Travel + Wine News: Stories Not to Miss – March 23

By Valerie Quintanilla

We’re starting a new weekly feature that captures interesting and exciting travel and wine news. Please tell us what you’d like to know more about. Happy travels!

Air Travel Report: Up in the Air 

Smarter Travel: Declining Airline Profits Could Mean Higher Fares for Flyers

March 22, 2012 – If what goes up must come down, then does that also mean what comes down must go up? Apparently that’s the sitch for airline travel, my fellow flying friends. Combine declining profits and high fuel prices and we’re looking at atleast a moderate looming airfare price hike. Happy Happy Joy Joy. The smarties at Smarter Travel break down the reasons for it and suggestions for not breaking your bank when reserving your next seat.

The New York Times: Time to Review F.A.A. Policy on Gadgets

March 18, 2012 – Alec Baldwin – Rejoice! Looks like future flights may in fact allow you to keep your game of Words with Friends going! Ain’t life grand? The F.A.A. is rethinking their arbitrary ban (okay, that’s me being bitter, perhaps there is a valid reason – just wish they’d tell us). Check out how it’s all going down and what it means for the more than 40 million e-reader and 60 million iPad/tablet owners out there. Hey – F.A.A., while you’re at it, could ya ask the airlines to make a decision about storing stuff in the seat pocket? It’s another “no-no” I hear sporadically.

See also:

FAA to Test e-readers and iPads, Traveling the World According to Me

FAA Rethinking Electronics Ban for Take-off and Landing, Smarter Travel

The New York Times, Practical Traveler: How to Avoid that Cramped Seat

March 14, 2012 – Did you know that not all airplane seats are created equal? No, I’m not talking about first class vs biz class vs economy plus vs economy. Well, the mystery is solved: there are sites out there that give you a breakdown of the seat so you know the pros/cons of every seat – middle or not! I used SeatGuru to select my seats for my next international trip. This article presents great suggestions on how to find that perfect seat. Don’t book your next flight without it!

Infographic: Flying Wines

Ever wonder what wines they are pouring on your next flight? Have I got the infographic for you! Are you a red drinker with a British Airways flight coming up? Expect a 2010 Argento Malbec, “nice rounded fruit, a certain richness.” Find out the reds and whites served on EasyJet, RyanAir, KLM, SAS, Virgin as well as deets about on-flight drinking habits; 24 percent of travelers sip soda and Portugal consumes the most with 28.8 litres annually. Cin Cin!

Featured Travel Tale of the Week: Return to Salzburg

March 18, 2012 – This week my aunt embarked on an exciting return to Salzburg – some 44 years after her maiden voyage for a year long study abroad program. Her first post offers a retrospective of the original adventure. She has given us a follow up post each day so far! Enjoy!

Wine Report: Swirl, Sniff, Sip

The Washington Post: Hopes of the wine industry rest on millennial shoulders

March 20, 2012 –  Um, TOTES that’s a good syrah – like, obvi! Oh yes, we’ve entered wine marketing to the millennial generation. Read up on how wineries are targeting these wine drinking newbies by literally speaking their language. OMG – great idea!

Decanter.com: Italian wine now 22% of global market

March 19, 2012 – For Italy! It’s no secret, I heart Italy. Some (like me) might even say I’m obsessed with the land of Dolce Vita. Well – clearly I ain’t the only one! National stats agency, ISTAT, reports that Italian wine exports now give Italy 22 percent of the global wine market share. Natch, the U.S. leads in exports with Germany and the U.K. coming in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. One the most exciting aspects is the surge in presecco shipments – up 17 percent to the U.S. I love me some sparkling!

Featured Wine Post of the Week: New York City: A Trip to Italian Wine Merchants 

December 2011 – My featured blog this week is not so much about the blog, but about a comment I got on Wednesday, March 21. Excuse my language, but HOLY CRAP Sergio Esposito read my blog and POSTED A COMMENT! Mr. Esposito is author to one of my most favorite books in the entire world, Passion on the Vine, an amazing book that gives a mental flight of Italy, complete with food, wine, and family. I was in NYC in November for biz and had a mediocre experience at Italian Wine Merchants, a wine shop founded by Mr. Esposito. I wrote about it, still giving kudos to the fantastic place, but keenly noting my disappointment in one particular store worker. I’m excited to say I’ve been invited back by Mr. Esposito himself! Read up – and make sure to devour the book!

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