Japan

Many new photos and wine experiences to share from the past 7 days, but I can't bring myself to be all chipperooski about them due to all the horrific events happening to and in the country of Japan.  Just not relevant.  Many of you know along with fine wine from all over the world, I dedicated myself for a handful of years to teaching the state of Texas about Japanese Sake.  Premium Ginjo Sake made by families from all corners, nooks, stream, rivers and mountains throughout Japan. 

In 2006 I was honored to travel to Japan & meet these highly regarded Japanese Sake Brewers and experience the reverence & beauty of their legendary craft...each warm smile, respectful bow and generous spirit propelled me each day to spread their passion.  Today, I pray for their safety, strength, and their beautiful country tonight with a heavy heart.   A few posts from the past highlighting some of my favorite Japanese people, memories and of course incredible Ginjo Sake. 

- Ali ( I miss Mr. T the most!!, March 16, 2010)


April 26, 2006  "Bon Appetite"

" CBS Highlights Sake..."

March 7, 2006 "Live from Japan" 

November 29, 2007 "Time Magazine..."

January 30, 2010 "Daiginjo"


January 17, 2010 "Spec's Features Ginjo..."


May 12, 2009 "Brewer's Visit Texas"

April 10, 2008 "Brewers sing a little Willie Nelson..."

I love my job!

"The wine profession finds you and keeps you 
forever if you love it back".  

No time for a big writeup tonight, so posting the best 2 photos taken earlier today in Sonoma County. Cheers - Ali

1) Ridge Lytton Springs @ 10am  http://www.ridgewine.com/visiting_wineries/ls.tml

2) Wine Dogs @ Inspiration Vineyards @3pm (yes, they like the wine!) http://www.inspirationvineyards.com/visitus.html

Rue La La

One of the things I love most about my journey in the world of wine is learning about new business channels.  I'm honored to be working behind the scenes of Rue La La - curating their once a week wine collection. Rue La La is a huge messenger and brand builder for all things fashionably cool and hard to find.  From their website -  

"What is Rue La La?

Rue La La is... an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where Members discover premier-brand, private sale Boutiques, each open for just a brief window of time"

Last Monday I flew in with the pioneering  Wine Country Connect team for a day of strategy meetings with Rue La La.  Their Boston offices are in an old brick lofty style building which reminded me of my time working at CNET back in San Francisco.  Man I love how my background and wine passion have merged!!  

On Monday, every hour of the day a different team of young, sharp and incredibly savvy minds collaborated with us about continuing to make Rue La La the PREMIER destination for purchasing very special offerings direct from the wineries featured.

Changes to the weekly wine collection feature are all teed up and should go live in a few weeks.  I'm excited to show off this new direct sales channel to all the family owned wineries on the West Coast. Rue La La is a perfect place to reach dynamic wine lovers, the Rue La La demographic is golden, 3.5 million active members and growing each day.  Quite possibly the most exciting & hip sales channel I've ever encountered in the wine biz. 

Let me know if you want a personal invite from me to join Rue La La...a phenomenal small-production winery is in the spotlight tomorrow with some very rare offerings. 

I'll say it again, this year is FABULOUS! Thanks for all your continued support and enthusiasm along the TexaCali Wine Trail.   Cheers - TexaCali Ali

Texas Welcomes Milla Handley this week!

In honor of Milla's visit throughout Texas this week, here's a re-post from last March.  Cheers to a great week sipping on the newest releases from Handley Cellars! Cheers - Ali

Handley Cellars

Last Monday I spent a beautiful day with Handley Cellars in California's Anderson Valley - approx. 10 miles inland from the Mendocino Coast. Milla Handley and her co-winemaker Kristen Barnhisel hosted a group of wine-pros from around the country to learn more about their Pinot Noir program, and to experience blending a bottle of Pinot.
The day begin with touring Pinot Noir vineyards in the Anderson Valley ... Ferrington, Helluva and Handley's Organic Estate Vineyard. A bottle of Handley Anderson Valley Pinot in some years can have as many as 10 different vineyard sites, or as little as 1 - depending on the particular role Mother Nature played. The group spent the afternoon blending a bottle of Pinot using 5 different vineyard sites. "Day Dream" was my final blend, Milla suggested I wait until XMAS to open. I'll report back then.

For now... a few quick facts from Monday:

1. Handley Cellars is located in "Region 1" , a scale the folks at UC Davis created to determine the coolest (the chilly kind) to the warmest climate regions. Region 1 means the most days at 50 degrees and under.

