Wine Life - Houston

As a long time fan of the Cordua restaurants, I was pleased when I learned that they were opening a Churrascos near my home . I was fortunate to be able to attend the mock service prior to opening; I had the Churrasco steak dinner that night and it was excellent as expected. We went  again for dinner shortly after that and had another positive experience (our only issue was one wine by the glass offering of decidedly corked wine which was immediately replaced). I had the seafood soup and tenderloin salad that evening and I would recommend both. This morning, we went to try the new Sunday Brunch and we were just blown away. This is by far the best brunch in the Sugar Land area; it is priced at $27 per person and I added the $10 bottomless mimosa option as well. Diverse options range from four different green salads, ceviche, soup, plantain crusted fried shrimp and calamari, an array of grilled veggies, an omelet bar, a crepe bar, a carving station with beef tenderloin and a whole suckl

In the midst of taking a short break from the study of French wines, I decided to "go local" tonight for dinner with some gulf coast shrimp and Texas wine. The 2010 Duchman Vermentino inspired me to make broiled peppered shrimp with penne pasta in a Romano cream sauce with fresh basil (sadly, the last of the fresh basil grown outdoors until Spring).  Vermentino is a white grape primarily grown in Italy; it is also known as Pigato and Favorito. My expectation for a wine produced from this grape was a crisp, acidic, dry white wine with citrus and an herbal (primarily basil) note.                                   The 2010 Duchman Vermentino is made exclusively from Texas grapes at the Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood, Texas. They provide a tasting note on the back label which I resisted looking at until after I wrote my own. Interestingly, I wrote a very similar note. I give them Kudos for their truth in labeling. Appearance: Clear, pale straw color with a watery rim. N