when Therefore, I recommend future travelers find a reliable and
my business model, redesign our marketing efforts, and isolated in their rooms, or in public without other guests. I’m experienced travel advisor—whoever that may be. One who
reorganize thousands of travel photos I have accumulated hearing that hand washing and sanitizing will be available will be your advocate when things go wrong (traveling can
over three decades of extensive travel. at all stops and during transportation times. Small buses or be unpredictable), and with you every step of the way. This
I’ve also researched and talked to my vast network of vehicles will be instituted to assure safe distancing. Most land will give you confidence that your vacation will be enjoyable
travel partners to answer the big $64,000 question: “When operators will start to travel only in small groups, which is a and memorable.
are we all going to travel again?” benefit for everyone. Most of my clients balked at any travel Travel goes to the heart of who we are as people. We live
Getting Past This Travel Hiatus. In the past six months, tours over 20 people, and most opted for private tour guides. in a global world. We travel to relax, learn, experience the
my staff has spent the majority of their time handling the Covid-19 testing of guests for some travel products. The unknown and interact with humanity. Without travel we often
aftermath of travel cancellations and refunds. Thankfully, we cruise lines are now reporting that temperature testing, and feel alone. Don’t give up hope to envision a new travel norm.
have succeeded in that task and our clients are appreciative even Covid 19 testing, will be required prior to entering the For where this is a clear sky, an open ocean, or a mountain
of the concierge service we offer them. ship. This also might develop into routine testing while on to climb, we are better people for traveling.
Grape Expectations: If You Ask Me...

By Ed Wolfarth, who recently moved River 2016!” He was good! Chardonnay is made in so many Same grape! Look for Pinot Gris from Oregon or Alsace.
to South Florida after retiring with different styles, from the Napa oaken fruit bombs to the tight Any producer will do. You’ll find them in the $15 to $25
his wife, Vicki, as Professor of Sports and steely French Chablis. Chablis is Chardonnay, but the range. The best QPR wines are often found in this range:
Sciences & Physical Education at uninitiated would think it was another grape. I prefer the that’s Quality, Price Ratio. Also in Italy, more high-end Pinot
both Queens College and Hofstra leaner, more nuanced ones as opposed to the fruit bombs, so Grigio is made in Piedmont and Alto Aldige, but you will
University. He is a nationally ranked here are my favorite Chards: have to spend $20 or more.
senior tennis player and long-time Italian. Cantina Terlano from Alto Aldige; Bramito from Riesling. While I’m not a fan of sweet wines (except
USPTA Elite Teaching Professional. Umbria, and Planeta from Sicily. for dessert), I do like a bit of fruitiness if its balanced with
Ed has written many educational and Australian. Anything from the Margaret River, including sufficient acidity. In Germany, the Kabinett level of sweetness
tennis articles in the past. Over the past few years, Ed has Vasse Felix, Xanadu Estates and, if you can afford them, (look for it on the label) is my go-to wine with Asian fare.
turned his hobby of wine collecting into a way of continuing Leeuwin Art Series. Dr. Loosen and Prum are two producers I always seek out.
his passion for writing, and has written on the subject for New Zealand. Kumeu River--my absolute favorite! The Alsace is a region in northeast France near Germany that
publications. As a self-proclaimed “wine snob,” he has single vineyard Chards, where grapes are hand-picked and produces some of the finest examples of dry Rieslings. Look
collaborated on many wine lists for private clubs and a few sell for upwards of $60 a bottle, consistently scored higher for wines from Trimbach, Zind-Humbrecht and Hugel. All
restaurants. Ed can be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. than all the Montrachet wines of Burgundy in blind tastings. terrific dry Rieslings, affordable and some of my favorites.
