Wine of the Week: Feeling Fall-ish

Times Ten Cellars

Zinfandel (Sierra Foothills)

Yesterday I wore an argyle sweater and corduroy pants.

I woke up Tuesday morning and, in keeping with my routine, I set the coffee to brew and poked my head out the back door to check the weather report. I was treated to a breath of clean, cold air, and I spotted the first streaks of a clear dawn stretching across the sky overhead. What a pleasant surprise! The warm, moist, hazy mornings that passed too quickly into steamy afternoons had come to an end for another year. Finally, lazy, plodding summer had handed off her barometric baton to brisk, energetic fall. I settled into a patio chair with a steaming mug moments later and smiling, tightened my robe against the chill. This, I thought, excited in a back-to-school sort of way, calls for a celebratory outfit. Hence, the argyle.

That evening, after a day that will go down in the books as one of my most stressful this year, I looked forward to a glass of wine that might return my spirit to the uplifted, hopeful fall place I'd found at the back door hours earlier. I couldn't dive into a pile of crackling, golden leaves, so I wanted to taste something that made me feel the way I'd felt when I put on my sweater that morning.

Times Ten Cellars Zinfandel had just what I was looking for. It burst with the ripe berry flavors that we expect from this rich, red grape, and hints of oaky toast and comforting spice in the background made it perfect for a brisk autumn evening. This bottle was part of my take-home haul from last week's visit to Times Ten in Lakewood, and their sale goes on through the end of the month. I now wish I'd added a couple of extra bottles of this Zin to my bag - good thing the winery is right here in Dallas. Maybe I'll pull on another sweater and drive over with the top down later this week.

Wine of the Week: Almost Famous Edition

Texas Wine Month is finally here!  Today is the first official day of a month-long celebration of the deliciousness that is Lone Star Wine.

Click the link below to read up on a few of this little wine lover's local recommendations.  As a special contributor to the D Magazine Side Dish blog, I listed four Texas wines that will help you get in the celebratory spirit without breaking the bank (or having to drive from here to El Paso and back).  

Enjoy the post, and don't be shy - post a comment on Side Dish and show this hard-working wine girl some love! 

Read on:  Lisa's Texas Wine Report on Side Dish

Wine(ry) of the Week

Wasn't Sunday beautiful?  Between the sunshine and the cool(ish) breeze, one couldn't have asked for anything more in the way of a perfect day.  

Except wine.  Wine is always good.  ...And maybe music, too.

We made the most of our gorgeous Sunday by adding the aforementioned items to the mix, along with a mouthwatering tray of cheeses, toast, fruit and olives, and enjoyed them all under a big red umbrella on the patio at Lightcatcher Winery in Fort Worth.  

This boutique winery throws a stylish soiree on the first and third Sundays of the month.  On these Jazz Sundays, you'll find a shiny, happy crowd gathered on the winery's wide, shaded patio, listening to great music, nibbling some grade-A munchies and, of course, sipping owner and winemaker 

Caris Turpen's handcrafted creations.

A crowd of well over 100 enjoyed the awe-inspiring work of Rhett Butler and his band this time around - he made a special stop at the winery on his way to Bass Hall next week.  And while Mr. Butler charmed his audience, servers weaved around and through tables bearing trays of wine and delectable plates from the wonderful Bistro Lightcatcher menu.  Our group enjoyed the Wine Country Cheese Platter, an eye-catching assortment that paired well with our sips:  Lightcatcher Chardonnay and Texas Roads Remuda Red.  This little wine girl is also head over heels for the Lightcatcher 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, 

made from renowned Newsom Vineyards fruit.

As October approaches, bringing with it cooler temps and a whole month

 dedicated to celebrating Texas wine, what better time to take a little trip westward?  Lightcatcher Winery is the epitome of casual style, and Caris' wines are exceptional. 

Lightcatcher Winery

Fort Worth, TX

www.lightcatcher.com

Wine of the Week: Menage a Trois

Folie a Deux

2007 Menage a Trois Red

"Menage a Trois examines what happens when you put three attractive, single young grapes in one exquisite bottle."

Well ...my.  As this passage from Folie a Deux's website suggests, their Menage a Trois is quite a fun-loving wine.  

The three swingin' Californians in question are Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  One sip and you'll agree that the introduction of these three reds creates one charming triple threat.  Luscious Zin, all ripe red fruit and jam, is the star of the show, while the remaining two members of the trio bring structure and balance to the party.  