2. Bell Beans and Arugula are grown as cover-crop between the vineyard rows. Why? They hold a lot of nitrogen down in the roots which is very good for the soil and grapevines.

3. Most of the Anderson Valley Pinot vineyards are pruned already this year and are budding early.

4. Soils: Most of the soils are clay and sandy loam, with 5-15% rock.

5. Temperatures in the Anderson Valley swing BIG...it can reach 100 degrees by 3pm and dip back down to 45 degrees at night. This is fabulous in creating acidity levels and the high heat days help prevent disease and mildew.

6. How to tell if the vines need water: If you reach your hand inside the canopy (where the grape clusters hang and are surrounded by their leaves) and it's the same temperature as the outside air - they need water. The canopy should create it's own little AC system within the vines.

7. Handley uses a propane flame to control weeds. It's the shot with the guy on the tractor down below, flames shoot out at the very bottom on the backsides behind the tractor and hit just deep enough to kill the roots.

8. Handley Estate Vineyards (Martini Clone = big fruit flavors, lower tannins and silky smooth texture) were planted in 1987, the water tower and ranch house were built in 1906. Milla, her husband and their 2 daughters lived in the old water-tower for awhile (great stories about this time in their lives, ask me in person, too long to type now!).

9. 2007 is the current Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir release.


10. Handley uses solar-power and organic growing practices. You can see the solar-panels in the background of the first picture on the right with Kristen and Milla.

Handley Cellars wines are available anywhere you like in Texas, Avante Beverages is their distributor and currently has the Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel. Cheers - Ali

(Please click image to enlarge each picture, such a magical place)

Original Post Date: http://texacaliwinetrail.blogspot.com/2010/03/handley-cellars.html

Wine on Tap

Pictured below at Whole Foods Austin Texas yesterday: Dan the winemaker of Brack Mountain Wine Co. & Dave the winemaker for Duchman Family Winery.  There lovely wines are available by the sip, glass or carafe at the new "Bar Lamar" inside the wine department.  Delicious! 

LIOCO WINE

Long Live LIOCO! 

...almost one year ago, the soldiers of LIOCO gathered from around the US to join in a feast of "wild" pig atop Michaud Vineyard. 

The night started so civilized and quickly turned into the best campfire any of us have ever lived (through) to see...

Order LIOCO Wines direct from www.liocowine.com

Bar Lamar

Introducing the new "TexaCali Stars" front & center at Whole Foods ATX - the wines of Brack Mountain Wine Co. 

Next time you plan your outing to Whole Foods downtown Austin, please make some time to visit the new and improved wine department.   The team has been working hard for months now to make this yet another place to stop and relax while sipping and eating some very tasty offerings from Whole Foods.  

Taste a sip, a flight, a glass or carafe of wine from these very small production wines from Sonoma County.  Kegs of L'Oliveto Russian River Chardonnay, Ellipses Rose of Pinot Noir, Bench Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Tramonto Russian River Zinfandel have never left the on-premise world of Northern California until now!  Even better, you can pick up a bottle, case or pallet of each if you like - everyone's walking away a very happy Whole Foods Wine Shopper these days...

This Friday and Saturday afternoon the owners and winemakers of Brack Mountain Wine Co. will be visiting and pulling taps for you all, please stop in to taste this fabulous new selection of wine and give my California friends a big howdy!  We are all incredibly proud to be a partner with Whole Foods! 

www.brackmountainwinecompany.com

Cheers - Ali

Suggestions please...

I'm attending the 2011 Family Winemakers Tasting in Pasadena mid-March, always a well-done wine trade show.   During my travels South of the Bay Area (and Texas!),  I'd like to stop and explore some wineries within the Central Coast region.  It's been waaay too long since my last visit - in fact this photo was taken inside Deborah's room at the Justin Winery back when...

I'll be tasting and selecting wines for a very exciting venture currently in the works for TexaCali Ali!  So help me out, let me know who I should visit.  Many wineries are already on my list, but would love to hear about some new and tasty wines from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara in particular from all of you out there!
Thanks and Cheers - Ali

Wine Tasting

Tomorrow, from 12pm-3pm, please stop by The Austin Wine Merchant

Pellegrini Family Vineyards Wine Tasting

We're featuring...

2009 Pellegrini Chardonnay Russian River Valley

2008 Pellegrini Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley

2009 Pellegrini Olivet Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2007 Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

Cookin' up some love!

