Very Exciting News...

The Dallas Morning News Wine Competition Results are in...

Gold Medals

2005 Handley Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

2006 Handley Gewurztraminer

Silver Medal

2005 Handley Anderson Valley Chardonnay

Bronze Medals

2005 Handley Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay

2005 Handley Redwood Valley Syrah

2006 Handley Anderson Valley Pinot Gris

www.handleycellars.com

Busy and Blessed

I'm so pumped right now, truly glad I made the decision to attend this symposium. I read aloud to the group that Lettie Teague (Wine Editor at Food and Wine Magazine) probably wears pretty nightgowns - a bit of shock value and honest conscience thought flow during a writing exercise yesterday. Smart & Funny.

Such a breath of fresh air and knowledge. The handful of projects that I've begun working on are coming together with strong focus now - multi-media, print and online. Now if I could just stretch the day into 6 more hours so I could at least grab some beauty sleep. Seriously - I couldn't do all this without you all. Read the top tag line of this blog!

Thank you all for buying the wines and sake of TexaCali Wine Co., I promise to do my best to help you find and enjoy all of these wonderful producers. I added new pictures to the site www.texacaliwine.com go check them out! Cheers - Ali

Magical Napa Valley

I'm running out the door this morning, but had to share this killer picture from yesterday. I'll update the blog later this afternoon - Ali

After a 12 hour travel day yesterday...

I made it! The weather got in the way of what is usually a very easy flight to San Francisco from Dallas. I arrived at Meadowood at dusk - which was marvelous even in the rain and fog. This is quite possibly my favorite time of year in the California wine country - incredibly calm, quiet and the best thing - a ton of frogs are ribbiting to their hearts content well into the night. Such a cool noise - seriously.

So heading over the CIA Greystone this morning for a day of learning & inspiration... Cheers -Ali

This week...

I'm off to Napa today to attend the 2008 Professional Wine Writers Symposium - a much needed break for my "spreadsheeted out" brain right now. I'm very excited about learning from others this week and moving forward with a couple of books I have in the works. The past 3 years for TexaCali Wine Co. have just been amazing and wow - what a swift and dynamic start to 2008... organizing purchase orders, planning winemaker events, launching new products, meeting hundreds of new wine sales folks all over Texas and then there's managing a little late night dancing at my house - oh yeah!

While I'm away, I encourage you to branch out a little at home this week, pick up a few Junmai Sake bottles from Vine Connections and experiment with your menus. Last Saturday evening a group of new and old friends came over for a delicious night of sake, food and fun. We tasted Moon on the Water, Bride of the Fox, Morning Glow, Divine Droplets, Southern Beauty with artisan cheeses, spicy sushi rolls from Uchi, and my old school family recipe of baked almond chicken. Which totally worked. The new sake2me - try these paired along with Italian gelato and ginger snaps - we all sat around the dinner table and debated about which flavors we enjoyed best well into the night. Right now - the Asian Pear is my favorite.

So back to the late night dancing part of the post - check out the music by Rogue Wave my latest music find thanks to a very cool (and tall, dark and handsome) friend. One of my favorite songs is now playing on my MYSPACE page.

Big shout out to the gang at The Austin Wine Merchant for their recent focus on Vine Connections SAKE - you now can purchase the best of Japan along with their fine wine selection. Also - in Austin Hotel San Jose is now serving Tozai Snow Maiden. Groovy! I'll report from Napa Valley's Meadowood Resort later this week...Cheers! Ali

Sake at Spec's on Smith St. in Houston

I spent last Tuesday resetting the sake section to make things a little easier when shopping at Spec's. 3 sections - one full section (as pictured) of ALL PREMIUM PURE SAKE.

Only 12% of all Sake produced qualifies for these designations

Junmai: Junmai is pure rice Sake. Nothing is used in its production except rice, water, yeast, and koji (that magical mold that converts the starch in the rice into fermentable sugars). Junmai is brewed WITHOUT any addition of distilled alcohol. Generally a bit heavier and fuller in flavor than other types of Sake, with slightly higher acidity. Goes well with a wide range of food. Must have seimaibuai of at least 70%, meaning the outer 30% of each rice grain has been polished away.

Tokubetsu Junmai: Tokubetsu means "special". Any Sake labeled Tokubetsu has been brewed in some special way. In some cases, this may mean a 60% or 50% seimaibuai, or it may mean the Sake was fermented at lower temperatures or made with very special Sake rice. Tokubetsu Junmai is generally a bit more fragrant and refined than regular Junmai.

Junmai Ginjo: Indicates a special and painstaking brewing process wherein fermentation proceeds at lower temperatures and for longer periods, and pressing is often done by hand. This extra effort produces a Sake that is layered and complex, light and fragrant. Must have a seimaibuai of at least 60%.

