Calling All Bloggers – Write Something about a Local Wine During Regional Wine Week

Calling All Bloggers – Write Something about a Local Wine During Regional Wine Week

CALLING ALL BLOGGERS: This year, we’re shooting to get as many regional bloggers and writers as possible from around the United States and Canada (who aren’t in California or the Pacific Northwest) to write about wines from right here (i.e. wine from their own backyards) – wherever “here” might be.

You can write about any wine you want, and you don’t have to be some of sort of wine geek. Just go to your local winery, wine shop or supermarket and get a bottle that suits your tastes – Cabernet, Syrah, Viognier, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Catawba, Niagara, Norton, or a good white or red blend….your choice. It can even be the simple homemade stuff as long as it was made with local (or in my case Texas) grapes.

For more info on what to do, go to:

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1181

Tags: Blog, Blogger, Local, Wine, Regional, Cabernet, Syrah, Viognier, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Catawba, Niagara, Norton, etc.

Barbaresco and Barolo, But Don’t Forget Dolcetto, Barbera and the Whites

Barbaresco and Barolo, But Don’t Forget Dolcetto, Barbera and the Whites

I could not remember my previous experience with wine made from Nebbiolo, but study and reading prepared my expectations of its dark, tannic qualities. Our drive along the Tanaro River northeast from Alba was directed at the commune of Barbaresco as a starting point.

It was apparent that the previous day’s nebbia left on cat’s feet (as Sandburg would say) during the darkness of night yielding the yellow warmth of the morning sunrise at the Hotel Langhe near the center of Alba. The winding road up the Barbaresco hillside offered picturesque vineyards holding ripening grape clusters soon to submit fruity, sweet liquid at the Producttori del Barbaresco.

We worked our way down to the commune of Castiglioni Falletto just east of Barolo during the warming early afternoon. Our next stop was at the Paolo Scavino estate where we were greeted by Eliza Scavino, granddaughter of the founder Paulo.

2005 Bric del Fiasc (Single Vineyard Barolo): The modern history of the Scavino family started with this vineyard, within the Fiasco cru, when in 1978 young Enrico Scavino convinced his father Paolo to vinify these grapes separately. This vineyard has been produced as a monopole since that time. Here the Nebbiolo grapes always seem to be the best.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1138

Tags: Alba, Antica Torre, Arneis, Barbaresco, Barbera, Barolo, Bingham Vineyards, Castiglioni Falletto, chardonnay, Dolcetto, Hotel Langhe, Italy, Langhe, Mandola, Nebbiolo, Paolo Scavino, Piedmont, Piemonte, Producttori del Barbaresco, restaurant, Sauvignon Blanc, tasting, Texas, Viognier, winery

Wine Road through Provence and Piemonte

Wine Road through Provence and Piemonte

Looking at the World through a Glass of RoséLooking around this place, it has characteristics like many places on the Texas Gulf Coast: Wind-blown palm trees, blooming bougainvillea, and cadres of dogs on leash and bikini-clad beach goers. One of the most obvious differences discernible to wineophiles visiting the French Cote d’Azur is the flow of dry pink wine. It is made from sun-loving Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvedre grapes. At street side cafés, it is chilled and served by the glass complete with an outer coating of condensed moist air. More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1118

Barolo & Barbaresco: Where the Nebbia and Nebbiolo HangOur goal for the day was to reach Alba, the town at the heart of the Nebbiolo grape growing region pinned on its western and eastern flanks by Barolo and Barbaresco, respectively. A lingering mystery of the Nebbiolo grape of the Piemonte region is why this grape has not produced wines of similar characteristics and intensity in other wine regions around the world. The reason given by the locals for the success of Nebbiolo in the area around Alba are the special soils and microclimate of the region. More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1124

Tags: France, Italy, Texas, Rose, Barolo, Barbaresco, wine, travel, tasting, vineyard

Write Off the Vine: Texas Wine News (Grape Stomp and More) - August 24, 2009

Write Off the Vine: Texas Wine News (Grape Stomp and More) - August 24, 2009

Great Grape Stomp Off in New Braunfels, Texas and Win Free Tickets

Win Free Tickets to this event on VintageTexas.com - Send us a short description (up to 150 words) of your favorite vineyard/winery/home grape harvesting experience. The winners will be selected to receive a set of two tickets for the Great Grape Stomp Off event. That is a $50 value - each ticket is worth $25. Two winners will be chosen (two tickets for each winner) and they will receive a winners certificate by email and their tickets will be at 'will call' at the event. Post your best grape harvest experience in the comments section of this blog. Winners will be noftified by Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Email addresses will be held in confidence and will only be used to notify the winners.

More: Texas wine grape industry continues growth, Holy Sh*t! They can make wine in Texas!, Wines.com: Purchase Top Wines from Texas priced from $20, Real Texas Wine Tour
At: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1106

Tags: Texas, wine, grape, stomp, win, tickets, purchase, private label, California, comment

Ten things we learned at Drink Local Wine Conference & Twitter Taste-Off and Texas

Ten things we learned at Drink Local Wine Conference & Twitter Taste-Off and Texas
Sommelier Conference in Dallas Last Weekend

Twitter and Blogs ROCK! Search #DLW09, #Texsom and #TXwine

1. Tweets Say: Texas can be proud of its wines.
2. Organic wine in Texas?
3. What’s new in Texas wines?
4. What does “For for sale in Texas Only” on the bottle mean?
5. If not Cabernet or Chardonnay, then what?
6. Need more Texas grapes.
7. Need more Texas Farm to Table Menus with Texas Wine.
8. Still Lots of Surprises to be Had.
9. Sweet Wine can be a Serious Wine.
10. Who is Robert Parker Anyway?

Details, winning wines and more at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1094

Tags: Texas, wine, twitter, blog, conference, local wine, taste-off, tasting, competition

Comments on the Drink Local Wine Texas Twitter Taste-Off

Comments on the Drink Local Wine Texas Twitter Taste-Off

Texas Twitter Taste-Off: Taste, Tweet, Repeat – 200,000 times! And Winners (Gold & Silver Award Wines) http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1083

GO TEXAN DrinkLocalWine.com Texas Twitter Taste-Off Winners; The byline for the blog today is “Syrah between my keys”…. http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1076

Let the Tasting Begin at the Drink Local Wine Conference and Twitter Taste Off (#DLW09) - http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1072

Dallas Morning News: Four winners at Texas Twitter Taste-Off – http://eatsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/08/four-winners-at-texas-twitter.html

Washington Post: Swirling, Sipping and Tweeting –http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/wine/swirling-sipping-and-tweeting.html

So much Fun is Contagious –http://www.drinklocalwine.com/drinklocalwinecom-conference-so-much-fun-its-contagious.html

Examiner Bio Wine tasting: Observe, Smell, Taste and Tweet -http://www.examiner.com/x-11860-Baltimore-Wine-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d18-Wine-tasting-observe-smell-taste-and-tweet

Tags: Texas, wine, tasting, competition, Twitter, blog, tweet, competition, winners