Maypearl, Texas: Meet my Papa and Grandmother Jackson, these long-time love birds were always cookin' in the kitchen together for each other & guests.  Almost all of my memories of them revolve around sitting at their big oak table in the kitchen or standing in front of the wall-mounted gas furnace watching them cook.  Sipping on "sweet-tea" (the only place I was allowed to drink it) and snacking on whatever was put in front of me was always so fun as a kid.  I can almost smell the classic enchiladas Grandmother made, and my favorite Papa meal was his big country breakfast of fluffy hot biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs from the farm, bacon and fresh orange juice.  "My Three Sons", "Gilligan's Island" and "I Dream of Jeannie"  buzzing in the background from the TV-tube located in the front room of the house.  No matter how many folks were there to eat with us, they made sure everyone was served before they sat down beside one another. 

My Papa was a jokester and my Grandmother had the prettiest smile and was the most clever woman I've ever known. They were in love - they bickered, they laughed, the told stories non-stop and boy did they create some delicious meals over the years.   I sure would love to have them around with me these days, to share some blessings life has tossed my way.   

Cheers to cookin' in the kitchen with your love this Valentines Day.  And don't forget to chill the Champagne!!  - Ali

2011 Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival

For the Love of Bubbles...

 - you must support Bryan and Abby, the couple behind www.fatcork.com.   Put down those Champagne bottles you found at your local grocer folks, Fat Cork has done all the work for you -  picking out great - and I mean fabulous bottles of bubbly for the world to enjoy.  It's all about supporting the small guys "grower champagne" straight to your house now.  I love the passion that creates & drives new opportunities in the wine biz!   You can order any bottle (or 100!) online or visit them in Seattle after scheduling a private appointment with them too.

I get this all-of-the-time - "So what is your favorite wine Ali?",  I always say CHAMPAGNE.  I'm thrilled to have met Bryan a few weeks back at the Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium and learned of his new venture.  BRAVO!! 

I'M A SUCKER FOR A TRUE LOVE STORY: "The story of how Portland native Bryan Maletis began selling Champagne’s finest grower selections to a world wide audience starts with highschool jobs in a distributor’s warehouse and ends with meeting the right woman at the right time."  LOVE!  Read more about them here.

Found on www.fatcork.com: A very special bottle...

Gimmonet-Oger

Blanc de Blancs Millesime 1996 Premier Cru

bottles

$189.00

This Champagne has been resting peacefully in the Jean-Luc's cellars for the last 14 years, and we are thrilled to offer it to you directly from those cellars. For this amount of age, it is extremely youthful. However, that youth is a prime characteristic of this exceptional vintage that is a rare find these days. The mousse is immaculately white. Hints of candied nuts, toast, and pear lead to a finish of beautiful acidity and minerality that lasts for minutes. This clearly has a future ahead of it, as it will continue to develop for years to come. A very limited selection that will thrill Champagne enthusiasts. 100% Chardonnay

Most of their small producers are new to me, can't wait to start receiving my Fat Cork shipments...

Cheers! Ali

PS. This goes "Why Didn't I think of That?" column in my life. 

Snowtastic in Texas

Sorry I couldn't resist this...much like the recent World Series, California is winning again.

Shot of my brother's backyard this morning in Dallas.

Shot of my backyard this morning in Sonoma County (everything is blooming already!).

Thank Goodness Texans have plenty of the 2007 Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon to help keep warm these days!  Will go fantastically with all the Super Bowl fixins too.  All this snow is a sure sign that Mother Nature is not a fan (either) of Jerry Jones. SUCKER.   Are you ready for some football?????  Cheers - Ali

Rockpile Vineyard

A lot of chatter about new Zinfandel and old favorites this week due to the 2011 ZAP festival in San Francisco.  I've always enjoyed Russian River Zinfandels, low octane and pretty such as Davis Family Vineyards and Pellegrini. But a few others stand out particularly from Storrs in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Ridge, Storybook in Napa & T-Vine Cellars, in my book of taste. Excited to learn more today about other Zins...

A few years ago I had the honor of attending the inaugural release of the http://valdezfamilywinery.com and of course atop Rockpile Vineyard. An epic day and I must confess, the most breathtaking zinfandel vineyard I've seen yet.  More after ZAP... Cheers! Ali

Breaking Down "Wine Social Media"

Twitter = I need a glass of wine. 

Facebook = You gotta see this glass of wine I'm having!

