Good Morning!

Over the weekend, I attended a party of some new folks I was just meeting and they are self proclaimed true “Texans”. I was intrigued by how much “Texas” stuff was everywhere in their beautiful home and if it was not from Texas, you could bet it was made in America or at least it was painted red, white and blue or shaped like the lone star or the state of Texas. I have spent half my time in Texas over the past year and a half and I have joking said this state has more pride than any Division 1 National Champs college campus.

I have grown to really like the folks in Texas and their enthusiasm for all things cowboy, trucks and big hats. They love their country, state and are pretty vocal about how they feel about family and religion. So while I was meeting everyone and having some holiday cheer, I noticed all the wine out for our enjoyment was french. This kinda surprised me, but I filled my glass and enjoyed. The home we were in was exceptional and the hosts had amazing tastes in decor, style, food and friends. Their home sat on about 40 acres and they had cattle and horses. The backyard looked like a resort, outdoor living at it’s finest.

While talking to one of the men who kept filling up my glass and calling me darlin’ he was raising his voice and talking about buying American and getting this country back on it’s feet. We discussed the series Diane Sawyer has been doing on CBS and how when we all shop we are being mindful of what we are buying and if there is an American made version, etc…

The host of the house was walking through and heard our conversation and jumped in about cars, and they only buy American cars and trucks now. I thought this was funny since Toyota manufactures Tundras and Tacoma’s right in San Antonio and employee over 2800 folks, but I did not say anything. Then we started talking about wines, and I ask if he liked California’s big reds from Napa or has he tried any of the awesome wines coming out of Paso Robles. The look I received and the sharp comment after really made me stop and think, he said when the US starts making decent wines I will drink it! Then he launched into the wine industry is not really a money maker in this country.

I know I was in his home as a guest, so I just said, Wow. All these thoughts shot through my brain, in 2010 the US surpassed France in wine consumption and the total wine sales in the US was over $30 Billion. Total production in 2010 was 330 million cases of wine and 61% of that wine is from California. Sparkling and Champagne sales were up 10% in the US. I think there might be something to this whole wine industry thing, it could be a money maker for someone.

I enjoyed myself at the party, met some new people, had great food and truly fine wine, but I can honestly say, I have had wines from the US that would have been as spectacular as the french we had and actually, if these folks want to help get this country back on it’s feet, try buying some US wines, even jump on some of the Syrah’s produced here in Texas, GrapeCreek, Chisholm Trail, Rancho Ponte, Bending Branch, Flat Creek Becker Vineyards, just to name a few that have fantastic wines. You know I will try any wine from anywhere in the world, but I will always have a soft spot for wines from California, Oregon, Washington and this next year, I will be making my way to New York, I hear I will be blown away by Finger Lakes area wineries.

Just wanted to share my weekend wine experience with you! I hope you had a great weekend and if you had any wines you want to tell me about, I’d love to hear about it!

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi