Tempranillo – 2004; Stone House Vineyard; Spicewood, Texas

The lovely aromatic, bold flavored dry wine is just begging to be enjoyed with some juicy BBQ ribs!  The acidity is good, with moderate tannins, yet palatable to the all red wine lovers. The wine has a lovely depth to it and will compliment wild game, steaks and ribs nicely. You can swirl and watch the legs on the glass just for the enjoyment.  It has been difficult to keep this one in the cellar for so long and tempting to break out the cork screw earlier, but patience has paid off well.  The timing was perfect to open this bottle!

www.stonehousevineyard.com

Three Dudes Winery – San Marcos, Texas

Just to the east of the I-35 corridor in San Marcos, is a small winery nestled on the banks of the San Marcos River.  The Three Dudes winery has a unique location, so don’t be dissuaded by the trailers you initially see on the road. The name comes from the dudes that founded the place.  With grapes primarily sourced from Fort Stockton, Lubbock, and south of San Antonio (black Spanish grapes), there are about a half dozen wines you can try for tasting.   Their whites (Chenin Blanc and Texas White) are quite crisp and are perfect for those warmer days we tend to have in Texas “winters”.   Those looking for that sometimes hard to find white Zinfandel, make a note to stop in to taste theirs, as it is wonderful. You won’t be disappointed as it has all the flavors of a Zinfandel that you’ve come to appreciate.  The merlot is quite soft and easy drinking for all.  The Texas red is bit more peppery with a tart finish.  Their Black Texas port packs quite a punch, as well.  Keep this one handy for those rare arctic cold blasts in January.  Since our unofficial wine blog days, they’ve added a nice patio and mini-park that goes right up to the river.  They have picnic tables under a covered patio by the river and lots of seating outside next to the winery that is likewise covered, so you can enjoy a lovely sunset or midday break outside with friends and loved ones. Expect a non-traditional and laid back atmosphere when visiting and you will fit right in. Definitely worth a stop.

www.threedudeswinery.com

Raisin Wine – Comfort Cellars Winery; Comfort, Texas

This is good evening dessert wine that will help soothe your soul at the end of a busy or hectic day.  Don’t be fooled by the rosé color. A fruity aroma is a given, with a delightfully fresh fruit taste that is a little different than most wines. The raisin flavor is definitely there, but there seems to be a hint of port or sherry flavor, as well. This is a lovely wine that would make a great addition to the holiday parties and dessert tables. We’re thinking this would be good with some cheesecake.  May want to make a quick raid at La Madeleine and find out about that wine and dessert pairing! :)

www.comfortcellars.com

Santamaria Cellars - Fredericksburg, Texas

Founded in 2006 by Martin and Angela SantaMaria, Martin has been producing some mighty fine red wines.  Born in Argentina and educated in Italy on winemaking, Martin has taken the best of both winemaking worlds and brought them to Central Texas.  You “old timer” Central Texas wine trail folks may also remember him as the wine maker at Dry Comal Creek.  Many regular Texas wine lovers have been to the local downtown Fredericksburg wine & beer shop (Texas Wine Cellars) where folks were able to sample his wines, as well.   We were fortunate to have picked up a few of his first releases during those “early” days.  The tasting room has been opened less than a year down on Texas Highway 16 just south of Fredericksburg.  Though somewhat small, it packs a good variety of wines to choose from for sampling. You’ll have at least seven different wines to taste from that include both whites and reds.  All wines are produced from 100% Texas grapes (Hill Country and Lubbock areas).  The Muscat Canelli and Pinot Grigio are great!  Red wine lovers will relish the deep bold flavors of the reds offered.  The Pinot Noir has to be one of the best you’ll try this side of the Colorado River!  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec are all very fine. There are a few 2011 reds that are already released.  The 2011s have turned out so well that you’ll definitely want to stock up a few to store in your cellar.  Santamaria Cellars in one of those wineries in Texas that helps put the “Q” in quality and does the state justice in representing Texas wines well.  There is something on the menu to please any palette so stop by and check out one of the state’s newer wineries and enjoy!

www.santamariacellarswines.com

Sauvignon Blanc – NV; Fall Creek Vineyards

This lightly crisp white wine is quite refreshing when chilled. Not too harsh and not too bland, it makes for a wine suitable for anyone to enjoy.  It has a citrus and lemon aroma that translate well to the palate when drinking this selection.  This wine should pair well with many good southwestern cuisines.

www.fcv.com

Vineyard at Gruene – New Braunfels, Texas

The latest business to expand along Gruene Road just south of historic Gruene, Texas is a new startup winery that opened in November of 2011. The tasting room is very open and spacious.  You could easily hold an event here quite comfortably.  The back porch is on the east side of the building where it is much cooler during the hot summer afternoons.   On the east side, is a small plot of Black Spanish vines that do add a bit of decoration to the nearby landscape.   The Becker’s of Becker Vineyards are helping this winery get off to a good start with some handcrafted wines.  Currently, you have two crisp whites to choose from; Comal Springs and Blanco Dulce.  The Comal Springs is a Sauvignon/Viognier/Muscato blend and the Blanco Dulce is a Viognier/Chardonnay blend.  The Gruene Rosé is a well balanced blend of Mourvedre and Moscato.   The Guadalupe Valley Red is a red blend with some Mourvedre, and the not too common Carignan grapes.  If you like Syrah blends, than the Texas Red Blend mixes both the Syrah as well as the Petit Syrah.  Lastly, their dessert wine blends Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that has a good full-body with a long finish.  Opposite of the wine tasting room and through the breezeway is their beer bar (sometimes referred to as the man cave).  Give that place a try too.  This can be your one stop shop for both beer and wine lovers alike.