Foursquare = I'm having a glass of wine here. 

Quora = Why am I having a glass of wine? 

Youtube = Check out the dirt this wine comes from &/or watch me drink this wine.

LinkedIn = I drink wine very well.

Simple...are you following, a fan of, joining me, watching me or linkin to me?  

Cheers, "TexaCali Ali" 

PS: "Google" me, I'm mostly socializing online about damn good wine. 

National Cheese Lovers Day

So an entire day to celebrate ME, a Cheese Lover indeed!  I often say that I'm in the wine business to mask my addiction to really good cheese.  Cheese is a staple, and I'm not talking Velveta folks.  A good bite of cheese can trigger memories just like a fine glass of wine. It brings you back. I know a few people that don't like cheese, they are not to be trusted.

Cheese like wine starts begins with farmers.  Cheese starts from the ground up  - it's all about a "sense of place".   I personally geek out when I'm visiting a cheese shop, the same rush happens when I walk into a fine wine store.  You can visit the world by learning the facts from the cheesemonger behind the counter.  All of the sudden you're there, standing on the hills of North Eastern Italy among the sheep.  Is that weird that I do this?  

Whatever, life is too short to eat bad cheese.  

Step up your game this year and make a special effort to support your local family owned Cheese Shops - some of the most passionate foodies you'll ever encounter.  I almost always end up with a bag of other heavenly snacks and bottles of wine to go with the glorious cheese.   Here's an offering from my favorite local shop in Sonoma County: 

"Cheesemaker Showcase"
Once in a while we find a cheesemaker that makes us real proud and Rebecca King is that cheesemaker. She owns Garden Variety Cheese Company in Royal Oaks, California. Her farmstead dairy is comprised of herds of sheep and she produces an array of raw milk cheeses, blankets from their wool, offers a CSA meat program and Adopt a Ewe program which offers all of the above. Our selection includes Moonflower, which is aged up to one year and has a dense nutty buttery flavor reminscent of French Pyrenees cheeses. Paired with Anjou Crostini and Savannah Bee acacia honey.

- The Cheese Shop in Healdsburg, California (next to the movie theater and the Flying Goat)

Stop and take a civilized break while running errands back in Dallas and visit Scardello's and in Austin, a stop into Antonelli's is a must. Gourmage is the bomb in New Braunfels too!    Ahh, I have a really cool wedge of Italian Cheese in my fridge now made from buffalo's milk...a perfect way to kick off this day of celebration! 

Epoisses - my favorite with Pinot Noir.  What's your favorite cheese these days? Better yet - let us know about your favorite cheese shop!

Cheers - Ali

California Pinot Noir goes Perez Hilton

Do you love Pinot Noir as much as I do?  The www.princeofpinot.com is always a great read with notes, reviews and a few articles that make you even more curious about Pinot Noir from your favorite region.  Here's a fun list...for those who also follow Perez Hilton too! Cheers - Ali 


Heidi Montag Award (Biggest transformation): Carneros (Buena Vista Carneros, Donum Estate, Mahoney Vineyards and others); Foppiano Vineyards; Thomas George Estate (formerly Davis Bynum); J Vineyards & Winery

Paris Hilton Award (Most in news): E.& J. Gallo (Red Bicyclette); William Foley

Lindsay Lohan Award (Highest alcohol levels; not de-alcoholized): Brewer-Clifton, Aubert

Taylor Swift Award (Most hits): Cobb Wines
 
Rodney Dangerfield Award (Can’t get no respect): Santa Cruz Mountains, perhaps California’s least celebrated but great region for Pinot Noir (Mount Eden, Rhys Vineyards, Varner, Windy Oaks and more).

Fred Rodgers Award (Most admired): Richard Sanford

Bling Award (Most expensive): Domaine Serene Monogram ($225)
 
Justin Bieber Award (Relatively young, making a splash): Alexana Winery, Alysian, Big Table Farm, Bjornstad Cellars, C. Donatiello, Carabella Vineyard, Ceritas, Cherry Pie, Cornerstone Cellars, de Coelo, Evening Land Vineyards, Foursight Wines, Furthermore, Harrington Wines, Heart O’ The Mountain, Kelley Fox Wines, Kokoma, Lucienne, Signaterra (Benziger) SPELL Winery, Three Sticks Wines.

