Did you know that Italy has a free, 24-hour wine drinking fountain? It’s true! This odd attraction opened this year, much to the excitement of wine lovers across the land. This magical offering can be found along the Cammino di San Tommaso, a route that thousands of tourists travel on their way from Rome to Ortona. All are welcome to partake of this delicious beverage, however, “drunkards” and “louts” are discouraged. Read on for even more hard to believe facts!
1. Not all Wines are Vegan
Wait, say what? No, that’s not a big bottle of red beef blood, but there may be some animal byproducts in your next glass. Why? Well, this is because many winemakers use fining agents in the winemaking process, which are used to remove protein, yeast, and cloudiness. These fining agents may be as strange as bone marrow, milk protein, egg whites, and fish oil.
2. Wine Flavored Kit Kats are Real
Leave it to Japan to create the best (or worst?) thing ever. This candy bar looks exactly like your average Kit-Kat but is reminiscent of merlot mixed with chocolate. You know, it doesn’t really sound half bad. Wasabi? Now that’s a whole different story.
3. Drinking to one’s health started in Ancient Greece
Ever wonder how this trend got started? Well, apparently the Greeks knew the benefits of that nightly glass of red wine way before Popular Science. According to those in the know, ancient Greek parties were incomplete without a toast by the host. This proclamation was always held at the beginning of the party, signifying that the wine was not, indeed, poison. Wow. Tough crowd!
4. Women are Better Wine Tasters
According to scientists, women live longer, deal with stress better, and—gasp—are better wine tasters. This because women have a better sense of smell than do men, which can probably be linked back to the gender’s hunter-gatherer instincts (men killed the wooly mammoth, the women made sure it wasn’t rancid before cooking it; the same goes with picking berries and fruit).
5. People Made Do During the Prohibition
You’d better thank your lucky stars that you didn’t live through dreaded prohibition, when the U.S. outlawed all sales and production of alcohol. As it turns out, sneaky grape juice companies found a pretty ingenious way around this pesky problem. Along with their concentrated grape juice mix, they’d attach a note to consumers: “Warning – Do not dissolve in a gallon of water and put away in the cupboard for 20 days or juice will turn into wine.” Noted!
Did you Know?
Rotta Winery is one of the first ever in the Paso Robles area, with history dating back to 1856, when a French immigrant started the business.
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Rotta Winery
Seven Oxen Estate Wines, Hearst Ranch Winery, Oso Libre, and Rangeland Wines aren’t just fabulous wine producers, they also run cattle and sell the grass-fed meat to their customers and the community.
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Seven Oxen Estate Wines
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Hearst Ranch Winery, San Simeon
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Hearst Ranch Winery, Cholame
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Oso Libre
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Rangeland Wines
Eberle Winery is home to an incredible network of underground wine caves, which you can tour during your next visit.
Click Here for Mapping and Directions to Eberle Winery
This blog was written by Hayley Thomas Cain, food and wine writer for SLO New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. You can reach her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com or follow her on instagram @flavorslo.
If you’re looking for a place to spend the night in Paso Robles, checkout:
The Adelaide Inn is an iconic, lo
cally owned hotel known for its friendly staff and lush landscaping. With spacious rooms and a convenient location close to highway 101 and the event center – home of the California Mid-State Fair – this hotel is a great choice for most travelers.
Directions: speedfind.com/AdelaideInn
Majestically set among vineyards, olive groves and fruit baring orchards, the 20-acre Allegretto Vineyard Resort is a world unto itself, offering breathtaking settings that inspire and bring joy to all who choose this memorable wine country haven. Featuring 171 rooms and suites, on-site spa, grand ballroom, wine tasting room, and inspired culinary creations at Cello, the resort’s full service restaurant.
Directions: speedfind.com/Allegretto
La Bellasera Hotel & Suites is an elegant boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Central Coast Wine Country. Influenced by Mediterranean and Italian architecture, the luxurious accommodations reflect the aged sophistication of the Central Coast region and the relaxed nature of the California countryside.
Directions: speedfind.com/LaBellasera
Hampton Inn & Suites Paso Robles is nestled in the Central Coast wine region, home to over 200 wineries, beautiful beaches, mountains and diverse attractions. Relax and revive in a comfortable guest room with all you need for a successful stay. You can count on Hampton to deliver value, consistency and service with a smile. We love having you here®
Directions: speedfind.com/PRWine.HamptonInn
Experience the pristine countryside of Paso Robles Wine Country at Lekai Ranch. Lounge on the porch of your private suite and lose yourself in the tranquility and stunning views of the vineyards and oak studded hills beyond. This vacation rental is located just minutes from some of the most distinguished wineries and a premier olive oil estate, and only 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles’ restaurants, wineries and shopping.
Directions: speedfind.com/Lekai | vrbo.com/701796
Enjoy the elegance, style and natural beauty of California’s Central Coast at the JUST Inn®. Surrounded by vineyards, our JUST Inn Suites offer luxurious appointments like fireplaces, Tempur-Pedic®mattresses, Frette linens, hydro-spa tubs, and range in size from 600–1,200 square feet. An overnight stay includes breakfast and a tour of the winery and caves.
Directions: speedfind.com/JustinWine