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Posts Tagged ‘food’

Driskill’s Big Reds & Bubbles

20 Nov

The 9th Annual Big Reds & Bubbles was, as usual, a beautiful evening filled with festive spirits and smiles! The clock hit the chimes, and the red carpet rolled out. In one of Austin’s most distinguished hotels, The Driskill on 6th Street – one can only but imagine walking from the lively, student and tourist filled [not to mention the bars] street and sidewalk into this gorgeous building of architectural presence.

As guests walked up the stairs onto the second level, they were greeted by “Mademoiselle Champagne de Pompadour” – a Diva in a starry attire and surrounded by flute glasses, ready to serve the thirsty bacchalans, promising a night filled with great bubbles, and more!

 

 

Those who attended were treated to delicious tasty bites from over 20 Austin chefs and wine samples galore. Master Sommelier Devon Broglie, with Glazer’s Master Somms Guy Stout and Craig Collins, Master candidate Daniel Kelada of Gusto Tastings along with Exec. Sommeliers Oscar A. Montes Iga & Shawn Croft and Sommelier Bill Elsey with Wines.com, and many other colleagues partook in this adventure.

 

The Dylan Jones trio provided an interesting set of background music that could have hypnotized those who had their hands in the sweet nectar of the vines –  and guests bid for unique items at the silent auction. One guest took home a bottle of 1955 port with their winning big!

 

 

As always, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, with the creative mind of Jennifer Grathwohl made this a fantastic sold out event!

Keep your head up for the 10th Anniversary of Big Reds & Bubbles, as it will surely be in every aficionado’s list to attend, so don’t miss out on your ticket!

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Westcave Cellars and the Austin Hill Country Chapter

20 Jun

On June 17th, 2011 – Members of the Austin Hill Country Chapter of the American Wine Society met at Westcave Cellars Winery for a presentation led by Executive Chef of Wine Arts, Oscar A. Montes Iga, who prepared a technical sensory evaluation for attendees, and members of Westcave Cellars Wine Club. The function served as the First Official Meeting of the Chapter, as well as launched the special type of events that Wine Club Members at Westcave can expect in the future.

 

Margaret and Allan Fetty, owners of Westcave Cellars Winery were present during the component tasting, and it was a great opportunity to meet with them – they offered barrel samples for our guests and disclosed details on winemaking methodology, making this even a more extraordinary evening.

Chapter Founder, Oscar A. Montes, chose the line up of 5 wines made on site, and paired them with 8 simple foods to evaluate the pairing characteristics of wine and food.

 Guests got to learn hands on, and experience what wine professionals have to think about and go through when selecting wine for food events. The list that follows is the wines selected for this specific pairing.

 

 

    • Westcave Cellars Winery, Texas High Plains, Blanc de Merlot Noir, 2010

A clear orange-red rosé made with Merlot from the Panhandle of Texas. It has a nose showcasing aromas of rose petals, strawberry, cranberry and a lemon zest. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, ripe strawberry, apricot and orange zest fill the mouth. It is finished medium-sweet balanced with a smooth yet lively acidity in this medium-full body wine with a pleasant long finish.

    • Westcave Cellars Winery, Texas High Plains, Muscat Blanc, 2010

Grown in the Texas High Plains, this white Muscat is clear straw to yellow canary hue. Simple aromas of ripe peach, honeysuckle and pineapple, and more developed aromas of lily, kiwi and wet stone. A pleasant quality of white peach, pear and apple flavors. Medium –dry and velvety to the tongue, medium-full body with a lively smooth acidity and a pleasant long finish.

    • Westcave Cellars Winery, Texas High Plains, Viognier, 2010 [light oak]

Medium-full body and medium-dry Viogner. Clear medium straw color. It has powerful and complex aromas of white peach, lychee fruit, citrus, pear and apple, floral notes, herbal tones, and grassy accents. It has supple and lively acidity, and it fills the mouth with flavors of green apple, grapefruit, lemon and lime. Pleasant long finish.