Junmai Daiginjo: Even a more painstaking brewing process than Ginjo, which results in Sake that is even lighter and more fragrant and fruity than a typical Ginjo. Must have a seimaibuai of at least 50%. Often, Daiginjo goes as far as a 35% seimaibuai (65% of the kernel polished away!).

Cheers - Ali

Bonarda - where does it come from?

Ed, who is the co-founder of Vine Connections just sent this to me...

"Historically, there has been some mystery regarding what this grape variety in Argentina really is. People have said Croatina, Charbono and others. After genetic testing conducted by Carole Meredith at UC Davis, it was recently determined to be the same as the grape known as Corbeau, Douce Noire, or Charbonneau in the Savoie region of France. This would also be the Charbono grape we grow (rarely) in California, but not the same as Bonarda or Charbono grown in Italy’s Piedmont." There you have it folks!
La Posta Bonarda is one of the very rare 100% Bonardas available today - retails around $15. Cheers - Ali

Helping Cupid Out

So over the past year, I’ve cooled the jets on publishing a shopping list for every occasion under the sun - a bit overdone in wine writing these days in my opinion. But Valentines Day is this week and I really think everyone could use a little help with this holiday – creating a perfect evening of love and sauciness. Here’s my best effort to your Friday morning on February 15th starting a little later than usual…

For the Guy Who Has it All

You’ll score big with any 2005 red burgundy from Ch. De Montille a perfect valentines gift for his cellar. The Pellegrini Milestone, Storrs BXR, Mendel Unus and Susana Balbo Brioso are blockbuster wines to open now along with a nice steak dinner.

For the Power Couple

BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon and Susana Balbo Malbec. Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky are the winemaking love birds of Argentina. After many years of knowing and respecting each other while working for Catena Zapata in Mendoza, fate stepped in and brought these two wine powerhouses together to create Dominio del Plata – where they both work their magic along side one another in the winery and among their beautiful vineyards.

For the Renaissance Woman

Whether you are jet-setting in for a night to have a quiet dinner with your Valentine, or gathering at your favorite hot spot with your favorite friends or just throwing a “party for one” at home, these will provide a lot of fun, relaxation and keep things cheery. LIOCO Indica, Crios Rose of Malbec, Lange Freedom Hill Chardonnay and any flavor of junmai sake2me!

Wine for the Mother of your Kids (or future mother…)

You’ll certainly impress your honey with these, a nice night to thank her for wrangling the kids and running the house – a toast to a moment alone together! These two bottles are named after the kids of the brother and sister team of Laura and Ernesto Catena. Start with a nice chilled bottle of Luca Chardonnay before dinner…a few glasses of Tikal Amorio “love affair” will be a nice way to wind down the evening of bliss.

1^st Valentines Day Together?

Three words: Expensive French Champagne. Ask your local fine wine shop for a suggestion here, there are too many wonderful bottles of Champagne for me to list. If I had to choose a bottle of bubbly right now that’s available all over Texas I’d go for Laurent Perrier Brut Rose. Don’t skimp on the cost here - a tremendous return on your investment is 100% guaranteed.

50^th Valentines Day Together

Ahh, True Love Pioneers! In honor of keeping love alive and inspiring others – pick a few from Pioneers of the wine world…Château Puligny Montrachet, Pellegrini Family Vineyards, Domain Jo Pithon, Handley Cellars and of course, any bottle that has “Eric Solomon Selections and/or European Cellars" printed on the back label. These Pioneers of wine keep us newbies hopeful and dreaming for that ever-lasting love.

A big toast to many XXOO - Ali

Brewed like a beer - drinks like wine!

I'm sitting in Dallas this morning, after rolling out sake2me in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas Fort Worth this week (back to Austin tonight to kick this off to all the cool onpremise accounts in Austin).

sake2me is possibly the coolest product in my entire portfolio - well, it's a fun drink that totally ROCKS. Sparkling, naturally flavored Junmai Sake in a 187ml bottle? OH YEAH! I love the green tea flavor the most - but look forward to sipping the other fruit flavors poolside all spring and summer. Please start looking for sake2me at your favorite adult beverage store!

Cheers - Ali

In the Wine Spectator Spotlight today...

10 Wineries on the High Road to Quality

Exciting, ambitious new producers in Mendoza

Bodega Mendel - Mendoza
This small, boutique operation by Roberto de la Mota, former winemaker for Terrazas de los Andes and Cheval des Andes, encompasses two reds. The top wine, called Unus, features Malbec fruit from an 80-year-old vineyard located in Perdriel. Both the Unus and the regular Malbec bottling are packed with fruit, spice and graphite notes. www.vineconnections.com

...Waylon, Willie and the Boys!

Ahh, Robert Pellegrini and Moreno Panelli stopped through Texas this weekend and soaked up a little Texas Hill Country history.

