tran·scend·ent

tran(t)ˈsend(ə)nt/ adjective

beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience.

1. Wiesbaden, Germany

Just 20 minutes south of Frankfurt in the Rhine-Main Region of Germany lies Wiesbaden: a multifaceted city steeped in history. Wiesbaden is where the world meets. What was once a bathing resort of the Romans is now a sophisticated "global cultural city". Numerous Wiesbaden festivals are known far beyond the boundaries of the state capital.

Wiesbaden is often called the "Gateway to the Rheingau“. This sun-blessed wine country presents itself as a large balcony facing south and has ideal conditions for growing wine. This region of Germany is well known for producing top quality Riesling.

Celebrate Wine

Do you need another reason to visit Germany? The Rheingau Wine Festival, initiated by the winegrowers of the Rheingau Region as a promotional event, has turned the center of Wiesbaden into the "longest wine bar in the world". With around 120 booths, winegrowers present their products, both newly made and superior wines, as well as locally produced bubbly sparkling wines like Henkell Trocken, Germany’s best known sparkling wine brand.

Rheingau Wine Festival

The great 40th anniversary Rheingau Wine Festival will be taking place from August 14th to 23rd, 2015 in the heart of the city between the Marktkirche, Rathaus (city hall) and Stadtschloss.

Top Wine to Experience in Germany

• Von Unserm Rheingau Riesling Trocken, 2013 (100% Riesling, hints of melon and berries)
• Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett, 2012 (Ranked fourth for number of awards won among wines from this region: the International Wine & Spirit Competition awarded the 2011 Bronze and the International Wine Challenge awarded the 2010 vintage Bronze.)
• Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Engelmannsberg Riesling Trocken, 2012 (There is a lot of scope for versatility with this sweet, viscous wine, though you can expect to get hints of tropical fruit, nectarine, melon and pineapple from a solid Riesling)

Every year the winegrowers produce exquisite Riesling wines, like the full bodied Spätburgunder (pinot noir) and Winzersekt (sparkling wine). Guided tours through the vineyard on Neroberg Mountain are offered by Wiesbaden Marketing.

Where to Enjoy Fine Wine

Put on your tux and gown: this isn't Vegas! The Casino Wiesbaden is one of Germany‘s oldest casinos. In 1771, the Dukes of Nassau granted the first gambling concession. The roulette balls have been rolling in Wiesbaden since 1782. Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky aptly described the pounding heart of people at the gaming tables in his novel, The Gambler.

Spielbank Wiesbaden (Casino Wiesbaden) Kurhausplatz 1 65189 Wiesbaden

Open daily except Major Holidays Sun. to Thu. 2.45 pm to 3 am Fri. to Sat. 2.45 pm to 4 am

The Balthasar Ress Balthasar Ress Weinbar & Vinothek on Mauergasse - the flagship store of wine estate in the heart of Wiesbaden. The exterior is an original, turn-of-the-century facade, while the interior is a modern lounge.

Enjoy Balthasar Ress wines, a few selected wines from their friends' estates, and choice culinary delicacies that reflect the savvy, typicity, and charm of Wiesbaden and its surroundings. The verifiable origin of everything on offer is an important consideration.

Balthasar Ress Winebar Wiesbaden Rheinallee 7 65347 Eltville am Rhein

To learn more about how and where to enjoy top wine from Germany - including Weisbaden and the surrounding areas visit Germany Tourism online here, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

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2. Monte Carlo, Monaco

If you want the best of the best in the world you go to Monaco! This country is only half the size of Central Park in NYC, however it has more Michelin starred restaurants in a concentrated space than you will find anywhere else in the world. Monte-Carlo is a global phenomenon, an exciting place to visit year round.

In Monte-Carlo "the magic doesn’t stop at midnight". It is home of the wildly celebrated Grand Prix, a place where you can catch a celebrity chatting up the bartender at a local bar, Monaco is luxury defined. And, where you find a top notch dedication to luxury and excellence- you will find truly superior wine.

Celebrate Wine in the Year of Russia

2015 is officially the 'Year of Russia' in Monaco which means a year of culture, history, art, and of course celebration! Get ready for some caviar and chilled vodka, because June 12th- June 19th is Russian Gastronomy Season. Yummy!

