Wine Life - Houston

Tasting Rombauer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Pacific Ocean views. I was given the opportunity to attend the annual World of Pinot Noir event last month which brings together the foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers from around the world in a weekend-long celebration of this enticing wine. Champagne to Bourgogne in France, down under wines from Tasmania in Australia, Pinot focused wineries in South America, and all along America's premium West Coast Pinot regions including Santa Barbara, Russian River Valley, up to Willamette Valley, this is truly a celebration of Pinot Noir from around the world.  A Grand Tasting of Pinot Noir at the Ritz Carlton Bacara. Though the house was full ,it was still easy to maneuver to the different tasting tables to sip with the many winemakers on the floor. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy tasting classes, paired winemaker lunches and dinners, and two Grand Tastings in the refined comfort of the Ritz Carlton Bacara Hotel in Goleta, CA

In the March issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, I write about some of the rare grapes of Italy that I tasted at a Texsom Seminar last August. These lesser known varieties are becoming more popular in wine bars across Houston.

Melissa Hughes poring a glass of welcome Champagne for guests. Melissa Hughes-Treadway, Private Client Manager at Folio Fine Wine Partners, brought in Noé Tesseron, owner of Bordeaux’s Pontet-Canet and Tesseron Cognac for an invitation-only tasting of his family’s newest project - Pym-Rae from Napa Valley.   Rare Champagne vintage 2008 started the gathering. The project brings the Tesseron family’s Bordeaux knowledge and passion for making top Cabernet Sauvignon wines to the terroir of Mt Veeder in the Mayacamas Mountains where they immediately began moving the vineyard to dry farming and biodynamic practices.  Pam Rae owner, Noé Tesseron of Bordeaux (on left), talks wine with party attendees. This property was originally owned by actor/comedian Robin Williams and is named after the middle names of his children. The Tesseron family kept the name as a respectful nod to the estate’s history. The first four vintages were popped and poured on Tuesday night for the wine loving guests at t

  It's rodeo time in Texas and wine has become a huge part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. As a wine judge for Rodeo Uncorked competition since 2011, I decided to share some of the rodeo wine news in the February issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, on the stands now.

This or that?  That was the question last night at Café Rabelais in Rice Village for their “The Great Wine Choice” wine dinner. Guests had the opportunity to pick their preference of wines with each course. This was an interesting spin on the typical wine dinner.  The restaurant sold out the event.  The style of the dinner was for guests to have their own private group tables with an introduction of each of the wines to be considered with each course made to the full room. Owner, Christophe Paul was the master of ceremonies for the evening. The dinner was excellent and the wine comparison and conversation was quite interesting. Café Rabelais has been a Houston tradition for French cuisine since 2000. The laid back atmosphere and extensive French wine list has made it city favorite for almost a quarter of a century.  To be informed of upcoming wine events at Café Rabelais, join their mailing list. Sign up found in the Stay in Touch section of their website, caferabelais.com .

  Last month, I participated in a Master the World wine tasting and seminar with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein featuring Alentejano wines. The Master the Wine tasting classes are available to wine lovers who want to learn more about wine, tasting kits can be purchased individually for a specific region of interest or a series of tasting classes can be purchased as well. This specific tasting was set up by Creative Palate Communications for trade and media in the wine industry.   An Alentejano wine is the correct way to refer to wines that come from Portugal's Alentejo wine region. Portugal is 11th in total world production of wine. Despite only being 575 miles by 138 miles in size, the country's acres under vine in the 4th largest amount in Europe and it is 8th in the world. Alentejo represents 13% of the total acres under vine in Portugal and is responsible for 18% of the country's total production. Alentejo translates to "beyond the Rio Tejo" which is known as