Wine Life - Houston

Nocera is a native grape from Sicily. It comes from the Messina province which is located in the northeast. Nocera is a quality red wine grape that is most known as a blender in the red wines of the Faro DOC. I had the opportunity to taste some pure versions (which according to Wine Searcher are rare) this week at a trade tasting held at Roma Restaurant in Houston. Wine production in the region dates back to the 14th Century BC, however, phylloxera decimated the vineyard area in 1881 leaving it at a fraction of its original size. The area boasts a Mediterranean climate with sunny days and coastal breezes, moderate rainfall, and mild winters, all ideal for grape growing. The Nocera grape is a bluish/black color and has a thick skin which allows for the production of structured wines with prominent tannins which are balanced by good acidity. High alcohol is common. Red wines produced from the grapes are an intense ruby color with purple highlights and aromas and flavors of dark fruits a

October is Texas Wine Month!  In this month's issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, I take a look at how the harvest went and what the expectations are for the 2022 vintage.  

In the September issue of Galveston Monthly, I'm celebrating California Wine Month with the Golden State's signature grape, Zinfandel. I am also sharing information on the ultimate experience for Zinfandel lovers, ZinEX, get more information on that event at  https://zinfandelexperience.com/

One of Houston’s most highly regarded wine guys, Jonathon Honefenger, who moved through the ranks from sommelier to sales while living here, has fully transitioned into a winemaker extraordinaire. He and his fiancée, Madeline, moved to Portland, Oregon in 2020 to pursue their dreams of making wine. After immersing himself in winemaking classes, helping out with harvests, and learning the ins and outs of grape growing, he was back in town last week pouring his latest releases at Roegels Barbecue and showcasing their great quality along with their ability to pair with some of Texas’ favorite food. I have it on good authority that the wines will be available at Houston Wine Merchant soon. Look for Wild Child Winery 's Riesling, Gamay, and Pinot Noir.

Ginny Endecott, a favorite wine instructor at The Texas Wine School , has turned her interest in wine into a new business with her grand opening this weekend of The Cuvée Collective on Houston’s west side. The Cuvée Collective offers a wide variety of wine storage solutions for Houston oenophiles to safely store their vino collection while also providing access to beautiful social spaces and unique event rooms. Endecott hopes to create a wine community on this more underserved side of Houston. Members can enjoy entertaining friends with their favorite wines in the communal spaces, at the tasting bar, or they can reserve the more luxe private rooms to treat their guests. With 6,000 square feet of chilled storage space, there is room for a large community of collectors to come together, grow, and share their love of the grape in the glass. The Cuvée Collective is located near I-10 & the Beltway on Upland Dr.

As seen in the current issue of Galveston Monthly magazine.  Mathew Massey, a Galveston native, introduces his new brand of Premier Cru, single village Champagne, Madame Zéro , to the island's sparkling wine lovers.