This post was originally published on January 30, 2016. Tim and Phyllis have since sold French Country Wines and sadly, the new owners do not carry this lovely wine. Wine lovers in Houston and nationally are discovering sparkling wines that originated nearly 100 years before Dom Pérignon was born, and years before Champagne became the wine of celebrations. To taste true tradition first created by Benedictine Monks in the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire, look to the […]
Continue readingMore TagAuthor: Amy Corron Power
A licensed attorney, Amy is a wine-lover, foodie, photographer, political junkie and award-winning author who writes about Wine, Food, Beer & Spirits. As Managing Editor & Tasting Director for Another Wine Blog, she travels all over the world's wine regions to share her experiences with her readers and legions of twitter, Instagram and Facebook friends and fans. Amy holds certifications through the International Sommelier Guild, and is also certified, with honors, as a California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS). She is a member of the Guild of Sommeliers, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and regularly attends Houston Sommelier Association events.
Amy is also a contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, and was most recently published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Gratitude.
2009 Stark Viognier, Damiano Vineyard, Sierra Foothills
We, like many people we know ‘cellar’ our red wines. I say “cellar” because Houston homes do not have basements so any wine aging room is often custom designed to mimic the temperature and humidity found in a European cellar or a California cave. We do not have that luxury, so our wines aged for several years in a chilled storage facility. After multiple hurricanes and flooding that spared our neighborhood more than it did […]
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Steele Stymie Founder’s Reserve 2016 Syrah
Last night we joined a group of other wine folks for a virtual tasting of Steele Wines with winemaker and owner Jed Steele. With over 50 years’ in the wine industry, Jed started with a cellar position after playing basketball on scholarship for Gonzaga University, then went back to school at University of California – Davis and earned a master’s degree in enology. He gained experience with a number of wineries including Napa’s Stony Hill […]
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Brys Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2016
The 2016 Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery Pinot Noir from Old Mission Peninsula AVA is 100 percent Pinot Noir estate grapes from Traverse City, Michigan. A lighter ruby Burgundian style, it features smoked cherry and cola flavors. We paired it with red lentils and sliced pork belly. 13.5% ABV $32 For more information about Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, visit their website.
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Golf, Wine create Safety Net for At-Risk Students
Sounds rather provocative does it not: wine as a benefit for school-aged children at risk of dropping out of their studies? But for students in the Clear Creek Independent and Dickinson area schools, it is just that — thanks to the fine folks at Communities in Schools – Bay Area. Each year Communities in Schools – Bay Area a 501(c)(3) non-profit hosts ‘Raise Your Glass to CIS’ a wine tasting event during the day-long Keep […]
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Cocktails: Lost in Thyme
We met friends Anton and Celia out for dinner at Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar to toast the new year. We started with cocktails, and I chose this gem. Lost in Thyme is a concoction of Old Overholt Rye, aperol, cinnamon thyme syrup, lemon and aquafaba (the foamy stuff on top – it’s vegan). Garnished with a sprig of thyme. Delicious! A bit of a splurge at $11. Get there for Social Hour and enjoy […]
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Soils make a Difference: The Zoning Project of DO Montsant
Why do we need to know about the soil? I asked, when I was first learning about wine. Because the composition of the soil can determine which grape grows best in the vineyard. The type of soil also helps decide the irrigation method needed in the vineyard. For example limestone, or calcareous soils are somewhat compact. Their origin from the erosion and sedimentation of rivers, these soils are rich in calcium carbonate, and provide excellent […]
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Two Days in Dublin, Ireland: Day 1
Have a trip planned to Spain? Aer Lingus has some of the best air fares from the United States to Europe! If you plan your flights just right, you can turn an extended layover into a short visit to Dublin. This gives you just enough time to get a flavor for Ireland — and guarantee you will want to return again for a longer stay. Getting the Best Deal on Air Fares I am one […]
Continue readingMore TagDO Montsant on the Precipice: Vinyes Domènech
As I stand on the path that leads from the tasting room through the vineyard to the edge of a precipice at Vinyes Domènech the Latin phrase in situ comes to mind. Literally, the phrase translates to “on-site.” To the archeologist, an artifact in situ is one that he or she unearths and records at the original site of the culture that created it. When discovered not in situ, the artifact is considered out of […]
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