www.vineyardatgruene.com

Malbec Reserve– 2004; Killer Bee; Maipo Valley; Chile

For those who like rich, deep red wines, this is a lovely well balanced fruit forward Malbec from Chile that we recommend. The wine has a beautiful deep red color with a nice balance between the rich berry fruit flavors and the smoky depth of a well aged red. The wine is a medium-bodied red crafted from fruit from low yield vineyards and aged in both American and French oak. The tannins are not overpowering, making this wine a delight to drink on its own as well as paired with a lovely steak or Italian dinner.  This one will please those who like a nice hearty, earthy, slightly smoky red that is not too dry.

La Cruz de Comal Wines – Startzville, Texas

Long time Texas wine lovers may already be familiar with this established vineyard and winery.  It’s one of the best jewels of the Texas Hill Country appellation worth visiting.  Its location is quietly tucked away in the “mountainous” parts of Central Texas just south of Canton Lake.  The scenery and surroundings of the estate gives one the feel of “the old world.” The loamy clay soil of this three acre estate produces both Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish varietals.  Another vineyard just north of Fredericksburg supplies additional grapes for the winery.  Owner Lewis Dickson and winemaker Tony Coturri have placed a strong, if not religious, emphasis in natural wine making.  They are carving out their own unique niche in the Texas winemaking industry. Nothing is added to these wines, they are unfiltered, and fermented with natural yeast.  Aging occurs both in the barrel and bottle before releasing.  The results produce true flavors of what Texas Hill Country wines are really all about.  Though the establishment has been around for over a decade, the tasting room has only been open to the public since last February.  Like the wines, the tasting room is made from natural material of the land (stone, timber, and clay).  European travelers will find the room’s resemblance comfortable, warm and very inviting with the “rustic Spanish style meets French country” architecture.  It has a very nice and cozy setting.  The selection of wines can sometimes vary depending on what the proprietor selects.  All wines are made in small batches and only come from the Texas Hill Country Viticulture Area.  For this visit, we were treated with Petard Blanc (estate Blanc du Bois).  This one will have many true flavors not found at other wineries.  Being unfiltered, expect the wine to be cloudy, but don’t let that detour you from your sipping session.  The Du Petit Lait is a wonderful blend of Merlot and Black Spanish grapes!  Have this one slightly chilled for those hot Texas summer days.  We also enjoyed the 2004 Syrah.  For a naturally fermented wine, this one has held up quite well with age!  Red wine lovers will appreciate its strong, bold and dry character. The 2005 Cohete Rojo is a dry blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Norton, Syrah, Tannat and Viognier.  This wine was definitely one of the better dry red blends we’ve tasted using these grapes.  The Apres is a fortified Blanc du Bois wine which would give any Muscat dessert wine a run for its money.  If you get the chance, do try the Quinta La Cruz.  It’s a Black Spanish fortified wine that gives a whole new meaning to port!  They have a cellar carved into the limestone for storage of these and many other library wines.  The cool cave environment adds a bit more meaning to all natural for this place.  The only question when you’re done with your tasting is how many bottles of each you are going to take home.  Whatever you decide, either drink them soon at your next wine get together or store them in a quality cellar.

www.lacruzdecomalwines.com

Prickly Pear Wine – Texas Star Winery - Richards, Texas

You may not see this style of wine very much, but it is a very good fruit wine you’ll want to add to your cellar.  It is one of the more unique varieties you will find in Texas. As the official state cactus of Texas, any Texas wine maker using this fruit will certainly want to make sure this wine turns out great.  It is a semi-sweet wine with a pleasant fruity tropical aroma.  If not for the slightly mineral aftertaste, this could almost pass as a Riesling to the casual wine sipper.  The wine will appeal to sweet wine sippers. Serve this one chilled with a meal or as an afternoon drink as you put your boot covered feet on the back porch rails.  And don’t worry, spines are not included.

www.texasstarwinery.com

Salt Lick Cellars – Driftwood, Texas

Central Texas BBQ lovers already know Salt Lick BBQ for their great BBQ.  With their own wine labels and vineyard, Salt Lick is making a name for themselves in the wine industry as well.  Located next to the BBQ joint, the tasting room blends nicely into the décor.  Nothing fancy and nothing odd, as it’s just a good place to sip wine and talk.  Across from the tasting room, beyond the parking lot, you’ll notice about 5 acres of vineyards in the country side.   More vineyards are located not too far away by Onion Creek.  As you step up to the wine bar, you’ll have the option of trying out a number of Texas wines as well as Salt Lick’s own selections.  Currently, there will be about 4 or 5 of the wineries own creations you can try depending on availability and vintage releases.    Let’s just cut to the chase.  Their 2010 Tempranillo is wonderful!  Red wine lovers will be very pleased with this one.  It’s full of bold strong flavors with a touch of fruitiness to the nose.  And yes, it has good legs!  The Tempranillo grapes are proving to do quite well in the unpredictable and extreme weather of Central Texas.  Among the other reds you might be interested in are Hill Country Blend (Cabernet/Syrah blend with a touch of Sangiovese) and the Ranch Road Red.  They also offer a Sparkling wine based on the Chardonnay grape.   We look forward to new releases in the future as well as some great BBQ!

