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 […]
Continue readingCategory: Best of AWB
Wines wow capacity crowd, help raise over $200k for at-risk students
For the third straight year, Another Wine Blog-curated wines wowed guests and helped raise money for Communities in Schools – Bay Area at the Sixth Annual Raise Your Glass to CIS, part of the Charity Golf Tournament at Bay Oaks Country Club. This year’s combined proceeds exceeded the organization’s “stretch goal” of $200,000 by $17,000 and bested last year’s proceeds by over $40,000! Local sommeliers and wine educators provided technical notes and personal anecdotes as […]
Continue readingThe Suave, Seductive Italian from Valpolicella: Amarone
You know the type – dark, brooding, and a bit austere in youth. He needs time to mature, relax, and develop into the strong, seductive and attentive lover he was born to be. Those like him are few, and far between. He makes his entrance only when all conditions align to make a superlative statement. His roots may be in a small multi-generational enterprise or a sprawling and noble estate. But when he finally arrives […]
Continue readingCowboys, Chaps and World Class Chardonnay
What do you pair with a $79 Chardonnay? I asked, Joe, who does nearly all of the cooking for us here at Another Wine Blog? Fish Stew, he says. Now I am not a big fan of stew, fish or otherwise. It is probably a completely irrational bias from my childhood. Stew was what you had when you either did not have anything in the house to make a proper meal, or could not afford […]
Continue readingMardi Gras: Pairing Wine with King Cake (Galette des Rois)
Wine with cake? Laissez les bon temps rouler! Fat Tuesday means King Cake, and we have just the recipe and the wine for you to spread the joie de vivre and as you celebrate Mardi Gras festivities! In the United States’ Christian traditions, Mardi Gras ( Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday) is the Tuesday before Lent when those preparing to fast celebrate with rich fatty foods, wine and perhaps a bit of debauchery. Beads, candy and […]
Continue readingAmerican Decency: Not Too Big to Fail
Education does not necessarily make one smarter. I think the most recent election underscores that statement: millions of educated voters decided to spin the wheel, throw the dice, and bet on the candidate with no experience who spent the last year and a half offending nearly everyone but white nationalists. Some folks chalked it up to stagecraft, gimmick, something to appeal to the low information voter who simply knew he or she was not better off […]
Continue readingNine Years of Wine, Travel and Friends
There is a common myth that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. Scientific observation and research indicate it takes quite a bit longer — an average of 66 days. But how long does it take to break a habit? For some of us, it could take as long as 10 years. In 2008, Joe and I traveled to Sonoma, California to attend the first ever “Wine Bloggers’ Conference.” We have attended all […]
Continue readingEscape to Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, BC
Charismatic Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn’t the only thing drawing United States’ visitors across the border. As we count down to Cleveland and the start of the Republican National Convention, both Democrats and Republicans alike are making the same inquiry: Just how does one immigrate to Canada? After visiting Kelowna, British Columbia, last month to taste wines from the Okanagan Valley, I thought about it a bit myself. The landscape is beautiful; the people are friendly, […]
Continue readingWine v. Beer: Which Pairs Best?
You know that couple. Maybe you ARE that couple. You love wine; she loves beer. Or maybe HE loves wine and you love beer. Is it possible to pair a dish with both wine and beer together? That was the challenge when the First Friday crowd braved torrential rain to assemble in League City last Friday for the First Friday Wine versus Beer “pairdown.” Former-chef-turned astronaut* Joe Power, created a menu with suggested beer styles […]
Continue reading