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Lindblad Expeditions
History, Review, Itineraries, Ships, Deck Plans, News
Lindblad-National Geographic Cruises Coronavirus update
Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Cruises) suspended the entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all Lindblad-owned vessels) by cancelling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 16 through August 15, 2020 (initially through June 30 and July 31). Operations are planned to resume on August 16 (including in Alaska and Galapagos). The Scotland-based Lord of the Glens ship's remaining 2020 schedule was cancelled (a total of 8x departures between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh). The boat resumes service in early-June 2021.
All affected bookings were fully refunded (100%) in FCC (future cruise credit), including on prepurchased through the Lindblad Expeditions packages and services.
Lindblad Expeditions fleet
National Geographic ResolutionCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 2021 new ship Passengers 126 - 148
National Geographic EnduranceCurrent cruise: 20 days, one-way from Ushuaia to Buenos AiresLindblad Expeditions
Year built 2020 new ship Passengers 126 - 148 Homeports Ushuaia
National Geographic VentureCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 2018 / Age : 2 Passengers 100 Homeports Loreto Sitka Juneau
National Geographic QuestCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 2017 / Age : 3 Passengers 50 - 100 Homeports Sitka Juneau
National Geographic Endeavour IICurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 2005 / Age : 15 Passengers 96 - 96 Homeports Baltra Island
National Geographic OrionCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 2003 / Age : 17 Passengers 102 - 106 Homeports Ushuaia Papeete
National Geographic IslanderCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 1995 / Age : 25 Passengers 48 - 50 Homeports Baltra Island
National Geographic ExplorerCurrent cruise: 14 days, one-way from Ushuaia to Port StanleyLindblad Expeditions
Year built 1982 / Age : 38 Passengers 148 - 162 Homeports Ushuaia
National Geographic Sea BirdCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 1982 / Age : 38 Passengers 62 - 70
National Geographic Sea LionCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 1982 / Age : 38 Passengers 62 - 70 Homeports Guaymas Juneau Ketchikan
National Geographic EndeavourCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 1966 / Age : 54 Passengers 96 - 112
RV JahanCurrent cruise: N/AHeritage Line
Year built 2010 / Age : 10 Passengers 50 - 52
Delfin 2 AmazonCurrent cruise: N/ALindblad Expeditions
Year built 2009 / Age : 11 Passengers 30
Review of Lindblad Expeditions
IMPORTANT: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Cruises) suspended the entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all Lindblad-owned vessels) by cancelling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 16 through August 15, 2020 (initially through June 30 and July 31). Operations are planned to resume on August 16 (including in Alaska and Galapagos).
- The Scotland-based Lord of the Glens ship's remaining 2020 schedule was cancelled (a total of 8x departures between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh). The boat resumes service in early-June 2021.
- All affected bookings were fully refunded (100%) in FCC (future cruise credit), including on prepurchased through the Lindblad Expeditions packages and services.
- In August, Lindblad Expeditions Holdings entered into a stock investment agreement with several USA-based private companies (Declaration Capital LP, Durable Capital Partners LP, Headlands Capital Advisors LLC, Deep Field Asset Management LLC, MSD Partners LP) for the placement of USD 85 million of newly-issued convertible preferred shares (convertible into common stock at a fixed conversion ratio) at 6% dividend and payable (in cash) for 2 years.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc (website) is a USA cruise shipping company headquartered in NYC and Nasdaq (stock exchange) listed as LIND. Lindblad provides expedition cruise travel services and offers cruise tour itineraries with wildlife encounters, nature-history-culture themed and professional lecture-based onboard enrichment program. Lindblad partners with NatGeo to provide teams of professionals (scientists, naturalists, researchers, photographers) participating in each expedition voyage.
One of industry's largest (as fleet) small cruise lines, "Lindblad - National Geographic" is an unique expedition travel product that includes regularly scheduled itineraries in the regions of Galapagos Islands, Arctic and Antarctica, Europe (and UK), Canada (British Columbia), South America (Patagonia-Chilean Fjords), South Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, islands), USA (Alaska, Pacific Northwest), Panama Canal, Pacific Mexico (Sea of Cortez, Baja California).
Lindblad's fleet also includes vessels under charter, among which are riverboats (operating in Peru Amazon and Southeast Asia / Vietnam-Cambodia) and smaller ships in Europe (Scotland, Mediterranean) and Caribbean (including cruises to Cuba).