www.saltlickcellars.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2000; Biltmore Winery; Asheville, North Carolina

This cabernet wine has it all: full body, well balanced, fruit and complex bouquet, and just damn good.  The story goes something like this.  You open the bottle and deeply inhale the initial strength of the bouquet.  Being a patient and disciplined wine lover, you let it breath.  In the meantime, you enjoy the aroma in the room as the wine aerates.  At the right time, you pour just a tad and swirl the glass as you note its color and texture.  Finally, you sip and enjoy all the full flavors that this well aged wine has to offer.  The big smile on your face says it all.  You go ahead and pour a glass for you and your honey.  Next thing you know, what timing, as dinner is ready!  Afterwards, your only thoughts are how much more of this wine will you be able to enjoy today and how much if any will you save for tomorrow? Only you know the answer to that question. Seriously, you should try the wines produced by Biltmore. They are well crafted and now available on a broader national scale versus exclusively from their Ashville location. This is a truly bold, full bodied cab with strong tannins yet a lovely clean finish.  A fabulous selection for an Italian dinner.

www.biltmore.com

Wedding Oak Winery – San Saba, Texas

A warm welcome to one of the Texas Hill Country’s newest wineries!  Mike McHenry & friends have started up a fine winery in downtown San Saba. The investment represents a huge boom for San Saba and a positive effort at revitalizing downtown businesses there.  They have already done justice to their winery by bringing Penny Adams on board as their winemaker.  Many Hill Country vineyard owners will be all too familiar with her as the Viticulture Advisor for the Texas Hill Country area.  Her expertise in growing grapes in areas of Texas, once seemed impossible, has been a great benefit for the industry.  The inaugural releases, produced at the McPherson facilities in Lubbock, have helped jump start this winery with some lovely wines.  With just over 1200 cases, there are currently five wines available for tasting with most of the grapes coming from the Texas High Plains region.  We haven’t had a bad Texas Viognier yet and their 2011 vintage just adds more proof that this grape will be, if not already, a shining start for white Texas grapes.  The Wedding Oak White is a crisp blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano and Pinot Grigio with just a tad bit of sweetness.  They’ve started off their initial reds with a fine Sangiovese that would make the ancient Romans proud.  The red blend, Tioja, is a blend of 60% Tempranillo and 20% Mourvedre and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It would make a fine compliment to some meaty dishes.  The blush has just a touch of Ruby Cabernet for a very nice raspberry tint and makes a great hot afternoon chilled wine!  If you stop in now, you’ll notice that the wine labels have San Saba Wine Cellars on it.  Unfortunately, just as doors were about to open, news that another winery already had that name prompted the name change. It does, however, give rise to an opportunity to get as many bottles as you can with the San Saba name on it before the labels change!  The current name comes from the history (400 years ago) of the Wedding Oak tree located just north of town.  Have a glass of wine with Mike and he’ll tell you more.  The winery has a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with chairs arranged in cozy seating areas toward the storefront, and large lovely oak paintings on the walls. Great care was taken to accent the “old/historic feel” of the building, with a more modern, understated elegant twist.  There is a roomy tasting bar and an outdoor patio off the back. You’ll notice next to the tasting room will be the new wine fermentation room (large tanks already there) that will eventually be able to produce 10,000 cases!  Eventually, they will be sourcing grapes from the Hill Country, as well.  We can’t wait to return again in the near future to see the progress in the fermentation room and see this winery in full production as well as to sample new creations.  The Pecan Capital of the World now has a fine winery to likewise brag about! We’re certain come the holidays, there will be some wonderful wine you can pick up to compliment your pecans and holiday meals.   San Saba may be a long drive for some, but this place is definitely worth the trip.  So, stay a spell and enjoy some Wedding Oak wine!  You’ll feel very welcomed by the staff.  They have done the Hill Country winery region proud.

www.weddingoakwinery.com

Mirtillo – Texas Legato Winery; Lampasas, Texas

This semi-sweet blueberry wine could easily slip (or sip) past a wine lover as a traditional red wine.  It initially presents as an off dry but then unleashes it’s bold, big ripe berry flavors.  We’ve been told that the winemaker uses similar processes as those used for reds, which appear to have made the difference in helping this wine stand out among other blueberry varieties.  It has a wonderful flavor and aroma that could make a nearby bottle of red wine jealous. It isn’t a syrupy blueberry wine at all. For those that think fruit wines aren’t “real” wines, this one will help make you reconsider and then convert! A wonderful after dinner sipping wine to enjoy and linger over as you unwind after a busy day. We look forward to having more of this one!

