Your Go-To Guide for Pairing Wine with Food

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I recently attended a wine and food pairing event at The 83 Winery. The main thing this class really brought home is that one of the best things about wine is how it can transform a meal. The right pairing not only brings out the best in your dish but also enhances the wine’s flavors. Over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about what works well together—sometimes through research, but more often through trial and error. Although the old adage of white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat often works, it is a bit simplistic. Here’s my guide to pairing wine with food, complete with tips to help you feel like a pro the next time you’re uncorking a…

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Exploring SpaceX: A Unique Tourist Destination in Boca Chica, Texas

SpaceX sign and rocket

Nestled along the Gulf Coast near Brownsville, Texas, SpaceX’s Starbase facility has transformed the quiet area of Boca Chica into a hub of innovation and intrigue. While the primary mission of SpaceX is advancing space exploration, its site has also become a fascinating tourist destination for space enthusiasts, tech buffs, and curious travelers. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a visit to this one-of-a-kind location. A SpaceX Starship rocket and booster at the company’s Starbase facility launch pad. (Image credit: SpaceX via X) 1. What Is Starbase? Starbase is SpaceX’s launch and development facility where the company designs, builds, and tests its next-generation Starship rockets. The site’s futuristic infrastructure and ongoing rocket launches have made it a magnet for visitors. The towering…

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Small Town Wine Bar in California’s Smallest Incorporated City

Updated 11/4/23, original post published 1/30/18   Whenever I hear about someone closing their business, it always makes me a little sad. Such was the case when I saw the following post on Instagram from Ginger at Small Town Food and Wine, formerly Small Town Wine Bar. The last few years have been tough for many businesses. Some were closed down for months and never reopened and recovered. Those who have been lucky enough to reopen have struggled with lack of help (people don’t want to work!), fewer customers and rising prices. These challenges have forced many business owners to reevaluate what is important. Ginger came to the decision that she no longer has “the desire to fight to stay open.” The good thing to…

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World Birding Center Locations and Best Time to Visit

The World Birding Center may sound like a single place but, in fact, it is a series of nine locations that stretch out 120 miles across the southern border of Texas. Each unique facility is a gem on the chain that forms the World Birding Center. The World Birding Center locations offer year round activities. Whether you are a casual nature lover with no interest in birding or an expert birder, you’ll love all that these centers have to offer. About the World Birding Center The World Birding Center is a $20 million development based on the joint partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rio Grande Valley Communities & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each unique location is sponsored by one of the…

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Port of Brownsville Fiesta Cruise with Osprey Cruises

It was a while coming but I finally got to go on the Port of Brownsville Fiesta Cruise with Osprey Cruises. I purchased my ticket at the Winter Texan Expo in McAllen way back in January 2020, then everything came to a screeching halt that March. The cruise finally started operating again earlier this year. I watched the weather for what I hoped would be a beautiful day and made a reservation. I was rewarded with an almost perfect day of blue skies, warm but not too hot temperatures, and a mild breeze. Osprey Cruises Osprey Cruises may be best known for their fishing trips, both deep sea and bay fishing, but their six boats offer a variety of options. Deep sea and bay fishing…

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