Author: Kevin Middendorf

Why the best Sauvignon Blanc comes from New Zealand

The first glass of wine I ever had was in an airport.

I was sitting in a wine bar in Washington Dulles International Airport, waiting for a flight home after a client meeting with a popular dial-up internet provider. (Yes kids, we used to have to call the Internet.)

Across the table was my boss – the guy who taught me pretty much everything I know about being a professional copywriter.

He ordered a Sauvignon Blanc.

At that point in my life, I knew absolutely nothing about wine. (Shoutout to Gabby, who recently admitted the same in her Unscripted blog post. It’s good. You should read it.)

So I did what any young professional trying to look like they belonged in a wine bar would do. I said, “I’ll have the same.”

The bottle was The Crossings, from the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

And I remember thinking something very simple:

Ooh… I like this.

Bright. Fresh. A little citrusy. Super easy to drink. It felt summery, even though we were in an airport. In Dulles.

I didn’t know it at the time, but that first glass happened to come from one of the places in the world where Sauvignon Blanc thrives.

So why is Marlborough so good at this?

The short version is: the environment there is almost unfairly perfect for the grape.

Marlborough sits at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, where vineyards get long sunny days and very cool nights. That temperature swing helps Sauvignon Blanc keep its crisp acidity – the thing that makes it feel so refreshing.

The soils there are rocky and well-drained, which forces the vines to work a little harder. Hard-working vines tend to produce smaller grapes with more concentrated flavor.

Then there’s the ocean. Marlborough isn’t far from the sea, so the air stays cool and clean, and breezes move through the vineyards. The result is Sauvignon Blanc that’s intensely aromatic – lime, grapefruit, passionfruit – but still sharp and lively. (At least that’s what I’ve read… I honestly couldn’t tell you what a passionfruit tastes like.)

It’s the wine equivalent of turning the brightness all the way up.

A WINE THAT MATCHES THE LANDSCAPE

There’s another reason Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc works so well. It tastes like the place it comes from.

New Zealand is a country of big skies, sea air, and landscapes that feel incredibly alive – the kind of place where you’re hiking coastal trails one day and staring at waterfalls the next.

That freshness shows up in the wine.

On our New Zealand: North & South journey, one stop takes you straight into the Marlborough wine region, where you sit down for lunch at a boutique vineyard and taste local wines just steps from where they’re grown.

It’s one of those moments where the wine suddenly makes complete sense. The air, the light, the ocean nearby – it all feels connected.

The first glass still wins

I’ve had plenty of wine since that glass in the airport. Some expensive. Some in a box. But that first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc still sticks with me.

Maybe because it was my first.

Or maybe because, completely by accident, I picked one of the best places in the world to start. (Marlborough, not Dulles.)

March 31, 2026
YOUR FLOATING HOME (THAT’S WAY BETTER THAN HOME)

I used to think of riverboats as… well… boats.

You get on, you glide for a bit, you get off, you repeat. Pleasant enough, but not exactly five-star accommodations.

You see, in my head, “boat” means my in-laws’ pontoon – where I’m the one bringing the drinks, so I can tell you for certain that it’s not an all-inclusive situation.

And then I stepped onto a Roam by Tauck riverboat and realized: this isn’t a boat. It’s a boutique hotel that just happens to be able to float… and move… from one incredible destination to the next. (Fun fact: they’re not even called boats… they’re ships.)

Better yet… Roam by Tauck makes sure you actually have free time to enjoy the ship – not just sleep, shower, and sprint back out the door. (Is it called a door on a ship?)

When you start to treat the riverboat like the luxury hotel it is, you can do what the best travelers do: use the in-between moments. And on the river, the in-between moments can be some of the best parts.

LATE MORNING SLEEP-IN… SERIOUSLY

One of the best parts of Roam by Tauck is that you don’t have to do everything. So, if your body says “sleep,” the answer is “yup.”

The cabins are quiet, the beds are plush, and the ship carries fewer guests than most similar-sized riverboats, which means you’re not living in a hallway full of foot traffic and door slams.

This is the kind of trip where you can take a mid-morning nap and still feel like you’re doing travel the right way.

A MORNING ROUTINE YOU CAN GET USED TO

You wake up. Pull back the curtains. Suddenly, you’re staring at a castle, a vineyard, a tiny riverside town, or a foggy stretch of water that looks like it was designed by a moody French painter. If you’re staying in one of our many 225-square-foot cabins, you can actually enjoy that view without doing the awkward “one person stands, one person sits” dance. (If you want to fully treat yourself, choose one of our 300-square-foot suites, which are basically bigger than my first apartment.)

