Author: SAHMmelier

Being a stay- at-home mom can leave one thirsting for a taste of the outside world, a world in which sentences are composed of more than three words. Being an educator means one is always seeking an opportunity to explore and learn. Being a woman with a need to connect can be a challenge when adult conversations are rare. In wine, I find the marriage of art and science, agriculture and storytelling provides limitless areas to explore. But it is the people that keep me engaged. The tenacity needed to keep the family dream alive, the risk to start anew, the trials and principles. I love the history of the vine, the impact of a season, the sentiment in the bottle. That is why I write. I write to tell their stories, to share a piece of mine. I write to learn as I teach others. I write to connect with new friends, to disconnect from the world. I write to celebrate what makes each of us unique, and that which ties us together.

A Marriage of Tradition and Modernity-Ribera del Duero

April 8, 2013.Reading time 4 minutes.

When you think of winemaking, do you picture a large modern facility or a cave, a press, and a barrel? When you think of Tempranillo, do you think of fresh, bright fruit or rich layers of leather and spice? And when you think of Spanish wines, which of these descriptions come to mind? The Drink […]

A Cab, an Eclair, and Lessons on Letting Go

April 2, 2013.Reading time 7 minutes.

Sometimes lessons come in unexpected places. Actually, that is more often the case than not. On Friday evening, I had a few little lessons in a meal for my brother-in law’s birthday. 1) Quality counts If Fast Food Nation didn’t scare you into thinking twice about what you put in your mouth, well, I both […]

Wine Blog Awards-2013

March 30, 2013.Reading time less than 1 minute.

So, just a little note to tell you that tomorrow is the last day to vote for wine blog awards. I’ve heard mixed things about the judging qualifications etc., but if you are playing around on your computer today, and you like what you’ve read here, consider nominating in whatever category you deem worthy. Thank […]

Brows, Bangs, and a Bad Taste

March 27, 2013.Reading time 7 minutes.

When is the last time you dug through old photos? Not precious baby pictures or the early courting days, but the really embarrassing ones. I went through mine for a girls’ weekend in the Hill Country. Middle school eyebrows, Pioneer dresses, and bangs. I sported large men’s flannel shirts through the birth of grunge, perms, […]

Pas de Deux Sparkles

March 21, 2013.Reading time 2 minutes.

There are some dishes and desserts that can garner fame. My mom has always been an amazing cook. If you know her, and it’s your birthday, you can count on something special. Especially if you like coconut. Mention of her coconut cake causes friends and family to audibly sigh. It is a guaranteed show-stopper, a cake […]

Happy Deed Day, Gundlach Bundschu!

March 12, 2013.Reading time 4 minutes.

Today is Deed Day for the Gundlach Bundschu winery. Last year, in honor of the day, I republished the poem which took first place in their poetry contest in 2011. It was in honor of the family’s history, their growth, and an ode to all farmers, really. This year, I’ll go back to the poem […]

Amigos Especiales-Gun Bun Tempranillo

March 8, 2013.Reading time 5 minutes.

Last Sunday we had an afternoon dinner with THOSE friends. You know, the ones. We used to travel to Sonoma together and make Bacchus look like a monk. Those weekends translated into all day food and wine festivals in our own backyards, almost every weekend. Corks flying, pans frying. Until we added to the brood. Now we are […]

Forbidden Fruit

March 4, 2013.Reading time 2 minutes.

So, it is time for a cleanse of sorts. Too much fun, too much stress, the holidays, and lots of celebrating with company have left me with more than a few posts. Ahem. Time to lay off the booze and get back to the gym, so this week, I will write a few food posts or maybe repeat […]

Cabernet Showdown

March 1, 2013.Reading time 5 minutes.

On the last Tuesday of every month, the Texas Wine and Food Consortium hosts a good old-fashioned duel. While there may not be a definitive winner, there is definitely a good time had by all. Gusto Tastings Sommeliers, Daniel Kelada and Oscar Montes-Iga choose a grape and draw a line between producers from all over […]