There's no doubt this American-style blend with a flirty French name will bring smiles to lips while breaking the ice at your next soiree.

$10-$12/bottle

Widely available at grocery and liquor stores.  

hint:  Stock up now for the holidays!

Wine(ry) of the Week

I'll bet you're wondering why Lucy has a little 5 o'clock shadow.  

We'll get to that in a minute.

This weekend was Red Caboose Winery's annual Grape Stomp event, and I just couldn't resist heading down to Meridian to check in on one of my favorite boutique wineries.  I was there in March when the vines had just put out the most adorable little fuzzy green buds, so it made a special kind of sense for my return visit to include stomping the ever-lovin' crap out of 'em 5 months later.  Just kidding :)

Actually, when Gary McKibben, eco-architect and owner of Red Caboose, called with an invitation to this annual event, the idea of a day in the country full of wine, music and good cheer seemed like just what the doctor ordered to chase away those "end of summer" blues.  Mr. C&S and the 'rents and I headed down on Saturday afternoon and a wonderful time was had by all.  My favorite part was, obviously, the wine (served in gi-nor-mous 18.5-oz. commemorative goblets), but a close second was meeting my new friend Richard.  He was the most colorful contender in this year's Red Caboose Lucy Look-a-like Contest, and a funny guy to boot.  I asked Richard if he was a wine buff.  "I'm not necessarily a wine person," he replied.  "I'm a party person."  Right on.  Richard and his wife (and wardrobe stylist), recent transplants from Southern California, seemed to be having a blast.  It just goes to show that my mother was right all along:  a fresh coat of lip gloss and a nice peasant blouse can do wonders for one's disposition.

Red Caboose hosts events throughout the year.  It's a small, family-run place with a cozy little tasting room and a 360 view of rolling, tree-covered hills.  Try the award-winning Viognier or the Syrah-Merlot blend.  Orange wig optional.

Red Caboose Winery

Meridian, TX

www.redcaboosewinery.com

Wine of the Week

Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards

2006 Nebbia

It's hot out there, people.  Time to set aside the big, bold reds and focus on something cool, clean and refreshing.  Enter Nebbia, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards' dry white blend that seems tailor-made for the dog days of summer.  

This winery is one of my absolute favorites, tucked in a cozy corner of the East Texas Piney Woods in a town called Pittsburg.  Owner and winemaker Jeff Sneed is a talented (and seriously hilarious) guy who knows his way around a vineyard - I'm also a fan of his Grand Reserve Meritage and Chardonnay.  Today, however, we'll stay focused on the smooth and luscious Nebbia.  Its notes of peaches and cream, touted on the label, really shine when the wine is served a little less than straight-out-the-fridge frosty.  Try it poolside or out on the deck; just make sure you've got good cell reception, so you can call and thank me :)

This friendly Nebbia and all of Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards wines are just a click away on the winery's website.  The prices are right, and your little box of heaven will arrive within days.  You could also make a day trip of it, and visit Jeff and his lovely wife Dana at their gorgeous vineyard and tasting room.  They even have sweet little cabins if you decide to sleep over.

www.lospinosranchvineyards.com

Wine of the Week

San Martino Winery and Vineyards

2005 Tempranillo

San Martino is a gorgeous winery just outside of Rockwall.  Its tasting and barrel rooms are housed in a grand Spanish Mission-style building, surrounded by beautifully manicured landscaping and two small vineyards.  The owners, Maria and Emilio Ramos, welcome guests with open arms to the winery they built from scratch and named for Emilio's ancestral homeland of San Martino, Spain.

Winemaking goes back generations in this family, over 100 years, and I felt the full impact of this rich history with my very first sip of their 2005 Tempranillo.  Rich, ripe fruit is perfectly balanced by mild oak in this medium-bodied red.  The combination of Emilio's superior craftsmanship and premium Newsom Vineyards fruit from the High Plains results in a wine with depth, character and style that reaches far beyond its $20 pricetag.  Give this Spanish variety a try the next time you're planning to serve Merlot or Shiraz.

San Martino Tempranillo is available only at the winery, and at the Fairmont Hotel downtown.  What a great excuse to head east this weekend!

www.sanmartinowinery.com

Wine of the Week: Vegas Show-Stopper Edition

Ponzi Vineyards

Tavola 2006 Pinot Noir

(Willamette Valley, OR)

Caution: The following blog post may arouse feeling of jealousy, envy and/or an insatiable desire for Oregon Pinot Noir immediately upon reading. You've been warned.