www.texaslegato.com

Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard – Saint Jo, Texas

Yes, readers, this place was once an ostrich ranch. However, economic conditions changed and the owners looked at other ways of using the land and facilities.  What better thing to do than to convert operations into a vineyard and winery!  This new upstart vineyard and winery is helping to establish the northern frontiers of Texas into a recognized grape producing region.  The vines have been in place for about a year and total just over 2000.  Most of the varietals are Tempranillo, Viognier and Cabernet along with a few test rows.  The current selection of wines available at the winery come from grapes sourced in Texas. Two of the wines, Syrah and Cielo, have already won awards from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition.  The Viognier and Roussanne are a great way to start your tasting session.  Both do Texas proud.  The Meritage and Tempranillo are some of the reds that you may want to fill up your cellar with.  Do have a glass of wine while you’re here.  The scenery of rolling hills of North Texas near the border here with the backdrop of young vines is spectacular!  Plus, the owners welcome you with some fine hospitality and good company and will gladly share the history of their business and their former ostrich farm stories with you.  The viticulturist and winemaker are doing a fine job.  We can’t wait to return when they start producing the estate vintages!

www.blueostrich.net

Late Harvest Riesling – 2006; Chaddsford Winery, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

This white dessert wine has aged quite nicely in the cellar.  Initial tastes may seem like this one verges on a port style, though the alcohol content is really not that high.  It is sweet and serene yet not a heavy syrupy dessert wine.  It does a have a nice crisp finish.  You’ll sense the aromas of apricot, pears, and a hint of peaches and honey.  This particular sweet Riesling would go well with just about any after dinner meal, and would go nicely with fruit and lighter cheese plates. We likewise believe there is ample beauty in relishing this one alone as dessert itself.  Enjoy this one sparingly though, as who knows how often the right conditions will occur again to produce this one.

www.chaddsford.com

Cowtown Winery – Forth Worth, Texas

You just can’t visit Fort Worth without checking out the Stockyards area and now you’ll have a good excuse to check out a good winery while you’re there to boot partner!  It may be a small production facility, but with about 20 different wines to choose from, you’ll certainly find something to quench your thirst.  The juices are from California grapes and the wines are made at the facility.  The oaked wines are very lightly oaked.   There is about an even split between the dry and sweet wine selection.  There are a few wines that have already won awards.  You will find a fair number of different fruit wines on the menu and we suggest you give them a try. The wine bar is a cozy long rectangular shop, putting you close to the wines on the shelf.  The staff is friendly and very helpful, so ask all the questions you have. The Stockyards has many traditional beer and steak places to hang out, so this is a nice addition for the wine lovers to enjoy while in town.

www.cowtownwinery.com

Dry Riesling – 2011; Chateau Ste Michelle; Woodinville, Washington

This dry Riesling from the Columbia Valley is yet another fine product of Chateau Ste Michelle. It comes across as crisp and fresh with flavors of apple and peach. The finish is very clean with a slight mineral note. The slight effervescence doesn’t detract from the quality of this wine, but just adds something extra to the aromatic and sensory experience. This wine would make a great compliment to a juicy lemon chicken dish or even your favorite bay scallop entrée. It would pair nicely with hors d’oeuvres. So, dig in! This one is worth sharing and enjoying with your food while you drink.

www.ste-michelle.com

Kiepersol Estates Winery – Tyler, Texas

The founder of the estate is demonstrating what it’s like to achieve the American dream.  Coming to this country with little money, he chose East Texas as the site for a vineyard and winery.  Initial planting started in 1998 and has now grown to 60 acres and 14 varietals.  The fruits of his labor have literally grown to become a successful business and a recognized winery and vineyard from East Texas.  Both red and white varietals can be found here.  As most Texas grape growers know, red grapes other than Black Spanish can be quite a challenge if not near impossible to maintain in East Texas.  However, hard work and determination has shown that it can be done. The first vintages came out in 2000.  All of the wines available for tasting are well balanced with tannins taking a back seat.  There is about an equal selection of dry and sweet to red and white to blush wines.  With almost two dozen wines to select from, there is something here for everyone. For the sweet whites, you’ll definitely want to try the White Zinfandel along with your favorite cake dessert.  The Kiepersol Vit has a mango aroma that gives it a tropical feel.  For dry whites, you can’t go wrong with their Viognier or Semillion.  Both are crisp and complex yet easy enough for anyone to enjoy.  Syrah lovers will be very pleased with their 2008 and 2007 selections!  The most memorable tasting notes for the reds are the 2008 Cabernet and Barrel No 33.  For deep bold and dry wine lovers, those two are for you!  Don’t forget to save room for the port.  It is a tawny style port and….well….wow!  We look forward to featuring in more detail these and other wines we picked up from the winery in future blogs.  Don’t let the fact that you have to drive through a housing area dissuade you…there really is a lovely winery waiting at the end of the road for you to enjoy. The estate also has a very fine high end restaurant and Bed and Breakfast.  This place has a lot to offer its wine lovers. And did we mention the view from the tasting room?  You’ll just have to go and check it out for yourself and see!  Go early enough in the day to be able to sit and enjoy the spectacular view with your glass of wine.

www.kiepersol.com

Apple Wine – Weinhof Winery; Forestburg, TX

With a delightfully golden color, this apple wine makes a tasty treat for any day.  The bouquet is lovely, fruity and bright. This is a sweet fruit wine, yet not syrupy sweet. A glass of this and you may never go back to apple cider.  Weinhof has done the apple orchard justice with this one. It might also go well for breakfast, as well.  Go ahead, give it a try!

www.weinhofwinery.com

Happy 2nd Year Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary! Yesterday marked our second year of winery and wine blogging. Two years down and going on our third. So far, 65 wines and 79 wineries have been featured. We've also added something extra to our blogs recently with two special editions; Olive Oils and a Book review....woohoo! There are still many more wonderful wineries to visit and great wines to try.


