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Puerto Rico

The current weather in Culebra

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Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Whitten (---.amg-group.com)
Date:   01-14-09 17:23

Can decent wine be found on Culebra? We hate to have to bring our own if good bottles can be purchased in stores. Thanks

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-14-09 18:01

Yes, but its mostly Spanish and Chilean.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: wirvier (---.44.87.30.res-cmts.sm.ptd.net)
Date:   01-14-09 19:16

We just returned from Culebra, and were impressed with the selection that El Eden (restaurant) had. They have a sort of wine cellar looking area, with about 50 different kinds. They all had price tags, so you could purchase them, or they would charge you an extra $5 to open a bottle at the restaurant.

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar)
Date:   01-14-09 23:37

Debbie, do you know whether the selection is always somewhat the same or changes over the months?

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-15-09 08:12

The selection is ever-changing.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   01-15-09 11:47

I work, seasonally, in a fairly high end wine store. For me, wine as a hobby is at its best when you can buy great wine at bargain prices. I'm not up to date on Chilean wines, but I can say without reservation that Spanish winemakers have their act together and Spanish juice replaces southern France's as the best quality/price ratios.

Until El Eden opened, I used to carry on a 6 pack of wine from home. Now, of course, you can't do that with homeland security rules. Richard's and Luz', the owners, timing was perfect! I was also able to buy a favorite Spanish bubbly, Segura Viudas Brut Rose, at Milka.

As with most food and liquor, there is a small Culebra premium to pay, but it typically amounts to less than $2 a bottle; easily worth the convenience.

Cheers!

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar)
Date:   01-15-09 14:08

Am currently in Argentina and it seems that a lot of the very good winemakers here are Chilean. Rothschild operates a vineyard in Chile - their wines are first rate!

Salud :)

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Whitten (---.amg-group.com)
Date:   01-15-09 14:37

Great info. Thanks to all. Can't wait to go, especially inasmuch as it is 15 here today. Brrrrr

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-15-09 14:44

Hola! Put the wine aside for just this vacation and consume some Puertorrican favorites: Ron El Barrilito, Bacardi, Don Q, Medalla, Pina Colada with Puertorrican rum of course, Cuba Libre with the PR rum again, BILI (pronounced bee-lee). It is a local alcoholic beverage made from Puerto Rican rum and quenepas, a small, pulpy, tasty fruit. Ron canita or moonshine (everyone knows where to get some). Enjoy Puerto Rico and take advantage of tasting what is produced on the island. If you like it, you might take home a bottle or two and reminisce about the good time you had on the island while viewing your pics and planning your return. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   01-15-09 16:14

Jeannie,

We do both! Barrilito 3 Star is fabulous sipping rum and 2 star makes decadent mixed drinks. Now, tell me more about Puerto Rican Moonshine,,,,

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mark Reynolds (---.ptld.qwest.net)
Date:   01-15-09 19:27

Hey we washingtonians produce some good wines,too!

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-15-09 20:38

Doug,

Sadly, there was no Segura Viudas Brut Rose available when were there over New Year's. We had to make do with Brut Reserve. ;-)

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   01-16-09 04:11

oh Debbie...

I find it an interesting side note that (in the early 19th c.?) the root stock in Europe had a fungus and now most current French vines are grown from transplants from South America and the US.

I may be wrong on many things but I do think Chile and Argentina produce great reds.

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar)
Date:   01-16-09 06:12

Richard - I would not poopoo the whites either - their climate range is amazing and they do make some very nice ones! Was just in Mendoza, tasting several of them :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-16-09 14:39

Hola!
Puertorrican moonshine is also known as pitorro, pitriche or ron canita. It is an unlicensed distilled alcohol beverage that is produced throughout the island and is sold underground, if you know what I mean.

When my father was young, he used to make it where he lived in the farm area of Manati. The base for ron canita is sugar cane juice. He used to tell me, with great pride, how he made it and was going to show me the ropes in puertorrican rum making and distillery but, my mother had to have the last word in this. She said, we would all be hauled off to jail and that now that we lived in a subdivision, we could not engage in these kinds of activities. So, we planted sugar cane. That's as close as we got and bought rum at the store, LOL!

Pitorro and pitriche are made with fruits native to the island: citrus, mango pineapple. There are different recipes and it always renders a high alcohol per volume content, sometimes 80% or more. My Papi used to tell me that sometimes his ron canita would have such a high alcohol content that his distillery contraption would explode, and he would have to start all over again. The alcohol content would be so high that he said when you would drink it, it would scrape away the insides of your mouth, then he knew it was good.

Now, they even have festivals around the island in honor of it. It is easier to get during the Christmas season and the cooler months because the temperature is ideal, not too hot for this kind of beverage "preparation".
Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar)
Date:   01-16-09 15:38

Jeannie - I love your insights! Thanks :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-16-09 19:29

oh, Richard. . .

Did I say (or imply) that I didn't like Chilean and Spanish wines?

We wouldn't want any Type As to get upset because they can't get their favorite California Zinfandels and Oregon Pinot Noirs, now would we? ;-)

(no slam on you David - it's on ongoing theme that *some* people don't like Culebra because they find out after they get there that they can't get sushi and Dom Perignon).

Okay, okay, you CAN get sushi and DP now, but you all get my point. . .

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Wine
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Whitten (---.amg-group.com)
Date:   01-19-09 08:57

Debbie: we are coming to Culebra expressely to avoid sushi and Dom P.!! But sometimes one simply wants a bottle of delectable wine to add to the moment! Wine bottles are heavy and we are flying in, so weight matters.
Thnks to all for help with this. We are now looking forward to a more Rum-based approach to sunsets!!

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