by Andrew Chalk
It’s from Snake River Idaho and made from potatoes. Zodiac vodka goes on sale this month in select Texas markets, being sold through Goody Goody’s and Spec’s. According to our press release machine (which, incidentally, will also run on potatoes). Continue reading
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by Andrew Chalk
2013 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley is what I would serve someone who asked me “What are the hallmarks of California Chardonnay?” Most of them are here and upfront at that.
There is the vanilla in the nose, reflecting the ample use of French oak in the ageing process. Plus the bouquet of tropical fruit, in this case mango. The soft, creamy mouthfeel from a full malolactic fermentation (in which yeast converts the tart malic acid, typical of green apples, to softer lactic acid). The flavors of tropical fruit, confirming the nose, plus ripe yellow apples, ripe red grapefruit, a medium acidity level and a medium finish. It is not overly complex but $18 is a pretty aggressive price for a Chardonnay made from expensive Napa Valley fruit. Continue reading
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by Andrew Chalk
Crave readers who enjoy French wine and steak will want to look into a wine dinner this Sunday evening at many Ruth Chris’ restaurants nationally (including Dallas and Fort Worth).
Per the press release….
–Ruth’s Chris Steak House will offer guests a chance to explore the flavors of France with “Bubbles to Bordeaux,” a five-course pairing dinner on Sunday, October 19 at 95 participating restaurants nationwide. Continue reading
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by Andrew Chalk
Rabbit Hole Brewing, the feisty startup craft brewer out of Justin, TX announced “Off With Your Red” (7.7%/88IBUs), their entrant in the emerging and popular ‘red ale’ category. OWYR goes (foaming) head-to-head with beers like Peticolas Brewing Company’s Velvet Hammer (9/85) and Four Corners brewing Company’s Roja’s Red (6.2/35).
I was fortunate to try it at a recent media event at State & Allen Kitchen+Bar in Uptown. It is a powerful and brightly hopped beer that paired harmoniously with chef Rhett Dukes’ revelatory Country Lentil Cassoulet, Rabbit, Lamb, Duck (one of the best dishes I have eaten in Dallas this year). OWYR is also good straight if you like red ale but yearn for the hit of an IPA. Continue reading
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by Andrew Chalk
Going down to the Hill Country? Visiting Fredericksburg, Johnson City or Blanco? Make a spirited trip to Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye (along the 290 Wine Trail) where they make Texas Bourbon. I delayed a visit until last month. I can tell you, I should have gone earlier. The whole visitor experience at Garrison is superb. Not just the quality of the finished product, although that is crucial, but also all the organisational aspects of the tour. In fact, wine makers could use the Garrison tour as a template of how to do winery tours.
The experience starts on Garrison’s web site, where you reserve your $10 (per person) tour. Tours take place at set times two hours apart Wednesdays through Sundays. The site is straightforward and reliable. In fact, I upped my reservation from two people, to four, and then, a few days later, to six as more friends heard that we were doing it. Each time, the site found my earlier reservation and incremented the number of people, charging me only the additional cost. We kept one reservation number throughout. One thing to bear in mind, no refunds for cancellations. Continue reading
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Short rib at Table & Tavern is a big proposition
by Andrew Chalk
Sfuzzi’s has gone and the Irving location has become Table & Tavern, a conceptual mash-up of English pub and cozy club room restaurant. The “tavern” part is actually three bars and two patios serving up cocktails built around Texas spirits, craft beers from Peticolas, Deep Ellum, Franconia, Real Ale and Brooklyn Brewery, and a predominantly California wine list (just two Texas wines are listed among the 42 selections) priced at about 3x retail. Thrice weekly there is live music. Although the full menu is available in the bar, most bar patrons order from the separate bar menu consisting of snacks. Private dining rooms are available as well. All in, the 300-seat establishment creates a lot of possibilities.
The “table” part is the separate dining area, notable for its dark-paneled walls. It creates a clubby, cosy feel that almost harks back to an earlier era. I recommend the comfortable booths away from the trafficked routes if its privacy and comfort that you want. Continue reading
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by Andrew Chalk
SËR Steak + Spirits, the innovative steak house atop the Hilton Anatole Hotel sends a press release of two wine-focused events, and a private email on the subject of craft beer.
First, the restaurant is hosting Napa’s Merryvale Vineyards on Thursday October 16th with none other than winery President René Schlatter presenting. A reception in the hotel’s “Gossip Bar” starts at 6:30pm with dinner at 7pm on the 27th floor at SĒR. Guests will enjoy five Merryvale wines paired with a 4-course dinner prepared by SĒR execuchef, Anthony Van Camp. Price is $149 (plus t&t). Continue reading
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by Andrew Chalk
This week the 2014 Texas State Fair gets into full swing and one of the attractions is the Wine Garden Presented By Go Texan and Texas Monthly. The web site informs visitors that this “…is a great way to explore Texas-made wines”. I was excited that Texas wines would get such a prominent stage in front of so many potential customers. However, before writing about it, I e-mailed the state fair organizers to confirm that I fully understood the criteria for a wine to be considered a “Texas wine” for this event — the Texas State Fair. Per Federal law, a Texas wine is a wine that is made at least 75% from Texas grapes
The results amazed me. Not only may a wine have 0% Texas grapes to qualify as ‘Texas Made’ for the state fair wine garden, it does not even have to be made in Texas. Someone could buy finished wine on the California bulk market and ship it here in a tanker truck. Then, bottle and label it in Texas (probably with a label that makes it look as though it comes from Texas – cowboys, flags, etc.) and that would meet the criteria for it to be served at the Texas State Fair Wine Garden as a Texas made wine. As long as the seller has a Texas address, it would qualify. These bulk imports with misleading labels damage Texas grape growers and Texas wineries making wine from Texas grapes, as well as misleading consumers. Continue reading
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