Wine Life - Houston

I started April off with a post about the Terroirs & Signatures de Bourgogne Tasting  of Select Old Vintages event that Houston wine professionals were fortunate to enjoy. I wanted to finish April up with more thoughts on that day. Following the event, I was pleased to be included in an intimate group of wine journalists for dinner at the Mockingbird Bistro hosted by Francois Labet, winemaker and chairman of the BIVB Marketing Commission. He had been the keynote speaker at the seminar and tasting and I was looking forward to to the chance to hear more about current vintages and what is going on in Burgundy.  I was interested to learn about the BIVB's strong commitment to sustainable development and their efforts at raising awareness amongst their members. Producers and growers are promoting biodiversity to manage water consumption in wineries. They are doing such things as growing grass between the rows, they are involved with European project...

A college visit with my daughter timed well with an invitation to meet Josh Phelps of Taken Wine in Austin for a tasting of his newly released wines. Josh has only been out of college for five years himself; he started this company with childhood friend Carlo Trinchero. The two have known each other since they were five years old, they grew up in St Helena in Napa Valley and, as both have winemaker fathers, they were always immersed in the world of wine .  Their first release was sold out locally before they had even come up with their company's name. Every label name they dreamed up was already taken so Josh in a moment of irony and frustration took the name Taken for the company. As the two are millennial winemakers, the name made them think of social media relationship status and Complicated was added to the line.  With a group of local wine professionals, we tasted three wines over lunch at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. All the wines were well received an...

I had a fantastic time speaking at the "Anna Blooms" Houston event last week where I played host to local lifestyle writers who came to   Ousie's Table   for some how-to tips on entertaining this spring.  Attendees tasted both the   Anna de Codorniu   Brut and Rosé Cava with an array of menu items showcasing the pairing potential of these two wines. Passed hors d'oeuvre ranged from fried oysters and asparagus to crab cakes to lamb in puff pastry and beyond. Guests loved the clean citrus and pineapple character of the Brut and the distinctly different fresh berry component of the Rosé along with the refreshing finish of both wines with the varied menu items. In addition to holding its own at more formal cocktail or dinner parties, guests were surprised to learn that the low price point made it an anytime wine to make any occasion a bit more special, including enjoying it with popcorn on movie night at home or out on the back pa...

Happy Earth Day! As originally seen in the April issue of  Galveston Monthly magazine. Certified Napa Green for both their winery and their land, St Supery’s Estate Vineyards has produced a crisp, fruity spring sipper. Their 2012 St Supery Sauvignon Blanc has pronounced aromas of grapefruit, guava and lime. It is medium bodied with mouthwatering acidity, the flavors match the aromas with just a touch of bell pepper in the long finish. Approximately $15, try it with tortilla chips with crab and mango salsa. Benziger Family Winery has been a California leader in producing wines with a conscience. Their entire line is produced from earth friendly grapes from the certified sustainable program that produced the following Chardonnay on up to their organic and biodynamic wines. The 2010 Benziger Carneros Chardonnay is full bodied with fresh aromas and flavors of juicy ripe peach, green apple and coconut, with crisp acidity and a smooth finish. Approximately $12, serve i...

I was asked to speak about Spanish wine and to conduct a tasting at the 30th birthday party of Kyla Kennedy on the rooftop patio of her and her fiancé, Jonathan Garrett's home this past Saturday. They invited a great group of friends with a new interest in wine tasting. Jonathan had the idea after the two had watched the movie "Somm" and had become interested in learning more about the wines of the world.  For our tasting tour of Spain: Anna de Coderniu Brut Cava * - Guests loved this Spanish sparkler! They found the history of the winery interesting and enjoyed the refreshing style of the wine. The birthday girl named the subtle tropical and citrus aromas like a pro. 2012 Burgan's Rias Baixas Albarino - Guests talked about the fresh peach aromas and the crisp taste. Many felt this could be their summer sipper.  2012 Raimat Costers del Segre Albarino* - Guests were interested in learning about this lesser known area, the innovative winery and how ...

During the Terroirs & Signatures de Bourgogne Tasting in Houston last week, local wine trade and media professionals had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wines of Burgundy. The day started with a seminar on the age ability of Burgundy wines from less than perfect vintages led by BIVB Marketing and Communication Chairman, Francois Labet and Jay Youmans, Master of Wine. Jay Youmans led the tasting while Francois Labet shared his first hand experiences making wine during the years from which the chosen wines came. My Notes: The Whites from the Handpicked Selection of Old Vintages  2004 was a more normal year with good ripening due to good weather prior to harvest. It was a better year for whites in the Maconnais, while most whites from this year have either peaked or are nearing that point; there are still some good ones to be found. 2004 Chateau de Beauregard Pouilly-Fuisse, Vers Pouilly – Still fruity with lemon citrus, nutty with mushroom. ...