Frequently, I’m asked for recommendations for wines. Of course, these Burgundies were selling for upwards of $750 Australia - Dry Riesling here, too. I like Grosset Polish
While my taste buds are certainly different from many of my a bottle! If $60 a bottle is above your pay grade, then try the Hill and Pewsey Vale.
friends’, we do share some things in common. Our dining Estate bottling for $33 or the Village bottles for less than $15. U.S.A. - A fine Riesling is being made by Chateau Ste.
partners tend to enjoy “new world” wines, as does my wife, All have the excellent minerality and balance between fruit Michelle; it’s called Eroica.
much to my consternation! I like the subtleties and nuances and oak. Just mouth-watering Chards. The above four grape varietals are the most popular and
of “old world” wines, where bigger is not necessarily better. Sonoma. Less oak and leaner in style. These Chards are probably account for more than 95% of white wine sales. There
In California, and particularly in Australia, wine makers usually fermented in steel vats, not oak barrels, which gives are however, countless less popular grapes that give you the
have been producing wines with more alcohol, more oak and them that sharper taste. Try Hanzell, Chalk Hill and, for more same or a better drinking experience, and often at a better price.
big fruit bombs. While that trend is changing slightly, it’s affordable examples, try Ferrari-Carano, Simi and Kirkland Write down the following recommendations. You won’t be
simply more important to find out what you like and, more Signature Series Russian River. (Yup, the ones you find in disappointed. These are my favorites and I’ve been drinking
importantly, what you don’t like. So here goes a compendium Costco.) Lightly oaked, sharp lemony finish. An absolute them for years. I’ve listed them in no particular order.
of my favorite wines. First, we’ll start with the whites--by steal at under $15! Spanish Godello. A good alternative to white Burgundies.
grape varietal. Next month, the reds! Sauvignon Blanc. Sauv Blanc has become the darling Nice acidity in a citrusy kind of way.
Chardonnay. At a recent AFWC event (American Fine of the ABC crowd (anything but Chardonnay). The most Italian Arneis from Roero. If you like Chards with apple
Wine Competition), where I was on the panel tasting in obvious and easily detected are those from the Marlboro and pear tastes, you’ll love this wine. It’s medium body and
order to award gold, silver medals etc., the first flight was area. Kim Crawford will appear on every restaurant wine list. fragrant.
Chardonnays. All were from California, with one from You ask why? Because it’s obvious. The smell and taste of Santorini whites. Moschofilero and Assyrtikos (you try
Oregon thrown in. Blind tasting is fun and everyone has ripe grapefruit is overpowering. Even a novice knows a Kim to pronounce them) are two of my favorites. The Moscho
different palates and tastes, but some tastes are universal. We Crawford. Familiarity is comfortable. Personally, I’m not a is a hybrid Sauv Blanc and Chard. The Assyrtiko grape is
all agreed, and easy to surmise, the Napa Chardonnays. The fan. I prefer French Sauv Blancs. You need to try Sancerre, indigenous to Santorini and tastes similar to Sauv Blancs with
smell, color, presence of oak was undeniable. These were any recent vintage. Also seek out Austrian Sauv Blanc from its acidity and citrus taste. A beautifully balanced white wine.
big wines with oak, alcohol and fruit in abundance. Robert Tenant, and Sauv Blanc from Alto Aldige. If you must, the I could go on, but let’s stop here. The real deal is that
Parker would have been proud! New Zealand Sauv Blancs I do like are: Dog Point, Nobilo you have to try other whites. Torrontes, from Argentina,
The second wine was nuanced, well balanced and left a Icon, Villa Maria and Craggy Range. Vernaccia from Italy, Albarino and Verdejo from Spain. All
pleasant lingering finish on the tongue and mouth. My kind Pinot Grigio. Those Italian cheap, innocuous whites that terrific alternative whites that you will enjoy. Try them, I
of wine! I identified it as Sonoma. Not difficult to figure. are easy drinking are also found on almost every wine list. have. Next, red wines...
My fellow panelist, a winemaker, countered, “Russian There are however, more serious versions called Pinot Gris.