It’s Legal!-#CarmenereDay

November 23, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

Well, sort of. Although the grape has been around for much longer, it was mistaken for Merlot. Twenty-one years ago, they correctly identified the variety and have been adjusting the growing practices since. Like all grapes, there are expected characteristics and then there are nuances that come from a combination of terroir, climate, growing practices, winemaking and other […]

Gobble Gobble Give- Potluck with a Purpose

November 17, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

We are now in our 5th year here in Austin. If you’ve participated before, thank you. If you are in any of the cities we have Gobble, Gobble, Give, consider volunteering. This year we are returning to straight potluck (we had started buying meals) which means we can’t do it without you, without each other. […]

Giving Back, Coming Home, Going out #SHAREANNA

October 16, 2015.Reading time 12 minutes.

When we think of wineries, we think of festive gatherings. Wine conjures the idea of celebration, warm-hearted revelry. Behind the scenes there is more: back-breaking labor, heartbreak, and trying days. What you may not initially think of is philanthropy. It was not until I began writing about wine and receiving press releases about the programs sponsored or lives […]

Re(de)fining Texas Wine- #Thesip

October 1, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Refine (v) : to remove the unwanted substances in (something) : to improve (something) by making small changes Define (v) : to explain the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.) : to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely Last night was about defining, refining, and redefining Texas wine. It was about what we’ve learned in […]

Hatch Hongos y Elote- Meatless Monday

August 31, 2015.Reading time 1 minute.

So much for freedom. It is week two and my sweet girl is home sick. And will be for a while. Poor thing. At least I get some time to spoil her. It is Hatch Chile season here and I wanted to get a recipe up for Meatless Monday so if you can forgive the […]

A Surprise in Any Package-Monday Wines with Banfi

June 20, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

One of the joys of writing about wine is, indeed, the packages that arrive requiring a signature. Some are expected, others are not. Each time, it is a little like Christmas. You may have a good idea of what is inside, but there is always a little flutter of expectation with the slicing of the […]

Friday Fancy Ticklers

May 15, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

Sometimes I have products I want to share that have nothing to do with wine. Some are samples, some are finds, all are current obsessions. Ok maybe not full-fledged obsessions, but they certainly tickle my fancy. Evan Healy Face Products I already loved the mask, a recommendation from a friend, so when they were sampling the […]

Make Your Easter Celebration Sparkle

April 2, 2015.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Originally posted on ROCKIN RED BLOG:
This is the first in a two part series on wines to enjoy with your Easter meal celebrations. Easter is a day of great joy and celebration for Christians all over the world; what better wine to enjoy on such a celebratory day than bubbles! This article focuses on…

Spring Forward

March 28, 2015.Reading time 8 minutes.

One thing that is consistent about Texas weather is its inconsistency. Fifty degree swings in 24 hours are not unheard of. In fact the week before Spring Break we had freezing temperatures, the weekend it began we hit the seventies, the second weekend was chilly and raining. Another consistent for Spring break is daily […]