24 hours in San Francisco - Always Love

I had the great pleasure of attending the 2009 Solomon Selections portfolio tasting last Friday in San Francisco. Along with Eric Solomon, over 30 producers from Spain and France arrived to show us their new releases. www.europeancellars.com 

Here are a few highlights from the sun-shiny day which started and ended in the Presidio National Park. A breath of fresh air certainly for me last Friday and now for everyone to enjoy... Cheers - Ali

In the Dallas Morning News today...

"What to drink with Easter Ham"...

2008 Crios Rosé of Malbec, Argentina

($11.99; Select Centennial stores; Big Daddy's on Northwest Highway and in Arlington; Whole Foods Markets; Farpointe Cellars; Select Goody Goody stores; Central Market; Mr G's in Plano; Market Street) An amazingly versatile wine and a third-time panel selection. "It doesn't back down from the ham, and it effortlessly complements the sides," Howald said. "The tannins make it work," Tidwell said. "It's a red, without overbearing tannins." Pinnell noted the wine's cinnamon and Asian-spice notes, and Luscher liked its up-front cherry flavor, which complemented the sweet ham.

Oh my favorite ...

French Rose is about to land in Texas...I fell in love with the very first sip, I promise you will too. - Cheers - Ali

Bergerie de l'Hortus Rose de Saignee 2008

Appellation: Coteaux du Languedoc

Varieties: 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre

Vineyards: Mourvedre (situated under the Hortus cliff) has a south-west exposure; Syrah (situated under the Pic Saint Lopu cliff) has a northern exposure; and Grenache an intermediate exposure.

Farming Practice: Sustainable with organic practices (moving towards organic certification)

Altitude: 150-200 meters

Aging: Steel vats 

About the winery: A young agronomist studying at the University of Montpellier back in the 70’s discovered an abandoned piece of land nestled between two facing limestone cliffs. The grape vines had grown wild and the huge olive trees were ancient; it

 was obvious to Jean Orliac that this location had been cultivated in ages past, producing the classic Mediterranean trio - olives, wine and wheat, and that this would be an ideal site to produce a “Grand Vin,” the dream of this passionate man.

Starting with 5 hectares and acquiring another 50 soon after, Jean Orliac named his property “l’Hortus”, the Latin translation for “The Garden”, as an homage to the land and its tradition. Early on, his grapes were transported to the local Cave Cooperative for pressing; in 1990 his cellars were built which allowed him to vinify and bottle on his own property.

ATTENTION DALLAS!!!

So excited to tell you about the Davis Family Vineyards dinner next Monday night! KRLD Newsradio 1080 has invited Guy Davis to host a fabulous evening at the Screen Door located in One Arts Plaza downtown Dallas...details below:

The KRLD Dinner Club will showcase the best that the North Texas wine and culinary scenes have to offer.
 
Guy Davis, the founder and winemaker of Davis Family Vineyards will be the guest of honor for the first event and will showcase his wines as only he can.  Be prepared, he is clearly passionate about his wines!
 
This event will be held on Monday, March 30. at the Screen Door from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. $125 per person (includes tax and gratuity). Space limited to 95 guests.

Featuring the culinary creations of Chef Fitzgerald Dodd, Screen Door and delicious tastes of Davis Family Vineyards with Guy Davis.

Guy Davis believes wine should be a natural expression of a specific place, the personality of a particular, carefully tended plot of earth that reveals the mood of Mother Nature in an individual year. This means special attention is given to everything. Vineyard locations must have perfect soil, exposures to the sun, and microclimates for world-class wine growing. Varietals must match ideally with each individual site, and then special attention is paid to the selection of clones and rootstalk. Above all else, they harvest at ripeness...that perfect balance of sugar, acidity, pH and, most importantly, maturity of flavors and tannins.

At Davis Family Vineyards, they have some pretty strong beliefs about wine. They believe wine is an essential element in a rich and passionate life. Guy says that wine adds an extra layer of flavors to both meals and to friendships. And like a lover, wine has a sensuality of perfumed aromas and silky, supple textures, endless charm and character that brings many pleasures to our senses and our spirits!

