by Andrew John Chalk
You have toured Napa’s famed Highway 29, right? The wine trail where it takes 45 minutes to cross the road in the summer (such is the traffic)? Well, an attraction billing itself as the “#2 Wine Destination in America” is taking shape just south of Dallas. It is the “290 wine trail” or “Wine Road 290”.The term “290 wine trail” is my own. The name refers to the stretch of U.S. 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City.The term “Wine Road 290” is copyrighted and owned by a corporation with the following details: · Started by Gary Gilstrap from Texas Hills Vineyard in 2008, with cooperation with 8 other wineries. Now the wineries include from East to West; Texas Hills Vineyard, Hye Meadows, William Chris, Pedernales Cellars, Woodrose Winery, Hilmy Cellars, Becker Vin...
by Nicola Boarer
English wine is not only winning awards against some of the world’s most famous names in the world of wine, but now it also boasts its very own wine tour from London.The very first English Wine Tasting Tour took place last Sunday 31st May, the perfect end to English Wine Week. After all the celebrations of English Wine throughout the week, it seems only fitting that it should end with a visit to where it all begins.Nicola Boarer, Founder English Wine Tasting Tours said ‘’The first tour appealed to a real mixed bag. Some cool 20 somethings who had heard about English Wine, but hadn’t really tried it. A couple on secondment from Korea, who wanted to make the most of their time in England and get out and enjoy all that it has to offer. Some Kiwi’s who’d done wine tours in Aust...
by Paul Tonacci
There is no shortage of great things to be said about wines that come from our state. One quality I was surprised to discover recently is an enduring spirit of cooperation and stewardship for the growing local wine industry. It’d not be unreasonable to assume that each winery would be about as friendly to one another as two competing pizza places in a small town, which is to say, not very but that’s hardly the case I’ve learned in most places. I was fortunate to sit down and have a brief interview with general manager, Tim Schlitzer, and winemaker Mike Groch of Cream Ridge Winery in Cream Ridge, NJ who shared what’s special about their operation and how it’s thriving today as they celebrate 30 Years of Winemaking in New Jersey. Started by pioneering couple Tom and Joan Amabile ba...
by Frank Whitman
I like wines made from the Chenin Blanc grape. They have an appealing mix of exotic fruit flavors, brisk acidity, and (in some cases) a surprising depth and complexity that takes a step up from every day refreshers. In France white wines of the Loire Valley and Vouvray in particular are the old world standards. There are scattered plantings of Chenin Blanc across new world wine regions, but South Africa is where it has really caught on. Chenin Blanc, long established there, is the most popular and widely produced white wine in the country. Also known as Steen, the grape accounts for almost a third of total South African plantings and is made into a variety of wine styles from sweet to dry. South African winemakers, in a bid for their place on the world wine stage, have improved quali...
by Ron Kapon
I bet you are asking yourself why is Ron on a wine tour? I do teach wine & spirits at two universities. I did co-author the Fairleigh Dickinson University/NY Times Knowledge Network on-line wine course. I do write about wine & spirits for many print & on-line publications.photobanda I believe as many people as possible and recent statistics proved my point should share wine. The U.S is the world’s largest wine market and sales have been growing at 2-3% rate for the past 21 years. The 3PM meeting spot for my tour group was Grano Trattoria at 21 Greenwich St (corner of 10th Ave). I checked to see which subway stop was closest & I accidentally got Greenwich Street not Avenue. I realized my mistake & found the correct directions. It seemed two of the participants made the same mistake & show...
by Gabriella Owens
This pizza is one of Rick’s creations and a delicious one at that. Make the wine reduction sauce ahead of time, since it takes at least an hour to make. The wine reduction sauce will make the dough soggy, so it should be drizzled on right before cutting and eating.1 Herb Pizza Dough1 Tablespoon Cornmeal1 Tablespoon Olive Oil1/2 Cup Grilled Steak, Cut in Small Cubes3/4 Cup Onions, Sliced3/4 Cup Mushrooms (about 6 medium), Sliced1 Tablespoon Butter or Olive Oil (for sautéing)1/4 Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese1/4 Cup Wine Reduction Sauce (recipe below)Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter. Preheat pizza stone to 450 degrees.Roll out the dough on a floured board. Sprinkle cornmeal on peel. Gently shake extra flour off dough and put on peel.Brush dough with olive oil. Arrange steak, sautéed onion...
by Bob Ecker
Article: The Rosé CompetitionBy Bob Ecker May 2, 2015Includes Full Award ListYears ago I was fortunate enough to visit Provence and enjoyed many fine, pale, fragrant rosé wines in the cafes of Arles, Uzes, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence among other delightful spots. The balanced Bandol and other rosé wines were perfect for warm or hot afternoons – just like in California. It was like drinking sunshine in a glass. When I returned home I sought out American rosés and found a very few “modern” wines, that is, good dry crisp and tasty rosés unlike the preponderance of sweet, weak and mass produced “blush” wines of the past. One of the first excellent dry rosés I encountered was from SIMI Winery in Healdsburg. Others of note came from Napa’s Peju, Bouchaine and the Hess Coll...
by Andrew John Chalk
June 12th, 2014: In a major rules announcement the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today proposed that future use of the GO TEXAN mark on wine packaging will require that 75% of the grapes used to make the wine be from Texas. This replaces the existing rule under which 0-% of the grapes must be from Texas and makes GO TEXAN labeling consistent with Federal appellation labeling.This change is a huge win for three groups, and a huge loss for one. It is a huge win, first of all, for Texas wine consumers who can now be sure that a wine with the familiar “GO TEXAN” mark on the label, from the 2014 vintage forward, is at least 75% Texas grapes. To see if a wine is 100% Texas grapes the consumer will still have to consult the back label and read the winery’s description of the wine....
by Olga Magalhães Cardoso
The Symington family has launched a wine from 1882 to celebrate the arrival in Portugal of the family’s pioneer. The name couldn’t have been more exemplar. Ne Oublie – meaning unforgettable or do not forget! Ne Oublie is more than an extraordinary wine; it is a family jewel, a historical and cultural relic.These expressions in French originated many centuries ago. We have Honi soit qui mal y pense as an example, a French phrase meaning Shame on him who thinks this evil, much used in educated circles. It is also the motto of the Order of the Garter, the British Order of Chivalry, created by King Edward III, in the days of the Crusades.Legend has it that in 1347, during a ball, the Salisbury Countess, mistress of Edward III, dropped her blue garter. The king promptly placed it back, un...
by Jerry Greenfield
ByThe Wine WhispererAs many have heard me say, enjoying wine means liking it. Appreciating wine means knowing why you like it. Unfortunately, many beginning wine lovers get put off by hearing people say things like, “Oh, yes…there’s some nice gooseberry notes on the nose, and the herbaceousness spreads across the midpalate as the smoky quince flavors kick in on the finish.”Huh?Actually, being able to detect and deconstruct the layers and flavors in a fine wine is a skill that anyone can learn…and it’s a skill that will contribute immeasurably to your enjoyment of not only wines, but everything you eat, as well. People who can taste a dish in a restaurant and then go home and make it have this skill…the ability to pick apart an overall impression of flavor into its componen...