Thanks to all of you that stopped by the Austin Wine Merchant to meet them and taste the beautiful wines of www.pellegrinisonoma.com

Don't forget to order a glass of Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon next time you are dining at III Forks in Austin

2008 marks the Pellegrini's 75th year Anniversary!

Cheers - Ali

My New Hometown Sake Hang!

Now Serving the best premium Japanese Sake - just ask for the good stuff (Vine Connections imported Sake).

Ronin is located in Montgomery Plaza

RONIN SAKE & SUSHI BAR
2600 W. 7TH ST. SUITE 171 FORT WORTH, TX. 76107

Cowtown goes bigtime now! Cheers - Ali

Updated the layout tonight...

www.myspace.com/texacaliwines

Listen to some cool tunes while checking out TexaCali Wine Co. pictures today!

One day - sooner than later...

Persistence is the common denominator in all those who find success when following their dreams. And I'm not stopping anytime soon.

Cheers to a fantastic week ahead everyone! Ali

PS - Check out the AMAZING reviews on the hottest Argentine wine portfolio ever here.

Hey Dallas...and the rest of the world.

Just in case you missed it...

Wine of the Week: Handley, Anderson Valley, Pinot Gris

12:00 AM CST on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Rebecca Murphy - Dallas Morning News

Handley, Anderson Valley, Pinot Gris 2006, $16.99

After working with ace winemakers Dick Arrowood and Jed Steele, Milla Handley started a winery in Mendocino's Anderson Valley and made the first vintage in her garage in 1982. She makes this pear-flavored pinot gris fat and sassy, fermenting most of the grapes in neutral oak to give the wine a creamy texture. Pair it with tom kai gai – Thai chicken soup in a coconut broth – and fresh ginger, and prepare to fall in love at first sip. Available at Corner Wines, Mr. G's Beverage Center and Pogo's Wine & Spirits. - Rebecca Murphy

94 Points in Wine & Spirits (August 2007)

Vintage Blog Post...

Posted this a few years ago on the TexaCali Wine Trail...Erika just signed on to TexaCali Wine Co. to run Central Texas for me! More on this later...very exciting! - Cheers - Ali

Keep "La Posta-ed"

Meet Erika - she's a PLM, knows her wine, mother of the cutest little boy ever and one of the best wine peeps in the Lone Star State - the real deal!

The following is what is currently on her myspace page for all to see! Enjoy - Ali

Monday, December 11, 2006

Keep "La Posta-ed" Category: Food and Restaurants From Mendoza, Argentina comes 3 distinct single vineyard wines. Their name is La Posta del Vinatero , "the tavern of the winegrower". The company that imports them asked the growers to stop selling their spectacular fruit that they used to sell to other wineries to blend, and make single vineyard wines. Two Malbecs and 1 Bonarda. They are all absolutely fantastic. First, the La Posta "Estela Armando" Bonarda Vineyard. 43 yr. old vines, that offer a perfect bacon smokiness, crushed berry fruit and dark chocolate richness that carries through on the palate. AWESOME Bar-b-que wine. It will be on the list at the new LAMBERT'S. Retail $15.99 The more demure "Pizzella Family Vineyard" Malbec makes you feel like you just discovered your first perfume that actually smells good on you, or her as the case may be. Beautiful fruit notes, with hints of sandalwood and spice. Its like a glass of love. Not much left of this one Retail $15.99 And last but certainly not least, the if you want to cheat on another wine, cheat with this one... La Posta 'Angel Paulucci Vineyard' Malbec 2005 Right out of the bottle animalistic and provocatively wanting to be Spanish. But it comes back home with that crazy mineral, iron rich, salt driven Argentine earthiness, with intense fruit and backbone. I would put this up against 'Anime Negra' for a test drive just to see what happens. It has a great balance you won't find in any other wine for under $20. Retail $17.99 and worth every sipping penny. http://www.myspace.com/texacaliwines

Posted by Alison Smith at 7:13 AM

Freedom, let me tell ya about FREEDOM!

Not too much tasting this week due to all the new things happening at TexaCali Wine Co. More on this later. The highlight of the week however was my staff training at III Forks here in Austin. Oregon's Lange Estate Freedom Hill single vineyard bottles were in the spotlight - here are my notes:

2006 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Chardonnay: Stunning! This vineyard is Dijon clone 76 and is fermented in both French oak and stainless steel. Very well balanced with rich layers and good acidity. Totally played with my taste buds - hints of golden apple, Asian pear - a little anise to boot. But I have to tell ya, I'm still thinking about the finish - and it's been 3 days since my last sip. Truly beautiful wine. Only 14 cases are making it to Texas this year.

