Wine Life - Houston

As originally seen In Galveston Monthly Magazine.  

Last Thursday was the second annual International Tempranillo Day. This is primarily a social media event that allows wine lovers to taste wine made from the Tempranillo grape and then tweet their thoughts to other worldwide participants using the hashtag #TempranilloDay. Tempranillo is a black grape which is native to Spain but is now grown in many other parts of the world. It typically produces medium to full bodied red wine with red berry aromas and flavors, medium acidity and medium tannins. However, depending on the clone and the climate conditions, it may display more black fruit character. Due to the grape's resistance to oxidation, it is often aged for extended periods in oak barrels which add vanilla and incense nuances. All of the wines I tasted were provided to me as media samples. They all come from Spain and are part of the Freixenet portfolio. 2010 Tapeña (100% Tempranillo) approximately $10 Clear, medium ruby color with clean, medium+ intense aromas of cranb

Crush Wine Lounge asked me to host a Champagne Day event for them on Friday, October 26. Attendees tried four of Crush's top-selling Champagnes served with paired hor d'oeuvres while learning about Champagne- the region, the method and the wines. Early arrivers started with an alternate sparkling made in a different way so as to be prepared to compare when the tasting began. The line up for the evening included: NV Henriot Blanc served with mini crab cakes 2006 Louis Roederer Brut Ros é served with seared tuna NV Bollinger “Special Cuvee” served with roasted chicken and chutney 2004 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Fleur served with grilled shrimp Of particular interest to this group: Champagne's long history to protect the ownership of its name- Since 1887. The cellars made from old Roman chalk quarries under the cities of Epernay and Reims. The rumors of scandal surrounding Dom Perignon. The riddling process as developed by Nicole Barbe