Recently I attended a wine tasting at the Riedel showroom in New York City. Riedel has been creating fine crystal and glassware for 300 years (!) and none other than 11^th-generation family member, Maximilian Riedel (pictured below), conducted this very informative session.

If you think that a classic, balloon-shaped glass is fine for all white wines and a taller, narrower wine glass is standard for all reds, then think again. Under Maximilian’s guidance, we discovered that when a wine is served in the incorrect glass shape it loses its aroma and taste significantly. I couldn’t get over how different a Riesling tasted in a Chardonnay glass. It was less fruity and much more acidic. The same was true for reds: A Pinot Noir lost its bouquet and rich cherry, plum taste when served in a Cabernet glass. Pure alcohol was the primary scent and it tasted dry and bitter. Not the way to enjoy a glass of wine!

You can bet that I am now a devotee of serving wine in its correct glass. Brides-to-be, what better time to stock up on the right glasses than now? Add them to your registry and also be sure to include a decanter on your list. According to Maximilan—who has designed some fantastic Riedel decanters—decanters allow wine to aerate, which provides a much richer, truer taste.

Here are the glass shapes to look for:

My darling honeymooners:

I’m honored with a capital H to introduce a new series to our Traveler’s Tale blog. Our new guest blogger is Ken Fish, president and owner of the uber-chic, super fancy Absolute Travel, an outfitter that organizes honeymoons and other travel experiences from soup to nuts. The team specializes in off-the-beaten-path adventures with a luxurious touch (which, as you dedicated readers know, is so my style.) Without further ado, I present a letter of introduction from Mr. Fish:

Having been in the travel business for more than 22 years, I like to think that I’ve learned a few things that less seasoned travelers might find helpful. I am the president and owner of Absolute Travel, a luxury tour operator that has been designing customized itineraries for honeymooners since 1989. My travel experts are passionate about travel and dedicated to creating unforgettable honeymoons for our clients, and as a blogger for Bridal Guide, I look forward to sharing some of our hard-earned wisdom with you.

While all journeys are special, a honeymoon is in a class of its own. Many newlyweds anxiously view this first trip together as a married couple as a symbol of how their union will fare, so we do everything in our power to ensure that the trip is flawless and filled with unexpected moments of joy. Simply put, our job is to make sure that your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that starts your marriage off on the best foot possible!

To find these gorgeous lip colors, visit revlon.com, bobbibrowncosmetics.com, clinique.com and shop.elizabetharden.com.

—Naima

Remember those super-cheesy but totally addictive dating shows that ruled the airways? We sure do—and we miss 'em, in fact. Enter Tacori, one of the most amazing diamond jewelers around (you can check out our favorite ring here). They've decided to make engagement ring shopping a bit more fun—not that buying diamonds isn't fun—with the recent debut of The Tacori Mating Game. Play along with slick host Guy Goodall by asking your potential suitors typical questions, such as "If you could have any super power what would it be and why?" When all's said and done, you find out who your mate should be, how he/she could propose, and the most important piece: The ring! And although I do consider myself one with discriminating taste, the game was spot on, picking a gorgeous cushion-cut center stone ring set in a pavé diamond band. You can share your results on Facebook (follow BridalGuide, too!) for your friends or significant other to see, and hopefully purchase, of course.

—Rachel Jacoby

Bonjour mon cheries, honeymooners if you love the great outdoors, but don’t love sleeping in a sack, have I got a concept for you—glamping! I know, I know, convincing your guy to take part in something that sounds like it came out of the mind of the writers of Sex and the City may take some convincing, but not when you tell him about The Resort at Paws Up in Montana. Located on a riverside working cattle ranch, the 24-tent resort offers all the rugged outdoorsy adventures for woodsmen and a healthy helping of luxurious amenities for the pampered types. There are jetted tubs, butler service and sumptuous linens, as well as delectable cuisine and activities a go-go. You, darling honeymooners, will love the new Tango Point tent, which is set on a bluff overlooking Blackfoot River and Ele Creek. The tent also has a gorgeous claw-foot tub—did someone say champagne bubble bath?—and a fantastic perch for star gazing. The new Moonlight Camp is adults-only area where six-tents sit under the shade of towering pine trees. Stay here and you’ll be closer to the glampiest canvas-sided spot around—the Spa Tent.
For more information, including the deets on all manner of activities (which include kayaking, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hot-air ballooning), check out the resort’s website pawsup.com.

—Jenna Mahoney

Writer aside: This post has very little to do with travel, and even less to do with honeymooning. I just thought it was way cool...

Have I ever told you about my MOH/sister Alison? She’s got more talent than most anybody on the planet. She’s a classically trained opera singer, who has performed with the Rachel Barry, er, I mean Lea Michele, and was a soloist at the Vatican. (Yep, she sang for the really Big Man in Rome.) My sister is also a master baker, who makes the most ridiculous vegan and gluten-free wedding cakes. And in her free time she makes vintage-inspired bridal accessories. Some of which have been featured in major mags, including the fashion pages of Bridal Guide.

As for the first-born of the family, well, I’m about as crafty as a hippo. So when I saw this story about making passport stamps into wall art I thought, “Wow. That’d be a cool thing to have my sister make me!” JK... well only slightly. But I do think that this is a super fun way to immortalize some travel memories.

The ingredients: Wood blocks, gold paint, paper images that fit the wood blocks and some spray adhesive. The result is a lasting remembrance of your favorite destinations. For a step-by-step tutorial, visit brooklynlimestone.com.

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Limestone

—Jenna Mahoney