A Beautiful Woman

Interesting enough, there are still way too many wine collectors and consumers who believe fine wine is determined by the price tag. That’s like saying “a woman has to be made of money to be beautiful” or “Beauty is determined by ones’ bank account”. WHATEVER.

Of course there are incredible wines to be had with incredible price tags to match – always have been and will always be. BUT in this day and age, we as wine consumers have the advantage of spending less of our hard-earned dollars on OUTSTANDING wines from all over the world. JEEESH! I don’t do well with “wine-snootty-who-haws” – can you tell?!

TexaCali Wine Trail was brought to you today by the great makers of Tylenol – which is helping me with this nagging headache created by such jackasses who recently turned their noses up at wines that would have blown them away (and would have saved them a little more dough to spend on gasoline to fill their fancy cars with). CHEERS - Ali

Central Market Wine Directors

ARE TOTAL STUDS! Seriously, I've just returned from visiting the San Antonio and Austin stores and have now met the entire wine team for the first time. I am thrilled to know each and every store has more than amazing leadership in the wine department - each department is unique in style and character but run with amazing finesse and with an acute sense of professional wine buying. Too bad I never had a chance to get to know everyone while among this team, it's such a miss that we couldn't have spent more time with each other to synergize and KICK ASS for the sake of providing great wine to Central Market customers. All in all, everyone makes the most of it - and rocks - there is no other team on earth that shines any brighter among thousands of wine bottles, even if they have to shuffle, rebuild and make room for "gourmet" items that are not made from the GREAT GRAPE! Hats off to JR, GEORGE, SETH, SEAN, EZRA, IAN and MARTIN!!! - Ali

Wine from the Heart

Pellegrini Wines are back in the HOUSE! I’m so excited to “relaunch” this portfolio of delicious wine for all to enjoy. In a nutshell, Bob Pellegrini has kept it “real” for over 30 years and it is a pure joy to represent his lovely wine throughout Texas! Summer offerings through Prestige Wine Cellars include…

2001 Olivet Lane Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2002 Olivet Lane Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2002 Cloverdale Ranch Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2002 Cloverdale Ranch Alexander Valley Merlot

2003 Pellegrini Russian River Valley Zinfandel

2004 Pellegrini Lake County Sauvignon Blanc

2004 Pellegrini Russian River Unoaked Chardonnay

Each wine is uniquely it’s own and one could build an entire wine list that includes all of the Pellegrini items. Mr. Pellegrini is one of few winery owners who keeps a humble heart while producing world class wines – I can’t hardly wait to have him back in the Texas market to meet a whole new generation of Pellegrini Wine fans! Cheers - Ali