Write-Off the Vine: Texas Wine News - Texas Twitter Taste-Off and More

Write-Off the Vine: Texas Wine News - Texas Twitter Taste-Off and More

DrinkLocalWine.com First-ever Conference Sold Out- Follow on Twitter (search #DLW09)

DrinkLocalWine.com focuses on North American wine that isn’t made in California and the Pacific Northwest. It will hold its first-ever conference and tasting on Aug. 15 in Dallas and its SOLD OUT! This year’s event the GO TEXAN DrinkLocalWine.com Conference will focus on Texas wine and feature some of the state’s best wines, top winemakers, and leading growers.
The conference will include three seminars, focusing on trends in Texas wine, the distinctive grapes that Texans are using to make those wines, and how consumers can work to get more regional wines in stores and restaurants. The final event of the day will be a Texas Twitter

Tasting, moderated by Russ Kane of VintageTexas (www.vintagetexas.com), where participants will be able to taste some of the state’s top wines and blog or Twitter at the same time. Check out the schedule at:http://www.winecurmudgeon.com/dlwtest/2009-dlw-conference-schedule.html

Can’t get in or not in Dallas, do your tasting virtually by monitoring the Twitter feed and blogs from attendees starting Friday evening at the media reception and on the Saturday. They will taste and launch their comments on the event and impressions of the wines. To findout what’s hot in Texas wines, follow this feed during or after the event on Twitter by searching on the hashtag #DLW09 at: http://search.twitter.com.

Based on tasting and voting by attendees, the Texas Twitter Taste-Off will award wines in four categories: Red wine - dry, red wine - sweet, White wine (Rose) - dry and White wine (Rose) - sweet.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1065

Tags: Texas, wine, Drinklocalwine, Twitter, VintageTexas, tasting, follow, virtual, taste-off

I’m All Ears about your Texas Wine Experience and I am Giving Away Prizes

I’m All Ears about your Texas Wine Experience and I am Giving Away Prizes

NOTE: The deadline to comment to this blog is August 2, 2009. Don’t delay.

You can win a free private tour and tasting for up to 25 people at Haak Vineyards (www.haakwine.com) or other prizes by telling me what your experience has been with Texas wines. To comment, simply click on the icon in the upper right side of this blog or go to http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1022 and comment in the space provided at the bottom of the page.

Why We Get Excited about Texas Wine?

Texas is the fifth largest wine producing state and it has a long history on wine production going back to the Spanish settlers and missionaries in 17th centuries. While only one Texas winery, Val Verde Winery in Del Rio, Texas, successfully made it through the period of prohibition. It is now one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in North America.

Since the mid-1970’s the number of Texas wineries has grown substantially and now numbers over 170 wineries across the state. We have our big volume producer in St. Genevieve, some are medium to large size premium wineries with Llano Estacado, Fall Creek Vineyards, Becker Vineyards, and Messina Hof Winery and Resort. Yet, most are small boutique wineries with some being literally ma and pa operations. Many have said that the wine experience in Texas today is like it was in the 1960s in California.

Let me know what you think and become eligible to win prizes.

Examples of comments I am looking for are:
What has been your experience with Texas wines? The good or bad?Have you walked in a Texas vineyard, tasted ripe grapes right off the vine, or helped harvest?What do you think about the up and coming Texas wine experience?Can you find the Texas wines you like at your favorite wine shop?Have you tried to direct ship from a Texas winery to your home?How do you think Texas wines compare with those from other wine regions?

Tell me what you like or what you don’t.

As I said above, I am all ears! So, give me your comments and be eligible to win free prizes. Let’um rip!

Comment and prize (including a private winery tour and tasting for up to 25 people), info at:
http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1022

Tags: Texas, wine, winery, vineyard, comment, prizes, tasting, travel, touring, giveaway

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News: July 23, 2009

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News: July 23, 2009

Texas Wine Industry Continues to Grow - Not Just Another Harvest

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, Todd Staples, recently proclaimed the 2009 grape harvest season is officially underway. To mark the occasion, the Haak Family and Haak Vineyard & Winery staff in Santa Fe, Texas hosted a weekend grape harvest event and were joined by several other Texas wineries including Circle S Vineyards (http://www.circlesvineyards.com/), Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard and Winery (http://www.enochsstomp.com/), Flat Creek Estate (http://www.flatcreekestate.com/), Llano Estacado Winery (http://www.llanowine.com/) and Maydelle Country Wines (http://www.maydellewines.com/). These participating wineries showcased some of the best wines in Texas and helped kick off and celebrate the 2009 harvest season.
2009 Texas grape harvest,imporved reputation, Chenin Blanc and more news and views at:

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1009

Tags: Texas, wine, news, harvest, reputation, Chenin Blanc, VintageTexas

Why Celebrate Texas Independence with a Glass of French Champagne?

Why Celebrate Texas Independence with a Glass of French Champagne?

Texas history is rife with tales and legends. At times, it is hard to know the difference between historical fact and its embellishments. One such legend is of the “Yellow Rose of Texas”; but just the same, it has become ingrained in Texas lore.

April 1836 was a troublesome time for the Texians of the newly proclaimed Republic of Texas. The Alamo had fallen in San Antonio with all rebel forces killed or summarily executed, the Texian battalion in Goliad had been massacred, and the newly elected government was in flight from the Mexican forces. Sam Houston, in command of an untested volunteer army was busily conducting a strategic retreat to the east in the face of Santa Anna’s more seasoned troops, using the time to add to his forces and over extend the Mexicans line of supply.


In the crisp morning air of April 21, 1836, on a rise in the marshy field abutting the San Jacinto River to the east and Buffalo Bayou to the north, Emily made Santa Anna a breakfast that he would not soon forget. Santa Anna’s breakfast was a grand meal accompanied by a great quantity of his French Champagne.

More of the story and video at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=975

Great Texas Wines and Great Wines in Texas: Two Great Events in Central Texas

Great Texas Wines and Great Wines in Texas: Two Great Events in Central Texas

PROGRESSIVE DINNER – A TASTE OF SALADO, THE VILLAGE OF SALADO

Tuesday night, August 4th, 2009, 5:45 pmWines from Llano Estacado, Texas Hills, Red Caboose and Pleasant Hill Wineries.

::::::

A TEXSOM BENEFIT DINNER & AUCTION

presented by the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Sunday, July 19, 2009 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Mirabelle Restaurant - Austin, Texas. 5 Celebrity Chefs, 5 Courses, 5 Mature Wines: A Special Evening Years in the Making. Featured Guest Sommeliers: Mark Sayre, Devon Broglie and Craig Collins.

More information, prices and reservations at: vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=956

Tags: Texas, wine, dinner, progressive, benefit, Central Texas, Hill Country, VintageTexas

Winemaker Guest Blog: “Texas Winegrowers” after Ten Years: Are we having fun yet!

“Texas Winegrowers” after Ten Years: Are we having fun yet!

Guest Blog by Les ConstableTexas Winegrowers List OwnerOwner/Winemaker, Brushy Creek Vineyardswww.brushycreekvineyards.com

What were you doing ten years ago? How many wineries were there in Texas?

Shortly after I made the decision to plant grapes (1991) and start a winery, I discovered a few minor problems.

It was not constitutional to have a winery in dry areas of Texas and most of Texas was and still is dry.

It was legal to have a winery but you could not sell wine from your tasting room in dry areas.

Later they passed a law allowing us to give wine away free [i.e. provide wine tastings], but it is still not clear to me how that business model might work.
I got mad and found people like Dr. Bobby Smith and Gabe Parker who had been fighting the good battle for a long time.

The Texas WineGrowers List on Yahoo Groups at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Winegrowers

was initially started to help get the word out about legislative issues so that we could get people in hearing rooms to support our cause.

I think it worked!

It is wonderful to see what has evolved. The Texas wine industry now has money for research, education, and marketing. Do not let anyone fool you about this. The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA - www.txwines.org) and our working together as a wonderful team made this happen.

More comments and links to Texas wine Internet resources at:

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=907

Recent VintageTexas Wine Blogs

Video: Black Spanish - The Mysterious Red Wine of Texas

This video features a tasting of Black Spanish red wine with Franklin Howser owner of Dry Comal Creek Vineyards. Several months ago, I blogged about my experiences on a Hill Country Winery tour with the grape known as Black Spanish (otherwise known as Lenoir) that has a long history both in Texas and Internationally. It continues to be one of the most highly accessed articles posted on VintageTexas.com during the past year. Black Spanish actually has many names that go back over a hundred and fifty years back into history: Jacques, Jaquez, or Jack, as well as El Paso, Burgundy and Lenoir. The credentials of Texas Black Spanish were established in the mid-1860’s when its vines were introduced by the millions into Southern France.

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=852

Reflections on Drinking Local Wines

If you think, we in Texas are alone in the battle to gain visibility and respectability for our local wines, check out these sites across America that highlight the increasing movement toward drinking local wines……Drink and support your local growers and winemakers. The carbon footprint of winePosted on April 22nd, 2009 Saver Queen - Although I enjoy drinking fine frugal wines, I’ve never considered the carbon footprint of wine - until now. According to Dr. Vino, National Geographic just published a diagram that illustrates the carbon footprint of wine by region. The results are a bit surprising - it shows that it is actually far better for a New Yorker to drink wine produced in France, Chili, or even Australia than in California.

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=859

From Nuances in Arboreal Green to the Nuances of Wine

My trip was from Houston to the Dallas - Fort Worth area and my destination was more specifically Grapevine where I will be sitting with others in the wine and restaurant trades to judge wines in the 2009 Lone Star Wine Competition. We will have the opportunity to choose the best wines from Texas and several other countries such as Australia, Canada, Mexico, and those in Latin America as well as an enlarging number of wines from many states, including Oregon, Washington, New York and California. It has been over five years since I judged in this event, and since then it is hard to imagine that there are now a hundred new Texas wineries.

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=865

Video: Texas Port and Dessert Wines - The Perfect Ending but Possibly Much More

In the sixth and final Texas wine webcast, Merrill Bonarrigo of the Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas, discusses Port, a variety native to Portugal, as well as other dessert wines that are thriving in Texas. She tastes Lenoir (Black Spanish) Port, and discusses late harvest Riesling, Muscat Canelli, and even a Texas Madeira, only one of three made in the United States.
It is my experience that people have an increasing penchant for sweetness these days. Many wine magazines now hype “Semi-Dry” as the “New Dry”. Why is this? Well, many folks came from a generation that started the day with a good cup of strong coffee and a newspaper. But, nowadays, it is not unusual for some to have a diet Coke or other caffeinated soft drink with their morning email. Sweetness has permeated our existence, whether in the sauce, drink or dessert.

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=876

Texan had “Wine-Powered” Flight before the Wright Brothers

Texan had “Wine-Powered” Flight before the Wright Brothers

Born in Germany in 1821, Jacob Brodbeck taught school there before starting a new life on the Texas frontier. He reached Fredericksburg in 1847 and became a teacher at the Vereins Kirche and later at the nearby Grape Creek School. In due course Brodbeck married and fathered a large brood of twelve children. This would be considered a lifetime achievement for most men of his day, but Brodbeck was also consumed by invention.

While in Germany he had attempted to build a self-winding clock, and later designed an ice-making machine. Brodbeck rose to the position of Gillespie County school commissioner while keeping his mind and hands busy working on new inventions with even grander ambitions “fermenting” in his active mind.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=836

Video: Sangiovese, the Warm Climate Pinot Noir

Video: Sangiovese, the Warm Climate Pinot Noir

Sangiovese is universally acknowledged as one of the great grapes of Italy and is the principal grape used in producing Chianti in Tuscany. The grape normally produces light to medium bodied red wines with crisp acidity that makes them the near-perfect match for a wide range of foods from fish to fowl to grilled meats. The name Sangiovese comes from the phrase “Sanguis Jovis”, literally “Blood of Jove”, and it is sometimes translated as “the Blood of God”.

There are at least fourteen separate and distinct clones of Sangiovese. Most produce a lighter style wine with the exception of the clone of Sangiovese used to produce Brunello which results in a fuller body and darker quality than found in Chianti-style wines.

Viedo and More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=821

Video: Viognier, Roussanne and Blanc du Bois: Three Sisters of Texas Wines

Video: Viognier, Roussanne and Blanc du Bois: Three Sisters of Texas Wines

Ever think of Texas as a Chardonnay kind of place? I didn’t think so. It can be grown in Texas and even does well in a few locations. If you are looking for some truly satisfying Texas white wines, look for what have rapidly become the “Three Sisters of Texas Wines”: Viognier, Roussanne and Blanc du Bois.

Click the video link above to view a presentation of these three varietals by Pat Brennan owner of Brennan Vineyards in Comanche, Texas.
I have blogged extensively on Texas grown Viognier, Roussanne and Blanc du Bois and the first two were in my personal “Pick Six” wines that were recently featured at the Grand Wine and Food Affair.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=808

A Land of Limestone Ledges and Red Sandy Soil: Part 2

A Land of Limestone Ledges and Red Sandy Soil: Part 2

Continued from: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=790

In my search to define Texas terroir [the sense of place], I often stop to listen for voices of the human spirits that linger in the rustle of tall grass, the gush of spring water on slab limestone, or the rush of windblown sandy soil. These are the voices that tell of the land’s history, its potential, and the past and future trials that test the will of those that try to harvest its bounty. I also listen for the unsaid words that are held back when a grower contemplates his lost harvest produced by a late spring freeze. These are the words that define the Texas wine experience.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=802

Texas wine experience: A Land of Limestone Ledges and Red Sandy Soil: Part 1

A Land of Limestone Ledges and Red Sandy Soil: Part 1

I sit here thinking about where the Texas wine experience began. The spring sun warms my face as I gaze out over freshly greened prominences to the north from a perch high on an eastward-pointing finger of the Edwards Plateau: My personal piece of Texas. If I let my mind override my eyes, I can “see” the defining moment presented before me. The initiation predates me as well as the past generations of people that call themselves Texans.