The atmosphere of Screen Door is reminiscent of "The Great Room" in a Southern mansion of days gone by.  Along with rich woods, luminous chandeliers, signature china, and custom uniformed waiters, this makes Screen Door the perfect place to present this fantastic Winemaker's Dinner. Executive Chef Fitzgerald Dodd's touts a "Then & Now" Southern menu concept. Here you'll find old friends that will take you back in time, as well as a new generation of dishes that think in fresh ways about Southern cuisine.  Housed in the new jewel of Downtown Dallas, One Arts Plaza, Screen Door is just steps away from the Performance Arts Center.

catching up...

Sorry Sorry - no posts over the past few days I know! I had Medlock Ames winery in tow with me all over Texas last week, what a fantastic line-up to show off to Texas. The wines are truly a gift from all things good on earth. I urge you all to look and ask for Medlock Ames, they are creating everything that is right in the wine world. Thank you Kenny for your time and enthusiasm for Medlock Ames wines - we loved having you here!

As for the next week, I'm not promising any new posts...2009 has been more hectic than one could have ever planned. Texas - well those who drink in Texas are doing so more than ever these days - business is good. Though I firmly believe it (record wine sales) has everything to do with the killer brands TexaCali Wine Co. has the pleasure of representing in Texas! www.texacaliwine.com - do you know what the Argentine Wine of the Month is??

I'm stepping away for a few days, on my list of things to do like...defensive driving to take care of that ridiculous speeding ticket I received while driving Etienne de Montille around Texas last fall, a new lawn to cut - weeds to pull, yoga classes to start again, logo contest winners to track down, a big IT project to finish (PC to Mac!), a haircut and color that is way overdue, this tiny thing called SXSW is this week (I would love to catch Gomez, The Decemberists, Andrew Bird, Perez Hilton Day in Austin for sure!), 2008 taxes to figure out oh and this new little heavenly event I need to start telling dear friends about and begin planning - my wedding. A HUGE CELEBRATION!!! Cheers - Ali

Did you know???

Medlock Ames Winery

Green Initiative: Rather than building fences, Sonoma’s Medlock Ames created wildlife corridors to allow wild pigs, deer, bobcats and mountain lions to pass through its vineyards without damaging the vines or themselves.

Wine to Buy: 2006 Chardonnay ($30) Though full-bodied, this creamy Chardonnay is elegant and focused, with lemony flavors that end on a mineral note. (Food & Wine Magazine)

www.medlockames.com

Congrats to the 2009 TexaCali Wine Co. Logo Winners...

Here's a look at the 1st place winner...click on the logo image to enlarge.

Please go to www.texacaliwine.com to see the other winners, and find a bottle of wine to hunt down at your favorite wine shop. Have a great weekend everyone and thank you all for your votes and enthusiasm for this online contest! Cheers - Ali

This is important..

Thanks to all of you that have voted already. The last day to vote is tomorrow for the a new TexaCali Wine Co. Logo.

Please click on this page link below to vote and forward it to your friends!

www.texacaliwine.com

...the winners will be announced on March 6...$1000 for 1st place!

Crios Torrontes and Old Navy

The past few days & weeks were fueled by exciting relationships, new acquaintances, incredible wine, fun Sake classes and miles of Texas travel. The months of January and February were also slightly sidetracked by a case of laryngitis and bronchitis, a missing dog that was stuck in a bathroom for 5 hours, a fender-bender caused by a cement pylon (a 2nd in 12 months) but welcomed by fluffy beds from 10 different hotels and or family guest rooms, as well as 50 friendly Texas accounts (at least!) and finally brought to happy-tears by one old faithful "Crios Torrontes".

So why the subject title of "Crios Torrontes and Old Navy"? Well, they've both created tears-of-joy at one point in my life. What??? Yes, back when I was in between jobs in the very expensive city of San Francisco, my high-fashion dreams turned into "low-fashion" after a big job lay-off. I recall walking into Old Navy with just about $40 bucks to spend on an outfit to help me out in the new season. Seeing a handful of items that deemed high-fashion enough that were priced at incredibly great prices almost brought me to my knees in thanks that day. Needless to say, my new outfit received compliments and I wore my new low-fashion proudly, but did shed a few tears of gratitude in the Old Navy check-out line (girls you know what I'm talking about here). I'm pretty sure I still have a shirt hanging in my closet today from that purchase.