2006 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Pinot Noir: STEAKHOUSE Pinot Noir for sure!Typical of this vineyard, this pinot is more structured. It shows dark, brooding fruit, and ripe blackberry, blueberry, anise, tobacco, and toast all balanced by a well integrated tannin structure and elegant acidity. Approachable now, this wine is a bit savage and untamed, with potential for a decade of positive development. Decant now, or hold for a few years. The finish was incredibly elegant after it was open for awhile...amazing! Only 400 cases made of this killer pinot.

Is it Friday yet??? Cheers - Ali (The Lange Family in the pic)

Austin Chronicle Restaurant Review BY WES MARSHALL

III Forks
111 Lavaca at Cesar Chavez, 474-1776 Monday-Thursday: 5-10pm; Friday-Saturday: 5-11pm www.iiiforks.com

III Forks sommelier, Danny Payne

Photo by John Anderson

III Forks is a steak house with a luxurious feel, thanks, in part, to lots of wood and leather. Everything in the restaurant, from the first greeting to the final goodbye, is aimed at making you feel coddled and comfortable. All this comes at a high price. Luckily, III Forks has a secret weapon for wine lovers that will take a little sting out of the final check.

Our first visit was on a Thursday night. We didn't have reservations, and it was a busy night, but they found us a table in the bar. The bar is wide open with high ceilings and just the perfect amount of sound control. There was a clubby buzz from the stylish and expensively dressed patrons, and the live jazz also upped the sound. Nonetheless, we could talk at normal levels.

Our server was prompt, efficient, and had the ideal juxtaposition of happy friendliness and speedy professionalism. The menu is very simple, just two pages. Steak is the thing, though they also have a nice selection of fish. We started by ordering the huge appetizer medley ($15.95), which includes a shrimp cocktail with three crunchy, sweet jumbo shrimp, an enormous Crabcake St. Francis made almost solely from lump crabmeat and mayonnaise, and some huge, plump bacon-wrapped scallops.

The wine list is mammoth and, like all steak houses, very pricey. This is where III Forks' secret weapon comes into play. Their sommelier, Danny Payne, created a wine list with all sorts of fun surprises, and he is a great guide, quite understanding of financial limitations, encyclopedic in the details of each wine, and excited when he sees a happy customer. We were very happy when he steered us to a nicely aged 1999 Leasingham Bin 56 Cabernet ($55) and a 2005 Luca Malbec ($60), a huge, opaque, almost black wine.

For our main courses, we had a bone-in rib eye ($41.95), a rack of lamb ($35.95), and tenderloin medallions ($32.95). Those prices seem high, but the quality of both the USDA Prime beef and the lamb is spectacular. One nice touch is there are always servers waiting at the kitchen, so the second your order pops up, a person grabs your rocket-hot plate and rushes it to the table. Even more incredible is the deft dance both in the kitchen and out on the floor that allows them to serve everyone's entrée at precisely the same time.

Our steaks and lamb were flawlessly pink inside, and the portions were colossal, so big that most couples will probably do just fine splitting a steak. They charge an extra $7 for splitting an entrée, and that's the biggest bargain in the house. Because unlike most steak houses that ding you for every extra, III Forks includes fresh creamed corn made table-side, mashed potatoes, vegetables, big slices of tomatoes, and spring onions.

Four of us went back a couple of weeks later on a crowded Friday night. We got the same professional, gracious service as before, but this time, we were seated in one of the fancy dining areas. This visit, sommelier Payne again showed us some bargains. He not only remembered my name, he remembered my tastes and price range. This time he picked a 2004 Storrs Petite Sirah ($53), a fruity wine with nice acidity. Later, when we asked for another bottle, he surprised us with one of Texas' best wines, Fall Creek's 2003 Meritus ($58). READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Off subject again...

Sorry - last week was overload with the work thing, check this out - John Mayer as JT. LOVE IT. I still can't believe I didn't catch the concert at Madison Square Garden last year - what a night I missed out on. Anyway - John is really amazing here - (sweeeet guitar too) Cheers to a great week ahead everyone!! - Ali

Off Subject - UPDATE

GREG LONG TAKES MAVERICKS!! OH YEAH!! At least I know how to pick'em!

"When it was all over, the judges awarded first place to Greg Long, 24, of San Clemente, largely on the basis of one superb ride on which he and his 9 1/2 foot long blue board seemed to descend nearly straight down the face of a gigantic wave.

"When I was paddling out, I told myself I'm going to sit and wait for the biggest set," Long said. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen."

For an instant, Long said, he believed he was out of position for the big wave. He stood up on his tip toes, leaned back and caught the wave just under the lip.

"I was just about weightless," he said. "I said, 'I'm either going down hard or I'm going to get a good one.' Luckily it was the latter."

While Long and his fellow five finalists were waiting in the not so pacific ocean for their final rides, they all agreed to split evenly the total prize pool of $70,000. Under that deal, each rider gets $11,700." - San Francisco Chronicle