For 2018, the company forecasted annual revenues between USD 308-315 million (compared to 2017's USD 266 million) and EBITDA between USD 54-57 million (compared to 2017's USD 41,7 million). Lindblad stocks are owned by insiders (45%) and institutions (55%). Company's CEO and President is Sven Lindblad.
In February 2020, Lindblad Expeditions announced the "Premium Purity" program with a shipwide cleaning system based on ACT CleanCoat technology. The program was rolled out fleetwide after a year trial on NatGeo Explorer. The innovative ship cleaning process is based on photocatalytic antibacterial spray that when activated by light kills viruses, bacteria, airborne microbes, mould. The disinfecting product and technology were developed by the Danish company ACT Global AS (Copenhagen). The spray is chemical-free, odourless, transparent and can be applied to all surfaces.
National Geographic Lindblad Cruises
Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered the adventure travel cruise market in the late 1950s by taking US passengers to rarely explored places, such as the Galapagos and Antarctica. In 1979, a new division in the company specialized in marine-focused expeditions was founded by his son, Sven-Olof Lindblad. Today, Lindblad Expeditions remains the unofficial leader in adventure cruises.
An alliance with National Geographic (since October 2004, renewed through 2025) allows passengers to travel alongside with NatGeo's renowned oceanographers, photographers, and scientists. Over the years, this partnership was strengthened and now all Lindblad-owned cruise vessels include the "National Geographic" prefix to their names. Reflecting the joint motto (between National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions) "inspiring people to explore and care about the planet", both companies also created a fund to promote conservation in the areas they explore.
The atmosphere on Lindblad ships is down-to-earth, casual, emphasizing on practicality. Service is friendly (not doting). Lindblad Expeditions have brought adventure cruising into the 21st century, navigating unspoiled, distant territories without sacrificing comfort.
All ships feature comfortable cabins and provide onboard wellness services so passengers can unwind after an active day ashore. Staterooms range from functional and small to well-equipped and roomy, with modern luxury touches. All ships have LEX spas and provide wireless Internet access.
Dining is open-seating, with dishes reflecting the cuisine of the visited regions and destinations. Food ingredients are fresh, organic and locally-sourced. The company partners with Chefs Collaborative, Marine Stewardship Council and Blue Ocean Institute to source environmentally sustainable food. For instance, Lindblad's fleetwide policy prevents eating shrimp on board, due to the harmful by-catch when harvesting shrimp.
Each vessel has its own fleet of Zodiac landing craft, snorkelling gear, and sea kayaks, as well as specially designed tools allowing for more extensive coastal and shore exploration. Each ship in the Lindblad fleet is equipped with the latest technology innovations, such as remotely operated vehicles, bow cameras, undersea cameras, hydrophones, and video-microscopes.
The hallmark of Lindblad Expeditions voyages is the team of experts accompanying every trip - undersea specialists, researchers and seasoned naturalists who share their knowledge with travellers. On select voyages, a National Geographic historian, photographer, explorer or scientist also join the team. A veteran National Geographic photographer sails on every expedition aboard the National Geographic Orion and National Geographic Explorer.
There are no childcare programs or facilities on Lindblad boats. However, unlike other expedition companies, the line has done a lot for attracting families. Naturalists usually take families ashore separately and show children how to operate a Zodiac. Popular family destinations are Alaska, the Galapagos, Baja California, and Central America. Lindblad often points out that kids are welcome on any expedition and believes in family travel as a means of furthering education and building relationships.
Lindblad National Geographic cruise line
In March 2013, Lindblad acquired the travel company Orion Expedition Cruises. Line's only ship - Orion, was integrated into Lindblad's fleet in 2014.
In early May 2016, Lindblad Expeditions Holdings acquired 80,1% of Natural Habitat Inc (abbrev Nat Hab). This is a leading adventure travel company with headquarters in Boulder (Colorado USA). The remaining 19,9% stocks belong to Ben Bressler (Nat Hab's Founder and President).
- Lindblad's new subsidiary company focuses on land-based tour travel. Nat Hab specializes in polar bear tours (Churchill Canada), Alaskan grizzly bears), Galapagos Islands small-group touring, African safaris, Antarctica land expeditions. Since 2003, Nat Hab has partnered with "World Wildlife Fund" to offer nature-protecting eco-conscious and sustainable tour travel.