    • Westcave Cellars Winery, Texas Hill Country, Estate Cuvée, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010

A proprietor’s select blend of Cabernet grown on the Estate. A clear, medium garnet to brick red hue. It has aromas of red berries, dark plum, and clove with a hint of toasted coffee. Fills the tongue with flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and spice. Supple full body with soft tannins and a pleasant long finish.

    • Westcave Cellars Winery, Texas Hill Country, Estate Tannat, 2010 [unbottled]

This estate grown Tannat is clear, with a dark opaque purple to red violet colors. Releases aromas of plum and black currant, and dark cherry. It brings flavors of black cherry, blueberry, dark plum and a nice anise or licorice finish. Smooth full body with balanced tannins and a pleasant very long finish.

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Cowboys and Gauchos; Tejas Style

18 May

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas shines yet again with this innovative first annual event, produced by Jennifer Grathwohl. This took place in Driftwood, Texas – May 16th, 2011.

GUSTO Tastings Group was a sponsor of the event, and it furnished Certified Sommeliers to take guests through a journey of the wines sampled, they were given small informative tours on the regions and grapes, and basic wine knowledge that made this feature a memorable learning experience for those who participated.

Participatiing in this event were several regional wineries, as well as producers from South America. The foods crafted for this particular occasion had a major ’Brazilian Churrascaria’ theme going on, aside from many local vendors that brought forth their best products. I sampled some wild boar burger, and antelope chilli.

The ambiance was set in a Hill Country pavillion, located near a creek and amongst vineyards. The people were all well taken care of with the wine choices, local brews, and the meat – nonetheless, it is worth mentioning the whole ambiance came together with the live music program. I missed most of the early event, but towards the end a lively group of Flamenco Gypsies took the stage and everyone was enthranced by their rythm and sincere passion for their craft. Ole’!

This is one event to remember, and I certianly look forward to the next one! I’ll have my badge and chaps ready.

Visit the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas Official Site to keep updated on events and membership benefits. Also visit www.gustotastings.com to learn more about GUSTO and your Ultimate Tasting Experience!

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Zinfandel Grand Tasting – ZAP!

09 Mar

On Sunday, March 6th, 2011 in Austin, Texas – At AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center – Presented by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and The Zinfandel Advocates & Producers.

 

A most grand tasting involving the wineries and producers of the Greater Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley, Napa, Sierra Foothills, and Sonoma.

It involved local Austin Chef paticipants as prevalent as Executive Chef Erick Nixon and Chef Shane Stark. Many local wine professionals and sommeliers attended the event, such were Sommelier Christie Lynn Radcliff; Jane Nickles, writer of WineSpeak 101; Chef Sommelier Brian Hay; and Wine Educator Shields Hood amongst many others and myself. I must thank Jennifer Westfall, Event Director, for the precious function, and for a welcoming invitation.

The wineries and winemakers brought over 60 different wines to sample, and I can say that I tasted over 90% of the offerings. Many light, many bright, many great and grand wines – but surely I can pick my favorites for the night.

 

To start up, Opolo Vineyards, they presented three offerings, including;

  • Mountain Zin, Paso Robles, 2008

  •  Summit Creek, Paso Robles, 2008

  • Late Harvest, Paso Robles,2008.

They were all artfuly crafted, all packed with great flavors, and extraordinary aromas. Cheers!

 

Other favorites and classics for me to taste at this event were – Gnarly Head Cellars; Brazin’ Cellars; Ravenswood Winery; Bogle Vineyards; Atezin Wines. And some new finds worth trying were – Tres Sabores; Wine Guerilla; XYZin Wines; Twisted Wines; Four Vines Winery.

Ofcourse, an evening to rember! And I can only wait patiently for the next Wine & Fooud Foundation event!  And cheers to every behind the curtain!

