Food & Wine Magazine highlights...

Each month at some point I plunk down on my couch or lay in bed at night pouring through all the wine and foodie magazines.  Almost always a smile pops on my face after reading about a pairing suggestion or feature on one of the family owned winery TexaCali represents in Texas. The April 2009 Food and Wine Magazine highlighted many amazing producers from the Solomon Selections portfolio...check it out here 

And yes Chateau Pesquie is back in stock at Pioneer Wine Co. who is the Texas distributor - just ask for it!  Cheers - Ali

The State of Malbec...

There is no better time to add more Malbec in your life! 

·       Argentine wine imports grew 43.2% in value & 34.1% in volume in 2008 vs 2007

·       Malbec was up an even stronger 61% in value and 60.4% in volume

·       Argentine wine imports have significantly outpaced ALL other major wine-producing countries for the past five years (see attached)

·       Argentina continues to lead the other major wine-producing countries in both growth of dollar and case volume sales.  February retail sales showed Argentine sales up 50% and 33%, respectively, over same period 2008, with New Zealand (21%) and Spain (13%) as distant runners-up.

A few Malbec’s of note…

Budini Malbec 2008 “One of Our Favorite Values…”Bon Appetit 2008             

Crios Malbec 2008 88pts, Wine Spectator, 2008; Value Brand of 2009, Wine & Spirits          

La Posta Malbec, Paulucci Vyd. 2007 90pts, Wine Spectator, 2008                             

La Posta Malbec, Pizzella Family Vyd. 2007 91pts, Wine Spectator, 2008                

mapema Malbec 2006 91 pts, Wine & Spirits, June 2009                        

BenMarco Malbec 2007 91 pts, The Wine Advocate, 2008                       

Susana Balbo 2007 91 pts, The Wine Advocate, 2008

Luca Malbec 200792 pts, Wine Advocate, 2008, 93 pts & Top 100 Wine of Year (#82), WS 2008 

         

Crios: Value Brand of the Year 2009, 2007, 2007, Wine & Spirits Magazine

All details on www.vineconnections.com

Handley Cellars in the News...

Sierra Magazine (The Sierra Club) has bestowed the Most Green Chardonnay Award to Handley Cellars 2006 Estate Chardonnay, Anderson Valley in its May/June 2009 issue. 

Handley Cellars Estate 2006

Anderson Valley, CA PRICE: $20 TASTING NOTES:

 A yellow-gold wine with a muted apple aroma and an oaky fruit taste, Handley has a "perfect" texture and a

 "luscious" finish (Pucilowski). Hernandez noted its great flexibility and called it a "perfect dinner-party wine that will leave your guests wanting more." Pairing suggestions included eggplant and ric

h pastas. GREEN NOTES: Handley is 75 percent solar powered, avoids using chemicals whenever possible to prevent runoff, and makes its wines from organic grapes.

A new arrival

112 cases have finally landed in Texas! Please ask your favorite wine shop for a case,this beauty will be gone soon...Cheers - Ali

READ ALL ABOUT MY FAVORITE FRENCH ROSE HERE

Today on www.winespectator.com

A Ripe Argentine Red for $15 or Less

Dominio del Plata Mendoza Malbec Crios de Susana Balbo 2008

Dana Nigro  Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009 (Wine Spectator Online)

Argentina continues to gain recognition for its juicy, steak-friendly Malbecs, the country's flagship red variety. For a good value, look for the Crios de Susana Balbo line from one of the country's most experienced winemakers.

Susana Balbo has been making wine since 1981 and is one of the rare women at the top of the field in Argentina; she also works as a consultant internationally. She makes her signature wines at Dominio del Plata winery, a project with viticulturist Pedro Marchevsky, who has his own BenMarco label. Barrels not selected for the more expensive wine go into the Crios ("offspring") label, meant to be drunk young and priced around $15 (though I picked this bottle up on sale for $12). Along with the 100 percent Malbec, Balbo also makes a Crios Syrah-Bonarda blend, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a rosé from Malbec and a Torrontés, a floral white.

Tangy and minerally, the 2008 Crios Malbec showed bright aromas and flavors of sweet blueberry and blackberry; modest notes of vanilla and spice illustrate her judicious use of oak. It's straightforward, with a juicy finish and fairly plush tannins. I gave it 88 points, non-blind. It's great with a steak, but also enjoyable on its own and would make a great party wine. As a plus, the wine comes in a screw-capped bottle, and its distinctive label—a big hand (hers) encompassing two smaller hands (her two children's)—stands out on store shelves. With 40,000 cases made, the Malbec should also be fairly easy to find. 