Sometimes we're asked about posting the “best of”, “top picks”, or “favorites”. Well, all these wineries are unique and special as well as the wines. No two are the really the same. Each posting is about that particular wine or winery and no other. To rate one over the other might tend to take something away from their special appeal. Likewise, everyone’s tastes and preferences vary, so we try to feature wines that appeal to a broad range, with something sweet for our newer wine drinkers to something in a drier, specific varietal for our more sophisticated drinkers. However, feel free to post your own comments on which ones you liked the best and make a toast! (Not to say we don’t have our favorites and our top 5 and 10 wineries in our minds, but for now, we’re trying to remain unbiased. We may be inclined to begin rating them on a particular scale in the future.)

On a side note, one could say that we've now gone "ankle deep" in trying out our own mini vineyard. And when we say mini, we mean a very tiny plot. We're not even close to trying out wine making yet, but who knows. We might just one day start our own production vineyard & winery… If so, we'd have to have the other wine bloggers come out and write about it. Ours would be way too biased :)

We’re looking forward to an exciting third year. Here's a toast to all the wine and winery postings during our second year! We have thoroughly enjoyed the road trips to the different wineries and the different events we have experienced this past year that have enabled us to share some of the experience with you. We may be expanding on some of the adventure and local flavors as well in the future. Cheers!

Chef in the Vineyard, by John Sarich

Special Edition: Book Review


Chef in the Vineyard, by John Sarich

What wine lover doesn’t like a good cookbook to go along with their favorite wine? Or perhaps, it’s a good book about wonderful wineries you should visit along with some fantastic recipes and food pairing menus. Either way you look at it, you should add this book to your cooking library, especially, if you’re looking to pair some wines of the Pacific Northwest with your cuisine. This book offers a valuable selection of simple yet elegant recipes and pairing your fine cuisine with quality wines from the Pacific Northwest.

The first part of the book takes you through a guided tour of John’s favorite wine and vineyard estates of the Northwest. Afterwards, you’ll find yourself with a quality selection of recipes and wine pairings to try at home. The book is well organized and you can intuitively find what might peak your interest. If nothing else, you can always use the “Guide to Food and Wine Pairing” he shares in the book. The chart is straight forward and easy to read. It serves as an excellent guide for the expert or novice wine lover.

You’ll find the “journey” that John takes you through with ten of his favorite wineries of California, Oregon, and Washington better than most wine tour buses. His personal insight and knowledge of these places serves well with how he pairs their wines with different recipes. Each estate featured also has a nice index at the end with what estate wine and food to pair, along with the page numbers indexed. So if you just can’t wait till you’ve finished reading about the current or following estates, don’t be embarrassed at the urge to jump right over to the detailed recipe section and start cooking! For some good tidbits, feel free to jump right to the Chef’s notes section of each estate. You may get some insights not found in most other wine & food cookbooks. At the end of each estate story is a small section on the page of John’s “Favorite Ingredients”. That section just shows the personal touch he has in writing about these places. The great photographs of each estate also help compliment the artistic story that John tells about each establishment.

While wine making can be an art and a science, being able to master wine and food pairing is an artistic quality that comes with experience. For example, it’s not so much that you pair a red wine with a meat dish, but which red varietal and estate can make all the difference in the world with your meaty cuisine. The recipes that follow in the book show how John pays that extra special attention to each dish. He just doesn’t select any Pinot Noir. He selects the right Pinot Noir!

You get the “full meal deal” with recipes: appetizer, soup & salad, seafood, poultry, vegetarian, meat, sides (aka fixin’s in some parts of the country), and dessert. With 140 recipes available, there is something for everyone. Hard core food lovers may have a difficult time getting past the appetizers. If you’re really into appetizers, these selections just might make a meal for you and then some! Warning: the Ahi Poke and Steamed Clams recipes may be an indulging sand trap! Once you’ve indulged in the appetizer section, the book continues with soups and salad selections. Most may find the Asian Crab Noodle Soup a favorite surprise at your next house party. And there is nothing like a crisp cool salad dish along with a chilled white wine to help cool you down on a warm summer day. The seafood selections have to be one of the shining stars. For the northwest area, it is only appropriate that some of the seafood recipes may be considered signature dishes of the Pacific Northwest winery estates. For poultry dishes, go for the game hen or quail recipes if you’re looking for something other than chicken. Vegetarians have not been left out. Some may be surprised at what there is to offer and there is a red and white pairing selection to these vegetarian dishes just like with meat, chicken, and fish. For those new to these kinds of veggie entrée dishes, you can’t go wrong with the Spinach Lasagna! Meat lovers, this book is definitely for you! You’ll not only find some great dishes to whip up, but John knows the art of pairing that special red wine and the estate it came from to compliment that meaty dish. The side dishes are just as important as the wine pairing to compliment the main entrée. So, pick a good recipe and don’t forget dessert. The Warm Berries on Ice Cream recipe is a killer and has become one of our new favorites for the bountiful fruit available in the summer. Yum! You’ll be craving a late harvest sweet Riesling with this dessert.