Lada Gaga Award (Personality): Lane Tanner

Angelina Jolie Award (Best Package): Belle Glos

Chip Off the Old Block Award (William Selyem spin offs carry on the tradition): Anthill Farms, Brogan Cellars, George Wines, Olson Ogden Wines, Papapietro Perry, WesMar, Woodenhead

Jimmy Wales Award (Great, obscure producers): Castalia, Clos Saron, Saxon Brown

John Steinbeck Award (Best winery blog): Anne Amie, Bruliam Wines, Pinotblogger (Capozzi Winery)

Jack LaLanne Award (Legends that are still in top shape): Calera, Dehlinger, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, Hanzell, J. Rochioli, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, The Eyrie Vineyards, Williams Selyem

Black Friday Award (Best deals): Balletto Vineyards, La Crema Winery, Sean Minor Wines, Westrey Wine Co.

Steve Jobs Award (Most Innovative): LIOCO

Mark Zuckerberg Award (Best winery website): Big Table Farm, Clos Pepe Vineyards, Thomas George Estates (live web cams).

Vincent Van Gogh Award (Best labels): Big Table Farm, Cherry Pie, Eric Kent Wine Cellars, Red Car, Windy Oaks

Anna Paquin Award (Winery goes gracefully both ways - great Pinot and Chardonnay): Benovia Winery, Calera, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, duMOL, Freestone Vineyards, Hanzell, Littorai, Mount Eden, Walter Hansel

Robert Parker, Jr. Award (Highest scoring Pinot Noir): 2007 Williams Selyem Litton Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (100 pts by Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, $100).

Oscar Wilde Award (Best winery newsletter): Navarro Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards, Red Car
 
Orson Welles Award (No wine before its time): Kalin Cellars

Play Hard to Get Award (Most allocated): Aubert, J. Rochioli, Kistler Vineyards, Kosta-Browne, Marcassin, Privé Vineyard, Rhys Vineyards, Rivers-Marie, Sea Smoke Vineyards

Tiger Woods Award (Surprise!): Briceland Vineyards (Humboldt County), Heart & Hands Wine Company (Finger Lakes), Heron Lake Winery (Wild Horse Valley)      

On Sale at Whole Foods

Go get your LIOCO on at Whole Foods downtown Austin!  www.liocowine.com

Outstanding California Chardonnay

Looking for a unique white wine that will blow your socks off?  Well, this amazing 2004 Demuth has been sitting inside a wine cave for a few years now and is one of the most interesting California chardonnays I've ever tasted in my life.  Long notes of baked lemons, caramel and almonds & walnuts, I think all my friends who are into "orange wine" from the Jura would flip over this one!  

The 2004 Demuth Chardonnay is not in retail distribution right hardly at all, but I know how to find about 38 cases...shoot me an email and I'll put you directly in touch with the keeper of this magical bottle of Chardonnay from Anderson Valley.  Cheers - Ali

2010 Facebook Status Summary

so, Facebook is where most of the comments are left these days...it's been a great tool and resource for sharing the good news about all things TexaCali Wine Co.  

Cheers - Ali (Mom you can click on the image to enlarge to read up!).

TexaCali Wine Co. Wine of the Year

Pellegrini Family Vineyards "Cloverdale Ranch" Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California. 

This beautiful Cabernet from the Pellegrini Family has been a faithful friend for many years now, and keeps on giving back as the clock turns.  2006 sold through quicker than any vintage before, 2010 ended with the new 2007 release that's impressing Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers all over the planet. (mindblowing QPR).

Texas in particular is in love with this bold, lush and beautiful Cabernet made from the famed Cloverdale Ranch about an hour North of the Pellegrini Family Winery in Santa Rosa, Ca.   It's not often that I receive "Thank You" notes from buyers for a wine they've selected, but 2007 vintage has provoked grateful emotion.

From www.pellegrinisonoma.com

Winemaker's notes:

The 2007 vintage of our Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is classically structured with the unmistakable aromas of currents, black cherries, tobacco, and violets. That classic structure supports all this complexity and promises elegance over the next 10 years.

Small Batch Coming Soon...

The cellar team is gearing up to bottle the first Reserve-Level "Block 9" Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon ever in the legendary history of the winery.  I've tasted the Block 9 juice for months now and promise you'll want to purchase as much as you can afford as soon as it's released, it's THAT GOOD.   

Cheers to another tremendous year ahead for the wines of Pellegrini Family Vineyards!  - Ali

A Very Happy New Year

I've been hesitant in posting during this last week of 2010.  "Wine of the Year", "Winery to Watch", "Year End in Pictures", 'Wrapping up 2010"...so many usual ways to go.  What should I should write and say about 2010?  Well there's one very honest and true sentence to write:   The past 52 weeks were life changing.