 

 

To Learn More:

http://www.winefoodfoundation.org/become

http://www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?n1=3&n2=7&member=

http://www.internationalwineguild.com/becoming-a-guild-member

https://m360.americanwinesociety.org/frontend/portal/SignupOptions.aspx

http://gustotastings.com/

 

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Harvest in the Hill Country

16 Jun
Come celebrate Harvest in the Texas Hill Country with your favorite wineries!

Harvest Wine Trail
August 6-8 & 13-15
The vitality of the wine industry in The Texas Hill Country begins each year in August with the birth of the next vintage.  We invite you to savor the sight, sound, smell and taste of Harvest with the Texas Hill Country Wineries.  Make your plans to join us for the 2010 Harvest Wine Trail, August 6-8 and 13-15, and enjoy a wealth of opportunities to immerse yourself in the experience and lifestyle of harvest.  

Ticket prices are $60 per couple and $35 per person and good for Friday-Sunday of both weekends…That is SIX whole days to complete your wine trail journey! 
 

As the wine trail should be, it’s all about the wine, each winery visit will include a minimum of 1 and up to 3 complimentary tastes of wine and a 15% discount on custom 3 bottle purchases.  Taste, enjoy, choose your favorites and take them home!  You will also have the option to add to your wine experience by printing off the down-loadable Label Collection Book from your confirmation email.  Print this book, visit the wineries, take notes and collect labels or memorabilia from each winery as a great keepsake from your Harvest Trail trip. 

We all love a little food with our wine…and what could be better than local offerings chosen by locals?  Each winery has chosen a great local food company to partner with during the Harvest Wine Trail and will be offering perfection in wine and food pairing.  Imagine the local favorites we’ve come to crave, including Bistro Blends, fresh fare cultivated from our winery gardens and Dutchman’s cheese, paired with award wining wines.  (Please see event details to discover each wineries partner and offering). 

Are you a great photographer?  Do you take hundreds of photos on your trips?  Want to share them with all Texas wine lovers and get rewarded?  Of course you do!!  New to the Harvest Trail each winery will offer a unique photo opportunity showcase for you to capture that perfect picture at all 26 wineries.  After you catch that  ‘just-right-pose’ at the wine bar, in the vineyard, in front of barrels or the grape stomping action shot, just download and send direct to us for the Photo Contest.  Categories include: Wine Trail Troopers (most creative photo), Wine Lovers (any TWO people) and Viticulture Vagabonds (ex: Grape Stomps, vineyard or wine barrel shots.  Not all wineries offer a grape stomp, a list of THCW grape stomps will be posted to event details below).  Each category will include a Grand Prize of a Wine Country Getaway Package (lodging, dining and private tasting), 1st and 2nd runner up of upcoming 2011 upcoming Wine Trail tickets.  (Always a sellout!)  All entries will be reviewed by THCW Committee and narrowed down to semi-finals.   Finals will be voted on by public vote on THCW website. 

Harvest is the season when wineries bring to the forefront those rarely seen vineyard and crush activities for wine enthusiasts to appreciate.  Ticket holders traverse the twenty-six participating wineries sprinkled throughout the Hill Country debuting exciting new wines, watching and learning vineyard practices in motion, taking part in wine seminars or jumping feet first into a two ton grape stomp.  The wine trail weekends are yours to plan…no need to start at 6am with the harvest however. 

Enjoy the festivities, taste your favorites, enjoy exclusive discounts and take home the memories of harvest in the Texas Hill Country. 
 

For more details and tickets please visit www.TexasWineTrail.com 

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Tequila Dinner / Austin TX Cantina Laredo

04 Jun

Another lovely evening in the company of friends, and surrounded by amazing food and good drinks; thank you again Brittashton for the invitation. Also thank you Ivan C, Toncia C, and Victor M for joining and being there!

Our first course was a spicy shrimp wrapped in bacon with a light salad. It was paired with a mango-cilantro ‘rita!

Second course was a refreshing mango salad, with cheese, pine nuts and grapes, quite delish, it was paired with a pineapple paloma cocktail.

My entrée was a super spicy snapper, quite hot and tasty, served with calabazita and potatoes, and a light jicama salad. The food was paired with a raspberry chipotle cocktail.