So…are you hungry yet? Cheers and enjoy!

Sunday Posting

Stay tuned for an extra special posting this coming Sunday!

Texas Wineries Emeritus

Long before our blogging days, we had the opportunity to visit some of these Texas wineries & vineyards that are sadly no more. We were fortunate to have featured Khatter Vineyards just before they closed. Though we won’t be able to do blogs about these places, there may be a few of their bottles hiding in our cellar. Hopefully, they’ll be rediscovered and featured on this site in the future. These wineries may be gone, but not forgotten.

Alamo Farms Winery - Adkins, Teaxs

Bieganowski Cellars - El Paso, Texas

Bluebonnet Hill Vineyard - Ballinger, Texas

Blue Mountain Winery - Fort Davis, Texas

Blum Street Cellars - San Antonio, Texas

Cana Cellars Winery - Austin, Texas

Chateau Montgolfier - Fort Worth, Texas

Chateau Texas - Canton, Texas

Cypress Valley Winery - Round Mountain, Texas

Guadalupe Valley Winery - Gruene, Texas

Haversack Winery - Fredericksburg, Texas

Hill Country Cellars - Cedar Park, Texas

Isletta Winery - El Paso, Texas

Ivanhoe Vineyard - Ivanhoe, Texas

Khatter Vineyards – Parker - Texas

Lehmberg Winery – Giddings, Texas

Lost Creek Winery - Sunrise Beach, Texas

John Hatch Winery - San Patricio, Texas

La Escarbada XIT - Hereford, Texas

Moyer Texas Champagne - Cedar Park, Texas

North Star Winery - Addison, Texas

Palo Alto Farms Winery - Poteet, Texas

Pedernales Vineyards - Fredericksburg, Texas

Preston Trails Winery - Gunter, Texas

Purple Possum Winery - Navasota, Texas

Sanchez Creek Vineyards - Weatherford, Texas

Sanuvas Winery - Clint, Texas

Schoppaul Hill Vineyards - Ivanhoe, Texas

Sidney Borden Winery - Sharpsburg, Texas

St. Lawrence Winery - Garden City, Texas

Steinberger Winery - Windhorst, Texas

Tejas Winery - Mesquite, Texas

Teysha Cellars - Lubbock, Texas

Texoma Winery – Whitewright, Texas

Vasquez Vineyard & Winery - San Diego, TX

Vorhaur Winery - Fredericksburg, Texas

Tara Vineyard & Winery – Athens, Texas

With some award winning wines already under their belt, the proprietors are making a name for themselves as a quality East Texas winery.  It’s hard to believe that the vineyard was started just seven years ago, and it was the first for Henderson County.   As you drive up to the estate, you’ll notice many lush, green vines lining the hillsides on both sides of the relocated Murchison home.  The panoramic views along the estate are spectacular!  Wine and vineyard lovers will feel quite at home.  They grow Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish varietals on the estate.  These grapes set the basis for their estate made white and red wines.  Among the additional reds in their selection for tasting, the Stagecoach Red and Gone with the Zin (American Zinfandel) are really great!  The Deck Wine represents their blend of estate Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish grapes.  The Blanc du Bois is their signature white that imparts a nice refreshing finish. You will be amazed at the selection of wines that are offered at the winery, with many choices to choose from for your tasting.  Don’t stop with the tastings when you’re done though because the winery also has a lovely restaurant.  We recommend calling ahead for reservations if it’s dinner.  If you feel like extending your stay, they have a Bed and Breakfast at the locale. The winemaker is doing an excellent job and we look forward to seeing what new and interesting wines await on our next visit.

www.tarawinery.com

Rosé of Merlot – 2005; Spicewood Vineyards; Spicewood, Texas

This classic Rosé from Spicewood Vineyards is a well balanced, fruity dry wine with a cherry note.  It has a deeper red color than most Rosés.  You may notice some tiny crystals from the tartaric acid, but that does not distract from the taste. For dry red wine lovers, you’ll enjoy this particular dry Rosé.  Try this with your favorite spiced up stir fry dish or as a compliment to your favorite cheese.  Your wine sensory needs will be happy either way – it’s lovely with or without food accompaniment

www.spicewoodvineyards.com

Bella Vista Cellars – Wimberley, Texas

Having transplanted from California to Texas in the 1990’s, owner Jack Dougherty bought a goat ranch and has now turned it into an olive tree ranch and vineyard.  At the site, you’ll be surrounded by vineyards to the north and olive trees to the south of this family run business.  Current wine selections for tasting are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, and Blackberry.  Also on site is the Texas First Olive Oil Company that makes some great tasting olive oil.  There are about 15 varietals of the 1000 or so olive trees planted.  Most of the varietals are Mission, Coratina and Arbequina.  What a great place to get some Texas olive oil and Texas wine all in one stop!  You’re body will get the health benefits of both red wine and olive oil.  As if that weren’t enough, to make your spirit happy, let us also mention that the scenic drive out to this place is also quite wonderful as well!

