Galveston Food & Wine Festival (Part 2: The Grand Tasting)

Continued from Galveston Food & Wine Festival (Part 1: Pre-Events)

As much as we frequent other food & wine festivals, attending Galveston Food & Wine Festival this yeas was a first. I was born on the Island (BOI as they say), so I’ll drive down to Galveston for any event. Before the festival were several pre-events in Houston and Galveston leading up to the Grand Tasting. The Grand Tasting was the main event, and a grand time was had indeed!

I like to show up to food festivals early to maximize time and calorie consumption. Other people had the same idea, so although the line was long, it moved quickly.

The event was held on Pier 21 near The Historic Strand District and adjacent to the cruise port, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Museum, and 1877 Tall Ship Elissa.

The festival was outdoors but the food & wine tables were under large event tents clustered around each other, so we were out of the elements. Compared to food & wine festivals in and around Houston, Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival was dominated by island eateries.

The wine distributors brought a variety of bold wines to complement Galveston’s seafood, Texan, and creole influence. Of course I gravitated towards the Italian wine. I was pleased to see so many Chiantis and Super Tuscans.

And the Prosecco…be still, my beating heart!

Not as well known, but certainly a staple in my house, is Nero D’Avola. This Sicilian red wine is a feisty cousin to my beloved Chianti and can hold itself up against a juicy steak as well as any Cabernet or Merlot in my opinion.

Also in full force were the Spanish red wines, Tempranillo and Rioja. If you haven’t noticed a theme here, I like wines that punch me in the face with flavor!

My husband found the Stella Artois Airstream, which was one cool set-up.

The restaurants brought their A-game to the festival. We tasted a lot of seafood, rich and creamy bistro fare, and classic comfort food. The standouts were definitely the ceviche. We enjoyed some pretty remarkable dishes. These shining stars are featured below.

The Union Kitchen