Celebrating the 4th of July

So what should you sip this weekend in celebration? Ahh, always start off with a bone-dry sparkling prosecco from Italy, skip the $10 bottles and reach for ones on the shelf at $13 and above, I'm a prosecco nut and can't seem to find a great bottle for less than so.

Here's the short list to print and take shopping with you over the weekend:

Crios Torrontes - $14 best white wine made in Argentina - hands down.

Budini Chardonnay - $9 a tropical fruit bomb from Argentina.

Handley Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc - $16 a more sancerre style Sauv Blanc.

Pellegrini "Lake County" Sauvignon Blanc $13 from California & a favorite of mine for years!

Crios Rose of Malbec - $12 well, you may want to grab 2 bottles - you'll see why after the first sip.

Fort Ross Chardonnay - $30, this Chardonnay is rich & delicious, not for the faint of heart.

Now I'll leave you with a little "Texas Humor" sent by a good friend this week...

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TEXAS IN JULY WHEN. . . .

• The trees are whistling for the dogs.
• The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
• Hot water now comes out of both taps.
• The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
• You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
• Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
• You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
• Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
• The cows are giving evaporated milk.

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright...Cheers - Ali

Slightly off subject tonight

so it's been awhile since I've written from the heart. The past month has been extremely eye-opening, exciting, painful and full of hope. I've received calls from friends traveling in all parts of the world, Germany (World Cup Freaks), South African wine makers, Wine tourists in Spain, dear friends touching base from Ecuador and just a pleasant "wish you were here" from a wine country wedding in Sonoma. Man I'm blessed.

I went for a run tonight in Austin, far exceeding my usual 90 minute yoga class or 30 minute walk with the dog down by the lake. I ran my guts out tonight, after sitting behind my computer for 12 hours straight today I had to let it go. One does not get into the wine business to sit on ones tush all day.

So I received a gift tonight, the most brilliant sunset and sky I've seen in years, it made me stop in my tracks and thank God above for giving me the guts to do my own thing and allow me to bring happiness to so many folks who dig good wine and Sake in Texas. All BS aside, it's a moment that will forever keep moving me forward. The same sunset kissed the grapes I represent all over the world tonight. Kinda cool.

For those who know me well know I have a passion for painting - or attempting to do so, here's a peek at the work I created this evening. No canvas, just a piece of cardboard I had hanging around after a run to Ikea weeks ago. Enjoy tomorrow - Ali

Bring out the Cab!

Current Temperature 71

So I walk outside this morning with my eight year old lab Henley and am greeted by FALL weather! Wow! Austin will be hopping outdoors tonight, go ahead and open that Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet or the Crios Syrah Bonarda - a perfect compliment to a summer "cool-front". Cheers - Ali

More Big Scores for Vine Connections!

The latest Wine Spectator reviews...

Susana Balbo 2004 Malbec received 91 points, 90 points for her husband Pedros' BenMarco Malbec.

Luis Reginato also receives 91 points for his latest Malbec bottling - La Posta "Pizzella Vineyard".

Read all about these delicious wines on www.vineconnections.com Cheers - Ali

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The TABC just gave final approval for Storrs to sell wine in Texas!!! OH YEAH!!! It's taken a long time but now let's rock and roll!!!!!!!! We'll start with the '05 Gewurztraminer, 2002 Merlot, 2003 Zinfandel and their famous 2001 Bordeaux blend.

OHH YEAHH! Can you tell I'm HAPPY this morning???!!! Cheers - Ali

Sake to the HEAT!

Tomorrow night at Fuse, downtown Dallas please join me for a 5 course Sake dinner prepared especially for the Vine Connections premium sake collection.

6:30 poolside reception with a 7:00pm sit-down start to the evening.