Looking back, January and February were full of thrilling times for Davis Family Vineyards in Houston with winning the Grand Champion Best of  Show Award for their Napa Cabernet Sauvignon in the biggest and best Wine Competition in the US.   March started off in Mendoza, Argentina where I was thrown out of bed when the devastating magnitude 8.8 struck neighboring Chile.  A real sign of what blind-sided event was on it's way...?

The Italian portfolio of Indigenous Selections came into my life by a very generous friend in the business by late March.  I landed from Argentina to lead a Texas sized staff training and kick-off with the amazing Liz O'Brien, the co-founder of Indigenous.   Days were now perfectly full of teaching and selling wines of some of most wonderful families now from Italy too.  The month of March ended with an incredible trip to visit Handley Cellars in the Anderson Valley.  I can't wait to open "Day Dream", a Pinot Noir I blended alongside Milla Handley that weekend.   LIFE WAS GOOD!

April began with a memorable weekend with LIOCO at the Michaud Vineyard. Pig roast, great wines and some of my favorite people in the wine business made this killer weekend a lasting memory for me. The wines of LIOCO are frankly outstanding, every single one of them and I'm honored to be among the LIOCO circle of friends.

The week after tax-day in April, I encountered the most devastating news ever in my professional life.  The amazing portfolio of Vine Connections would no longer need my help in Texas.  Those who know the truth behind this horrific decision have held me up over the months and inspired me to keep on keeping on.  The producers of their portfolio were near and dear to me and all things that drove me out of bed each morning -  to do the best job one could ever do for them in Texas.  Building and branding Argentine wine and Ginjo Sake from Japan was "cutting edge" and I fought for their presence in fine wine shops and restaurants every hour of the day for 5 years straight.   I learned so much from the leaders at Vine Connections over the years and still to this day find their decision to cut me out among the greatest disappointments in my lifetime. 

The show must go on...the summer months brought new energy and time to lift up my producers who I work with alongside Avante Beverages.  Over the last 6 months, the fine folks at Avante have sold thousands of cases, for this I am most thankful for during this crazy year of the 3-Tier business.  I decided to really put the name "TexaCali Ali" on the West Coast grid and move out to Sonoma County in late August.  

The Pellegrini Family Vineyards in the Russian River were changing gears and I had the opportunity to help restructure and create a strong consumer sales plan for this legendary family.  Running TexaCali back in Texas (thank God for Peet's coffee flowing in the early morning hours!), flying in ever so often and working from the Pellegrini winery has been exhilarating. TexaCali Wine Co. on it's 6th year in business is finally working in true-form. 

Words can not describe how grateful I am to be living the dream.   I could not have made it here without the towering support of my family and dear friends.   2011 already promises to be the most exciting year yet for TexaCali Wine Co.  Stay tuned, it's going to be a blockbuster vintage,  many new wines to learn about, adventures to tell and open doors to walk through and experience.   Quite possibly the happiest time in the life of TexaCali Wine Co. is right now, this last day of 2010.

Thanks to all of you for your faithful following and Cheers to ringing in the New Year with your favorite bottles of wine tonight!   See ya around the TexaCali Wine Trail next year - Ali

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Cheers to drinking your dearest wines with your  friends and family this holiday season. Much love, Ali

Check this...

THE Perfect Gift for a Traveling Wine Lover like me.  

I can't express enough how painful it's been over the years to deal with wine at the airport, puts me in a bad mood just thinking about hauling a case in and out of the baggage claim, parking lots, shuttle buses, it sucks. SO - here's a great solution for all...brilliant. 

http://www.thewinecheck.com

$54 bucks well spent. Cheers - Ali 

Stuff Your Own Stocking...

with the beautiful 2005 Ciacci Piccolomini d Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese Grosso!  

My first trip to Italy was back in June of 2003. I stayed in Montalcino for days touring the region and tasting my favorite Brunello producers.  The clock tower in the square was over-run by children playing all night, their grandma's strolling in circles while the men sat around the steps trading cards and conversation.  Every time I pull a cork of Ciacci, it takes me right back to those magical days...