The Beginning: Eons ago its genesis was in a vast and desolate inland sea predating human consciousness; a wet and hostile place. At an unhurriedly, nearly immeasurable pace over millions of years, the shells of countless creatures were deposited. I see their vestigial remains in fossil records at my feet. They are often conjoined with red sandy minerals brought from estuarial flows from even older continental shores. From time unfathomable, the land of limestone ledges and red sandy soils were exuded from their murky depths by powerful forces into the light of the Texas sun as if looking for purpose.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=790

VintageTexas Highlights of 2009

VintageTexas Highlights of 2009

Drinking a Bit of Texas History

“As Texans and settler transplants have realized for over the past hundred and fifty years, parts of Texas have been this county’s last frontier. Its empty landscape first attracted cattle drives, ranches and eventually farmsteads to this desolate and, at times, hostile place. Eventually, seemingly simple yet significant innovations like windmills and barbed wire helped make the Texas High Plains into an agricultural powerhouse. The Newsoms, Binghams, Reddys, Wilmeths, Tallants, Martins, Youngs and others are the pioneer families; the experimenting vinicultures that are reaching out to clutch the future of Texas grape growing. With each year, a new lesson is learned, a small change is made, and a new varietal is planted. When proven, these new lessons won’t be hoarded, but rather will be shared in the same communal spirit that was very apparent around the dinner table.”

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=777

First “Local Wine” Conference features VintageTexas moderated Texas Twitter Tast-Off

DrinkLocalWine.com To Host First “Local Wine” Conference
GO TEXAN Proudly Sponsors DrinkLocalWine.com Conference Dedicated to Regional Wines
Russ Kane of VintageTexas to Moderate Texas Twitter Tast-Off

DrinkLocalWine.com, the Web site that focuses on North American wine that isn’t made in California and the Pacific Northwest, will hold its first-ever conference and tasting on Aug. 15 in Dallas. Called the GO TEXAN DrinkLocalWine.com Conference, the event will focus on Texas wine, featuring some of the state’s best wines, top winemakers, and leading growers.

The conference follows the success of the Web site’s Regional Wine Week last fall, in which more than 40 wine bloggers, writers and columnists from the U.S. and Canada wrote about their favorite regional wines, ranging from Ontario to New York to Florida to Texas to Colorado.

“The conference is the natural extension of Regional Wine Week,” says Jeff Siegel, co-founder of DrinkLocalWine.com and author of the popular blog, The Wine Curmudgeon (www.winecurmudgeon.com), as well as wine columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas’ Advocate magazines. “It will give consumers a first-hand look at quality regional wine.”

Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the country, with 177 wineries and 280 commercial vineyards. The Texas industry has made important strides this decade, focusing on Italian, Spanish and Mediterranean varietals. As presenting sponsor, the Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program sees the conference as an opportunity to tell the Texas wine story.

More on Conference, Tastings and Texas Twitter Taste-Off at:

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=757

Sienna Sip and Stroll: Pinot Gringos and All Their “Trick Wines”

Sienna Sip and Stroll: Pinot Gringos and All Their “Trick Wines”

Entry 2 from the Grand Wine and Food Affair

I was aware at the Grand Wine and Food Affair’s grand tasting held the previous evening that summer was arriving in the Houston area. It came with a big wet clap of thunder while I was pouring my “Pick Six” Texas wines (http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=738). If budding of wildflowers signaled the lead-up to the Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, the debut of hot heavy Houston weather usually means the best Not-So-Lil’ festival in Southeast Texas is at hand.

When I arrived at the Saturday Sienna Sip and Stroll under heavy moisture-laden air, I was glad that I had come appropriately dressed; shorts, cool cotton shirt with its tail hanging, and a large straw Panama hat with umbrella in tote. When I arrived, I peeked into the three large white tents that dotted the open Sienna Plantation grounds in Missouri City confirming they were full of delectable gastronomic delights and titillating wines. Next to the Sip and Stroll tent city were two additional smaller tents. One was dubbed “The Cigar Club” where attendees met with world class cigar makers. These cigar aficionados even got to toke with black clad Kinky Friedman, Texas’s eclectic singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, columnist and politician.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=748

VintageTexas “Wineslinger” Shoots Six Straight In Grand Tasting

Friday evening the Grand Tasting at the Grand Wine and Food Affair was held in Sugar Land, Texas (just southwest of Houston). It was definitely a “Grand Affair” with wines from major producers the likes of Mondavi, Sterling, Gallo of Sonoma and foods prepared by the best Texas chef’s. I poured and discussed my personal six favorite Texas wines. I was in grand company as Master Sommeliers Doug Frost and Guy Stout, Mark Sayre of Austin (Texas’ Best Sommelier for 2007), and Martin Korson (Central Market, Houston Wine and Beverage Manager) highlighted their six picks, as well.

Read below for my personal wine picks, notes and a few taster comments received at the event: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=738

Between the Clouds; Tasting the Texas Stars

Between the Clouds; Tasting the Texas Stars

Entry 4 – The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Adventure

An evening under the stars was more like an evening in fear of rain, but we were tucked along the alcoves or under a tent on the terrace of Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts. The event enchanted and delighted. Luckily it also spared us direct contact with the wet and wild weather, while we savored signature dishes of some of Texas’s best known chefs and restaurants, and tasted showcase wines of guest and Texas wineries. This event has long been considered the ‘prime cut’ of wine and food events in Austin and, as I believe, perhaps Texas, too.

The Stars Across Texas event was a frantic evening of tasting with many excellent offerings, too numerous to mention here. In this blog, I promise to stay focused and present only my personal top ten offerings:

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=709

Let’s Taste the Terroir, Search for Parking and Savor the Coffee

Let’s Taste the Terroir, Search for Parking and Savor the Coffee

Entry 3 - The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Adventure

Two festival events preoccupied my attention yesterday: “Where Terroir Meets Tradition”, a noontime luncheon tasting featuring six premium Texas wines appointed with three carefully inspired food pairings from select Texas chefs, and “Stars Across Texas”, the grand Austin tasting escapade where signature dishes meet a cadre of fine wines from around the world.

The morning started with the flash-bang of a Hill Country thunderstorm that announced a gray-black veil of rain on the Big Hill and the thirsty countryside. Departing the cottage had me following the storm eastward to Austin.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=706

Savoring the Texas Hill Country: Luncheon at Becker Vineyards

Entry 2 - The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Adventure

Three winery hosted luncheons were held today, my selection, though hard to make, was the event at Becker Vineyards (Stonewall, TX – www.beckervineyards.com). It featured wines from Becker Vineyards, Brennan Vineyards (Comanche, TX - www.brennanvineyards.com) and Grape Creek Vineyards (Fredericksburg, TX - www.grapecreek.com).

From my back porch I could gaze at spring-like, morning air heavy on the Big Hill; not a dew, but definitely not rain.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=692

Austin’s Calling: It’s Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Time Again

Entry 1 – The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Adventure

People that were born, gone to school, or have just past through the Texas Hill Country just seem to find a way to get back here. Well, this year’s migration of the foodie faithful to the 24th Hill Country Wine and Food Festival (www.texaswineandfood.org) held in Austin and surrounding parts is a good excuse to return.