A look at the menu:

First Course:
Tex Asian gazpacho avocado puree and seared bay scallops

Wings of Fortune - Junmai Ginjo

Second Course:
Tunatartare tacos summer melon, caviar and crème fraiche

Bride of the Fox - Junmai Daiginjo

Third Course:
House made ravioli of roasted corn brown butter, shiitake mushrooms Parmesanesan cheese

Moon on the Water Junmai Ginjo

Fourth Course:
Braised veal breast edamame puree, Japanese eggplant and cippolini onions

Hawk in the Heavens Junmai Ginjo

Fifth Course:
Candied ginger panna cotta roasted Texas peaches and pecans

Silent Stream - Junmai Daiginjo


OK - one for all the Mavs fans, FUSE will have a very large screen with the game projected all night. $65 per person, 20% discount to industry folks. Please call FUSE to RSVP www.fusedallas.com 214.742.FUSE Cheers - Ali

Austin Cool

A big shout out to the men of Porter Davis! I first met Mike and their manager Brandon last year at an Austin Recording Artist wine tasting party then again as special guest at my TexaCali Grand Tasting last February. I finally saw them live over the weekend and WOW they rock.

If I had to compare their music to a certain bottle of wine...the La Posta Malbec, impressive packaging but mindblowing complexity as you sit back and enjoy every last drop.

From the perfectly pitched vocals to intense African beats and kick-ass harmonica notes, Porter Davis is a must see - even cooler that these guys are into a little fine wine! Cheers - Ali

Better than a Tie

Owner and viticulturist Pedro Marchevsky may be one of the most educated, experienced viticulturists in Argentina (if not the world). He has degrees in Agriculture & Enology and Agricultural Engineering, and is a Professor of Irrigation and Drainage at the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. He has managed premium vineyards for over 30 years and also owns his own vineyard in the district of Los Campamentos in Eastern Mendoza. He is at the forefront of the transformation of Mendoza into a region of world-class vineyards. His philosophy is a simple one gained from experience: make wines that are true to their place. He feels his wines should express the wonderful, powerful fruit flavors, the ripe tannins, the incredible length and balance that can only come from this one place—Mendoza.

The name BenMarco means "son of Marcos" in Hebrew. Pedro produces his wines as an homage to his father, Marcos who taught him how to plant, tend, and love the vineyards. He currently makes three wines, BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon, the V.M.S., which is short for "Vineyard Master Selection"—Pedro’s lifelong grower relationships give him the pick of the best old-vine grapes (including those from his own vineyard), and Malbec which is in the soul of all true Argentines.

The grapevine illustrated on the label is modeled after the wide-trellised vines that Pedro has planted on the borders of his vineyards (instead of unattractive fences). The BenMarco wines are crafted by his talented wife and winemaker, Susana Balbo. BenMarco wines are also produced under Dominio del Plata's code of sustainable agriculture. Cheers - Ali

Where Wine Rocks

So I'm on hold today on the phone with Grape Vine Market in Austin...my marketing eyes and ears totally lit up by their on-hold message, I'm sure this is playing over radio waves too - it's just that clever. It truly explains who Grape Vine Market is and why they are a warm and inviting wine shop to visit.

Call the number and hopefully you'll be put on hold for a few seconds, or a minute if your lucky. Their message is this "Grape Vine Market - where wine is our thing, I mean ever kissed your sweetie and said "what a rich tapestry of textures that blanket the pallet, NO - b/c nobody likes a pretentious blow-head. Grape Vine Market will help you with all your wine questions without sounding like Thurston Howell III!" Ha! Sounds a lot more clever when you hear it for yourself.

Go for it - call them and ask them to chill down a bottle of Fort Ross Chardonnay, Pellegrini Unoaked Chard or even your favorite Ginjo Sake! 512.323.5900 Cheers - Ali

A Toast to Cara and Colby!

So I couldn't resist getting the background shot at the church after my brother's wedding last weekend.

What is their favorite wine to sip? Cloverdale Ranch Merlot and Crios Rose of Malbec of course!