- Lindblad paid for Natural Habitat approx USD 20 million, of which USD 14,85 million (cash), USD 2,65 million (264208 Lindblad stocks) and USD 2,5 million (note).
- Previously, Nat Hab was owned by Gaiam Inc (leading wellness-focused brand) and Ben Bressler. Bressler continued to serve as President of the Lindblad's new subsidiary. By the end of 2015, Nat Hab realized net revenues of approx USD 41 million, EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) of approx USD 3,7 million and net income of approx USD 1,5 million.
Based in South America, "Australis Cruises" is a small expedition cruise line operating on itineraries between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. In 2016, the company sold to Lindblad the Via Australis ship for USD 18 million. Following a USD 10 million refits and refurbishment, the vessel was renamed to National Geographic Endeavour 2.
In July 2018, the company implemented 100% single-use plastic-free fleetwide. On Lindblad's ships are no longer used plastic-made single-use products, including bottles, cups, straws, stirrers. Lindblad also works with the company's suppliers and partners to reduce plastic packaging. This policy was first introduced in 2007 when Lindblad banned single-use water bottles. Instead of offering cruise passengers reusable bottles made of stainless steel. They can be refilled at several shipboard filtered-water stations.
(NEW) Scenic-National Geographic River Cruises
In November 2017, National Geographic Expeditions and Scenic River Cruises teamed up and launched "National Geographic River Cruises". The new offerings combine Scenic riverboats' all-inclusive luxury experience with NatGeo's science and exploration themed activities.
Each voyage is accompanied by a NatGeo expert who leads the ship's onboard enrichment program (educational presentations, itinerary-based lectures, informal discussions). All Scenic European river cruises also have a NatGeo photographer on the boat to lead the photography-themed activities and workshops. These voyages also offer themed excursions ranging from hiking and biking to nature, culture, and history.
The new Scenic-NatGeo partnership offers itineraries mainly in Europe - on the rivers Moselle, Rhine, Danube, Main, also on Holland and Belgium waterways, in France (Bordeaux wine region) and in Portugal (on Douro River). The new NatGeo experience is also available on select Asian cruises on Irrawaddy River (in Burma). National Geographic River Cruises program starts in Spring 2018.
Lindblad Expeditions company
In May 2015, the privately-owned Lindblad Expeditions became publicly traded company through a merger with Capitol Acquisition Corporation. The deal allowed this adventure cruise line to receive new financial resources.
- The price of the cruise company and the investment vehicle valued the transaction was USD 439 million. During the merger, Lindblad operated six Nat Geo-named ships plus 4 vessels under charter agreements.
- Following the transaction, Capitol Acquisition Corporation owns 50% of the company, Lindblad owns 49%, and the remaining 1% is owned by a foundation affiliated with Lindblad. According to the merger terms, the Lindblad owners received USD 90 million cash payment on closing. Sven-Olof Lindblad (company's founder and president) retained 29% ownership in the merged party. The led by him company management was retained.
- Following the merger deal, the new company was named "Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc", Nasdaq exchange-listed under the symbols LIND and LINDW. The founders of Capitol Acquisition Corporation made a charitable donation to "Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Joint Fund for Exploration and Conservation", which included 500,000 shares of stock. Between 1997-2015, the fund raised around USD 10 million in cooperation with Lindblad cruise ship passengers.
- In May 2013, Capitol Acquisition Corporation raised USD 200 million for merging with a promising company.
- The Lindblad acquisition deal followed the 2014 acquisition of Prestige Cruise Holdings by NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holding). The deal resulted in public ownership of two top-luxury cruise line brands - Oceania and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas.
Lindblad Galapagos cruises
In 2017, Lindblad celebrated the company's 50th anniversary since its first Galapagos Islands cruise in 1967. To commemorate the occasion, as promo deals, Lindblad Expeditions offered free flights (round-trip air to Galapagos) on over 50 departures in 2017-2018. Free airfare was offered for flights from Miami to Galapagos (Baltra) on all departures between August 25-November 17, 2017 (on Nat Geo Endeavour 2) and all departures between September 16-December 16, 2017 (on Nat Geo Islander). Free flights were also offered on select Galapagos cruises in 2018 on both ships. Also available was the option to upgrade to business class (USD 500 / select departures only).