For me, in Houston the warm sun and springtime breezes signaled the time for my departure. Ribbons of wildflower colors lined the road westward like a ‘yellow brick road’ (but this one blue, red and yellow) leading me off to see the wizards of food and wine at this year’s festival.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=687

WINE CONNOISSEURS GIVE TEXAS WINES HIGH MARKS AT FIRST-EVER “VIRTUAL” BLIND TASTING

WINE CONNOISSEURS GIVE TEXAS WINES HIGH MARKS AT FIRST-EVER “VIRTUAL” BLIND TASTING

AUSTIN - April 7, 2009 - Rip off the labels, click on the Internet and get ready for a whole new way of testing Texas wines. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today announced it successfully hosted its first-ever “virtual” blind wine tasting called the “Texas Two-Sip Tele-Tasting.” Taking its popular Texas Two-Sip Tasting to the Web, TDA invited a handful of journalists and wine bloggers to participate in this blind tasting of Texas wines against comparable non-Texas wines.

“The Texas wines showed beautifully against the comparable non-Texas wines,” Craig Collins, regional sales manager with Prestige Cellars said. “Our technical tasting format looked objectively at color, smell and taste of each wine, and the Texas wines certainly stood their ground against some of the best wines in the world, if not surpassing them.”

Drinking In a Bit of Texas History

Drinking In a Bit of Texas History

Entry 2 - The Texas High Plains Vineyard Planting Tour

Continues from http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=652….

After the dinner blessing, we lined up to load our plates with the delectable delights of our communal feast. The steaks were piled high; medium, medium-rare, marinated and not marinated. Bobby Cox’s rare steak stood alone, as if it they had just knocked off the horns and rode the critter in especially for him. With my steak taking up more than half of the available area of my plate, I was challenged to find room for the fixin’s – Sautéed mushrooms, a bake potato nearly the size of my foot, salad, cheese rolls and more. You know, food just taste better when the efforts are shared.

Bobby Cox was beaming, bright eyed with an ear-to-ear smile. You could see that this was not just any bottle of wine by the manner he and his wife, Jennifer, cradled it in their arms as they brought it to the table. The bottle was labeled 1982 Pheasant Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon but it obviously contained something much more…. What I came to realize that night was that it had a large dose of Bobby’s personal history and spirit; the blood of the grape comingled with his own blood, sweat and tears.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=656

Dear Lord, We Could Use a Little Rain and Please Keep the Frost Away

Dear Lord, We Could Use a Little Rain and Please Keep the Frost Away

The Start of the Texas High Plains Vineyard Planting Tour

Arriving back in Houston late last Wednesday, I had just enough time to empty and repack my suitcase, check up on the weather in Lubbock, and catch a short night’s sleep. I’d be leaving the following morning on a tour of the Texas High Plains vineyards. This trek was arranged by the Texas Department of Agriculture to highlight the new grapevine plantings in ten Texas vineyards facilitated by $250,000 in rural economic development grants [For more information, see: http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=58363].

The goal of the new grape plantings is to add over a hundred acres of badly needed new wine grapes to help relieve the grape shortage in Texas. This shortage resulted from the recent spike in the number of Texas wineries, which now totals over 170, combined with decreased vineyard production from late spring freezes, hail and damaging rain during harvest the past several years.

The Lubbock weather warning of cold, windy and snowy conditions was not only personally chilling, a harbinger of possible freeze damage to bud laden vines. No doubt this late wintry blast would be met with trepidation by the High Plains growers that I was about to visit.

Early Wake-Up Call

Thursday morning came way too early. It was nearly an hour before my alarm was set to ring when my dog jumped in bed to announce his needs. Thus motivated, I made an early arrival to the airport and downed my hot java [jet fuel for my sleepy brain, I thought] and thus began my trek to Lubbock. One more check of the weather from my PC in the terminal showed more clearly the potential dire weather situation predicted for later in the weekend. My upcoming vineyard tour might have been better billed as the “Grit and Gumption” tour as this late blast of winter weather would again test the tenacity of the Texas growers.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=652

Know Your Terroir - Part II; Can you Name Them?

Know Your Terroir - Part II
Can you Name the Ten Most Famous Wine Regions from their Terroir?

Part II of this two part blog, focuses on the first five famous terroirs of the modern wine world

It is important for grape growers, winemakers and wine consumers to know the famous terroirs of the modern wine world. Review the terroir descriptions [1 through 10] and try to name them - 1 through 5 were posted last Friday at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=643. The following are 6 through 10.

Send your answers to russ@vintagetexas.com (email addresses will be witheld). Each correct answer will receive 10 points.
BONUS: Five bonus points will be given to any responses that correctly name Texas locations with similar characteristics. NOTE: YOU HAVE TO JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS for consideration of bonus credit.
The correct answers and the top three winners will be posted March 30, 2009.

Let the challenge continue…..

6. Great Cabernets from this new world region are described as having a dusty and spicy berry character and sometimes descriptions include mocha, allspice, that differentiate them from a adjacent and most notable American Cabernet-producing region. There are three distinct alluvial fans in this region that brought the mineral-rich soil over the eons. They range from gravelly to sandy to loamy, and some of the most famous vineyards rest on shattered sandstone with a limestone base.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=648

Know Your Terroir - Part I; Can you Name Them?

Know Your Terroir - Part I
Can you Name the Ten Most Famous Wine Regions from their Terroir?

Part I of this two part blog, focuses on the first five famous terroirs of the modern wine world

It is important for grape growers, winemakers and wine consumers to know the famous terroirs of the modern wine world. Review the following terroir descriptions [1 through 10] and try to name them.

Send your answers to russ@vintagetexas.com (email addresses will be witheld). Each correct answer will receive 10 points. BONUS: Five bonus points will be given to any responses that correctly name Texas locations with similar characteristics.

The correct answers and the top three winners will be posted March 30, 2009.

More info at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=643

From the Mediterranean Shores to Mason County Texas: Act II – Seeing, Tasting and Praying for Terroir

From the Mediterranean Shores to Mason County Texas:
Act II – Seeing, Tasting and Praying for Terroir

About 4 pm in the afternoon, my wife and I departed our Hill Country cottage near Fredericksburg, Texas and started the hour and a half drive to Mason for the much anticipated Act II dinner and tasting at Sandstone Cellars. As I learned in the process, this drive was likely the best way to see the “big picture” view of what Don Pullum had discussed in his description of Mason County terroir (See http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=612).

We headed west on Route 290 from Fredericksburg and, within minutes, the limestone road cuts at the eroded edge of the Edwards Plateau started to fall away. The countryside morphed into outcroppings of even more ancient, burnt-orange “Hickory” sandstone with a magnificent view of the Llano Basin open before me. The meeting of water on rock in Mason County is there, available to the beholder: A visible slice of geological time over 500 million years ago that produced a very particular ‘terres de la vigne’.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=622

Last Call to Enter: Free Messina Hof Winery Private Tour and Tasting for 20 People Giveaway Offer

Last Call to Enter: Free Messina Hof Winery Private Tour and Tasting for Twenty Giveaway Offer

Deadline for response is Friday, March 13, 2009.