Cheers and congrats to the newlyweds! Ali

Update from the Vineyards of Fort Ross

GREETINGS FROM THE SONOMA COAST: After a winter and spring filled with storms and floods, the grape vines decided to sleep in. The first shy leaves emerged at the beginning of May, three months later than usual, but the vines then began growing with such a passion that bloom has just arrived - and is only two weeks later than the usual mid May date. We are now cautiously waiting to see how many of the clusters will form into bunches of grapes. In 2005 it rained during bloom so we ultimately harvested only half a ton per acre! This year we are not dropping any clusters until we can evaluate the fruit set and then will groom each vine individually. All of our grapes are estate grown and are picked only when they are full flavored, even if this means harvesting a single block two, three or four times to allow all the grapes to reach maturity. We offer full valet service!

We routinely keep our wine in barrel through the following harvest, once bottled we wait, and wait and wait for the wine to show us when it is ready to be released. This extended cellaring allows the vineyard's characteristic minerality, acid, tannin and phenolics to come into balance producing a seamlessly integrated wine.

We have some great new reviews to share with you from: Ron Wiegand, RESTAURANT WINE, May 2006.

PINOTAGE 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 5 STARS ---EXCEPTIONAL: Exceptional Pinotage, in a Pinot Noir-like style (supple, aromatic, complex): it is full bodied, intensely flavored, and very long on the palate, with a crisp finish. It tastes of vanilla, plum, tobacco, blueberry, and black licorice. Unfined, unfiltered.

PINOT NOIR 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 4 STARS-- EXCELLENT: Uniquely styled wines from this coastal vineyard. The standard bottling is aromatic and very distinct; a full bodied, finely flavored wine, with a crisp finish. It tastes of blueberry, cherry, red currant, toast, ginger, and vanilla.

PINOT NOIR RSV 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard,Sonoma Coast 5 STARS EXCEPTIONAL:
The RESERVE is fine and complex in style; a full bodied, crisp Pinot Noir, with a long persistent finish. It tastes of cherry, blueberry, tobacco, toast, and vanilla. Not far in style from fine red burgundy. Both are unfined and unfiltered

CHARDONNAY 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 4 STARS---EXCELLENT: Softly textured and full bodied, a wine with restrained fruitiness, modest new oak character, and medium length. An understated yet rich wine. Unfined, unfiltered. -ISSUE #107 JULY, 2005

Cheers to Linda and Lester Schwartz of Fort Ross! Ali

Nice - Very Nice!!

1 game down for the Mavs and at least 30 new wine-lovers turned onto the wonderful wines of Pellegrini Family Vineyards. Super great turnout tonight at Corner Wines in Plano, if you haven't stopped in yet, please do - introduce yourself to Lynn and Jim the owners - they will take care of you!

Tonight we tasted Pellegrini Sauvignon Blanc, Olivet Lane Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Cloverdale Ranch Merlot and Cabernet....They are all winners! I think to most folks surprise, the Olivet Lane Chardonnay had the most 3-pointers of the night.

Congrats to a sold-out house for Corner Wines and the Dallas Mavericks tonight. I just love it when life works out like this! Cheers - Ali

My biggest conflict yet...

So I turned down tickets to the first playoff game tonight in Dallas, I committed to a Pellegrini Wine tasting at Corner Wines in Plano weeks ago before the finals came about. Those of you that know anything about me other than what I write on this blog is that I'm a huge Mavericks fan, in fact there are a few hilarious stories about watching the Mavs in Oakland while living in San Francisco - so fun! So work conquers play once again, but this one is like being punched in the gut, almost like the feeling I had as a teenager being "grounded" for something that was out of my control.

Not to take anything away from this tasting, not everyone is a Mavs fan in this town (so I'm told), so if you are a bigger fan of sipping wine than the Mavericks, please join me at 7:00 at Corner Wines, just north of Spring Creek off of Preston Rd near the Mi Cocina for a delicious Pellegrini Wine tasting. And for those who love the Mavs, stop in and purchase Pellegrini Wine on your way home tonight and stay tuned to Mark Cubans crazy blog http://www.blogmaverick.com/

We should make it home by the 4th quarter - Go Mavs!!! Ali

This just in...

