Whole Foods - Downtown Austin

Congrats to Heather GK. in Houston for guessing the store yesterday that is featuring Handley Cellars "Dry Creek" Sauvignon Blanc - she was quick to comment on Facebook. All the Handley Cellar's wines are lovely and a fantastic value as well. Just a few medals and reviews they've received over the past year...Cheers - Ali

SWEEPSTAKES WINNER
2004 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve, Anderson Valley
San Diego International

BEST OF CLASS WINNERS
2007 Viognier, Dry Creek Valley, Handley Vineyard
- North of the Gate
2006 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County
- West Coast Wine Competition
2007 Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley
- North of the Gate

DOUBLE GOLD WINNERS
2006 Riesling, Mendocino County
- Mendocino County Fair
2003 Brut, Anderson Valley, Estate Vineyard
- San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
2004 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve, Anderson Valley – Pacific Rim International
2005 Syrah, Dry Creek Valley, Handley Vineyard - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2007 Viognier, Dry Creek Valley, Handley Vineyard – Orange County Fair
2006 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County - Long Beach Grand Cru, North of the Gate
2006 Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley, Handley Vineyard – North of the Gate
2007 Gewürztraminer, Anderson Valley – Riverside International
2007 Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley – Mendocino Wine Competition
2006 Pinot Blanc, Anderson Valley, Hein Vineyard – Los Angeles International
2006 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley – West Coast Wine Competition
2006 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2006 Zinfandel, Redwood Valley – Riverside International

Recent Praise for Handley Wines

2006 Anderson Valley Estate Vineyard Chardonnay
90 POINTS - Wine & Spirits Magazine (October 2008)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - California Grapevine (August-September 2008)
EXCEPTIONAL - Dan Berger's Vintage Experience (September 11, 2008)
FOUR STARS - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Santa Rosa Press Democrat - Michele Anna Jordan (September 10, 2008)
RECOMMENDED - San Jose Mercury News (July 9, 2008)
"GREEN CHARDONNAY AWARD" - Sierra Magazine (May/June 2009)

2007 Gewürztraminer, Anderson Valley
RECOMMENDED - More (December 2008)

2006 Pinot Blanc, Anderson Valley, Hein Vineyard
“Utterly lovely.” – Vinography (November 8, 2008)

2006 Riesling, Mendocino County
ONE PUFF - Connoisseur’s Guide (Sept. 2008)

2006 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
RECOMMENDED - Connoisseur’s Guide (Oct. 2008)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - California Grapevine (Aug.-Sept. 2008)
RECOMMENDED - USA Today (Nov. 20, 2008)

2006 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County
“PINOT PICK” - Sunset (Nov 2008)

2006 Syrah, Redwood Valley, Kazmet Vineyard
91 POINTS - Wine Spectator Insider (Oct. 29, 2008)

Guess the store?

Deal of the Summer! Handley Cellers delicious Sauvignon Blanc from their gorgeous Dry Creek property. This wine is SINGING.......Oh yeah! Ali

www.handleycellars.com

The Next Food Network Star??

PLEASE WISH ME LUCK TOMORROW! Oh what the heck, I cook and drink with the masses all over the world. I'm all done with the 11 page application, you can click on www.texacaliwine.com "Next Food Network Star" link to view my "headshots". This should be a fun experience - so stay tuned.

In the meantime, I'm running into new wine and sake drinkers all over Texas who ask me how I do what "I do"...well here's a little summary for you all. Cheers - Ali

TexaCali Wine Co. was founded in the spring of 2005 with a mission
of assisting family owned wineries across the world in gaining
access to the Texas wine trade and to all Texas wine lovers.

After many years of learning the wine business in San Francisco, Alison Smith, a Fort Worth native and the owner of TexaCali Wine Co. now lives in Austin and is actively involved each day in the promotion of “wines made by real winemakers” making it onto dinner tables all over the Lone Star State.

In less than five years, TexaCali Wine Co. has grown into representing over 100 prestigious producers such as Domaine de Marcoux from France, LIOCO from California, Susana Balbo from Argentina, Lange Estate from Oregon, Lewelling Vineyards from Napa, and Russian River pioneer Pellegrini Family Vineyards from Sonoma - just to name a few!

TexaCali Wine Co. also represents the most premium Ginjo Sake producers from Japan – and yes Texas is a huge premium sake market.

