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Cuisine

These Are the Most Beautiful Coffee Machines You Can Buy For Your Home

September 29, 2023 by kjbirtles No Comments

A coffee machine is more than just an appliance – it can be an art piece, a conversation starter, and the centrepiece of your kitchen. The perfect coffee machine should not only deliver a delicious brew, but also embody your personal style and elevate your kitchen. Whether you’re a minimalist, an industrialist, or love a vintage aesthetic, these are some of the most beautiful coffee machines you can buy for your home. 

Kendal Balance Siphon Coffee Maker

Kendal Balance Siphon Coffee maker

If you believe the journey is just as important as the destination, you’ll love the Kendal Balance Siphon Coffee Maker. It puts the theater back into the brewing process, with its clear glass brewing chamber and ornate balance arm creating a magical gravitational dance that ends in a rich cup of coffee. It may not be the quickest way to brew a coffee, but it’s an ode to slowing down and appreciating the small things – plus it’s an absolute aesthetic delight. 

We think you’ll also like: Black gold: How the once-humble coffee bean conquered the world

Ratio Eight

Ratio Eight coffee maker

Embracing both form and function, the Ratio Eight Coffee Maker is the embodiment of minimalist elegance. It’s designed for aficionados who appreciate the intricacies of pour-over coffee but crave the convenience of automation, delivering a stunning coffee with a single button. The aesthetics are understated yet striking, with a elements of metal, glass and wood that blend seamlessly with any kitchen.

La Pavoni Professional

La Pavoni coffee maker

If you’re more of a maximalist and looking to make a statement, La Pavoni Professional is a dream. An icon in the world of lever espresso machines, La Pavoni’s design has remained largely unchanged for decades. Its gleaming chrome and brass finishes, elegant wood detailing, and exposed mechanics are timeless. It’s also a nostalgic hands-on experience, allowing you to have granular control over every shot of espresso, while each machine is built to last. La Pavoni is not just an espresso machine but a piece of coffee history and art for your kitchen.

AnZa

anza concrete coffee machine

Looking for something a little more industrial? The AnZa is one of the most unique and beautiful coffee machines you’ll find. Challenging the classic designs, AnZa uses concrete with brass details, creating an aesthetic that is both raw and refined. It’s as much a functional device as it is an art piece, with a thoughtfully designed system that offers an interactive yet simple brewing process. It produces a flavorful espresso, while the steam wand lets you froth milk to perfection. 

Smeg Drip Coffee Machine

Smeg vintage coffee machine

Going for a retro look? Smeg’s Drip Coffee Machine captures a classic 1950s aesthetic. The smooth curves, chrome detailing, and range of pastel shades add a charming touch to your vintage-style kitchen. And while the exterior may be inspired by the ‘50s, the interior is totally contemporary. It has all the features of a modern coffee maker. From the built-in water filter to the keep-warm function.

Chemex Ottomatic

Chemex Ottomatic coffee machine

The Chemex Ottomatic blurs the lines between science and art, with a coffee maker that looks like it could either sit in a gallery or a laboratory. While Chemex is revered for its manual espresso machines, the Ottomatic introduces a layer of automation. You’ll appreciate the iconic hourglass design and elegant wood collar, while also enjoying the convenience of an automatic drip machine… And the delicious coffee that comes with it. 

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus

Breville Nespresso Creatista

A fusion of Breville’s renowned design and Nespresso’s convenience, the Creatista Plus is a standout in the world of single-serve espresso machines. The sleek, stainless steel design and simple interface blends effortlessly into your kitchen. Its crown jewel is the automatic steam wand. It allows you to achieve your ideal milk texture and temperature, and create barista-level lattes, cappuccinos, and everything in between.

Elektra Micro Casa Leva

Elektra coffee maker

If you believe coffee-making is not just a routine, but an art-form, you’ll delight in this vintage gem. With its gleaming copper and brass finish and majestic eagle, the Elektra Micro Casa Leva transports you straight back to the Italian espresso bars of the 1960s. The exposed boiler and striking manual lever, are a nostalgic tribute to a time when every cup of coffee was a hands-on affair. And while the manual brewing process takes time to master, the results are undeniably rewarding, producing rich and creamy espressos.

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Banner image credit: AnZa Coffee

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Cuisine, Europe

The Luxury Gold Guide to Private Wine Tasting in Italy

August 10, 2023 by Luxury Gold No Comments
Hilltop winery, surrounded by vineyards in Tuscany

Wine tasting in Italy is an experience that’s as educational as it is engaging. Whether you’re surrounded by an extensive collection of bottles in a cozy wine cellar or gazing at the vast Italian countryside amongst endless varietal blocks, Italian wine tasting in situ is an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, agriculture, and ancestry of a vineyard. 