91 pts.– Susana Balbo Brioso 2003

91 pts. – Luca Syrah 2004

90 pts. – Tikal Patriota 2004

89 pts. – mapema tempranillo 2004

88 pts. “Smart Buy” – Crios Cabernet 2004

For more on each producer visit www.vineconnections.com or send me an email to to find out where to buy or sip off a list! Cheers - Ali

Lanny's Kitchen

I'm so excited to finally have a chance to sit down and experience Lanny's in Fort Worth this weekend with my family. For those of you who have heard but want to know more, Lanny is pretty "bigtime" in the culinary world - but chooses to keep things humble.

Here's a brief bio - http://www.lannyskitchen.com/chefs.php

Lanny is an innovator as well as culinary genius with both his food and wine list, he supports many Vine Connections wines from Argentina and the Baja of Mexico on his list. I've been waiting for a long while now to taste what all the buzz is about...I'll give you a full "taste report" next week! Cheers - Ali

Just Count All the Stars...

5 Stars - Pellegrini, 2005 Unoaked Russian River Chardonnay

4 Stars - Pellegrini, 2004 Eight Cousins Vineyard, Russian River Valley Zinfandel

4 Stars - Davis Family Vineyards, 2004 Russian River Pinot Noir

5 Stars - Fort Ross, 2002 Reserve Pinot Noir

4 Stars - Pellegrini, 2004 Olivet Lane Russian River Chardonnay

4 Stars - Pellegrini 2003 Olivet Lane Russian River Chardonnay

Please look for these on your favorite wine list!! Cheers - Ali

Complicated and Beautiful

Wow this week is full of sadness regarding the death of Shannon Dean, love regarding the marriage of my brother and his beautiful bride-to-be, happiness due to my Mom's retirement after 30 years of teaching and full of excitement about the arrival of my best friend's second baby due any day now.

Passion is the common denominator here, I'm proud to include myself for creating a passion fueled career, we all have embraced life's little gifts to the fullest. I'm so grateful...Ali

Memorial Day Weekend - TexaCali Wine Co. Style

Had some friends (PLM's) over Sunday evening to open some mail-orders and K&L goodies then again Monday night to dig into the leftovers and sip on the finale that was not reached Sunday night! Here’s the recap of the YUM –

First Course: Started the evening off with Italian goats and sheeps milk cheese, olives and dried salame –

Launois Pere & Fils, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Cuvee Reserve this bubbly has been my top choice for many years now, so beautiful and delicious I could bath in it actually but that’s a whole other kind of “recap”. It’s 100% Chardonnay at it’s finest, a bit of minerality but a ton of happy bubbles with rich Grand Cru fruit. From K&L. “This house is from Mesnil, the southernmost Grand Cru in Champagne and home to Salon and Krug's Clos de Mesnil. This Champagne is all chardonnay and all Grand Cru from the villages of Mesnil, Oger, Cramant and Avize... A role call of the finest crus for Chardonnay in all of Champagne and all Veritas-certified for sustainable agriculture.”

Second Course: Spinach and Red Bartlett Pear Salad – toasted honey coated pecans and goat cheese with rich Balsamic and Olive Oil dressing.

2004 Riefle Classique Pinot Blanc this little beauty from Alsace was exactly what I LOVE in a pinot blanc – very well rounded fruit and soft, only a hit of the usual Alsatian minerality. This was the first time I’ve had this and plan on keeping a good stash of it from now on. A perfect summer sipper with light salads and/or just a glass on the porch in the afternoon. Imported by Broadbent Selections.

Main Course: Stuffed Tomatoes, Gratin potatoes with Gruyere Cheese, Filet Mingnon (marinated over 12 hours in 2000 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains and Tuscan Herb Rub).

