I rarely drink anything other than wine. I like scotch on occasion, but my go-to cocktail is the sidecar. This brandy/cognac based cocktail originated some time in the 1920s during Prohibition. Rather than just order sidecars at bars, I sometimes ask “can you make a sidecar?” and heavily scrutinize the bartender’s reaction. Most bartenders immediately […]
Wine & Spirits
A Fredericksburg Wine Trail by Appointment
During our Weekend Getaway to Fredericksburg in December, we hit the wine trail by appointment (with a couple unscheduled stops in between) on our way back home to Houston. A little more structured than A Fredericksburg Wine Trail via Shuttle the day before, and just as enjoyable. We visited Grape Creek Vineyards, Baron’s Creek Vineyards, […]
A Fredericksburg Wine Trail via Shuttle
During our Weekend Getaway to Fredericksburg in December, we hit the wine trail responsibly via 290 Wine Shuttle. This hop on/hop off service from downtown Fredericksburg to select wineries along 290 is the best way to spend a busy Saturday in the Texas Wine Country. No driving, no worries, and surprisingly no lines or waiting. […]
Benvenuto Brunello Wine Seminar in Houston
As a Sangiovese (the primary grape in Chianti) lover, I consider Brunello di Montalcino best of the best in Italian wines. So I was thrilled to attend the Benvenuto Brunello 2017 wine seminar and guided tasting event hosted by Consorzio Vino Brunello di Montalcino and IEEM last week in Houston. For those unfamiliar, Brunello is […]
A Wine Trail to Woodinville from Seattle
One of my favorite aspects of traveling is wine touring. Any country, any state, and even any nearby city. I enjoy the change of scenery and climate, tasting room atmosphere, and of course the wines. To me, part of traveling is tasting the flavors of place. So when we spent 48 Sleepless Hours in Seattle […]
Italian Wine Tastings at ICCC
Wine tastings are about as exciting to me now as the ice cream truck was to me as a child. Some of my favorite wine tasting events are held at Houston’s Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC) in the museum district. The ICCC promotes Italian culture and tourism, including language classes and Italian eno-gastronomic events. […]
Making Mulled Wine Your Way
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Thanksgiving Wine: What to Bring & What to Serve
You can’t escape it: Thanksgiving is upon us. Whether you’re hosting a formal family dinner, joining a casual Friendsgiving, or just wanting to keep it classy while watching sports ball…wine is on the menu! So what do you pull from the cellar or buy from the store? As always, you can do whatever you like, […]
Wine Hunting at Texas Renaissance Festival
Who am I to pass up a wine tasting? Not me. I’m game anytime, anywhere. Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF for short) runs every year during October and November in Todd Mission, Texas (just north of Houston). There is something for everyone! Costuming, jousting and other shows, shopping for handcrafts, festival eating, people watching, and…wait for […]
We Go Together Like Scotch and Crafts
What pairs well with a fine scotch whisky? More scotch. And crafts, of course. Last year we had the opportunity to attend The Balvenie’s Rare Craft Collection curated by Anthony Bourdain, which is a beautiful marriage of my favorite single malt scotch and hand craft artisans. We enjoyed a dram of Balvenie DoubleWood […]