Lastly,  a fresh berry and Chantilly margarita, paired with an astonishing blackberry cocktail.

Overall, we tasted Tres Generaciones, Blanco,  Reposado and Añejo.

I certainly look forward to the next one! Salud!!

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Pedernales Wine Dinner @ Le Cordon Bleu Austin

26 May
Le Cordon Bleu Hosts
Pedernales Cellars Wine Dinner
 

Join us Friday, May 28, 2010 for an extraordinary wine dinner sponsored by Pedernales Cellars, and presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (formerly Texas Culinary Academy). Winemaker David Kuhlken and his wife Heather, along with David’s parents Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken, the founders of Pedernales Cellars, will be on hand to present and discuss the wine.
 


Pedernales Cellars Wine Dinner
Friday, May 28, 2010, 6:00 PM
Ventana Restaurant at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
3110 Esperanza Crossing, Suite 100
$75 per person
Purchase tickets at The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

   

Pedernales Wine Dinner Menu

  

Passed
Apricot Stuffed Foie Gras Torchon on Brioche
Seafood Salad in Butter Lettuce
Crab, Shrimp, Fennel Aioli
Pedernales Cellars Vino Blanco

RoseGarnachaPedernales Cellars 

   

  

First
Quail Confit and Lamb Lettuce Salad
Chanterelles, English Peas, Peruvian Potato,
Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Pedernales Cellars Merlot

   

Second
Pintxos Muranos
Skewered Pork Shoulder, Chickpea Fries, Chimichurri

 TempranilloPedernales Cellars

  

Main
Double Cut Lamb Rib Chop
Smoked Arugula, Israeli Couscous, Pomegranate Gastrique
Pedernales Cellars Family Reserve

   

Dessert – Courtesy of Keith Hildebrant, 2010 Stephan Pyles Scholarship Winner
Chocolate Pave  

  

 

 

Pedernales Cellars logo.gif 
Tickets are going fast!  Pedernales Cellars vineyard shot.jpg  

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May in the Hill Country – Texas Festivals

11 May
Get ready for 3 Wine Festivals in May!

May is a great month for wine, music, lavender and festivals in the Texas Hill Country.  The Texas Hill Country Wineries would like to share with you 3 of the upcoming festivals in which 18 of our 24 member wineries will be present. 

While these festivals are hosted by some of our member wineries,
THCW is not producing or affiliated directly with  the following events. 


Visit the wineries, take in the festivals, and most of all…enjoy the wine!

 

Becker Vineyards Lavender Festival
Saturday & Sunday, May 15 & 16, 2010
Becker Vineyard, Fredericksburg

Three acres of lavender fields are profusely blooming purple-blue under the Texas sun at Becker Vineyards. Rows of vibrant lavender contrast with the red, sandy loam soil it grows in. This is the Provence-like setting for Becker Vineyards’ Annual Lavender Festival, May 15 & 16.  The event will feature speakers and vendors promoting lavender education as well as herb related products. There will also be gardening tips, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, and luncheons.  There will also be concessions and music.  The event is complimentary; parking is $5.

Dr. Richard and Bunny Becker, co-proprietors of Becker Vineyards, took a trip to Provence, France and enjoyed the beautiful lavender they saw while visiting the wineries there.  They thought the climate was similar to the Texas Hill Country and conducive to growing lavender.  They planted their 3 acre Lavender Field in 1998 and have been making commercial lavender products since.  Chris Perrenoud, Lavender Manager, makes potpourris, soaps, shower gel, lotions, salt scrubs…and more from the lavender.

The Lavender Luncheons are $60 + tax per person, reservations are required and can be made on-line at www.beckervineyards.com or contact 830-644-2681 ext 230.  The Saturday Lavender Luncheon is being catered by Rails of Kerrville, TX and the Sunday Lavender Luncheon is being catered by Delicious Details of Fredericksburg, TX.

www.BeckerVineyards.com

 
Hill Country Wine & Music Festival
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Gillespie County Fairgrounds, Fredericksburg

The Hill Country Wine and Music Festival is a celebration of wine, music and food that is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2010at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds in Fredericksburg, Texas.  We are bringing together vibrations, libations and cuisine to benefit the establishment of the Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts and art education in area schools. The Center will be a showcase for the State’s emerging wine industry as well a culinary arts teaching facility that includes a state of the art kitchen and complete audio visual production studio. 