2004 See Smoke “Southing” Pinot Noir: “Hi how ya doing” big ass Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County! Very extracted deep fruit, but not so much that it was a turn-off. This wine leaves me with the same feeling I get when a hot guy pulls up next to me in a new car that I initially roll my eyes about, but give him a smile as I drive away. A flashy Pinot Noir that will develop more grace as the years go by.

2004 Copain Syrah – Callioux & Coccinelle Vineyards – WOW this was about as rockin' as a wine gets for me. I love Rhone varietals done well, the nose on this baby had me at first sniff! Here’s what Parker says about it “Robert Parker - 95 points: "I continue to be awestruck by the amazing complexity and potential quality of the Syrah grown on the Oregon side of Walla Walla. While most of the fruit from this site goes to Washington State’s Cayuse winery, Copain’s 2004 Syrah Cailloux-Coccinelle (75% whole clusters were used) is riveting, and nothing I have tasted from Cayuse has been as profound as this cuvee. Copious blackberry, tapenade, bacon fat, crushed rock, and flower aromas jump from the glass of this rich, full-bodied, full-throttle, amazing Syrah. The olive characteristic continues in the flavors along with roasted meat, creme de cassis, and blackberry notes. A fabulous wine with undeniable complexity and richness, it should drink well for 10-15 years. "

Desert Course: We decided to continue the meal and save the desert wine for Monday night, it was about 11pmish at this point and we were enjoying our red wines. So for sweet nibbles I pulled out some Ecuadorian chocolates and Danish almond cinnamon wafer cookies.

2002 Davis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: I’ve has this a few times over the past 5 months and continue to dig it more and more each sip! Guy Davis buys his cabernet from Lewelling and Stagecoach vineyard - which in my opinion is the best marriage of Napa’s blue-blooded vineyards you can count on for a lifetime of happiness together. As always this cab is crazy good, full of blackberry and cassis, layers of coco and a hint of tobacco. We decanted this mid-way into dinner and decided to cover it and place it in the fridge to keep for Monday night.

Monday Night Leftovers and such…

Salad Course: Butter lettuce with toasted almonds, pine nuts, sunflower and sesame seeds along with a touch of goat cheese and vinegar and olive oil dressing.

2005 Mapema Sauvignon Blanc – Argentina: Bright Sauvignon Blanc from Mendoza. It has to be the highest elevation Sauv Blanc produced – the grapes grow at 3900 feet in Tupungato. Killer floral notes with lemony citrus – a hit of melon on the finish.

Main Course: Herb roasted rotisserie chicken (Thanks to le Madeline on 360!), leftover tomatoes and potatoes from Sunday night.

2002 Davis Family Vineyards Cabernet – after 24 hours of decanting this was as silky smooth as I can ever recall a cabernet to be. I actually said aloud “this doesn’t taste like wine anymore – I mean not a hint of alcohol or tannins – just pure amazing fruit”. Exquisite!!

Dessert: OK this was just a very thoughtful pairing – baked polenta with gorgonzola cheese melted on top. My friends had just returned from Italy and were given this treat while in Verona. It was a perfect match for the Finale wine…

2000 MR. K, The Noble Man Viognier – Oh the nose at first, I almost dabbed a drop behind my ears! Heavenly stone fruits with flavors of sunshine drenched in honey and apricots. Just amazing and well worth drinking sober, I’m so glad we waited until Monday to sip…a very fulfilling ending to great company, food and wine over 24 hours!!

Cheers - Ali

Hot off the Press...

" Results are in today from the highly regarded LA County Fair Wine Competition

BEST PINOT NOIR,Davis Family Vineyards, Russian River, 2004

That’s right.. Gold Medal and Best of Class for Pinot priced $25+, AND Best Pinot of the Competition!!

Oh…and as if that wasn’t cool enough, the 2003 DFV Napa Cabernet ALSO won Gold Medal and Best of Class for Cab priced $40+", Ed Lehrman, Vine Connections.

The chardonnay pictured here is SMOKIN' TOO! Cheers - Ali

For those who love the Sunday Comics...

I don't even know what to think of this photo, just made me laugh! Cheers - Ali