“TexaCali Ali” has built a reputation of “the hardest-working person in the wine business” among the Texas wine trade from assisting in all areas of selling wine. From distributor inventory management, staff training and education, promotion on the TexaCali website and wine blog, to in-store customer tastings, all passages from the winery to the Texas table are covered by TexaCali Wine Co. efforts.

TexaCali Wine Co. thrives on Texas Wine Lovers spreading the word to others about the wines and Sake of TexaCali Wine Co. The “TexaCali Inner Circle” is vastly reaching those who care about and love fine wines…to learn more about The Inner Circle and TexaCali producers, please visit www.texacaliwine.com

Sipping through Summer

Whew - what a summer we are having in Texas. The heat is especially extreme in Austin - weeks of 100+ degree days. I really wish I had a pool in the yard. Some day. Thank GOD for having a plethora of summer wines and ginjo sake to keep things cool around here. I'm so thankful many of you are making a choice to purchase from family and independent producers of TexaCali!

Honestly, there's a lot of CHEAP SWILL flooding the market, most of the giant wine companies are losing their shirts and slashing prices on all the crappy wine that usually sells in the most remote places. The economic shake-out has been tough on overpriced wines and wines that really never delivered the goods when the economy was rockin'! I ask each of you to continue making an effort of supporting "the little guy"...you are the only people that can make a difference!

I am asked all the time "what are your favorite wines", well that changes each day. This weekend I'm really excited about sipping on Handley Cellers Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc ($15) and Medlock Ames Organic Sauvignon Blanc ($25) - such elegant and pure wines. Also, as for reds, I recently sipped on a 2004 Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch Merlot ($24) - WOW!!!! The fruit in this bottle is just singing, it's going to be perfect with a grilled Bison tenderloin - oh and the Davis Family Vineyards Barn D'Or Syrah/Cab blend would also be divine with the Bison. Endless choices really, I can't leave out Crios Rose of Malbec ($11), a summer (oh I admit, Spring, Fall and Winter too) staple at my house. The Crios wines must be bought handfuls at a time - trust me! Enjoy your weekend, I know I am looking forward to CHILLING OUT! Cheers - Ali

Premium Sake Tasting...

Chill Out with Sake in Dallas this Week! Sigel's Fine Wine & Spirits sent out this promo all over the metroplex...hope to see a few of you there, the classes are limited to call to confirm your seats!

Sigel’s-Elite Seminar
featuring Ali Smith, Vine Connections Sake (yep that's me!)
Thursday, July 9th
Sigel’s-Elite (3209 N Fitzhugh)

Alison Smith of Vine Connections Sake, Texas' leading Japanese Sake Educator, will be conducting a fascinating introductory tasting of this iconic Japanese beverage. The seminar will feature an overview of the world of Sake, including the differing levels in the Sake quality hierarchy, Sake Terroir, Sake production methods and Sake & Food pairings, while showcasing some of the finest Japanese Sake producers available in this country.

Sakes to be Tasted:

Junmai
Tozai Living Jewel

Junmai Ginjo
Nanbu Bijin Southern Beauty
Chiyonosono Sacred Power
Kanbara Bride of the Fox

Tokubetsu Junmai
Rihaku Dreamy Clouds (Nigori)

Junmai Daiginjo
Ginja Shizuku Divine Droplets

Join us for our latest Sigel’s-Elite Wine Seminar, showcasing superior winemaking in an enjoyable and educational setting. Elite Seminars are held in the education center of our newest location, Sigel’s Elite (3209 N Fitzhugh). Each seminar will analyze and discuss a variety of wines in a seated, university style classroom with guest speakers, multimedia presentations and plenty of opportunity for Q&A style learning. Each Elite Seminar will be strictly limited to 20 seats per session, lasting approximately one hour each. Special pricing will be available after the tasting.
Session 1 will run from 6:00-7:15pm, Session 2 will run from 7:30-9pm. The seminar will be held at Sigel’s Elite, 3209 N Fitzhugh on Thursday, July 9. Cost for the event is $25 per person. To reserve a seat at this event please contact Scott Turner or Jim Fleming with credit card information at store04wine@sigels.com or 214/635-3162.

Solomon Scores Again...

No surprises here, the Spanish and French producers represented by Eric Solomon are FANTASTIC!

Robert Parker's reviews on the greatest and latest are now available to read all about... please click on http://www.texacaliwine.com/2009waspain.cfm

Happy 4th of July! Cheers - Ali

The Mile High City Break!