Lindblad's Galapagos cruise prices start at around USD 7000 per person (double occupancy "Category 1" cabin). Kids discounted pricing is USD 500 off (for each child aged under 18).
New ships
In August 2015, Lindblad Expeditions Inc announced the company's plans to order two new cruise vessels with scheduled delivery in 2017 and 2018. In 2016 were announced the ships' names - National Geographic Quest (2017) and National Geographic Venture (2018). Both new vessels have passenger capacity 100 (each with 50 cabins) and are USA-flagged.
In November 2017, Lindblad signed with the Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein an order for one polar-class expedition vessel (National Geographic Endurance) built in Ulsteinvik and scheduled for delivery in January 2020. The shipbuilding contract included options for 2 additional vessels (of the same design) to be constructed in subsequent years. On July 18, 2018, Lindblad announced a second shipbuilding order (National Geographic Resolution) with scheduled delivery in 2021-Q4.
The new ship features an X-BOW (increasing fuel efficiency and improving passenger comfort in rough seas), high ice-class (allowing access deep into the polar regions), large-capacity water- and fuel tanks (for extended polar operations in remote areas), zero-speed stabilizers (provide stability at zero speed / during wildlife watching and embarkation/disembarkation).
The new expedition ship has a total of 69 cabins and suites, of which 12 are studios (single-occupancy cabins). Of all staterooms, 75% are with private balconies. Ship's wellness complex (spa and fitness area) consists of Fitness Room, Relaxation Area, Aerobics Studio (yoga room), treatment rooms (for massages), sauna rooms, 2 "infinity pool" Jacuzzis. Dining venues include the main restaurant (with panoramic floor-ceiling window views), bistro (Lido buffet restaurant) and outdoor barbeque bar.
The vessel is equipped with innovative Zodiac launching system (serving its fleet of large-capacity motorized boats used for landings), helicopter landing platform, cross-country skis, sea kayaks, underwater video cameras, two ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), video microscope, hydrophones.
Itinerary of Lindblad Expeditions
The cruise line Lindblad Expeditions advertizes its small-ship voyages as true expeditions, and not just cruising. Vessels' passenger capacity varies from 28 to 148. These are intimate-size ships with ability to get up close to the coast and wildlife. Most of Lindblad-NatGeo ships are converted commercial vessels. Three ships (Quest, Venture, Resolution) are newbuilds, launched, respectively, in 2017, 2018, 2021.
National Geographic Lindblad cruise itinerary changes
The National Geographic - Lindblad company partnership offers exploration and adventure cruising in the regions of South America (Galapagos Islands, Antarctica), Alaska, South Pacific, also in the Mediterranean (Europe) on the following ships:
- National Geographic Endeavour (1966, in the fleet since 2001) - Galapagos Islands
- National Geographic Endeavour II - Galapagos Islands
- National Geographic Explorer (1982, in the fleet since 2008) - cruises to Arctic and Antarctica, Azores Islands, UK (British Isles), Canada, South America (Patagonia).
- National Geographic Islander (1995, in the fleet since 2005) - Galapagos Islands
- National Geographic Orion (2003) - cruises in Antarctica, South Pacific Ocean (Australia, islands), European Arctic itineraries. A new cruise program 2019 includes one of the world's most wildlife-rich travel destinations - Russia's Arctic territories. The "Across the Bering Sea" cruise (Katmai to Kamchatka, around 4400 ml / 7000 km) nearly circumnavigated the Bering Sea, The 22-days itinerary (leaving June 18 and July 21, 2019) had fares starting at USD 25,850 pp (double occupancy Category 1 cabin). The "Life and Legend on the Bering Sea" cruise (13 days, departures July 9 and September 4, 2019) had fares from USD 16230 pp. The "Exploring Russia's Far East and Wrangel Island" cruise (along Siberia's coastline) was a 13-days itinerary (departures August 11 and 23, 2019) with fares from USD 16230 pp.
