Wine Life - Houston

My notes from the "New Wave White Wines" seminar and tasting at  Taste of Italy Houston 2017 held on March 6, 2017. with David Lynch, Jeremy Parzen, Thomas Moësse and Jaime de Leon. The Wines: Colutta Prosecco - Produced in Friuli from Glera grapes, this fresh, light sparkling wine had ripe apricot and melon aromas and flavors. Bellaria Greco di Tufo 2014 - From the limestone soils of Compania, David Lynch feels that these southern Italian wines are "the Chablis of Italy" due to their mouthwatering acidity and strong minerality. Jeremy Parzen shared that "these are the types of wines my wife and I go to Thomas' shop to buy to drink at home," referring to Vinology, a local wine bar and shop, of which Moësse is a founding partner.  Moësse discussed the terroir of the area which he says "adds bounce" to the wine. Fresh pineapple and citrus aromas and flavors intertwined with crisp acidity and a lingering smoky minerality. Talis Colli ...

The Ciù Ciù Arbinus Classico 2016 is the wine sample of the week. It is made from Verdicchio grapes and comes from the Castelli di Jesi Classico wine region in the Marche in central Italy. This dry white wine has a full-body feel with bright acidity and a rich, rounded texture. It has fresh aromas of lemon verbena and lemon zest with a sweet lemon taste and a slightly bitter almond-skin note in the finish. Deliciously drinkable, food friendly and anytime affordable at approximately $15 a bottle. Highly recommended for your spring time sipping, it is available locally at Spec's as well as on-line. 13% ABV. The Ciú Ciú Oppidum 2012 also hails from the Marche. This easy-drinking red wine is made from 100% Montepulciano grapes a portion of which spends some time in wooden barrels. Dry and full-bodied with soft tannins and balanced acidity, this wine has fruity aromas and flavors of dark cherry with vanilla and a slight earthiness in the smooth finish. Also recommended, this wine...

As originally seen in  the March 2017 edition of Galveston Monthly magazine

Dutton-Goldfield Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley - Deeper hued, blue fruit aromas, a bit tannic, high acid. Baletto Sexton Hill Pinot Noir Sebastopol Hills - Fruitier with cranberry and cherry, leaner, more chiseled, bright acidity, lingering finish. Dehlinger Goldridge Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge 2013 - From the south side where it historically gets riper. Sweet red cherry/berry aromas, moderate acid with fennel and peppercorn in the finish. Moshin Halo's Hill Pinot Noir Santa Rosa Plain 2013 - Less complex, more pure fruit. Raspberry, red cherry aromas, flavors and finish with a light floral note; fresh and easy. Porter Creek Hillside Vineyard Pinot Noir Middle Reach 2013 - Less aromatic, more herbal aromas and flavors over cherry, firmer tannins, less acid, long finish. Wind Gap Syrah Sonoma Coast 2013 - Fresh with raspberry, pink peppercorn and a slight green note with a lingering finish. Anakota Dakota Knights Valley 2012 - Blackberry, high tannins, som...

Southern Glazer brought in Gillian Balance to teach a Rosé Masterclass at their tasting in Houston last week which featured 100 rosé wines from around the world. The class focused on six wines in a New World vs Old World format. Balance reminded attendees that rosé was not only the original red wine for the world's earliest wine makers, it is also one of the fastest growing styles of wine today. It has always been universally loved for its versatility with food. Served chilled, the weight, freshness and slight bit of tannic structure make it an excellent pairing partner for an array of food options. While wine drinkers can find some typicity in the rosé wines of Provence, when they venture into New World regions, they may encounter a wider range of styles. Grape variety, climate and winemaking practices will all affect a wine's flavor profile. The Wine: Matua 2016 - This pale salmon colored wine is made from Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand. It is fresh with ...

The Hourglass Blueline Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2010 is deliciously drinkable with a surprisingly small amount of sediment in this 7 year old half-bottle. Less earthy than the Loire; fruitier with blueberry and plum, fresh mineralty, soft tannins and a bit of Indian spice in the lingering finish. I will be seeking more of this, highly recommended.  The 20 acre vineyard in Calistoga is named for two meandering streams that frame the property. The Cabernet Franc is planted on the cobble and sandy loam soils of an ancient dry riverbed.  Purchased by my husband a few years ago, I was not able to find this anywhere locally. Find other vintages of this wine at  Wine Searcher . This wine contained 15.2 ABV.

The Consorzio del Vino Brunello Montalcino was in Houston last month giving local media and wine professionals the opportunity to taste the newest vintage of the region's premium wines. Guy Stout, Houston's first and favorite Master Sommelier, led the guided tasting and seminar with Giacomo Pondini, president of the Consorzio. He opened with memories of the sights and tastes of his own visits there and assured the attendees that "Montalcino is a sweet spot on planet Earth"; encouraging those who not been, to go. The Consorzio has given the 2012 vintage its highest rating of 5 stars and Stout said tasters should expect the wines to be "fresh, fleshy and upfront." The wines are all made from 100% Sangiovese and come from the Montalcino region of Italy. Stout went through the region's stringent production regulations and reminded attendees that wine style is always influenced by the choices of a winemaker in regards to barrels and aging. The Tasting: ...