Back to the story...I ended my last day on the road in Houston this past Sunday night, I was exhausted as a Frisbee catching Labrador at the end of an Olympic Trial. Trying my best to save a buck on the road, I grabbed a quick dinner- to- go at a local food and wine store in Houston and low and behold a huge stack of Crios Torrontes stood glistening in the middle of the place. My eyes lit up and immediately darted towards the pile of Crios... (visualize a big spotlight and angelic music in the background here). I reached for cool bottle of Crios Torrontes and made a fast dash to the check out line.

Within minutes I was settled into my "price-lined" killer deal hotel room in the Uptown area of Houston and twisted open the cap of Crios (yes, I bought some ice to shove it in immediately at the store for the 6 minute car ride to the hotel).

So here is the moment that ties this story all together...my eyes swelled up after pouring myself a glass, smelling the wine and taking the first sip. Grateful for such an huge value for little cash, I was so thankful for the comfort it brought to my long journey last week.

The Crios Torrontes is "a giver" and will only allow you to take true pleasure from this incredible white wine value from Argentina. At that moment of teary eyed Torrontes - I thought of the tough time back in San Francisco in 2001 at the Old Navy in Potrero Hill. So there you have it. Fashion and Wine, what more does a Texas girl need? Ha!

Crios Torrontes = great quality, consistent availability for tremendous value. Find it at your favorite wine shop around $15 bucks. Read more about Crios Torrontes here www.vineconnections.com Cheers - Ali

Thanks to the Academy of Nuts...

TexaCali Wine Trail is a winner of "The Best Blog Contest Prizes Ever" from the American Squirrel Wine Blog Awards. Very fitting since it feel like I'm herding squirrels most of the time in this business! I'll take it! See the other winners here: http://lasfloressquirrels.wordpress.com/

We still need your vote - details on www.texacaliwine.com - deadline is March 5th! Cheers - Ali

From Eric Solomon today..

The Wine Advocate # - The Top 100 Wine Values from Spain | Under $25 and 90+ points

Can you imagine the thousands of wines Dr. Miller tasted for this report (he sat with “at least 40 importers and received samples from at least that many more”) – to narrow down to the Top 100 – wow what a task. Kudos to the Advocate for this incredibly appropriate report given the economic climate – we have been committed from the start, even in the heyday, to bring wines that outperform for their price – this report is an excellent testament to that point.
Just a few of our thoughts:

1. We are ecstatic that every single one of our wines included received a score of 90 or better.
2. Over 50% of the wines were represented by 4 importers. Of those four, Eric Solomon Selections had the most wines included – a total of 16.
3. The LEAST expensive wine in the report – Alto Almanzora Este – you may want to heed Miller’s advice...

2007 Bodegas Alto Almanzora Este | Almeria 90 points “totally over-delivers – buy it by the palette load.”
2007 Celler Cal Pla Black Slate | Priorat 91 points “outstanding depth and concentration and several years of aging potential”
2006 Celler de Capcanes Costers del Gravat | Montsant 90 points “intense and loaded with vibrant red fruits…well balanced, full flavored”
2007 Celler de Capcanes Mas Donis Barrica Montsant 90 points “remarkable depth and concentration for its humble price.”
2006 Bodegas Castano Solanera | Yecla 90 points “elegant, intense, smooth textured…excellent balance”
2006 Casa Castillo Las Gravas | Jumilla 90 points “opulent, dense wine with complex flavors, smooth texture”
2007 Casa Castillo Valtosca | Jumilla 91 points “voluptuous personality, layers of succulent fruit, superb depth and concentration”
2007 Cuatro Pasos | Bierzo 90 points “flavorful, pleasure bent effort.”
2008 Egia Enea Txakolina | Txakoli de Biskaja 90 points “bracing and racy”
2007 Celler de l’Encastell Marge | Priorat 90 points “dense, rich, structured Priorat with aging potential”
2007 Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Roble | La Mancha 90+ points “totally over delivers for its humble price”
2007 Pena das Donas Almalarga | Ribera Sacra 90 points “elegant, ripe concentrated with outstanding balance and length”
2007 Sanclodio | Ribiero 91 points “this elegant effort is impeccably balanced and long”

These blew me away...

The past 2 months have been the busiest first 2 months of the year I've experienced (and lived through) in my entire life. No kidding around. With all this talk about saving your pennies I'm certainly glad the citizens of Texas are making it past this crazy economic time by sipping on great bottles of wine.