About the Winery Ciacci Piccolomini d Aragona
The origins of the Ciacci Piccolmini d'Aragona estate go back to the 17th century. In 1877 the property was sold to Francesco Ciacci, head of a Castelnuovo-based family. Then in the mid 1900's, the so-called Palazzo del Vascovo became known as  Palazzo Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona after the marriage of Alberto Piccolomini d'Aragona and Elda Ciacci.The Bianchini family inherited in 1985.

Over the course of the last decade Ciacci Piccolomini has become one of the most sought-after producers in all of Italy. This ancient estate has 35 hectares of superior holdings in the prized Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone, including the "Pianrosso" vineyard (from which the best grapes are selected for the Brunello di Montalcino) and the "Fonte" vineyard, which produces grapes for the Rosso di Montalcino.   The vineyards are located in the south, wouth-west side of Montalcino at an altitude between 240 and 360 meters above sea level. The stony slopes near the Orcia River benefit from a particularly mild microclimate and the vines grow in ideal climatic conditions.

About the Wine
This "basic" Brunello is a newer addition to the exceptional Ciacci line-up. New vineyards came into production in time for the 2003 vintage, allowing them to release a great- value Brunello di Montalcino as a compliment to their legendary, single-vineyard bottlings from the Pianrosso site. Aged for roughly 3 years in 20-85 hl Slavonian oak barrels, followed by approximately 4 months for bottle refinement.    Retail Pricing - $42-47 a bottle.

92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino is wonderfully plump and juicy in its expressive red fruit. Floral notes are woven throughout, giving the wine its sense of lift and proportion. Though not as explosive as the 2004,  the 2005 Brunello di Montalcino offers outstanding persistence on the palate and a long, generous finish. This is a terrific effort from Ciacci. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Proprietor Paolo Bianchini has turned out a gorgeous set of wines. In 2005 Bianchini elected to forgo his top Brunello, Pianrosso, and bottle just his straight Brunello, which has all of the best fruit he was able to bring in that year. The result speaks for itself. I also tasted a number of Brunellos in cask from vintages 2006 through 2008 that appear quite promising. As good as the Brunellos are, value-conscious readers will want to pay special attention to Ciacci's entry-level wines, which are just as noteworthy."April 2010

The last 2007 Pinot Noir Standing...

Thank God for Handley Cellars! The 2007 production level of their beautiful Pinot Noir was on the larger side of usual.   I've received a handful of texts, tweets, messages and phone calls from folks who've recently opened this gorgeous bottle of  Handley Cellars Pinot Noir.  Last spring I tasted the 2007 for the first time over a sunny lunch at the winery. The chef paired Asian dishes to go with all of the wines, but the Pinot was truly the star of the show.

2007 Handley Cellars Pinot Noir - from their website: 

" Our goal is to produce Pinots that reflect the vintage and region where they are grown.  This Pinot Noir is a blend of twelve different vineyards, each contributing an element of complexity, giving it beautiful aromas of cherry, violets, lavender, and blueberry, along with hints of chocolate. Our Estate vineyard Martini clone brightens the wine, while the Dijon clones contribute to its long, silky finish.

The mild acidity of our 2007 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir makes it an excellent accompaniment to cheeses such as goat or triple cremes, while the textures complement lamb, duck, or salmon dishes as well"

93 POINTS - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Ultimate Beverage Challenge (June 2010)

RECOMMENDED - Food and Wine, wine guide (2010)

GOLD MEDAL - Mendocino County Fair (2009)
GOLD MEDAL - SF Chronicle Wine Competition (2010)
GOLD MEDAL - Pacific Rim Wine Competition (2010)
GOLD MEDAL - Critics Challenge International Wine Competition (2010)

FOUR STAR GOLD MEDAL (BEST OF CLASS) - Orange County Fair (2010)

Retail pricing is around $30 coast to coast.  Distributed in Texas by Avante Beverages, fully stocked for December Drinking! Cheers - Ali

A Perfect Holiday Italian Treat

 La Spinetta Moscato d'Asti Bricco Quaglia 2009

89 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$19 list] The 2009 Moscato d'Asti Bricco Quaglia is simply lovely in this vintage. Clean, minerally notes frame a precise, beautifully sculpted core of fragrant, varietal fruit. This is a winner from La Spinetta. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2011. (Aug 2010)"

Producer notes: "Color: yellow with green reflections. Bouquet: complex, vibrant, fresh, delicately sweet, yet light. Taste: a wine that surprises by its remarkable freshness and brilliant fruit flavors. Pairings: traditionally as a dessert wine, but also for aperitif, afternoon refreshment or with Sunday brunch." 