- National Geographic Sea Bird (1982, in the fleet since 2008) - cruises in Alaska, to Mexico (Baja California) and the USA's Pacific Northwest
- National Geographic Sea Lion (1982, in the fleet since 2008) - cruises to Alaska, Panama Canal, Costa Rica, the US Pacific Northwest regions
- National Geographic Quest (newbuild ship 2017) - itinerary destinations include Alaska, British Columbia, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Panama and Costa Rica) - the first newbuild in the history of the cruise line, commenced her inaugural voyage on July 29, 2017, as she set sail from Juneau for an 8-day expedition cruise exploring Southeast Alaska. National Geographic Quest sailed on the famous "Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness" expedition until August 26, 2017, and finished off her Alaska season with "Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia" departing September 2, 2017. Afterward, the ship remained in the Pacific Northwest for new sailings between Seattle and Vancouver, featuring calls at the San Juan Islands, Alert Bay BC, Victoria BC and more far-reaching visits to British Columbia's fjords. Beginning December 2017, National Geographic Quest repositions and operates Costa Rica and Panama expedition voyages before the series of new itineraries in Belize and Guatemala (starting February 2018).
- National Geographic Venture (newbuild ship 2018) - itinerary destinations include Inside Passage Alaska, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands)
- National Geographic Endurance (newbuild 2020-Q1) - Following an inaugural season sailing the Arctic in 2020, Endurance departs on a unique itinerary exploring the 7th continent with 2 departures only. The cruise explores where few humans have been and discover 4 wilderness regions, from the Peninsula to the Ross Sea and Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand. Lindblad Expedition's itinerary "Epic Antarctica" is a 34-day expedition from AUD$61,000 departing December 27, 2020, and January 26, 2021, with the 2nd departure date sailing in reverse.
- National Geographic Resolution (newbuild 2021-Q4)
In late-September 2020, Lindblad announced plans to deploy National Geographic Orion in French Polynesia starting operations in January 2021 with roundtrips from homeport Papeete Tahiti. Soon followed an announcement about NatGeo Orion's 14-day Japan coastal voyage (departure Sept 15, 2021) with prices from USD 20800 pp (double occupancy). A second (13-day Japan and Taiwan) voyage departs on Sept 28, with prices from USD 19320 pp.
Follows the list of NatGeo Lindblad ships operated under charter:
- Delfin II (2009, luxury Peru Amazon River cruise ship under charter) - South America, shipowner Delfin Amazon Cruises
- RV Jahan (chartered ship, operates on Southeast Asia river cruise itineraries in Vietnam and Cambodia) - shipowner Heritage Line
- Lord of the Glens (chartered ship, operates Scotland cruises in the UK) - shipowner Magna Carta Steamship Company
- Sea Cloud (chartered yacht) cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with Transatlantic repositioning - shipowner Sea Cloud Cruises
- Panorama II (chartered sailing ship, cruises to Cuba) - shipowner Variety Cruises
(NEW) Wild Escapes 2020 cruise itineraries
Lindblad-National Geographic "Wild Escapes" itinerary program consists of 11 action-packed shorter cruises. The program includes 4 new itineraries and range as lengths between 5-9 days. The company's new itinerary collection provides Lindblad customers with the chance to try expedition travel.
- NEW 6-day "Wild Costa Rica Escape - Guanacaste's Dry Tropical Forest" is offered in January 2020. Fares start from USD 3740 pp.
- NEW "5-day "Wild Baja Escape - Serenity and Sea Life in the Sea of Cortez" is offered in January 2020. Fares start from USD 2780 pp.
- NEW 6-day "Wild Alaska Escape - Sitka to Ketchikan" is offered in May-June-July-August 2020, with prices from USD 4420 pp.
- 6-day "Wild Alaska Escape - Sitka to Juneau" is offered May-June-July-August 2020. Prices start from USD 4390 pp.
- 6-day "Wild Baja Escape - The Whales of Magdalena Bay" is offered January-February-March 2020, with prices from USD 3740 pp.
- 5-day "Wild California Escape - Channel Islands National Park" is offered April-September-October-November 2020. Fares start from USD 2620 pp.
- 6-day "Wild Belize Escape - Wildlife, Reefs and Rivers" is offered in February-March 2020, with prices from USD 3970 pp.
