Wrapping Up the Month of May

Oh where did the month of May go? Liquid time - sipping wine with amazing people in Texas is where May slithered away!

Bottle of the Month goes to.....2002 Tikal Patriota! What a beautiful, elegant and velvety wine, 60% Bonarda 40% Malbec. I expected a tannin' bomb, but this baby was smooth with a finish that lingered for minutes.

Retailer of the Month goes to...well, I'd have to give it to 2 fascinating Houston accounts.
1) Vino 100 - a new shop run by Paul Drennan that specializes in 100 great wines under $25. The layout is very cozy and inviting, and I'd have to say that his selection is first rate! They are brand new to Texas - but seem to be off to a great start!

2) and certainly not second to anyone though is Specs. While working for K&L - Specs was our largest competitor in the Houston area. Last week I walked the many isles in their main downtown store for the first time and was blown away with their in-depth selection. As a true wine marketeer, I was a little giddy while meeting the sales staff, very impressed with the longetivty of the staff and knowledge base. It's so comforting to know my products are well represented to thousands of Houston's best wine shoppers.

So I'm absolutely loving my new gig, helping others is the most fulfilling aspect of my life, I'm proud of to have the confidence in keeping this my main focus. Stay tune, exciting announcement coming soon!!! Ali

Week 2

Waco, Texas 2005. Thursday was a total flashback to my college days – sans the Bartles & Jaymes! I walked right into Ridgewood Country Club at high noon to introduce myself as a former “deck club manager” to their new young Chef Soren from Denmark. Denmark to Waco – well sure beats my TexaCali story, welcome to Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil – Texas style. Waco is a hoot, complete with 2 quaint wine bistros, 3 family owned wine and liquor stores (my personal favorite Bad Bear Liquors) and a hopping wine department at the HEB which is run by long time Wine Aficionado April Allison. Everyone knows everyone in Waco. Look forward to spending more time with folks who love wine…my birthplace. Off to host a 50 person wine tasting this evening for a church group in Coppell - God Bless Texas. - Ali

Mendoza girl & her dog 

Week 1

So have officially finished up the first week of TexaCali Wine Co. So friggin' cool. While working for Central Market over the past year I wasn't able to be a true wine person, I spent most of my time managing "the system", managing "up" and managing a thousand other things that must go on when responsible for a 6 million dollar wine department in a great big fancy grocery store!

What impressed me most this past week - I was apart of a 2-hour wine briefing for Goody-Goody on the Tikal and Luca brands I'm representing. What a sense of relief to hear and meet people in Dallas that "get wine". The room of wine managers and sales folks were so impressed with the quality of wine being poured to them - all agreed that the Luca & Tikal wines were some of the most elegant wine ever tasted. I concur! I'm grateful to know each person at this account, good people who just want to tell others want they believe to be great wine. That simple. Cheers! Ali