(my non-drinking Mother even likes this one!)

Cheers - Ali

San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 Wines of 2010 Highlights

Finally  - I met Jon Bonné a few weeks ago after following his tasting notes, articles and opinions just about everywhere I could "read" him. He knows his wine and I learn from him all of the time.  Here are a few highlights from his "Chronicle Top 100 Wine 2010" that I have a soft-spot for...delicious!

2008 Lioco Charles Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($45):
Lioco's goal is to frame the potential of outstanding vineyards, and Heintz is such a profound Chardonnay spot that it yielded two wines in this list. With zero oak influence, this shows a vivacious citrus edge, with a woodsy aroma of heather amid pineapple, focused mineral and honeyed pear and apricot. Heintz can yield tricky results in some years, but this is as pure as it gets. 

2009 Arnot-Roberts Campagni-Portis Vineyard Old Vine Sonoma Valley White Wine ($30):
Who could make a cult hit out of weird white wines? Forestville's Duncan Meyers and Nathan Roberts seem to. This blend from a historic Sonoma site is a tribute to California's old field blends - a mix of Gewurztraminer, Green Hungarian, Trousseau Gris and more. An orange-blossom accent leads to greengage plum, ginger, lanolin and ripe pear, tied together with a nervy acidity. Complex and heady, it keeps drawing you back to the glass, testament to the virtues of blending white grapes.   

2008 Hirsch Vineyards M Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($45):
Though wildfires prompted many wineries to skip a Hirsch designate in 2008, Hirsch itself stood firm, producing the M (usually a second tier) as its top wine. New winemaker Ross Cobb has finessed a blend dominant in old Pommard and Mount Eden clones that's packed with pleasing wild strawberry fruit and layered minerality.  

2008 Donkey & Goat Four Thirteen El Dorado Red Wine ($32):
Jared and Tracey Brandt's take on a traditional Chateauneuf blend (with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Counoise) from three Sierra foothills sites shows tremendous energy and depth. Bright strawberry fruit accented by balsam, sweet pepper and wild garrigue, completed by a darker mineral note. 

2008 Gramercy Cellars Walla Walla Valley Syrah ($45):
Master sommelier Greg Harrington is establishing himself as a major star in Washington state with stupendous wines like this one. A gorgeously elusive scent, something like pepper cookies. Refined aromas of white pepper and mace, a savory mouthful of bright blackberry fruit and a velvety texture add up to a stellar effort.  

Please take time to read over Jon's complete TOP 100 here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/wine/top100-2010/intro  Cheers - Ali

2008 LIOCO INDICA -

indica is the #1 keyword search hit on this blog and on www.texacaliwine.com, interesting.   So - for all you indica hunters and lovers out there, yes, we have a few hundred cases available.

Tasting notes from Matt and Kevin "Our 2008 indica is a blend of old-vine Carignan and Petite Sirah from Alvin Tollini's vintage, plus a nice dollop of gnarly old Mourvedre from a neighboring appellation (Suisun Valley). The resultant wine is black-fruited, spicy, and way more Bauhaus (in a Peter Murphy kind-of-way) than the shrill 07 indica. Reminds us quite a bit of the 06. This wines again takes us to France, but to a slightly warmer part like the Roussillon. Grill up some lamb burgers, twist a cap, and enjoy life." www.liocowine.com

Ask your favorite wine shop in Texas for a few bottles, a perfect pre and post Holiday treat too! Cheers - Ali

Pizza Wine By the Case-load!

What a treat for TexaCali Austin fans!! The downtown Whole Foods store just brought in a few extra cases (over 100) of my favorite pizza wine of all-time.   And if you know anything about me, Pizza is a weekly meal of choice, fighting cravings for it almost daily!  Ciacci Piccolomini, one of my very favorite Brunello producers now has this killer-value to offer for every-day sippers (or pizza pie eaters) .  So here's the scoop: 

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Toscana Rosso, 2007 - on sale for $10.99, $5 off a bottle!

Wine Advocate:
88 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "In recent years, Ciacci’s Toscana Rosso has established itself as one of the finest values in Tuscany, and the 2007 is no exception. Essentially a second selection of barrels from the Ateo and Fabius, the 2007 Toscana Rosso flows with generous, plump fruit and a juicy, irresistible personality. Readers will have a hard time finding a better value in Tuscan wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2012. (Apr 2010)"

Cheers to Ciacci and buying it by the case at Whole Foods now!  -  Ali