www.bvranch.com

Riesling - 2011; Chateau Ste Michelle; Woodinville, Washington

Oh, wow!  Made from grapes of Columbia Valley, this sweet Riesling is wonderful!  The initial aromas are those of a typical Riesling, but you are surprised when you taste this one.  You’ll likely find that you’re tasting more pear than apricot or apple and though it is sweet, it is not syrupy sweet.  The acidity and sweetness seems to balance well. Pair this with your favorite berry/ice cream dessert and you have a marvelous combination for your sensory experience.  It is a bit more effervescent than one would expect, however it really works nicely with this wine.  This wine could easily pass off as a “light” sparkling wine and we highly recommend using this one when you are looking for a sparkling wine to pair with desserts as it simply has a surprisingly champagne like quality with fewer bubbles.   You might also try this with your favorite spicy dish.  We paired it with a warm blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry sauce over vanilla ice cream and it was sinfully delicious. This is definitely something worth enjoying this time of year. Enjoy!

www.ste-michelle.com

Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company - Dripping Springs, Texas

SPECIAL EDITION: Olive Oil –


Yes, we’re adding a new dimension to our traditional approach to telling you about wines, but we thought if the right products come along that really wow us and are hand crafted by artisans looking to add their mark in offering very cool new products that we likewise believe help compliment a great wine meal, why not venture out and explore a little more territory with you!

What better way to compliment your dinner appetizers than some great tasting olive oil. Many Texas food lovers might have been watching and watching for this store to finally open. Located just north of Dripping Springs, this Olive farm currently has the name to fame as being the only certified organic olive tree farm in Texas. They grow five types of Olive trees: Pendolino, Arbequina, Mission, Coratina, and Leccino. There are about 1900 trees on the 17 acre site. The store currently sells four delicious types of Olive Oil. You can’t go wrong with any one, but do try it with the imported flavored Balsamic vinegars….YUMMMM! You’ll definitely impress your guests serving these olive oils at your next party. They also serve some great Texas wine from Texas wineries, too. So, have a sip of olive oil and wine while you’re there. Guess we couldn’t post this one without at least saying something about wines. After visiting this place, do try some of the local wineries around the Dripping Springs area, because there are a few and they are doing a nice job!

www.texashillcountryoliveco.com



Riesling - 2011; Chateau Ste Michelle; Woodinville, Washington

This delicious off-dry Riesling is a product of the vineyards from the Columbia Valley.  It has the aromas and taste of pears, apricot, and apples that one would expect from a good quality Riesling.  It is definitely packed with rich fruity flavors yet has just a tad bit of lemony tartness to it.  The acidity surprisingly balances out well in this one.  There is also a slight effervescence to this wine, so don’t be surprised if you get a few bubbles. It is a well balanced and lovely Riesling that is true to its character and will not let an avid Riesling fan down.  This wine pairs easily with a number of different dishes.  We also found it very lovely as a substitute for Chardonnay when cooking salmon. Surprise your guests at your next dinner party with this wine and use it as a secret ingredient in some of your recipes and they might be in awe!

www.ste-michelle.com

Lakeview Winery – Austin, Texas

Owners Kenny and Gail Fowler have established a nice winery along one of Austin’s most gorgeous views of Lake Travis – The Oasis! Opened to the public since March 2012, they now have 7 wines of their own available for tasting as well as some from other Texas wineries. The three reds available are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a Sweet Red. Strangely enough, the less dry and sweeter the reds are the better they taste! From the selection of whites, you’ll get to try there is a good chilled Chardonnay that will suit you well during the hot summer, as well as, a delicious Sweet White that is about 90% Blanc du Bois and 10% peaches. It truly is amazing how much of the peach aroma and flavor translates to your taste buds when sipping this one, so we strongly suggest you buy a few bottles for some cool summer sipping or a different take on mimosas without the fizz. Their other white is 100% Muscat that will go well with some desserts from the Oasis. There is now a Black Cherry wine that is quite tasty as well! This last fruit wine really has a nice bold black cherry flavor and will likewise make a great summer sipper and after dinner drink. The winemaker from the Georgetown Winery has been helping these folks get started. Other wines are in the “vats”, so be on the look-out for some more new wines with unique names on their tasting menu in the future.

http://www.lakeviewwinery.com/



Sweet Red – NV; Twin Springs Winery; Tow, Texas

This red sweet wine is a blend of Merlot and Zinfandel.  It’s smooth, soft, luscious and full of fruity flavors.  The flavor is true, bright grapes presented in a sweet, yet not syrupy sweet manner.  Your nose will be pleased by the aroma and taste buds will be excited by the flavor.  It is quite refreshing and sweet wine lovers will certainly enjoy this one.  Why even devout dry wine lovers might be tempting for a second glass!  Twin Springs is a brand owned by Fall Creek Vineyards.  You’ll be sensationally pleased with this one and it makes a lovely summer sipper for entertaining family and friends!