Lindblad Expeditions related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
VIDEO: Outfitting starts for Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Resolution
On October 22, the hull of the new polar expedition cruise ship for Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Resolution, arrived at Ulstein Verft...October 24, 2020
- Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions announces first ever cruises to Japan
Lindblad Expeditions announced that it will explore the region of Japan on a couple of new adventurous itineraries in 2021. Scheduled aboard the 102...October 3, 2020
- Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions plans to return to Tahiti
The expedition cruise company Lindblad Expeditions announced it plans to base one of its vessels in French Polynesia from January 2021 as it has...September 25, 2020
- Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions to enhance financial flexibility by raising $85 Million
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. reported that it had entered into an agreement with a group of investors including MSD Partners, Durable Capital...August 29, 2020
- Cruise Industry
HP Shipping Ltd buys Lord of the Glens ship
The owner of small ship Hebridean Princess - HP Shipping Ltd, purchased a 27-passenger cabin ship from Magna Carta Steamship Company for an...August 15, 2020
- Cruise Industry
VIDEO: Lindblad's National Geographic Endurance ship preview
This month, Lindblad Expeditions' newbuild ship - National Geographic Endurance - starts its inaugural cruises in the Arctic and beyond. However, the...April 19, 2020
- Cruise Industry
VIDEO: Lindblad Expeditions' Newbuild Completes Sea Trials
The new expedition ship for Lindblad - National Geographic Endurance, has successfully completed its first sea trials in Storfjorden (the...February 18, 2020
- Cruise Industry
VIDEO: National Geographic Endurance Floated Out
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings celebrated the float out of its National Geographic Endurance on December 7 at Ulstein Verft in Ulsteinvik Norway...December 12, 2019
- Cruise Industry
Keel Laid for Lindblad's National Geographic Resolution
Lindblad Expeditions and Ulstein recently celebrated the keel laying of the cruise line's second polar newbuild under construction at CRIST...October 9, 2019
- Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions to Become Carbon Neutral
Lindblad Expeditions announced they will become a carbon neutral company starting in 2019. The announcement continues the line's legacy in...June 11, 2019
- show more news


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Hello! I have not 1, but 3 new wines to share with you this week. Also, I am adjusting my rating system. It's happened on more than one occasion that a wine falls short of perfection, but still leaves a solid impression so I'm adding a fifth wine glass to create a more accurate scale. Such a wine geek, I know. 😉
Chateau Bernadotte Haut-Medoc – 2010
Haut-Medoc is the section in the Bordeaux district of south-western France. The soil in this region has thick gravel layers where the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes flourish as well as heavy clay where the Merlot grapes thrive.
Bernadotte ferments this wine in stainless steel and follows it up with 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels.
The color of this wine was plum with some hints of brown along the top edges. (Thank you Deborah for pointing this out and for sharing this wine!) With it being a 2010, it needed to be filtered and aerated as some sediment deposits were lurking at the bottom of the bottle. I immediately tasted the oak, some tar and a little black licorice. The wine is medium-bodied and the finish has a fair amount of tannins. Pair it with with some nutty cheese and crusty bread and there's your dinner.
You can find this wine at Costco for about $10.99.
Rating: 🍷🍷🍷1/2 out of 5
Woop Woop Shiraz – 2014
Another friend introduced me to a wine she found in an article from Food And Wine magazine. I love it when friends are learning about new things and sharing this information with others. It's awesome! A big thanks to Jenny for not only sharing this wine with me, but for allowing me to watch 2 fantastic documentaries on Netflix, Somm and Into The Bottle that broadened my wine horizons and brought out the wine geek in me even more.
So back to the wine. 'Woop, Woop' is slang for, "In the middle of nowhere." The grapes used to make this wine come from the southern Limestone Coast of Australia. The rich soils and relatively cool climate produce concentrated grapes.
This one's another twist top, but again don't let that sway any decisions about this wine until you've tried it. It was Prince purple when poured into the glass. The wine was full-bodied, juicy, with lots of dark fruit and cola flavors. It would pair well with Asian food or smoked meats.
You can pick this up at Binny's for about $11.99
Rating: 🍷🍷🍷 1/2 out of 5
Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes – 2014
The final wine is one that came recommended by someone that worked at Binny's when I explained I wanted to try something besides my favorite bold Napa reds.
The Carignan grapes for this wine come from the Roussillon region of France along the Mediterranean Sea. The Carignan grape was used after the plague of phylloxera that swept through France in the late 1800s because it was a fast-growing vine, but the new vines didn't produce great tasting wine back then. Now that they are 70-plus years old, the wine is more flavorful and less tannic; hence the label depicting, "Vielles Vignes" which literally means 'old vines.'
The winemaker is Jean-Marc Lafage. He's known for Las Rocas Garnacha with Eric Solomon, founder of European Cellars. The Carignan is fermented in stainless steel tanks and demi-muids which are 600 liter capacity oak barrels to keep the oak flavors at a minimum.