Bonus: there’s a Nespresso machine waiting for you, and the minibar gets restocked daily, so go ahead and start your day with whatever floats your boat… or ship.

FIND YOUR FAVORITE AFTERNOON SPOT(S)

If you’ve ever stayed at a beautiful hotel and spent the whole day exploring, only to realize you never once touched the pool… this is your shot at redemption.

Because on a Tauck riverboat, there’s space to actually be.

Want sunshine and views?

Head to the Sun Deck, order a drink, and pretend you’re the main character in a European movie.

Want quiet and cozy?

Find a corner in the Panorama Lounge, where you can read, journal, people-watch, or just stare out the window like you’re thinking about something profound.

Want to make a splash?

Take a dip in the plunge pool.

Want to feel virtuous?

Sneak in a quick workout in the fitness center, then reward yourself with that minibar again (hey… you’re on vacation).

All of this is easier because there are no lines, no reservations, and plenty of open seating, thanks to the intentionally limited guest count.

SAIL AWAY: THE BEST HAPPY HOUR EVER

Let’s talk about one of the most satisfying micro-moments on the river: sail away.

The day’s excursion ends, you’re back onboard, and the ship quietly glides away from the dock while the town starts to shrink behind you.

This is your cue to grab a cocktail – either on deck or in the lounge – and lean fully into the fact that all, yes all, drinks are included, 24/7, including premium wines and spirits.

It’s basically the most civilized version of day drinking, because it’s paired with castles.

CASUAL ANYTIME SNACKS

Every great hotel has that one place you end up returning to more than you expected. On board, that place is often Arthur’s – the relaxed, casual venue where you can grab something quick, snacky, or comforting any time of day. (Try the burger. Trust me.)

It’s perfect for:

– Post-excursion cravings
– Afternoon “I could eat” moments
– Pre-dinner “I’m just looking” moments
– Late-night “I want something small but will somehow eat too much” moments

And if you’re the type who loves options, dining is genuinely flexible – from Compass Rose for gourmet regional cuisine to in-suite dining when your only plan is to relax.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT VIBES

At night, the lounge shifts into this warm, communal space where the day winds down. There’s often entertainment, live music, or a relaxed vibe where you can:

– Have a glass of wine or three
– Rehash the day’s highlights
– Make friends (or avoid people entirely… both valid)
– Get that perfect “we’re traveling” feeling without having to go anywhere

And because the guest-to-staff ratio is like 2.5 to 1, you’ll notice the service feels personal – the kind where they remember what you like and somehow manage to appear with it at the exact right time.

IN THE END, YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE

The thing about Roam by Tauck is that you’re not stuck in an all-day, all-activity schedule. You get breathing room. And on the river, that breathing room is the ultimate luxury.

You can explore Europe and still come home to a plunge pool, a massage, a quiet lounge chair, and a perfectly made cocktail while the scenery slides by outside.

It’s the rare kind of travel where the hotel isn’t just where you sleep. It’s where you live – only better. And if you’re ready to make a riverboat your favorite “hotel” in Europe, you can do it on Prague & the Danube or Porto & the Douro Valley – where the scenery is ridiculous, the drinks are included, and the only thing you’ll have to plan is whether you’re doing the sail-away from the Sun Deck or from your lounge chair, like the professional relaxer you’ve become.

February 27, 2026
Small Group Travel: Where Strangers Become Friends

Full transparency: I did not think I’d be a “group travel guy.”

I’m a planner. Some might say a control freak. I love a good spreadsheet. I’m the kind of person who picks my meal from a restaurant menu (and researches nearby parking options) before I’ve even made the reservation. The idea of voluntarily handing the reins over to someone else – and then making small talk with strangers for a week? That sounded like the perfect way to send my anxiety into overdrive.

But then something weird happened.

I tried it. And I actually… loved it.

I know. I know. My wife was shocked too.

HERE’S THE THING NO ONE TELLS YOU…

Making new friends in your 40s is hard work. It basically takes the same energy as dating – but with a lot more scheduling conflicts and fewer first kisses.

Between the job, the kid, the house, the yard, and the puppy (don’t get me started on the puppy), I just don’t have the time or energy to start a new relationship. It’s not you. It’s me.

And, even if I did have the energy… where am I meeting these amazing new people?

The grocery store? The school pick-up line? The hardware store? No offense mulch lovers. I just don’t see me finding my next best friend in the lumber aisle.

THE MAGIC OF SMALL GROUP TRAVEL

First: someone else is in charge. As a lifelong control freak, I assumed this would bother me. Turns out… it’s pretty awesome. You don’t have to plan anything you don’t want to. You get to just show up – which, as it turns out, is great for your mental bandwidth and your ability to interact with other humans without short-circuiting.