www.twinspringswinery.com

Circle S Vineyards – Sugar Land, Texas

Located just outside of Houston, this winery is crafting some fine Texas wines.  It’s not far at all for wine lovers in the Houston area to check out.  With a vineyard in Centerville, Texas and sourced grapes from Italy, the winemaker (Dave Stacey) has a quality selection of grapes to choose from in making his own wines.  Among the nice selection of varietals available are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Chardonnay, Magia di Amore & Ilbello (the latter two being his own signature blend).    You might come across a good bottle of jalapeno wine at certain times of the year.  Many of the wines are award winners.  Recently released is the Tre Nel Cielo which is a Montepulciano/Merlot blend plus a third, secret grape that the winemaker is very tight lipped about.  Stop by for a tasting to see if you can discern that third varietal. While you’re there, sample some of the other wines and see what you think. We think you will be happy you stopped in and gave this place a try when in the Houston area.  Help keep a good local winery going with your patronage!

www.circlesvineyards.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2005; Perissos Vineyards; Burnet, Texas

Every once in a while, a wine lover will get a rare opportunity to try a winery’s earlier vintages that they had worked on before going “public”. This wine from Perissos is one of their first editions in the wine crafting business. We were told that is was a Cabernet. The taste and aroma comes across more in a Chianti style of wine. Perhaps some Sangiovese may have been used to top off the barrel during aging. It definitely has a strong oak taste with a bold full bodied flavor. Surprisingly, little tannins are noticeable. The oak aroma is quite strong when first opened, but tends to soften as it aerates. This is a fairly good wine and not a bad start to wine making. Do let this air for about an hour before sipping. It definitely goes well with a good steak as the earthiness and heartiness of this red can stand up to some strong flavors. Enjoy and savor the moment with this one!

http://www.perissosvineyards.com/

Hilmy Cellars – Frederickburg, Texas

This latest winery to open its doors on the Texas Hill Country’s famous 290 winery highway is making a mark from the onset.  The owner, Eric Hilmy, strives for quality vineyard farming to produce quality wines.  The current selection of wines include:  Doo•Zwa•zō (Chardonnay/Chenin Blanc blend), a single vineyard Muscat Canelli (so good, you’ll need a few bottles),a Tempranillo blend, a Tempranillo with fruit harvested from Lost Draw Vineyards on the Texas High Plains, and a soon to be released proprietary white called Persephone.  They are an all star line up.  The estate also has a vineyard in the back growing Sangiovese. The vines are maturing nicely and should soon be producing some estate wine.  The tasting room is spacious and airy.  The design is sleek and modern yet warm and inviting with large leather seats and colorful artwork on display along with pots of orchids and a nice selection of wine inspired books for sale. You won’t feel cluttered or cramped as you sip your glass of wine while checking out some of the local art or leisurely chatting with friends as you hang out and enjoy the cool vibes, relaxed atmosphere and great wines. Make this new place a stop on your next trip out to the Hill Country, you won’t be disappointed!

http://www.hilmywine.com/

Hibiscus Flower Wine – Texas Star Winery; Richards, Texas

It may have one of the loveliest Rosé like colors around, but this wine will be one of the more unusual ones to add to your collection. The winery went way out on a limb, more specifically, a hibiscus branch to craft this very unique wine. Made from the hibiscus flower, don’t expect your typical fruit or grape flavor taste. It really does not taste like any other wine. Instead, this light semi sweet wine may have you noting more herbal flavors than fruit notes. The aroma is nice and not overpowering. We recommend serving it chilled for a nice afternoon cold beverage instead of iced hibiscus tea. For someone who has everything, we bet this is one they won’t already have!

http://www.texasstarwinery.com/

Perissos Vineyards and Winery - Burnet, Texas

Owners, Seth and Laura Martin, have established a bit of a wine lovers paradise on their Texas Hill Country estate.  Surrounded by picturesque rows of vineyards, the beautiful hill country setting makes this an ideal place to start one's own family-owned business.  Their grape growing and wine making adventure started out of their Austin home many years ago.  Like some of you, they experimented with growing their own grape vines and making their own wine.  Well, one thing led to another and here they are running a successful vineyard and winery.  They first started back in 2005 and have up to 13 acres of Tempranillo, Viognier, Petite Syrah, and Tannat varietals to name a few.  Many of their wines come from their estate grown grapes and all wines are 100% Texas grapes. Their first public vintage released about three years ago was wonderful.  If you missed their initial releases, don't worry.  Their current wine selection is worthy of at least a couple of cases for you to enjoy at home and with friends and family. The 2011 harvest was very small due to the biblical Texas drought of that year, but grapes are expected to yield a very high quality wine.  You might want to think about dedicating a wine cellar just for 2011 vintages!  Business has been much better than expected since they first opened.  Perissos has quickly made a quality name for themselves. We can see a very bright future for them in the Texas wine industry.  They have a winery that is very welcoming and makes you feel like family when you are there. Stop by and say, “Hi” and try some of their wines. We think you will agree that they sure know how to make Texas grapes into fine wine!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Blanc du Bois – 2009; Yepez Vineyard; Baytown, Texas

The estate grown vineyard serves as the source for this sweet estate Blanc du Bois.  It may taste sweeter to the palette than other Blanc du Bois wines.  Also, you will notice a subtle “spice” flavor to the wine, and some pineapple notes too. The aroma is strong and the color a pale golden yellow.  This wine chills nicely and can be served with whatever you like, but it’s also just fine as is.  It is a nice dessert wine, especially after a spicy meal.

www.yepezvineyard.com