Professional wine tasters, sommeliers, and artisan vintners have an unrivaled knowledge of these wines. More than simply knowing how to note each delicate finish, they act as guides to help you identify aromas, tastes, and tannins, enabling you to enjoy a full sensory experience from serve to swirl to spit. And, yes, it is polite to spit out wine at a tasting in Italy.

Discover our Italy Luxury Tours and Vacation Packages


Wine being poured into glass with table set for dining

Most wine tastings will have spittoons present so you can swirl and spit as needed. It’s also not offensive to dump a sample of wine if it’s not your preferred taste. However, keep in mind that these private wine tasting events are curated with a reverence for the wine and winemakers and are designed to amplify your experience. 

Remember that the high alcohol content and the potential limitation of food pairings will impact your experience as the tasting progresses. A single taste swallowed allows you to savor the initial flavor while a second sip spat into a spittoon lets you focus on the individual notes. 

There are hundreds of vineyards for private wine tasting in Italy, including these exquisite vineyards in Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. 

Need to know: How a travel concierge elevates your Italy experience

Tuscany

Sunset over vineyards in Tuscany

Envision your perfect private wine tasting in Italy and you’ll likely conjure up visions of the Tuscan hillside. Less than 200 miles from Rome, Tuscany’s Sangiovese grapes take center stage. Renowned dry red wines like Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano pair beautifully with Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This region has some of the best wine tasting in Italy and private wine tastings at these two wineries won’t disappoint.

Read more: 10 stunning Lake Como towns you need to visit

Brolio Castle

Ricasoli is the name in Tuscan wine: the family that created the original Chianti wine. Since the 1100s, the Ricasoli family’s estate has grown grapes for centuries. You can visit one of the oldest wineries in Italy and savor a stunning tour of the castle, vineyards, and Ricasoli cellars. Take the Privilege Tour and experience a private visit of Brolio Castle where you’ll taste the limited-quantities of flagship Castello di Brolio, classic Chiantis, and the 100% Trebbiano Sanbarnaba in the opulent formal dining room.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico

26 generations of winemakers have kept the Antinori family name respected throughout Italy. Learn more about the family’s history bottling classic Chiantis with a tour of the award-winning vineyard’s estate, which includes three tastings surrounded by the family’s private art collection. Those searching for a more immersive experience should take the Cru tour: a deep dive into Marchesi Antinori’s wine making philosophy. It includes a private wine tasting of the seven Crus best representing Antinori’s ambition.

Read more: An exclusive invitation from Tuscan wine dynasty, La Famiglia Mazzei

Piedmont

Woman walking in vineyards at sunset, Piedmont, Italy

A region known around the world for its coveted white truffles, Piedmont offers some of the best wine tasting in Italy paired with some of the greatest truffle dishes on the planet. Just west of Milan, Piedmont is a place for gastronomic grandeur. Take advantage of private wine tastings at these two wineries that will prepare your palate for Piedmont’s exceptional bounty of culinary delights.

Casa di Langa

The world’s first hotel with a truffle concierge, Casa di Langa sits in the Alta Langa region of Piedmont. Pinot noirs and chardonnays are the featured wines of the area and the hotel’s two wineries. While the Nebbiolo vines in nearby Barolo and Barbaesco may tempt you for a vineyard visit, we recommend a special tasting in Casa di Langa’s wine academy. Tastings are limited in opportunity and capacity each day, while the range of sampling is anything but. Personalized blind tastings are accommodated, as are broad tastings that reflect the different varieties of the region. Naturally, the best way to follow up this experience is with a multi-course meal Fàula Ristorante where these wines are paired with creative plates and fresh truffles foraged from the hotel’s private forest.

Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi

Since the late-1700s, the Grésy family’s four estates have cultivated exceptional vineyards between the Monferrato and Langhe hills. Their historic cellars are ideal for both wine connoisseurs and those just getting a taste for the delicate notes of a fine wine. Private tastings include tours of the cellar where Barbaresco DOCG wines are featured. The vertical tasting is especially intoxicating as it showcases five Barbaresco DOCG wines from three of the estate’s vintage labels.  

Discover new flavors: The best gelato in all of Italy, served in a tiny San Gimignano gelateria

Veneto

Glasses of white wine

If Venice and Verona weren’t enough to make you fall in love with Italy’s Veneto region, then its wine will surely leave you smitten. Pinot grigio and Prosecco vye for your heart, each enticing you to deny your infatuation with the deep reds and instead embrace the white Italian wines at these wineries located in the heart of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG UNESCO Heritage site.