Posting from Denver, Colorado this afternoon. I'm here for a few days for a mid-year sales meeting for Vine Connections. Last year about this time I flew into Denver to see Death Cab for Cutie and Rogue Wave at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater - what a wild venue and amazing time. This visit will be much different, although just as exciting. The Vine Connections portfolio has set Texas wine and ginjo sake sales on FIRE over the years and I just can't help wanting to learn more from this group. We are assembled from all corners of the country, California, Wyoming, Florida and New York to name a few.

So here's the latest BIG NEWS from Vine Connections...ANORO (pronounced Ahn-your-o) the long awaited wines of Master Sommelier Ken Fredrickson are now ready to roll into our big State! He teased us a bit last year and sent a few for the Charlie Palmer's account in Dallas, but now we have full steam ahead and plenty of product to show you all. More details later this week - I can't wait to get my hands on the Anoro Chardonnay - just in time in Texas! Cheers! Ali

Dog Days of Summer...Already??

What are you doing to beat the heat? I'm talking TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURE DAYS around Texas - so soon this summer!!! No fun, unless you have a bottle or two open of the following cool producers - just ask your favorite wine shop...copy, paste and print this list to go!


Lange Estate 'Willamette Valley" Pinot Gris $16

Handley Cellars "Dry Creek" Sauvignon Blanc $16

Crios Torrontes - Argentina $14

Pellegrini "Olivet Lane" Russian River Chardonnay $24

Davis Family Vineyards "Gusto" Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand $18

Dom. L'Hortus Rose - Southern France - $15

Teira Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc $14

San Clodio - Spanish Blanco Blend $20

Lioco Sonoma County "Unoaked" Chardonnay $20

Breakfast.Lunch.Dinner

So I've had a homemade Spanish Tortilla on my mind for over a week now. Simple ingredients: Thinly sliced potatoes & onions, handfuls of eggs and a little dash of salt and pepper. A few snap shots of my first try at it this morning...

While in Spain, I saw the Tortilla in every Tapa's bar, airport and truck-stop restaurant along the way. I never took a bite until late in the trip and man it was one of the best tastes of the entire week. I had a few sips of Spanish Rose alongside the Tortilla - Artazuri Rosado to be exact. Now that I'm back, it begs the question...what wine would you recommend with it? SALUD! Ali

Top 10

Everyday while in Spain, we had plenty of travel-time on the bus. The group of folks I traveled with were all top wine industry professionals across the US - distributors, restaurateurs and powerful retailers. Chatting with this group from sunrise and into the wee-hours of the morning each day was great fun and inspiring.

Throughout the week "Top 10" lists were compiled by my "back of the bus" companions. I won't even go into all the titles, they usually had less to do with wine and more to do with pop-culture. So in remembrance of those crazy-ass Top 10 lists...here's one for the books - click on the pictures to enlarge.

"Top 10 Mind-blowing Moments of the Solomon Trip"

10. "Professor Xavier Gramona" explained "Mouseability" of his beautiful Cava. "We focus on crafting wines that have a long life without oxidation, the spirit, maturity, balance and complexity can grow-up, the yeast is the most responsible".








9. 84 farmers gave over 1.5million to Capcanes, the man below swimming in his skivvies directed them to do so. True Vision and Courage!
The Capcanes property is situated in the village of Capcanes and served for several years as the village cooperative. In 1995, this vast investment took place and the whole winery was completely restructured and modernized thanks to farmers - true believers of the region.


8. The Priorat - is a small unique pocket of black hills where powerful, deep red wines of superb quality have been made for over eight centuries. Before standing on this schiste ridden hillside, we had NO idea how steep and vertical the vineyards of the Priorat stand. By far the hardest farming and vineyard management we saw in Spain. TexaCali Ali's personal favorite new discovery: "Closa Batllet" created by Sonia and Marc Ripoll.

7. 2005 Clos Eramus. This appeared over dinner in Falset, not often I get to drink (not just taste) a 100 point wine over dinner while sitting next to the winemaker! The vertical vineyard slightly right of center in this photo is the orginal Daphne planted a few years ago in the Priorat. Here's the parker blurb: 'The 2005 Clos Erasmus is produced from three vineyard sites originally terraced by the Greeks. The current blend is 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah with a long-term goal of making a 100% Garnacha wine. The wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak. It is super-fragrant with aromas of crushed stone, slate, cinnamon, baking spices, cassis, kirsch, blueberry, and wild black cherry. Perhaps a bit tighter than the 2004, on the palate there is a liquid minerality that must be tasted to be believed. Opulent, harmonious, and awesome are words which really cannot do justice to this extraordinary vinous achievement.