At the festival, Texas wineries from across the state will sample and sell wine by the glass and bottle. The wineries will be accompanied by Hill Country restaurants selling food, delicacies and cooking demonstrations.  There is a great music schedule featuring six bands throughout the day. Please come out and enjoy the wine, food and music supporting two great causes. For tickets, music schedule, and more information please visit our website.


www.HillCountryWineAndMusic.com

 
Austin Wine & Music Festival
Saturday, May 29 – Monday, May 31, 2010
The Domain, Northwest Austin

A one-of-a-kind three-day Festival that takes in sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. The five senses of wine and food will be at the center of the 2010 Austin Wine and Music Festival. What You Will See: Located at The Domain in northwest Austin, the Festival grounds are resplendent with beautiful people and plenty of space to roam, and relax over 15 rockin’ musicians and bands. You’ll hear both up and coming stars as well as those who have cut guitar strings on Texas audiences for generations. There are wonderful foodie opportunities that will attract Festival goers to fill their Texas appetites. More importantly is the aromas of award-winning Texas wines whose bouquet of fruit makes it euphoric. Uncork that Texas wine, give it a swirl or two, and you will be won over again and again. Festival goers will be teased by the wonderful Texas artists and craftsman on site. Just imagine, fine art, home décor, jewelry, olive oil, chocolate, and as sundry of Texas created items all for the picking. (No pun intended!)

What You Will Taste: Last but not least, the whole reason Festival goers spend their time with us on Memorial Day weekend – the Wine! Over 20 award-winning Texas wineries will be on hand to showcase the nectar of grapes and the finesse of winemaking. A new addition this year will also be locally-made artisan beers.  Just imagine, that beer drinker who would endure wine tasting with their spouse can now enjoy the ‘hops’ brewed in Texas.  Join us for the Military celebration with Radney Foster on the 31st.
www.AustinWineAndMusicFestival.com

   
For more information on the Texas Hill Country Wineries please visit
www.TexasWineTrail.com
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25th TXHC Food & Wine Fest!

04 Apr

Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival

More info:

http://www.texaswineandfood.org/

or look for them on Facebook!

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Cazadores @ Cantina Laredo, Austin

11 Mar

So – I obviously cannot discriminate another of the finest drinks in the whole world…TEQUILA!

This was certainly a most interesting evening. Thank you Brittashton for the opportunity

Tables set, black linen napkins, white tablecloth, and snifters. Table set with crunchy chips and two types of salsa. Bliss. Overall we tasted 6 Tequilas; Blanco, Reposado and A~ejo of the house of Cazadores and of Corzo. Both made with 100%  Agave Azul in Jalisco, Mexico. We also experienced a couple of mixed drinks, including the favorite of the night, Cazadores Blanco Cucumber Agave Cocktail, and also Corzo Silver Modern Margarita (quite citrus infused) we also had a Corzo Reposado Roseberry Rita (wondeful combination of raspberry and rosemary) a Cazadores Reposadoo Cooler with Mango puree, and lastly a Cazadores A~ejo Cafe Mocha Cocktail served warm.

The four course menu I had consisted of:

  1. Salmon Tapas; Crunchy mini tostada topped with salmon, marinated and grilled tomato, peppers and jicama.

  2. Asparragus Soup; very creamy and with hints of roasted red bell pepper.

  3. Duet of stuffed Quail with Ancho Chile Sauce; Server atop a bed of sauteed green bean nest.

  4. Cranberry Apple Crepes a la Mode with nuts and caramel.

 

Also, thanks to Tania, Tequila Ambassador, for her wonderful presentation.

Salud!

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