Qualify to win a Free Private Tour and Tasting at Messina Hof Winery and Resort, Compliments of Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo by answering the following questions: 1. Have you been to Messina Hof Winery and Resort? Yes ____; No ____.2. What types of wine events do you like? _____________________3. Age _____ years; Male or Female ______4. Where do you buy your wines? _______________________5. List your favorite three grape varieties.6. List your favorite three wine brands.7. How many bottles per month do you buy? ______ Approx. cost per bottle ______. Tour and Tasting Description:The Private Tour and Tasting for 20 people: Invite 20 of your favorite friends, family, or business associates to a day in Texas Wine Country. Enjoy the award winning wines of Messina Hof during a private tour tasting paired with fruit and cheeses. Messina Hof is located in the center of the state the same distance from Houston and Austin as Napa is from San Fransisco. It is like a trip to Europe without crossing the Atlantic! How to Enter:List your answers by number in the reply comment field at the bottom of the blog post at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=596.

Deadline for response is Friday, March 13, 2009.

Winners of the Messina Hof Tour and Tasting will be selected by a drawing from list of people that successfully respond to all questions. The winner contacted by VintageTexas using the email address used in the reply. Names will be withheld and used only with permission.

From Mediterranean Shores to Mason County Sands: Act I – A French Connection

From Mediterranean Shores to Mason County Sands: Act I – A French Connection

In the 6th century BC, long before any of the major wine producing regions of France had been established, the Phoenician Greeks landed on the rocky Mediterranean shores near Marseilles in southern France. They brought with them their civilization, commerce, and grape vines for local wine production. The estuarial conjunction of the Rhone River with its access to the open sea was a convenient transfer point that helped establish a fledgling wine culture in the area.

The Romans came later with their devotion to wine and overlaid their empire upon this region pushing vineyards farther inland and up the local hillsides in the vicinity of what is now the village of Le Castellet. This historical picture can still be seen today in the small Appellation in southern France called Bandol.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=612

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News: March 5, 2009

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News: March 5, 2009

Barrels Across Texas
Texas Wine Tours to benefit the American Red Cross of Central Texas - $280 (ebay)
Free Messina Hof Winery Private Tour and Tasting for Twenty Giveaway Offer
Texas Wineries? Yer Darn Tootin’
How the American Southwest Wine Region Works

More on each article at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=608

An Open Letter to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association: “To Tell the Story”

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) held in Austin, Texas. As I described in the blog-of-that-day (http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=573), this annual event had many facets – some technical, some political and some social. From my perspective, I find the Texas wine industry is like having a rough diamond peering at me, partially buried in the Texas soil. From the outside it may seem unremarkable, but it conceals an indescribable, enchantment locked inside….something definitely of the soil.

I awoke early that morning and as I drove to Austin, I was taken by the elements of a Texas spring morning surrounding me; roadside grasses, dry and gray, transforming into emerald islets, birds in flight chasing much larger predator birds from soon to be occupied nests, a warm sun coming up over my shoulder changing the day from black to red-orange to blue awakening fields with hope for the new season.

Thank you to TWGGA, its members, officers, directors and staff for awarding me the 2009 TWGGA Press Award. It is much appreciated and I will aspire to continue telling the story that is truly “Your Story”. I am only a voyager, interlocutor and muse, and I am blessed to be here to tell the story.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=601

Messina Hof Winery Private Tour and Tasting Giveaway Offer, and Messina Hof Texas Bounty Dinner Event Announcement

Free Messina Hof Winery Private Tour and Tasting for Twenty Giveaway Offer

Qualify to win a Free Private Tour and Tasting at Messina Hof Winery and Resort, Compliments of Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo by answering the following questions: 1. Have you been to Messina Hof Winery and Resort? Yes ____; No ____.2. What types of wine events do you like? _____________________3. Age _____ years; Male or Female ______4. Where do you buy your wines? _______________________5. List your favorite three grape varieties.6. List your favorite three wine brands.7. How many bottles per month do you buy? ______ Approx. cost per bottle ______.

Tour and Tasting Description:The Private Tour and Tasting for 20 people: Invite 20 of your favorite friends, family, or business associates to a day in Texas Wine Country. Enjoy the award winning wines of Messina Hof during a private tour tasting paired with fruit and cheeses. Messina Hof is located in the center of the state the same distance from Houston and Austin as Napa is from San Fransisco. It is like a trip to Europe without crossing the Atlantic!

How to Enter: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=596

Texas Winemakers Gather their Pluck

Texas Winemakers Gather their Pluck
….The Race for a Place on Restaurant Wine Lists is On!

Ever go to your favorite restaurant and have a dark, inky East Texas Bordeaux blend with your Steak Au Poivre? How about a well-structured Texas High Plains Tempranillo with your a garlicky ox tail tapa, a fragrant Texas Hill Country Viognier along with a wood-oven roasted rosemary chicken, or a Gulf-Coast Madeira-style wine with your chocolate bread pudding? I reckon that you likely haven’t. Not because you can’t, but frankly, they can be downright hard to find.

Some say that Texas wines are fighting a losing battle to gains slots on restaurant wine lists. However, I think that the quote from fellow Texan, Dan Rather, pretty well sums up the cup’s-half-full mentality of many in the Texas wine industry when he said…..“Put on another pot of coffee, this race isn’t going to be over for a while”. Texas wineries are just starting to get serious in the race for a place on wine lists.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=587

Texas Wine – A Matter of Economics and Quality

Christian Hill of MKE Research was “sweating nails” while standing on the podium as his leadoff presentation started the meeting of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA - www.txwines.org) in Austin on Thursday morning. Hill was being besieged by computer troubles. Having been under similar circumstances, I know how hard it is to continue the presentation while trying keep your composure and not look like a proverbial “deer in the headlights”.

Despite everyone’s efforts, he was not having much success getting his slides broadcasted for the audience the way he himself could see them on the screen of his PC. However, to his credit, he was a real trouper and continued on with his important message.

Texas by the Numbers

The technical difficulties notwithstanding, Mr. Hill’s message to the annual gathering of Texas viticulteurs was clear, concise and to the point: $1.35 Billion (Yes, billion with a capital “B”).

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=573

Write Off The Vine: Texas Wine News - Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Announces Texas Wine Events

Write Off The Vine: Texas Wine News - Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Announces Texas Wine Events

Spring is the time to be in Texas. The sun is shining bright in a mile-high Texas sky, purple martins in flight delight the ear and eye, wild flowers paint a spectrum of colors across the friendly Tejas countryside. In April, cool lingering breezes submit refreshing afternoons and delightful evenings. It is definitely time to stop, enjoy life and get a taste of the Texas wine experience.

Note the following Texas wine events at the upcoming Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival in Austin Texas in April 2009.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=565

North Texas Tour Entry 7 – Lone Oak Winery, Last Stop before Home

As my previous day’s travels ended, I stopped in Dennison and had dinner with friend and writing colleague, Henry Chappell. The day was getting late and after dinner we made our way to his house on Lake Texoma in time to see the last rays of winter sun glancing on the lake through the winter-denuded trees. We talked until late into the evening while sharing a bottle of a decade old Texas Cabernet in the company of his two dogs. We had a wide range of topics….wine, history, kids, corporate life, dogs, writing and back to wine; sharing stories of our past.

