It's been a tradition to visit someplace warm during Christmas week the last few years. Normally this has been to Mexico where more Cerveza was consumed than wine. Hola Bob!
But its a direct flight from Newark to Charlotte-Amalie, St Thomas and in just a few hours you're staring at the aqua waters and basking in 90 degree temps.
I was happy to find many wine options in St. Thomas. First at the all-inclusive hotel, which actually had a nice wine list with several California options. With the blackened grouper ordered a 2001 Jekel Chardonnay and they also had Sonoma-Cutrer too.
In Redhook on the east side of the island and close to where you'd take the ferry to St. John are some nice restaurants.
First is XO Bistro & Wine Bar - start with the Baby Spinach Salad and then I really recommend the BBQ Chicken Pizza - instead of tomato paste the chef used his own BBQ sauce - it was really one of the best pizzas I've ever had!
On the wine side started with a Chateau Paradis White Bordeaux, now I know why the French guys I was partying with in NY don't like Chards from California. The White Bordeaux components are Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and is very clear - less oak more about the fruit.
Next was a glass of Franciscan Oakville Estate Chardonnay one of my faves, but have to say the White Bordeaux had my attention and was more refreshing in the heat.
Now the tough choices - couldn't make one...so had to enjoy them all; Artesa Pinot Noir, then Ridge Lytton Springs, a blend of Zin, Petite Syrah and Carignane and finally closed it out with Turley Juvenile Zinfandel. Wow what a great night of wine, would have only been better if my wine friends were there to enjoy too. Go out the door and party at Duffy's Love Shack - the crowd gets so big they take over the parking lot.
Still in Redhook is restaurant called A Whale of a Tail, located across the street from XO & Love Shack and right above Molly Molone's.
Had to have the Island Lobster - no claws on the spiny lobster here, but its still tastes great.
Was happy to see 1/2 bottles on the menu so started with Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay 2003 and then was thinking of a 1/2 bottle for Duckhorn Merlot, but better priced was 2003 Chateau Souverein Merlot which was just as good in flavor.
Check out the Virgin Islands Eco Tours do the snorkeling and mangrove tour in the kayaks.
There is one golf course on St. Thomas called Mahoghany Run. The course features 3 holes called the Devil's Triangle, but I was lucky enough to birdie #5 & #9 on the front side. Ended with a blazin' 92.
Right off the resort was snorkeling every day and saw something I've never seen - A Flying Guarnard - a fish that walks on the bottom, but when approached spreads out its wings - very cool. Here's a picture
http://www.dive-st-vincent-scuba-diving.com/PhotoGallery/2003Mayhew/image003.htm
It's so laid back in the Island that it was tough to get back on the plane back to NY, but now I'm rested, relaxed and tan.
-Brian
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