SXSW Wine Report

Sorry - didn't have time to post anything last week thanks to running TexaCali Wine Co. full blast, catching SXSW shows each night and hosting out of town guests! Last week was superb, found out that I had many Gold and Silver Medal winners in the Dallas Morning News competition (to be officially announced in April), tasted almost every Sake in the Vine Connections portfolio with new restaurant friends at the HOTTEST new account in Texas, and I finally received my order of Davis Family Vineyards Rose in the mail!! OH YEAH!! (image by Jeremiah Garcia)

Keeping with the theme of super great music last week - here's what I thought of during a few shows...

While seeing MuteMath - they are just like BenMarco Expresivo - this bottle from Susana Balbo and her husband Pedro is killer on the inside with a handful of varietals mixing it up and totally wicked looking on the outside. MuteMath was the most amazing live show I've seen in years, it was like The Fray meets Blue Man Group, with a little Stomp thrown in them which explodes into Cold Play's best melodies.

While seeing Austin's hometown STARS - porterdavis - Jo Pithon wines came to mind - Jo Pithon is producing some amazing eclectic wines from the Loire - his wines are mind blowing, and a total party in the mouth for those tasters who are into experiencing a new twist to old wine. porterdavis is as entertaining and mind-boggling to see live, old blues with 2007 style so tight that they should be the house band for Sak's 5th Ave. Spring Collection shows.

I waited a few hours to see Amy Winehouse at the BBC showcase - her music is like sipping on the sexiest bottle of red. She took center stage while surrounded by a dozen men - backup singers, groovers and members of her band. I'd play her music at ZAP - you know the big Zinfandel tasting - pull out a few of my own bottles - Davis Family Zinfandel from the Russian River Storrs world famous Rusty Ridge Zin, Teira Zinfandel from Dry Creek and Pellegrini Eight Cousins Zin that's grown just a few rows away from the legendary Olivet Lane Vineyard.

Another one of MUTE MATH just a few steps away - what is it with drummers? HOT.

Here's this to click around too....Cheers - Ali