I have been in Texas for the past couple of weeks and as a winemaker I have always done the expected, order wine almost anywhere I go. I constantly try new wines and new foods so I can get inspired and find perfect pairings. Texas has a fun cuisine (or at least what I have experienced so far). So when coming to a new town I ask my pals where they have eaten and what have they heard. So while in San Antonio, I was told 4 places are a must try. I tried two so far and found out Boudro’s is a very exceptional place. Wine list was extensive, food was very upscale and the service was stellar.

We sat outside and could watch the world go by as well as see what everyone was ordering. And the table side “making” of guacamole was a hit, best I have ever had. But the wine was not working with it, so I switched over to their house margarita, the cayenne rimmed glass and the agave tequila brought this whole experience to a whole new level, The place is hopping the people are joyous and best of all the food was fantastic. The gauc was just a start, we also had shrimp cocktail severed with two dipping sauces and the creamy one was great with the chilled shrimp (this surprised me, because I normally do not like creamy sauces or dressings). The Rosemary chicken was spot on and we also had an filet, it was a little under cooked for my friend but it was perfect for me! There were 4 of us, we did not eat until 9:45 but that was our fault, we did not even get to the Riverwalk until after 8 on a Friday night.

So, I promise to keep a more open mind, it does not have to be wine to make a perfect pairing!

I have had Chimney Rock’s wines many times, my last trip in Napa when we hit the Silverado Trail I bought several (6) bottles of their wines. I have found all of the wines I have had from Chimney Rock to just taste like a great traditional Napa Cab. Big fruit, some heat from the alcohol and after it opens up a silky smoothness with ripe raspberry aromas with a cedar and leather thing going on in my mouth at the finish.

I just returned from a 40^th birthday party in Austin, TX. I love Austin, fun vibe lots of young folks enjoying the vibrant downtown club and music scene and all the while some great places to dine. Our friend who was hosting this shindig, set up all the arrangements so I had no idea where we would eat or what the place would be like but we walked into Truluck’s in Austin and it reminded me of Oceanaire. I like Oceanaire a lot. When I lived in Indianapolis, I used to hit the half price nights and Happy hour oyster bar as often as I could.

Well, I was thinking steak and all I could see was seafood and the place was high end. The King Crab legs were massive and the fancy bottled water was impressive. We grabbed a seat at the bar and one of the party goers said the steak here ROCKS and the crusted halibut was her favorite and another guy said you have to try the chop here, it is to die for. SO as normal the confusion set in, what do I drink?

White with fish, red with steak and blah, blah, blah…this is the biggest complaint with wine, we make it so confusing and set a high standard that if we order the wrong wine, the night is shot.

I had my mind on steak and I stuck with it and when I saw Chimney Rock Alpine Vineyard 04. I knew what I was going to have.
I suppose I fall into that mind-set sorta like when you travel overseas, sometimes you eat at McDonald’s of any place you recognize because you want familiar and you want something you know works together. This is the case for me on Saturday night. We had a great night, the service was stellar, everyone at the table gushing over their food, for me the lobster bisque was the deal….sweet/savory and delicate, just awesome. The birthday boy might be 40 now but he lit up like a little boy when the dessert cart rolled out. (Try the chocolate bag).

If you head to Austin, try Truluck’s and after the great meal head across the street to Maria, Maria, (owned by Carlos Santana), the music was live, the crowd was electric and the music was pure Austin, TX.

I have been reading the Wine mags, I keep coming across grape varietals that I am sure at some point I have tried but I did not really pay too close attention to. So, I have a list of different wines or regions or winemakers I have to try. I keep the list on my phone and every wine shop I find, I try to grab a few to take home and actually drink and enjoy and most importantly take some notes!

Torrontes is one of those wines. I found a section of wines from Argentina and there she sat. I love whites in warm weather and it has been pretty steamy here while I have been visiting Texas. I found the Finca el Origen from Valle De Cafayate, Saltam Argentina and this vintage was 2008.

Young, sharp, crisp white wine. It has a peach and orange peel kinda aroma and I was sitting by the pool with two friends and this is an easy drinking wine, 14% alcohol and we happen to have gauc and chips. It was not a ultimate pairing (I think wine and corn chips are not BFF’s anyway). But the guac alone with the wine was a way better pairing, maybe the lime/citrus thing going on in the wine and gauc was the connection for me.

It is a light, fun to drink wine. I am sure the experts will have all kinds of opinions about it’s complexity and structure, but for me it was just a big glass of summer with your friends and that is about as good as it gets for me!

Good Morning everyone!

I can not write about the wines I tried last night because I did not try any! I know it rarely ever happens that I am not trying something new but last night was one of those nights watching Monday Night Football and wine just did not have it’s hold on me.

Tonight, myself and friends are going to be shooting footage to send to all the folks who watched my video that helped to get me noticed and selected for season II The Winemaker’s on PBS. Here it is if you have not seen it.

We will be shooting the footage down in Ghirdelli Square in San Francisco and the reason we are shooting another video is to keep everyone engaged in what is happening. Every day I get at least 3-4 emails from places like Greece, Korea and from here in the US from Muncie, IN, Wheeling, WV, Austin, TX and Nashville, TN asking when will the show air and when can we try some of your wines.

So I though if we put together a follow-up video everone could hear about the studying, the planning, the tastings, the meeting winemakers and spending time with them and everything else I am up to. I hope it will keep folks engaged until they can watch the show in their area. The first season is airing now all over the country, check your local PBS channel for times and dates.

Anyway, sorry no wine updates today, but I am hoping to have a great hair day and to be very articulate when the camera is rolling!

Happy Tuesday!