After my early Sunday start from Lake Texoma, I arrived just before noon at Lone Oak Winery. I sat with its owner Gene Estes and we talked about his entry and efforts into the world of Texas wine that has found a new use for the areas limestone, sand and gravel.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=542

Write Off the Vine: Texas Wine News - Upcoming Texas Wine Festivals

FEBRUARY 2009

February 19-21
2009 Annual Conference & Trade Show of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, Austin
This annual event hosted by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association is an opportunity to network with the Texas wine industry. Programming includes vineyard and winery seminars, trade show and Texas wine paired dining experiences. The conference concludes with the Annual Gala and Industry Auction which features wine from every region of Texas! Be sure to mark your calendars! For more information vist the web site at http://www.txwines.org/.

MARCH 2009
March 3-22
Houston Live Stock Rodeo Uncorked, Astrodome, Reliant Park, Houston

More info at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=517

North Texas Road Trip: Entry 6 - Lone Oak Vineyard, a bit of Texas Bordeaux

North Texas Road Trip: Entry 6 - Lone Oak Vineyard, a bit of Texas Bordeaux

I stopped the previous night in Denton, Texas. This morning I awoke and primed for today’s adventure with a “stick-to-my-ribs” Waffle House breakfast. Over the period of a couple days since the cold and ice hit northeast Texas, the weather was warming agreeably. Saturday raised its fresh and sunny face. The morning sun cast a warm, amber hue on the dry countryside punctuated only by occasional fields of emerald green winter rye.

My morning destination was about a half hour north of Denton toward the Oklahoma line where I visited with Robert Wolf at his Lone Oak Vineyard near Valley View, Texas.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=521

North Texas Road Trip Entry 5 – Visiting the Supreme Expérimenter at Brushy Creek Vineyards

North Texas Road Trip Entry 5 – Visiting the Supreme Expérimenter at Brushy Creek Vineyards

There comes a point in just about every Texas road trip where a personal moment surfaces and human and natural elements of this great state combine. In this case, I was heading out across the Cross Timbers prairie on Highway 81 past Decatur with the blackland farming belt in my rear view mirror. The land opened around me to an almost cosmic proportion with brushy lands casting out far and wide from the sides of the roadway. The hawks were positioned like sentinels of the road on fence posts, telephone wires, and tree tops scanning wide-eyed in search of their prairie buffet.

The purpose of this leg of my trip was to visit Les Constable – grape grower, winemaker, and owner of Brushy Creek Vineyards in Alvord, Texas. When I arrived, Les had two glasses of wine poured and we sat in discussion on the outside deck.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=512

Write Off the Vine: Texas Wine News - February 6, 2009 (Texas Uncorked)

“Texas Uncorked”By: Sen. John Cornyn
From: Texas Times Weekly Column

You’ve heard it described as medium heavy, sweet and low in sulfates. Its presence pre-dates the arrival of the first Anglo-American settlers to Texas. And today, its industry pumps millions in revenue into the Texas economy each year.

While crude oil may first come to mind, this liquid is Texas wine.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=508

North Texas Road Trip – Entry 4; La Bodega - The Winery for the Jet Set

North Texas Road Trip – Entry 4; La Bodega - The Winery for the Jet Set

I reckoned that my mid-day visit to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW for short) would be an ideal time to partake in a different type of Texas winery tour - A Jet Set Winery Tour. It took place at La Bodega Winery located in two locations in the DFW airport facility; the original location at Terminal A (Gate A15) and the new location Terminal D (Gate D14).

A visit to La Bodega is not going to be part of your usual road trip winery visit unless ....http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=501

North Texas Road Trip – Entry 3; Lone Star Wines at the Fort Worth Stockyards

North Texas Road Trip – Entry 3; Lone Star Wines at the Fort Worth Stockyards

Day two started with a crispy but clear morning in Dallas with patches of the frozen, slippery stuff marking my path to my car.

The first stop was to visit old friends and ally of Texas wine consumers – Chesley and Michelle Sanders who are the proprietors of Lone Star Wines.

More and Chesley's Texas wine picks at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=487

North Texas Road Trip - Entry 2; San Martino Winery

North Texas Road Trip - Entry 2; San Martino Winery & Acient Civilization

I’m back on the road heading from Tyler Texas, northwest to Rockwall on the eastern outskirts of Dallas. The air is clear and crisp and the sun is in full shine, typical of what follows a Canadian cold front into Texas. The flare for city names in East Texas is quite evident from the road signs I saw on my path with town named: Cut and Shoot, Gunbarrel City and Frognot.

Rockwall’s identity has always been closely linked to its geology. In 1851, settlers discovered a rock wall of very large proportions buried beneath the town site. Its brick-like structure and cementaceous joints caused some to conjecture that the wall was manmade by an ancient civilization.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=479

A Frosty Morning at Kiepersol Winery / Wine Wiz Quiz Answers

A Frosty Morning at Kiepersol Winery / Wine Wiz Quiz Answers

It was an early morning, and particularly chilly, as I departed Houston for my wine destinations in northeast Texas. I was up and on the road with a steaming cup of coffee before sun up and had a visits set at Kiepersol Winery (Tyler, Texas) and San Martino Winery (Rockwall, Texas) with plans to finish the day with a Grande Bordeaux tasting in Dallas.

I was well on my way heading north past Conroe when the sun finally appeared casting oblique yellow rays filtering through a crystalline haze. The concentration of light increased revealing a dusting a frost on the countryside. But, the road was dry and fast.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=472

Wine Wiz Quiz: The Wine, The Moon and The Stars

Wine Wiz Quiz: The Wine, The Moon and The Stars

1. Name of the winery located in Sonoma Valley named after the area in which it resides: Valley of the _____________ Winery.

2. How long does it take to Moon to go around the Earth?
a. 24.532 hours, b. 0.9998 years, c. 1 month, d. 27.322 days

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=466

Free Tickets Winner for the Texas Hill Country Lovers Wine Trail

The winner of the giveaway of free tickets for the Texas Hill Country Lovers Wine Trail Feb 6-8 & 13-15, 2009 was Bob Walker who lives in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. He described his most romantic Texas wine moment as follows:

“Over the past 32 years, my wife and I have had a great number of adventures all over the world… but, none better than our first venture to the Texas Hill Country and the wine trail....

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=462

Winemaking Starts in Texas: Virtual Tasting

Winemaking Starts in Texas:
A Retrospective “Tasting” with Father Garcia de San Francisco y Zuniga

“When we entered the region, we saw grapes growing wild along the rivers of Tejas and they looked like I imagined they did for eons. The vines were thick, hanging from the trees on the river banks.”

This is how Father Garcia de San Francisco y Zuniga recalled the local landscape.....

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=458

VintageTexas Surpasses 10,000 Readers

VintageTexas State of the Texas Wine Blog Report - by Russ Kane
As many of you know, back in July 2008 I started my VintageTexas Blog Project at(http://VintageTexas.com/blog).

I originally viewed this as a writing exercise in preparation for a book project. With my sights now firmly set on the book and my detailed chapter outline in hand, I am starting the book that will contain my interpretation of the “Sense of Place” that IS the Texas wine experience.