This wine is a beautiful ruby color and tastes of black pepper, blackberries and black cherries. The finish is smooth and the flavors are mellow so you could pair this wine with anything from lamb to salmon.
Rating: 🍷🍷🍷 1/4 out of 5
I have even more wines to review so I'll try to get those out by this weekend. In the meantime, cheers my dears!
Wine Spectator Glossary

subset: commoncrawl


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Count one less Italian restaurant and pizzeria in East Phoenix. Gaspers Casual Italian Dining has shuttered.
Opened in July of 2010 at 4117 North 16th Street (16th and Indian School Road), and in the spot that used to be Zest, the restaurant was owned by Gasper Manno, co-founder of Sapori D'Italia in Fountain Hills. Manno renovated the space and created a "pizza bar" where diners could watch him make his Neapolitan-style pies.
Favorites at Gaspers included the Panzanella Bread Salad with fresh mozzarella, roma tomatoes, basil bread, and pesto vinaigrette; crispy fried calamari; minestrone soup; mushroom pappardelle with roasted mushrooms, roasted garlic, white wine butter sauce, and truffle oil; and rigatoni and ricotta.
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Sponsored by
Fragrant, savory and loaded with elegance, bottle-fermented wines from the mountainous Trentino province in northern Italy have long been the sparkling wines of choice for Italians.
Part of the success behind these stunning sparklers— which are regulated under the Trento D.O.C. denomination and known by their collective trademark Trentodoc—is their unique growing area, located on mid-mountain slopes surrounded by the soaring, breathtakingly beautiful Dolomites, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Situated between 200 and 800 meters (656–2,635 feet) above sea level, the combination of pristine mountain air, high altitude vineyards and plenty of sunlight generate hot days and cool nights during the growing season, which encourage perfect grape ripening. This ideal maturation generates enticing aromas, pronounced flavors and bright acidity.
While the extraordinary growing conditions are fundamental, producer experience is also crucial. Trentino has a long history of making bottle fermented sparkling wines—known in Italy as Metodo Classico. Trentodoc, the first Metodo Classico D.O.C. wine in Italy and one of the first worldwide, traces its roots back to the early 1900s, when pioneer Giulio Ferrari realized the area's extraordinary potential for sparkling wine production. Then, as today, the main grapes behind the effervescent wines hailing from the vineyards around the city of Trento are Chardonnay and Pinot Nero. Chardonnay lends Trentodoc their fragrance and longevity while Pinot Nero provides structure and finesse.
Quality has always been paramount in Trentino, and Trentodoc's 48 producers still harvest by hand. Quality remains the focus in the cellars too. Once the base wine has been produced, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, followed by long aging on the lees ranging from 15 months for Brut, 24 months for Millesimato and 36 months for Riserva. While these are the mandatory minimum aging periods, nearly all producers age their wines for far longer, sometimes up to ten years, allowing Trentodoc to develop remarkable complexity.
Thanks to Trentodoc's elegance and complexity, it makes an excellent aperitif. With the exception of desserts, it also pairs beautifully with most food: from simple appetizers to even the most elaborate dishes.
Look for the Trentodoc logo that guarantees you're buying Italy's authentic mountain sparkler.
For more information contact firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Major Minor
From Plank Road Publishingadapted/arr. Karl Hitzemann
Here's a very fun piece that illustrates the difference between a major key and a minor key. We have kept it simple, focusing on C major and C minor, and we have illustrated the concept very basically with, "major equals bright and happy; minor equals dark and sad." The tune is recognizable and easy to learn because it's an adaptation of the folk tune "Lavender's Blue." Setting the mood, the orchestration helps by having flutes, clarinets, staccato strings, a harpsichord, and chirping birds during the major sections; and french horns, legato strings, a pipe organ, and distant thunder during the minor section. Includes a bonus video!(from Music K-8, Vol. 17, No. 3; video created by Bill Belongia)
(Run time: 2:07)
About the Downloadable OptionThe downloadable version contains all the components the print version would, but in electronic format. Files may be quite large: A high-speed connection is recommended. (Visit the Download Help page for more info.)
About the Audio RecordingsAudio recordings contain full performance and accompaniment only (instrumental) tracks.
Downloadable PDFs, MP3s & Video File: 16.1MB