Il Colle

Though Il Colle has a history dating back only to the 1970s, the still and bubbly wines produced on their estate yield nothing less than memorable finishes reflecting the soil’s centuries of hard work cultivating a foundation for exceptional white grape growing. For those who want the ultimate Prosecco DOCG experience, nothing less than the premium itinerary tour will suffice. Not only will you taste a new vintage directly from one of the tanks in the winery, but you’ll also hand-pick six still or sparkling wines to sample with artisan cheeses and breadsticks.

La Tordera

With Venice on one side and the Dolomites on the other, there are few better places to find yourself than La Tordera’s winery in the hills of Valdobbiadene. A dynamic private tasting awaits those who desire an education in sparkling wine. Tour the winery with a guide and sample wines ranging from dry aperitif Proseccos to sparkling no-sugar wines for the discerning connoisseur. 

You’ll have no trouble keeping your wine glass full while on Luxury Gold’s Ultimate Italy tour. From Venice to Capri, you’ll spend 12 days exploring just as many cities. One of the highlights of this exciting tour awaits in Tuscany where you’ll enjoy a lunch and private wine tasting at Marchese Mazzei’s estate. You’ll also have daily opportunities to schedule your own wine tasting in Italy as you explore these iconic cities at your leisure. 

Which of Italy’s wine regions are you most excited to uncork? Let us know in the comments below.

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Cuisine

Black gold: How the once-humble coffee bean conquered the world

May 22, 2023 by kjbirtles No Comments
Traditional method of roasting coffee in a wok in Bali

The coffee bean may be one of the most important products in the world. Not only is it one of the most traded commodities, but over one billion people worldwide drink coffee every day. The humble coffee bean has taken quite the journey, originating from trees in Ethiopia to now uniting billions of people across the globe. We look at the meteoric rise of our precious black gold and how you can indulge in gourmet coffee tasting experiences in the most remarkable coffee-producing places on earth. 

 

The origins of coffee

Over 1,000 years ago, the coffee bean was discovered in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of coffee beans when he noticed his goats became more energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. 

Traders soon began transporting the coffee beans from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula, where the lucrative coffee cultivation and trade began. The port of Mocha in Yemen became a key center for the coffee trade, and it gained popularity in Muslim communities. 

In the 16th century, European traders began bringing coffee back to Europe. The first coffeehouses opened in Venice in the late 1500s, and by the 17th century, coffeehouses had become social hubs in major European cities like London, Paris, and Vienna.

Read more: The ‘world’s best restaurant’ is closing its doors – 4 contenders to steal its crown

 

Hands holding raw coffee cherries

The 20th-century transformation of coffee

Fast-forward to the 20th century and coffee had cemented its position as a lucrative commodity for the masses. In 1901, Japanese-American chemist Satori Kato created the first instant coffee, paving the way for a new era of coffee consumption. Instant coffee made the humble coffee bean more accessible and easier to prepare and became especially popular among soldiers during World War II. 

Another turning point in the history of coffee was the invention of the expression machine. Italian inventors Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni created the first espresso machine, which used steam pressure to force hot water through coffee grounds. They introduced it to the world at the 1906 Milan Fair and it took off. Over the following decades, espresso machines evolved into the modern pump-driven espresso machine in the 1960s. These machines made high-quality espresso more widely available and set the stage for the espresso-based drinks that would dominate coffee culture in the coming years.

The next key step in the global takeover of the coffee bean was the arrival of coffee chains. The mid-20th century saw the rise of coffee chains that would come to define the modern coffee shop experience. Founded in 1971, the now globally recognized Starbucks was founded in 1971 and expanded rapidly. With their inviting atmosphere, comfortable seating, and diverse menu of espresso-based drinks, coffee chains like Starbucks made coffee tasting a social and sensory experience.

Read more: The personal touch: our top 5 curated luxury travel experiences for 2023

 

Coffee beans tumbling out of a roasting machineThe artisanal coffee movement 

The mass commercialization of coffee drinking also triggered the specialty coffee movement we continue to adore today. The movement was all about artisanal roasters, baristas and coffee shops focusing on coffee education, appreciation, and holistic quality, from the beans to the brewing process. 

Specialty coffee shops began to showcase single-origin beans, highlighting their unique flavors and the countries where they were grown. As consumers became more discerning, coffee producers and roasters were encouraged to innovate and pursue higher quality in every aspect of coffee production.

Today, the coffee bean is black gold, elevated to the status of an artisanal product, akin to wine or craft beer. Coffee shops focus on quality, sustainability, and transparency in their sourcing and brewing practices. In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on the ethical and environmental aspects of coffee production. Organizations such as Fair Trade International and Rainforest Alliance have emerged to promote fair prices for coffee farmers, better working conditions, and environmentally sustainable practices.