Here are a few eye-opening, head nodding and lip-licking wines I've tried over the past few weeks...all worth a trip to your favorite wine shop before the weekend. Copy, Paste and Print! Google and read up - I don't have time to type up my notes, but trust me I doodled a big STAR beside each while out in the market with them - which means I need to make a personal purchase as well!

• Mendel Malbec, $25, Argentina
• Handley Cellars Syrah, $19, Anderson Valley California
• LIOCO Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir, $62, Sonoma Coast California
• Storrs Lion Oaks Zinfandel,$40, Santa Cruz Mountains California
• Pellegrini "Olivet Lane" Pinot Noir, $38, Russian River California
• Davis Family Vineyards Old -Vine Zinfandel, $32, Russian River California
• Lange Estate Pinot Gris, $16, Willamette Vally Oregon
• Medlock Ames Cabernet Sauvignon, $55, Bell Mountain (Alexander Valley) California
• Domaine Stirn Gewurztraminer, $30, Alsace
• Domaine Vrignaud "Blanchot" Grand Cru Chablis, $110, Burgundy
• Espelt "Saulo" Red $11, Spain
• Lewelling Wight Vineyards Cabernet, $95, St.Helena Napa Valley California
  

Just ask your favorite wine retailer about them and certainly keep your eye out for them at your favorite restaurants around Texas. Cheers - Ali

Finally

My apologies to the contestants...a few indescribable life events interfered with staying on deadline for me. So here they are - please go vote! http://www.texacaliwine.com/logocontest.cfm The winners will be announced on March 5. If there is a tie, then another round of voting will be announced on March 4. Bring on the votes... - Ali

UPDATE: A vote will only be counted if the entire form is filled out and submitted. Multiple submissions with the same name with different email addresses such as Ali@yahoo.com, Ali@hotmail.com, Ali@gmail.com will only count as one vote. This contest is being monitored closely and all votes will be verified.

TGIF!

Hi everyone, what a busy week up in Dallas and Fort Worth. The past few days have been loaded with TexaCali Wine Co. producer events and tastings - and I'm without a voice! Lost it last Monday and it's been trying to squeak out ever since. Jeesh.

A few things to point out to you all... Yucatan Taco Stand - OK all you Dallas peeps, here's a real reason to make a full day of visiting Fort Worth - head to the Fort Worth Modern or the amazing Fort Worth Zoo for the afternoon and make sure to stop into the Yucatan Taco Stand for lunch or a hearty dinner. They are located just a few blocks S. of downtown Fort Worth in the hospital district. Check out the Lamb Stew I had for lunch yesterday - delicious!! The wine list is so fun, Crios, Mapema, Crios, Budini from Argentina and Con Class and Espelt wines from Spain. I'm jealous of all the Fort Worthians who live close and can frequent this place, a real restaurant homerun!

PRESS COVERAGE FOR CRIOS! Argentina is soo hot right now...Great mention of Torrontes in the Wine column of Today's online magazine. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29279409/

From Argentina, I discovered an excellent example of torrontes, the country’s most widely planted white grape that’s getting more (and well-deserved) attention here these days. This one is the 2008 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes, made from grapes from Cafayate in the northern province of Salta, where some of the best-quality grapes are grown. This delicious, intensely floral $15 wine is balanced by a core of pear and citrus, especially lemon and grapefruit, and a touch of vanilla that combine to fill the mouth with flavor. It’s also made without oak and, as the label aptly puts it, combines the floral qualities of viognier with the dry crispness of sauvignon blanc. It’s another wine for lighter foods.

And Crios Malbec is recommended in the WSJ by Howard Silverman of Howard's Wine Cellar in Chicago. There is also a video clip to accompany the story. WINE RECOMMENDATIONS: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123500581329718303.html

Off to Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, Harlingen, McAllen, Houston then back to Austin over the next few days - wheewwwwww - just hope I get over this laryngitis! Cheers- Ali

Crios Malbec in the New York Times Today

Ahh, of course, another great Argentine wine by Susana Balbo, look for it in Texas for around $15 at your favorite wine shop! - Ali

NEW YORK REGION / THE CITY | February 15, 2009
Wine Under $20: A Match With Steak
By HOWARD G. GOLDBERG
Malbec is Argentina's signature red wine. The 2007 Crios de Susana Balbo version from Dominio del Plata, an estate below the snowy Andes in Mendoza, is a hearty example.

