Erin

Erin is originally from California and currently resides in Taipei, Taiwan, where she is a full-time freelance writer and photographer.   She has always had a passion for good wine and food and now spends some of her time traveling the globe in search of both.  Although always partial to California wines, she is quickly learning there are some formidable opponents out there!

Prior to leaving the US, she was working in civil litigation/insurance defense for a well-known insurance company and enjoyed spending her free time working in the tasting room for a local winery, Todd Taylor Wines.  Working directly with Todd, she learned more about the business with hopes of someday producing her own wine.

Departing for Taiwan — one of the culinary meccas of the world — Erin decided she would also use this time to devote to spending more time in the kitchen herself and hopefully learn some of the local cooking styles!  Grocery shopping in Taiwan has provided its share of challenges, but she’s overcome, and really enjoyed creating wonderful dinners paired with new wines.  Sadly, she had to leave behind her 300 bottle wine collection back in California, but it is slowly making it’s way overseas as she travels back and forth between countries.  Erin and Brett have managed to fill a 122 wine cellar with the guest room serving as overflow at the current moment!

Erin writes for several websites and publications and is one of two official bloggers for TravBuddy.com.  Erin is the new International Food, Wine, & Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) Regional Membership Coordinator for Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Erin regularly contributes to: Suite 101 Asian Cuisine Feature Writer and Examiner: International Travel Examiner, Culinary Travel Examiner, Islands Travel Examiner, and Worldwide Disney Theme Parks Examiner.  She is also the new Topic Editor Asian Cuisine and Old World Wine for Suite 101.

She has had work appear on such sites as CNNGo, Starwood Hotels, Gadling, Got Saga, Chip & Company, Vocalpoint, Destinations Travel Magazine, and more.  Several of Erin’s photos have been used by CNN International, both online and on television.  One of her travel photos recently won honorable mention in Islands Travel Magazine and a top 25 nod in their Readers Choice Awards.

Recently, Erin had the opportunity to participate in beta testing and provide pre-release input for renowned wine expert and award-winning writer, Natalie MacLean’s recently launched redesigned wine website.

Erin also publishes other blogs – her new one focusing on Disney Travel called Pooh’s Travels and a scrapbooking/papercrafting blog with her Mom, called All Scrapped Out.  Erin and Brett are also getting ready to launch their “official” travel and photography blog.

To see more about Erin’s professional credits and activities, please visit her CV Page at http://erindesantiago.com.

Favorite Food Destinations: Northern California, Belize, French Polynesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Thailand, Mexico, Greece.

Favorite Wineries: Todd Taylor, Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel, Joseph Phelps, Heitz Cellars, V. Sattui, Josef Chromy, De Bortoli

Favorite Wines: Todd Taylor Clockspring Zinfandel and/or Primitivo, Joseph Phelps Insignia, Nickel & Nickel Cabernets, Heitz Cellars Martha’s Vineyard,   Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, V. Sattui’s Angelica, Madeira, and Duarte Old Vine Zinfandel (no longer available), Vincent Arroyo Petite Syrahs

Contact Erin: erin_desantiago@yahoo.com
Personal Twitter: poohstraveler
Google+: Erin De Santiago

Brett

Brett is orignally from the East Coast area and has been working as a Financial Controller for a large European owned corporation.  Prior to his assignment in Taiwan, he spent the last few years living in the Netherlands.

He shares the same passion for wine and food as Erin, and has really enjoyed their time together in Taiwan thus far.  He is looking forward to showing Erin around Asia and doing considerably more traveling over the next couple of years.

Brett’s knowledge of wine is still broadening, but he definitely knows his way around great food.  Traveling  in Europe and Asia for work has provided him with some great insight from locals on some of the best places to eat.

Spending several years traveling Europe has led him to develop a serious fondness for craft beers.  He is looking forward to sharing some of his great beer finds around the globe.

Favorite Food Destinations: Napa Valley, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New York City, Germany, Hungary

Favorite Beers/Beer Regions: Belgium, Germany, Trappist Breweries, Dogfish Head, Abbaye des Rocs, Rodenbach Grand Cru

Favorite Wines: Loire Valley Cabernet Francs, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, Luxembourg Mosel Pinot Blanc

Contact Brett: metsbwd@yahoo.com
Personal Twitter: metsbwd
Google+: Brett Domue

Both Brett and Erin and currently enrolled in several wine education courses and hope to pursue the WSET diploma and a Masters of Wine when they move back to Europe in 2012 or 2013.  Together, Brett and Erin have traveled to over 50 countries and hope to use this forum to share some tips and resources for some great eats and drinks around the globe.