This Saturday from 2-5pm you have a fantastic chance to sip and taste beautiful wines from Teira along with Scardello's amazing cheese selections. The new Teira Sauvignon Blanc is so good you'll need to grab at least two for some "patio time".  If you don't live in the neighborhood, this afternoon with Teira will be worth the drive - I promise...

 

A few days ago I  stopped into Scardello Cheese to fill an Easter Basket...many goodies that will exceed your senses in the store like beautiful salts, olive oils, chocolates, honey, nuts  as well - a food and wine lover's dream store...beautiful picnic baskets as well! Cheers - Ali

LIOCO "Heavenly Flight"

Quick picture of the first half of last night's tasting at the Lake Travis Wine Trader with Kevin O'Connor. A fantastic treat to sip on the 2007 Sonoma County "unoaked" Chardonnay, 2006 Michaud Vineyard Chardonnay and the 2006 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay.  What a terrific example of  Grand Cru "terroir" in California. Read more about LIOCO. 

Off to another full day in Austin...if you live close, please stop by and meet us at Cissi's Wine Market on S. Congress to experience the beautiful wines of LIOCO. Cheers - Ali

Kevin O'Connor is coming to town...

In a last-minute decision for dinner yesterday I opted for the Alamo Draft House on S. Lamar in Austin. A Genius concept.  Dinner, drinks and a movie - no cleaning the kitchen. Love the Alamo. I'm pretty sure it's one of the few places on earth that you can eat fried pickle spears with ranch dressing, a goat cheese salad with candied walnuts and dried cherries and have a nice glass of french chardonnay (Novellum) or one of Spain's best Castano red wines. You order at your seat and just sit back and disappear from life for a few hours. Always a much needed break for this girl.  And Yes - 'I Love You Man" is silly and funny.

Of course when the movie was over, reality of running TexaCali Wine Co.

 hit like Texas spring storm. 23 emails sitting in my inbox that needed answers before this morning. It never ends...as the supply chain rolls on. Thank goodness for all the TexaCali Wine Co. producers that keep things real. 'Relax, it's only wine".   

Off to meet Kevin O'Connor of LIOCO in a few hours. Hope he's wearing his running shoes, we've got 12 meetings and 2 consumer events to conquer in less than 36 hours in Austin. Ready. Set. Go. Cheers - Ali

Easter Weekend

Oh yeah! Easter weekend has arrived. This holiday has always been one of my favorites for a handful of reasons...

1) Friday - no school and sometimes no work 

2) the arrival of Easter candy in the house 

3) a new dress 

4) great food on Easter Sunday 

5) even greater wines that pair with all the Easter Brunch fixings

So what are you opening this year? Send in your ideas...

A few quick TexaCali Wine suggestions: Handley Cellars Gewurztraminer, Olivet Lane Russian River Chardonnay, Lange Estate Williamette Pinot Noir, Teira Sauv Blanc, Crios Torrontes and Crios Rose of Malbec. Find them at your favorite wine shop anywhere in Texas! Cheers  - Ali

Sunday Night Live

I'm stopping for a few minutes with an update, it's been a quick few days playing catch up and planning ahead for the days, weeks and months in front of me... I'm on the road with Dan Donahoe of Teira Wines this week, look-out, don't know who may have higher energy than Dan, he's an amazing ambassador of independently owned, boutique wines from California.  One night when living in the Presidio, I remember sipping on his Zinfandel with about 20 friends  for the first time...was around 2004, loved it then and love his wines even more now! Bravo Dan!

If you recall, last summer Dan hosted a group of TexaCali Wine Co. fans to some skeet shooting over the Woods Estate Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. We are soo excited to have him visiting us in Texas this week...Sauv Blanc, Merlot and Zinfandel all under $15! Nice!  Seriously, just Google "texacali skeet shooting" and watch some fun! 

So, please stay tuned for a HUGE update within the next few days, TexaCali Wine Co. is celebrating another Anniversary soon.  In the meantime, check out www.texacaliwine.com and keep up your great support when buying wines out there...Cheers - Ali

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