When I started the VintageTexas Blog, I really did not know what it was going to be. I assumed that it would help me get back my writing “chops”. I also guessed that it would help me to document and organize my thoughts and experiences as I re-established old relationships and worked to understand the changes in the Texas wine industry that had occurred during my almost three year sabbatical. However, after a mere six months, I can definitely say that the Blog has taken on a life of its own, having connected with a readership that wants to share the Texas wine experience with me.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=448

Austin Events Feature Wines from Texas and Washington

Grow and Taste Texas Wines: Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association Annual Conference. The 2009 TWGGA Annual Conference will be hosted February 18, 19, 20 & 21 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Austin on I-35 North.

Taste Washington. A whirlwind tour of Washington State Wines in Austin.
WHAT: Join the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas as we partner with the Washington Wine Commission on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Hilton Austin downtown for a grand tasting of Washington State wines.

More information at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=440

Hill Country Hot Spot: The Cabernet Grill, the Texas Wine Country Restaurant

The Cabernet Grill is in a storied space at Cotton Gin Village, just south of Fredericksburg, Texas. The preceding restaurant in this space languished, never reaching notoriety for its drink or cuisine. But, within the past two years, this has all changed.

The restaurant at Cotton Gin Village was rebranded as the Cabernet Grill. Executive Chef Ross Burtwell totally revamped the menu specializing in fresh seafood along with tantalizing offerings of Angus beef and wild game for his Fredericksburg-area patrons. The restaurant has a knowledgeable, “Texas friendly” staff. But, best of all, the Cabernet Grill can boast of the largest, restaurant-based Texas Wine list available anywhere in the Texas Hill Country, and most likely anywhere.

Saturday Night Dinner
Last Saturday, my wife and I decided....

For more: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=432

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News: January 17, 2009

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News: January 17, 2009

PROVENCAL WINE LUNCHEON: THIS SUNDAY, January 18th 11am at Mirabelle.

The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas
Mirabelle Restaurant - Austin, Texas with Christine Chapot, Owner / Chef Jardin de Bacchus- Tavel - Provence (www.jardindebacchus.fr and www.provence-escapade.fr)

GREAT VALUE! $35 (all inclusive of tip/tax). Call 327-7555 Reservations Only.

The State of Texas Wine
by Gretchen Roberts

I was in Texas in November for the San Antonio Food & Wine Festival, and while there hopped up to Becker Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, an hour or so northwest of San Antonio, for a lunch and tasting….. I only brought back one bottle of Texas wine from my trip: the Becker Vineyards Prairie Rotie, a Rhone-style blend of Carignan, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Grenache.

Read more at: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/11/the-state-of-texas-wine-wine-of-the-week/#thankYou

Win Two Free Tickets to the Texas Hill Country Lovers Wine Trail - February 6-8 & 13-15, 2009 - 26 entries received so far…send us your Romantic Texas Wine Moment to enter!

Post your Romantic Texas Wine Moments to VintageTexas.com using the comments field (bottom of page) at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=408. This will enter you to win two free tickets good for 4 people, to the Texas Hill Country Lovers Wine Trail compliments of http://www.texaswinetrail.com. The deadline for posting your comment to VintageTexas.com is Friday, January 23, 2009. The winning entry will be selected and notified by email by Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

More Texas Hill Country winery and wine trail details at: http://www.texaswinetrail.com

More Texas Wine News at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=423

Zraly’s Sixty Second Wine Expert

Zraly’s Sixty Second Wine Expert

Kevin Zraly is acknowledged to be one of the best wine educators of our time. His widely popular, “Windows on the World Complete Wine Course” is one of my favorite and often utilized reference books. It is a straightforward and succinct presentation of wine, the major wine regions, the quality producers and the art of wine tasting and pairing.

My absolute favorite part of Zraly’s book is his description of the “60 Second Wine Expert”. He insists that his students spend one minute in silence after they taste a wine.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=417

Win Two Free Tickets to the Texas Hill Country Lovers Wine Trail

Post your Romantic Texas Wine Moments to VintageTexas.com using the comments field (bottom of page) at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=408. This will enter you to win two free tickets good for 4 people, to the Texas Hill Country Lovers Wine Trail compliments of http://www.texaswinetrail.com. The Lovers Wine Trail details are given at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=408.

The deadline for posting your comment to VintageTexas.com is Friday, January 23, 2009.

The winning entry will be selected and notified by email by Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

Texas Winemakers Get Coonawarra Envy….

Texas Winemakers Get Coonawarra Envy….

Just a short post today, but it is something important. A few days ago, I blogged on the terrior of the Texas High Plains at:

http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=387

In response, a half a world away (but virtually in our backyard), Aussie wine writer PHILIP WHITE responded to my blog on his blog (Drinkster) as follows:

White wrote, “Texas has up and got Coonawarra envy….”

For more, go to: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=402

Write Off the Wine: Texas Wine News for January 9, 2009

Write Off the Wine: Texas Wine News for January 9, 2009

Wow, 2009 is starting off with a bang. Lots of excellent wines to taste, new things to learn, and great wineries to visit. See below….

The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas: Wine 101 Class - Wine & Sushi
Wednesday, January 14, 2009; Time: 6:30 P.M. - 8 P.M.Where: Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar; 10000 Research Blvd. in the Arboretum Austin, Texas 78759. Cost: $50 for Foundation Members and $60 for general admission.

For more on this, Fodor's Texas Winery Destinations, Texas Enology Seminars, go to: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=397

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News for January 8, 2009

Write Off the Vine - Texas Wine News for January 8, 2009

Happy New Year from Pleasant Hill Winery (www.pleasanthillwinery.com); A rare snow settles on the barrels at Pleasant Hill Winery; December, 2008.

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity in 2009. Thank you for enjoying Pleasant Hill wines. Maybe you missed our 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon release and food pairing, or it’s time for a ride to the country? Join us for a glass of our award-winning....

For more: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=394

Texas Terroir: A “Land – Man” Conjunction

Texas Terroir: A “Land – Man” Conjunction

Earlier this year, I visited the Texas High Plains to observe the grape harvest. As I chronicled my trip and experience on this blog, I had an intimate awareness of what wine writers and even more French viticulteurs describe as “terroir”. In a search for words at the time, I tried to capture the experience and blogged…..

“The scenery is dominated by red-brown dirt and sky that gives me the feeling that I was viewing the land that was created very early on the morning of third day of creation. This was before God had yet worked up the idea of making high mountain vistas on the newly created land.” See: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=27

For more: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=387

Five New Year’s Wine Resolutions for 2009

Five New Year’s Wine Resolutions for 2009

1. Drink Well, Drink Local

In 2008, I blogged about “Food/Drink Miles” as applied to wine selection. In 2009, I reconfirm that I will drink well, but drink more locally produced wine. This action may help to reduce my wine cooler’s carbon footprint a tad. But, more importantly it will help support our struggling local economy as well as the winemakers in Texas that are making great strides with each vintage. I also hope that people in other states will do the same. Remember – Each bottle of wine from New Zealand has more than 23 times the carbon footprint of a bottle of Texas wine. See: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=49

For four more resolutions:
http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=381

Blog Main Page: http://vinetagetexas.com/blog