Six Monegasque chefs representing the finest establishments in Monte Carlo (Café de Paris Jean Claude Brugel, Vistamar Joël Garault, Blue Bay Marcel Ravin…) as well as six Russian chefs (twins Ivan and Sergey Berezutsky, White Rabbit Vladimir Mukhin, Metropol Andrey Shmakov…) will take part in the summer festival. The menus specially designed by the chefs will be served for a week in restaurants in Monaco. Try to find that anywhere else int he world.

Russian Gastronomy Season is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the number of fantastic events taking place in Monaco. There is the Monte Carlo Summer Festival where you can see artists like Sting, ZZ-Top, Lenny Kravitz, and more.

Top Wines to Experience in Monaco

In Monaco you have all of the world's finest wine at your disposal, and with some of the planet's best vineyards very close by the wine is aged to perfection and fresh. The nearby Bordeaux region is an advantageous resource, and to compliment the wine from the culinary side, many of the restaurants in Monaco have their own private nearby farms.

Top Wine to Experience in Monaco

• Chateau de Bellet Baron G, 2012 (Not too fruity, not too dry a perfect harmonious balance)
• Cuvée 3A Ambonnay Grand Cru (Produced by the former Mayor of Ambonnay this special edition Champagne is crisp, brut, and a perfect starter beverage)
• Chateau d'Arcole, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2009 (The renowned 2009 vintage was awarded Bronze from the Challenge International du Vin.)

Where to Enjoy Fine Wine

Everywhere! Virtually every restuarnt, lounge, bar, and hotel boasts breathtaking views. The clear Mediterranean waters set a romantic tone, and when the town lights up at night it is simply magical. Here are my picks for the places you must visit to enjoy superlative wine in style.

There are four primary influences that contribute to the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort experience: Mediterranean- with olive trees and cyprus plants, Tropical-magnificant palm trees, Italian- orange trees sublimated by terra cotta, and Mexican- with cacti blended into the rockery. The plants were meticulously selected, the flowers and shrubs were guided by colors, while the scents marry to create a magical environment. The hotel is trendy, new, and an exciting place to sit back and enjoy a fine glass of vino.

Hotel Monte-Carlo Bay 40 Av. Princesse Grace 98000 Monte Carlo, Monaco

Hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo[/caption]

The Fairmont Monte Carlo is literally built into Monaco, the former railway station, and is in the heart of Monte-Carlo and located midway between the Place du Casino and the Larvotto beaches, the hotel is the embodiment of the successful combination of high-end luxury and superior hospitality.

Steeped in the essence of Monaco through its iconic architecture that stretches horizontally rather than vertically, the building is internally integrated, bringing together an exemplary array of facilities: refined restaurants, a lively lounge bar open every day and all year round.

The Fairmont Monte Carlo 12, Avenue des Spélugues Monte Carlo Monaco 98000

This is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in the world. Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris is a historic experience inspired by the French and Italian Riviera. With 3 stars in the Michelin Guide the menu by chefs Dominique Lory and Alain Ducasse is modern and authentic. The precision in their cooking is found in their fresh juices, flavourful broths, and spices. So naturally this is a place you must go to to enjoy the finest wine in the world while sitting across from the grand Place du Casino.

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Place du Casino MC 98000 Monaco

To learn more about how and where to enjoy top wine in Monaco including Monte Carlo and the surrounding neighborhoods go to Visit Monaco online here, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Images via Fairmont Monte Carlo, [via]

3. Catania, Italy

Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. At over 2 miles high, it is Europe's highest active volcano.

Sicily has more vineyards than any other Italian wine region, competing with Apulia for first place as Italy's largest wine producer. The 9 wine regions of Sicily include Agrigento, Catania, Caltanisseta, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa, and Trapani.

Catania has some of the most interesting (and strong) wine in Sicily due to the fact that the grapes grow in rich soil topped with volcanic ash. Etna's climate is very different from that typically found in Sicily. The altitude and the effect of the massive volcano influences the temperatures and rainfall. The the volcanic soil is rich in iron, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Celebrate Wine

Music, traditions, culture and cinema: these are the four themes of the “Etnafest”, the popular cultural event organized by the Province of Catania. On the bill there are many exciting events featuring the best of Sicilian and Italian style and traditions as well as many famous entertainers, the aim being to relaunch Sicily and its many attractions as a prime tourist destination.