Also goes well with Cheeseburgers...read this!

February is for Healthy Hearts

February - "National Women's Heart Health Month" oh and that little day of love on the 14th...so straight from the Cardiac Surgeon who stood over my Mom this past Christmas Day "start sipping on a little red wine each day, it will help you". My Mom's 61, been healthy her whole life - but whamoo - she had a heart attack because her main artery was 99% blocked. Studies show reducing stress, sleeping more, eating healthy, exercise, a bite of dark chocolate and some red wine will indeed keep your heart healthy!

As for keeping your heart in LOVE...take your sweetheart out to dinner to your favorite local restaurant and order a nice bottle of wine. If you rather stay in and create a nice meal on your own I suggest picking up the following bottles that will add some magic to your night. Party for one or 2 - these bottle are all about the LOVE!

Capcanes Mas Donis from Spain $14

LIOCO Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir from California $62

Handley Cellars Estate Chardonnay from California $24

Susana Balbo Brioso from Argentina $40

Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet from California $28

Davis Family Vineyards Zinfandel $32

Cheers - Ali

In the New York Times today...

"36 Hours in Dallas"

People ask me all the time how I like living in Austin, there's this really big eyebrow raising facial expression that happens when this is asked. I admit, I usually say, "Oh I love it. Austin is so beautiful, but you know, I never thought I'd think this, but there are many reasons that make me miss living in Dallas very much." Don't get me wrong, I'm glad my feet are firmly planted in the Capital of Texas, but when I'm in Dallas, I do feel an increased level of energy - maybe it's nostalgia maybe it's just the pure business drive that seeps into every minute I'm there...people in Dallas are out wheeling and dealing all of the time! Gone are the days of "JR and Bobby" - I see many more Cowboys in Houston these days.

Please take a few minutes to read the quite- spot-on NY Times article - it points out some of my very own reasons why Dallas always remains close to my Texas heart...from The Belmont (my home away from Austin) to Dean Fearings place at the Ritz, all the Argentine wine offerings at La Duni and the article even mentions the premium "sake" list at the new Wolfgang Puck restaurant " Fifty-Six" towering over the Dallas Skyline. Just don't ask me about the "Rich Hippie Shop" - chances are extremely solid that you'll never see me there, Cheers - Ali

Pictured: Top Right: View from the Terrace at The Belmont. Bottom Left: The Gallery Dining room at Fearings - the very table I shared with "my love" over a wonderful dinner and even better bottle of Domaine Jo Pithon Savenierres!

From the front lines this week...

Hey world, LIOCO is just bad-ass wine. Read a few enthusiastic responses I received from restaurant buyers and wine retailers all over Texas this week...

"The Hirsch Pinot Noir is a Sex Bomb", "LIOCO is revolutionary", "they are spot on - showing off the greatest regions in California", " I taste the rocks, wet flint and limstone - ROCK and ROLL with LIOCO", "First California Chardonnay I've liked in Years", "Give me all the Heintz Chardonnay in stock immediately", "Indica - a perfect glass pour for our list", "We'll sell hundreds of this damn good bottle of Chardonnay here". "I like them all, how do I pick a favorite from this level of quality found in each bottle?", "Are they making more next year - we want to support LIOCO year-round". "How in the hell did you get so much of the Hirsch Pinot Noir into Texas - promise me you won't tell any other accounts this week". "I love LIOCO, I do".

And then there's Friday to still tackle - looking forward to tasting a few new 2007 LIOCO releases with the fine folks in Austin, Texas! Seriously people, if you haven't bought LIOCO - demand it! Cheers - Ali www.liocowine.com

Pioneer Wine Company Visits

Argentina this week with Vine Connections. I believe Greg K. is standing in one of the Malbec vineyards that goes into Tikal wines...I certainly know what the cowboy has in his basket...fresh & HOT empanadas baked in a clay oven on the vineyard, possibly one of the best bites of food I've ever had in my life. Cheers to Malbec today! Ali

Logo Contest Update

Thank you all for your logo submissions! Due to some last minute time constraints with our website host - all logo's will be posted on February 15 for you all to vote. Please check back for more details coming soon - and thank you for your patience! Cheers - Ali