6. Scala Dei "God's Ladder" - after sipping the gorgeous 100% Garnacha Blanca from 100+ year old vines of Conreria de'Scala Dei "Les Brugueres", winemaker Jordi Vidal led us on a tour to see remains of a Carthusian monastery in Scala Dei, Priorat.





5. Bodegas Mustiguillo - their mission is to protect indigenous "Bobal" and nuture it into what has become one of Spain's most fancinating wines. From their Mestizaje red blend of bobal, tempranillo, cabernet and garnacha tintorera to their 100% bobal bottle of Quincha Corral, a true sense of place can be tasted in each sip.





4. Paella! I can't leave this one out, the father who began working at age 6 is now retired but playing golf and has become one of the best amatures on the senior circuit in Spain! This particular paella was an incredible savory mix of roasted green snap peas, grilled artichokes, olive oil and rice. Fire roasted for a few hours and served HOT! Delicious with the wines of Mustiguillo.




3. 16th Century Wine Cellar complete with its Amphora's. Just breathtaking to see the techniques of winemaking that still reign today. This historic site is on the property of Cellar del Roure winery - created in 1995 as a family estate by Pablo Calatayud. Based in the village of Moixent, the property is committed to nurturing and championing the wines and indigenous varietals of the region, most notably the Mando grape. The estate owns three different blocks of vines on the northern slope of the Serra Grossa at 550 meters above sea level.

2. Casa Castillo - Day 5 we visited the newest addition to the Solomon Selections Spanish Portfolio. I had the great pleasure of sitting next to the second generation of the family Mr. Nemesio and his son Jose Vincente who revived this property that was originally founded in 1870. Stylistically the wines are true to their terroir and taste. Very well balanced monastrell, syrahs and cabernet. The 2006 Las Gravas was my personal favorite last spring at the Solomon tasting in San Francisco, still is. 55% Monastrell, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Gorgeous wine!

1. Number 1 already? Well I have to give the honors to the 'back of the bus posse" a few members are missing in this photo, but this Friday night in Madrid was the most fun time all week long. Thanks to JT, Arthur, Jeffery and Ronnie for always keeping it real and making me laugh to tears this night. An unexpected & unplanned night of savory tapas (oh that tortilla and octopus plate!) and wines that were full of surprise and adventure.




I took well over 600 pictures and am in the midst of creating a day-by-day photo essay on www.texacaliwine.com. It's going to take a few more days, I'm off to Dallas and Fort Worth until Sunday. Stay tuned and in the meantime, go click around on www.europeancellars.com to discover your own Top 10 list from Spain...Cheers! Ali

Quick Update from Spain

Meet the talented team behind Capcanes. After a tour of the winery and tasting, they hosted us for lunch on the mountain-tops above the vineyards...more details coming later about our time at Capcanes.

Traveling without my laptop this week, so I'm on borrowed time at the hotel Cal Lop in the Priorat.


They say a picture is worth a thousand words...more on www.texacaliwine.com under "photos - Spain 2009". Keep checking in, I'll try to upload more very soon. Salud! Ali

Trippin' with TexaCali!

Off to visit Spain and see the lovely families and producers who make up the KILLER Solomon Selections Spanish wine portfolio. I've now met many of these folks who've visited America over the past 2 years, it's going to be great to see them at their homes and wineries.  

If you are in the wine trade you know what I'm in for this week. For those who just love to drink good wine, check out the list that I'll be tasting over the next week: (loads of toothpaste required...) Salud! Ali

Sunday

Espelt "Vailet" Blanco

Espelt "Corali" Rosado

Espelt "Saulo" Tinto

Espelt "Coma Bruna"

Gramona "Gessami"

Gramona Gran Cuvee

Gramona "Imperial"

Gramona "III Lustros"

Tomas Cusine "El Vilosell"

Tomas Cusine "El Vilosell"

Tomas Cusine "Geol"

Tomas Cusine "Geol"

El Perro Verde

L'Origan Zero Dosage

L'Origan Rosat Zero Dosage

Paisajes V

Paisajes VII

Paisajes VIII

Vina al Lado de la Casa

Monday

Capcanes Mas Donis Rosat

Capcanes Mas Donis

Capcanes Val de Calas

Capcanes Costers del Gravet

Capcanes Cabrida

Capcanes Cabrida Calissa

Capcanes Pansal de Calas

Mas d'en Compte Blanco

Mas d'en Compte Tinto

Mas d'en Compte Planots

Black Slate (Porrera)