Top Wine to Experience in Catania

• Monte Gorna Etna Rosso, 2009 (Strong fruit flavors that pair well with Italian meat dishes, similar to a Zinfandel this is one of the better wine from the Puglia region.
• Barone Pizzini Red U.V. (The wine available in Sicily is not limited to the island. You are able to enjoy fresh wine from all regions of Italy like this wonderful red from the northern part of the country)
• Barone di Villagrande Fiore Terre Siciliane (Recent improvements and changes within the ine production of southern Italy have seen an increase in production of rich wine made mostly from Aglianico and Primitivo.)

Where to Enjoy Fine Wine

For those who appreciate good wine, Villagrande Wine Resort provides an unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the flavors and culture of the famous Etna region, combined with a generous portion of proverbial Sicilian hospitality. Situated on the east slope of the volcano within the Etna National Park, the Wine Resort is surrounded by woods and vineyards and overlooks the wonderful coastline of Taormina. Beautiful views!

Azienda Vinicola Barone di Villagrande e Cantine 95010 - Milo (CT) Via del Bosco, 25

Masseria Carminello was once winery that has undergone an extensive remodeling. The interior was expanded during the remodeling, and has been redesigned to incorporate natural materials, wooden roof trusses, and artful lighting designed to make the room elegant and cozy. The cuisine is amplified by a single winery; the careful selection of regional wine changes every month.

Via Carminello, 21 95028 Valverde (CT) ITALY Tel. +39 095.7211736

To learn more about how and where to enjoy top wine from Sicily – including Catania and the surrounding areas visit Catania Tourism online here.

Images [via]

4. Sardinia, Italy

Above Sicily off the coast of Rome lies the Italian island Sardinia. With its magnificent and interesting geography Sardinia has a diverse portfolio of offerings from amazing hiking paths, to breathtaking beaches surrounded by Mediterranean water, to unique cuisine, and some of the most interesting and well crafted locally produced Italian wine. Sardinia has a lot to offer!

Celebrate Wine

Festa della Birra Trinitaiese is an annual festival in Sardinia held during the week of ferragosto (typically the second weekend in August). You can expect traditional folk dance, music, traditional Sardinian sweets, and drinks. This is a magnificent event in Sardinia, and not to be missed!

Top Wine to Experience in Sardinia

• Cannonau di Sardegna, 2012 ( a red wine from the Italian island of Sardinia. It is made fromCannonau, the local name for the Grenache – one of Sardinia's most successful wine grapes.)
• Alberto Loi Jerzu Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva Sardinia, 2005 (Loi winery produces some of the very best Cannonau in Sardinia. Alberto Loi Riserva is a powerful, full-bodied, austere red with hints of cherries and plums.)
• Capichera Vermentino Isola dei Nuraghi IGT Sardinia, 2008 (One of the first great whites produced on the island. It hits the nose with notes of orange blossom, rosemary and thyme, and evolves in the mouth with a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, citrus fruit and minerals.)

Where to Enjoy Fine Wine

MiraLuna Restaurant is located in the beautiful luxury resort Relais Villa del Golfo & Spa. The hotel is one of the most hidden places of Gallura, largely due to the fact that it closely resembles a luxury Sardinian gated community with traditional architecture. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful white beaches surrounded by clear Mediterranean water.

Yacht BonAria is the private sailing yacht is exclusive to guests staying at the luxury resort Relais Villa del Golfo & Spa. The yacht is at your disposal fr a private day of sailing along the coast of Sardinia where you can enjoy local wine and cuisine, while taking in the beautiful views of the surrounding islands. Be sure to check out the famous "Pink Beach", and spot the "elephant", "bear", and "crocodile" created by natural rock formations.

Villa del Golfo Spa

Località la Conia

Cannigione 07020 OT, Italia

Are you looking for authentic Sardinian cuisine in a homestyle setting? La Colti Restaurant at the ” La Colti ” farmhouse-restaurant radiates tradition. The Gallura farmhouses , serves authentic Sardinian cuisine with fresh ingredients, and even keeps to the tradition of the Gallura region. There is no menu s be prepared to sample various family style courses, and come with an appetite! The menu is an ever changing concoction of the cooks, and relies on the availability of seasonal produce.

La Colti Restaurant Loc. Cerra, 07029 Tempio Pausania OT, Italy +39 347 560 6462

To learn more about how and where to enjoy top wine from Sicily – including Catania and the surrounding areas visit Sardinia Tourism online here, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

By Mosaka Williamson Editor of sociallysuperlative.com

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