Last weekend I joined a group of party people to Las Vegas to celebrate a friend's milestone birthday. It was an occasion to be remembered, full of good food, slot machines and several hilarious rounds of off-camera Fashion Police in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. (Nothing works up an appetite like giggling over neon spandex and knee-high black socks with bermuda shorts all day.)

Our favorite meal by far was had at DB Brasserie, Daniel Boulud's chic-but-caszh eatery inside the Wynn Resort and Country Club. It's not formal by any means, but crisp table cloths, sumptuous surroundings and impeccable service raise this restaurant to heights above and beyond grill and bar territory. Our party was seated right in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that comprise one wall of the dining room. We were able to gaze directly out on a tranquil pond surrounded by evergreen-lined cliffs, which created a natural theater for a twice hourly show of holograms, music and lights. Every so often we would be treated to a fanciful mini-show - a tree frog singing Louis Armstrong or a disco-style dancing montage to the tune of Lady Marmalade.

None of this eye candy was any match for the menu, however, and we all hand-picked from the list of classic French and American bistro favorites to create our own dream meal of salads, soups and creatively comforting main dishes. I (bien sur) was tasked with choosing a wine to pair with this over-the-top meal and I must say that I've never been presented with such a unique challenge. What to match with Judy's Pate de Campagne, as well as Larry's Roasted Chicken and J.R.'s Crispy Duck Confit? The birthday boy himself was indulging in Loup de Mer in a very rich sauce, and is not a fan of any sort of overly bold, assertive wine (no heavy tannins for Mr. Gray, thank you very much).

Once it hit me, I knew the way to go, and selecting this Ponzi from the restaurant's list of Oregon Pinot Noirs was a breeze. I liked the friendly price-tag and Ponzi has a long history of doing great things in the Wilamette Valley, a region renowned for its production of precious Pinot. It turned out to be an excellent match for just about everything on the table. I savored it with mouthfuls of Scottish Salmon and Morel Cream, probably making little humming and purring noises without even knowing it. My attention was pulled from the show on the water; this wine was a performance in itself. Chocolate and spice and ripe fruit danced center stage against a luscious velvet curtain in the background. The aroma was like perfume and the color was garnet, with a touch of raspberry.

We all left sated, ready for a night on the town - especially the birthday boy himself. Money was won and more cocktails were had, and there was even a little dancing and a tank full of piranha at one point (ask me later). It was Vegas, baby, but this is a discovery that you can enjoy any night of the week.

For more info:

www.ponziwines.com

www.danielnyc.com/dbbrasserie/

Wine of the Week

Messina Hof

2005 Barrel Reserve Merlot

Trust me on this one: Messina Hof Barrel Reserve Merlot will become your go-to red after just one sip. This medium-bodied blend of Merlot (75%) and Cabernet (25%) is great for sipping or pairing with a full-flavored main dish such as penne with italian sausage or grilled burgers topped with blue cheese.

In addition to its excellent pair-a-bility, I love M.H. Merlot for its subtle complexity. Pass on the bargain kangaroo wine - understated oak and tannins keep this Merlot totally approachable and crowd-friendly, without venturing over into one-note territory. The winery's website ascribes "berry aromas and silky smooth elegance" to it as well, and I must say I completely agree.

Available everywhere from Albertson's to World Market, for right around $12. This is a particular fave of mine, and I can't wait for you to try it!

For more info on this Texas winery, visit http://www.messinahof.com/

Wine of the Week

Brennan Vineyards 

2007 Viognier

This wine is ideal for summer weekend sipping - whether you're sunning on the deck of your boat or snuggling on the sofa enjoying a Top Chef marathon on Bravo.  It's light fruit flavors are complimented by a touch of honey and will pair well with grilled poultry, fish or a cheese and fruit platter.

Brennan Vineyards is one of my favorite Texas wineries (www.brennanvineyards.com), and this is their flagship offering, honored with the title of Top Texas White at the prestigious Lone Star International Wine Competition.  Reward yourself with this award-winning wine and you'll not only be supporting a local farm and business, but you'll have discovered a grape that is among the best-suited to Texas.  While native to the Rhone Valley in France, many Texas growers and winemakers have found that Viognier (vee-on-YAY) is also a perfect fit for several of our grape-growing regions as well.  Viognier is up-and-coming in the Lone Star State, and you'll be hearing much more about it in years to come!

Under $20.  Available at Goody-Goody and at www.brennanvineyards.com.