Roquers de Porrera "Marge"

Roquers de Porrera

Terra de Verema "Triumvirat"

Terra de Verema "Corellium"

Closa Batllet Blanco

Closa Batllet Tinto

Closa Batllet "2 Vinyas"

Black Slate (Gratallops)

Tuesday

Conreria Scala Dei Blanco

Lo Givot

Mas Alta "Els Pics"

Mas Alta "Artigas"

Mas Alta "La Basseta"

Mas Alta "La Creu Alta"

Mas Doix "Salanques"

Mas Doix "V.V."

Nun

La Bota #16 Manzanilla

La Bota #10 Manzanilla Pasada

La Bota #15 Fino

La Bota #9 Amontillado

Wednesday

Mustiguillo "Mestizaje" Blanco

Mustiguillo "Mestizaje"

Mustiguillo "Finca Terrerazo"

Mustiguillo "Quincah Corral"

Celler del Roure "Les Alcusses"

Celler del Roure "Maduressa"

Thursday

Casa Castillo Monastrell

Casa Castillo Monastrell

Casa Castillo "Las Gravas"

Casa Castillo "Valtosca"

Casa Castillo "Pie Franco"

Castano Rosado

Castano Monastrell

Castano "Hecula"

Castano "Solanera"

Castano "Casa Cisca"

Sierra Salinas "Mo"

Sierra Salinas "Mira"

Sierra Salinas "1237"

Casa Marta

Friday

Sanclodio

Sanclodio

Ercavio Blanco

Ercavio Rosado

Ercavio Tinto

Ercavio "La Plazuela"

Ercavio "La Plazuela" (1.5L)

Jimenez-Landi "Sotorrondero"

Jimenez-Landi "Pielago"

Jimenez-Landi "Fin del Mundo"

Jimenez-Landi "Cantos del Diablo"

Jimenez-Landi "El Reventon"

Saturday

Val de Sil "Val de Sil"

Val de Sil "Val de Sil"

Val de Sil "Pezas de Portela"

Val de Sil "Pedruzos"

Losada

Losada "Altos de Losada"

Evodia

Sitios de Bodega "Con Class"

Sitios de Bodega "Verdejo"

Sitios de Bodega "V3"

Pena das Donas "Almalarga"

Pena das Donas "Verdes Matas"

"Ali! Is! Back!"

...makes me laugh every time I even think about the sweet family who hosted me in Guadalajara one long summer while attending Baylor University. Each time I arrived to their home, the father would stand-up, walk to the door and greet me with open-arms while saying "Ali! Is! Back!".  It always made be smile and shake my head and say "well of course I am, I will always be back as long as your family will have me". 

Silly as it sounds, this welcome greeting has followed me through the years, now "TexaCali Ali" is who steadily appears in the doors and tasting rooms of wine accounts all over Texas, and I'm most always greeted with a smile and warm welcome. This small gesture is what keeps me keeping on these days. 

Thank you. You may not even know how much this means, but I'm out here fighting fo

r the families and passionate wine folks - the ones who own wineries, the people that sell the wine on the streets of Texas, the human beings that stand on a cold-concrete floors and perhaps have a chance every hour or so to actually tell a story to a customer about a special bottle and the families and independents who own all our great restaurants and retailers throughout the Lone Star State. I preach this often, so you know what I mean if you've been following this blog since 2005 or hopefully "get it" right away if you've just met me for the first time this year.

After hosting dozens of producers, winery owners and national sales folks like a maniac over the past 5 months... "Ali is Back" to doing a better job with the blog posts - I promise. This year has brought an extra layer of "extraordinary time-wasters" & "empty-calorie snacks" that have eaten up my creativity and desire to burn the midnight oil on here when it's well past my beauty-rest time. So tee up the bookmark again, I've got a lot on my mind and a few thousand Texans who love wine to share my thoughts and wine tips with. 

I'm gearing up for my first trip to Spain this weekend visiting producers from www.europeancellars.com portfolio. We'll visit wineries mostly along the East Coast of Spain from Barcelona to Madrid.   So stay tuned for some over-seas travel tales for sure, in the mean time - DRINK UP the wines and sake of TexaCali Wine Co.  - Cheers! Ali