Second: you already have something in common. You’re all standing in the same breathtaking place, experiencing the same amazing moment. The conversation basically creates itself. So even if your default small-talk setting is “polite nodding” (that’s me), you suddenly have an easy, natural connection. And yes, the occasional local wine or cocktail helps too.

Will you become best friends with everyone in the group? Probably not. But will you walk away with a few people you actually liked spending time with? Almost definitely. And when you’re in your 40s, that sort of feels like winning the lottery.

THE ROAM BY TAUCK EFFECT

These trips are intentionally small, intentionally social, and intentionally unstructured in all the right ways. There’s enough shared experience to spark connection – and enough free time to escape when things start to feel too people-y.

Hike alone in the morning.

Join a group for cocktails at lunch.

Relax in the spa in the evening.

Share a laugh over dinner.

It’s the kind of travel that builds connection without forcing it – the kind that lets strangers naturally transition into “keep in touch” friends. And maybe, if you’re lucky, it’s the kind that reminds you that making friends isn’t something you age out of. You just need the right environment. (Spoiler: It ain’t the hardware store.)

January 8, 2026
Are Margaritas the World’s Most Customizable Cocktail?
Everyone has a margarita story. Some involve spring break and questionable decisions. Others just a salted rim, a rooftop sunset, and a feeling that life is very much in your favor. And, good news, if you don’t have a margarita story yet… it’s really not that hard to make one that feels truly yours.

Because here’s the thing: margaritas aren’t just a cocktail. They’re a choose-your-own-adventure in a glass.

The Margarita Capital of the World

While yes, the margarita has gone global, Mexico is still its beating heart. In fact, Mexico City is home to the world’s best bar – Handshake Speakeasy – and has several other spots ranked among North America’s finest, according to Travel + Leisure. So, whether you’re sipping a mezcal margarita under the glow of modern mixology, or ducking into a casual cantina for a classic version with a plate of tacos, you’re not just drinking a cocktail – you’re tasting Mexico’s past and present in a glass.
THE FOUNDATION

Like all good things, the margarita starts simple…

2 oz agave tequila

1 oz Cointreau or triple sec

1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed – it’s worth the effort)

Shake it with ice. Salt the rim. Pour. Sip. Chill.

This is the baseline. Think of it as “Mr. Brightside.” Always a hit, endlessly covered.
what’s your style?

Here’s where margaritas really flex their muscles: customization. The margarita’s genius is its balance of structure and freedom. It has an identity no matter what you do to it – and somehow, the more you tweak it, the more “you” it becomes.

THE SPIRIT
Tequila blanco, reposado, añejo, or go smoky with mezcal. Each one tells a different story.

THE FLAVOR
Mango, hibiscus, passionfruit, cucumber, jalapeño, coconut, pumpkin spice (if you must). If it grows, you can probably shake it into a margarita.

THE RIM
Classic salt, spicy Tajín, hibiscus sugar, black lava salt. Seriously – what other drink makes you want to lick the glass like a margarita does?

THE STYLE
On the rocks, frozen, skinny, Cadillac. (No judgment if you still drink out of that plastic yardstick from Cancun in 1998).

There you have it. The world’s most customizable cocktail, and the second-best way to escape the everyday – your way.

What About Those Frozen Slushies?

As with most cocktails, the margarita origin story is foggy at best – which feels fitting, honestly. What we do know is that margaritas became iconic in Mexico because of the ingredients: tequila made from native agave, limes that grow everywhere, and a culture that has always celebrated balance – sour, sweet, salty.

Fast forward north of the border and suddenly you’ve got neon-colored slushies pouring out of frozen machines. Fun? Yes. Authentic? Not at all. More of a remix, really. Catchy, but you still crave the original.

So, What’s All This Have to Do with Travel?

At Roam by Tauck, we believe the best journeys are like the best margaritas: a strong foundation, and then plenty of freedom to make it your own. We set the stage. You choose the flavors. Maybe it’s an afternoon rooftop cocktail. Maybe it’s a taco tour. Or maybe it’s just a quick detour down a tiled side street that becomes your favorite photo of the trip. Just like the drink, the magic is in the freedom to personalize.

The Final Sip

So, are margaritas in fact the world’s most customizable cocktail? We think so. But the better question might be: how do you take yours?

Salt or Tajín? Tequila or mezcal? On the rocks or frozen?

There are no wrong answers – only great stories.

And if you’re ready to make your next margarita memory in the place where it all began, check out our journey to Mexico City & San Miguel de Allende. We’ll bring the tequila.
November 3, 2025