The coffee industry continues to explore new methods of brewing and serving coffee. Cold brew coffee, which involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, offers a smoother, less acidic flavor profile, and has become the latest trend in coffee culture. As we continue to explore new flavors and brewing methods, the world of coffee shows no signs of slowing down. 

Read more: Mayta in Lima, Peru named one of the world’s top 50 restaurants

 

Coffee being poured from an espresso machine

Our coffee tasting experiences 

What was once a humble cup of joe has become black gold; an almost gourmet experience enjoyed by billions. And just as wine tasting is a much-loved experience, you can also find coffee tasting experiences in some of the most incredible destinations in the world, from Asia to South America. 

A coffee tasting experience goes beyond savoring the delicious coffee flavors and offers a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse world of coffee production and tradition.  Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or simply love coffee in all its forms, these are some of our favorite destinations for an authentic coffee tasting experience. 

Read more: Fine dining, dressed down: the cuisine of Vietnam and Cambodia

Brazil

As the largest coffee producer globally, Brazil accounts for around one-third of the world’s coffee production – so you know they make an exceptional cup of coffee. Brazil primarily grows Arabica beans, with some Robusta production as well.

If you’d like to learn about Brazilian coffee cultivation, head to the renowned coffee-growing regions of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Espírito Santo. You can also find coffee cupping sessions at specialty coffee shops or roasteries, where you’ll sample different coffee profiles and discover the unique characteristics of Brazilian beans. You also can’t miss exploring Brazil’s thriving coffee scene in major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where you can indulge in espresso brews and single-origin pour-overs. 

When you travel to Rio de Janeiro with Luxury Gold, we’ll treat you to a lavish lunch at Confeitaria Colombo, the prestigious coffee shop dating back to 1894. Afterward, continue your exploration of Brazil’s rich coffee culture and more on our grand tour of South America.

Experience it: Classic South America

Rio de Janeiro's sugarloaf mountain, seen from above

Vietnam

As the second-largest global coffee producer, Vietnam and coffee go hand-in-hand. The country is predominantly known for its strong Robusta beans and drip coffee but also produces specialty Arabica beans in the high-altitude regions of Dalat and Son La. You can visit the coffee plantations in the Central Highlands, where you’ll learn about local farming practices and coffee cultivation. 

You’ll want to try a cup of traditional Vietnamese drip coffee, made by brewing coffee with a metal drip filter and mixing it with sweetened condensed milk. The result is a strong, sweet, and creamy coffee served either hot or iced. You can also sample the unique egg coffee, a blend of strong black coffee topped with a frothy layer of whisked egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk.

When you travel to Saigon with Luxury Gold, you’ll have the chance to indulge in a coffee tasting. As we wander the streets of Ho Chi Minh, you’ll hear about the local street-side café culture. You’ll then learn the art of making the perfect cup of Vietnamese coffee, before indulging in one of your own. 

Experience it: Cambodia & Vietnam in Style

 

Barista making drip coffee in Vietnam

Peru

Famed as one of the leading coffee producers in South America and the world, Peru has a reputation for high-quality, organic and certified Fair Trade Arabica beans. Peruvian coffee is characterized by its bright acidity, medium body, and fruity notes. While most people visit the Sacred Valley as a gateway to Machu Picchu, it’s also one of the best places to visit Peru’s lush coffee farms. You’ll learn about the local coffee production process and hear more about the importance of sustainable coffee farming. 

The specialty coffee shops of Lima and Cusco are fantastic places to attend cupping sessions and coffee workshops, where you can savor different Peruvian coffee. Be sure to sample traditional Peruvian drinks such as “Pasado,” a slow-drip coffee made with a cloth filter, or “Quishr,” an infusion made from dried coffee cherry husks.

Experience it: Treasures of the Incas

Sacred Valley, Peru, at sunset

India

Known for producing both Arabica and Robusta beans, India plays a significant role in the world’s coffee consumption. Indian coffee is renowned for its unique flavors. They can range from spicy and earthy to sweet and fruity, depending on the region and processing method. The country’s emerald coffee estates are primarily found in the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. You can visit these coffee plantations to savor freshly brewed coffee while learning about Indian coffee production. 

For a unique experience, try the traditional South Indian filter coffee, a strong and aromatic coffee made by brewing finely ground coffee with a metal filter and mixing it with frothy, boiled milk. You’ll also find a thriving specialty coffee shop scene in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, where you can indulge in expertly brewed coffees made with locally grown beans.

Experience it: Essence of India

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