Akin to Napa before Robert Parker, rock before disco, Shelby before Mustang, and Austin when it was weird, it will never be cooler than it is right now. Wines stand up to great Burgundies for a fraction of the price. The restaurant scene is a mecca of farm-to-table magic. Chains have yet to swallow the singularly local. The ambiance is verdant and unpretentious, while the people are inviting and passionately dedicated to their craft. This is the moment to explore this extraordinary pocket of the world.

Willamette Valley

For a conveniently located McMinnville base camp, I love the team behind Atticus Hotel and Third Street Flats. Atticus combines thoughtfully curated luxury with modern convenience and historic charm. Third Street Flats offers full-service or self-serve upscale flats inside the swanky historic district. If making your perch in the Dundee Hills, Black Walnut Inn offers a sumptuously appointed villa nestled 1000 feet above the valley floor with vineyard views from the balcony of each room.

Culinary magic awaits you as Willamette is Ground Zero for the farm-to-fork movement. Deep relationships with farms and seasonal produce are integral to the culinary scene here. One of my all-time favorites, Joel Palmer House, is tucked inside a historic home in Dayton and is helmed by a fungi-foraging chef who incorporates his finds across a tasting menu. It’s umami-laden alchemy that’s simply unforgettable. Before dinner, visit Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum and Howard Hughes’ Hercules “Sprouse Goose,” the gargantuan, wooden flying boat built for WWII.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

A James Beard semi-finalist two years running, Okta is nestled in McMinnville’s 100-year-old hardware store and delivers farm-to-table haute cuisine from their farm, in-house larder, and local purveyors. The ideal lunch spot amidst marathon wine tasting is Dayton’s Loam, which delivers elevated seasonal brunch and lunch. Chef Kari Kihara brilliantly composes local bounty with global panache in McMinnville’s Hayward. Newberg’s Victorian charmer, The Painted Lady, delivers a destination-worthy Nouvelle French spin on New American cuisine, one of the most captivating gastronomic experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

Now, on to the star of the show. My favorite US wine region is Willamette Valley, without question! The complex geology, climate, and dedicated winemakers deliver some of the most astonishing price-to-quality in the world. At the end of the last ice age, the Missoula Floods swept up the sediment of an ancient seabed with volcanic lava and unleashed geologic magic onto the Willamette Valley, resulting in a dizzying array of soil types that make this unique pocket of vineyards the most terroir-driven site on our shores. With a pitch-perfect climate akin to France’s Burgundy, Willamette can capture the ethereal grace of pinot noir and chardonnay for a remarkable price.

And it all started with one man.

Ron Zimmerman David Lett Eyrie Vineyards 1975 SE Block Pinot Noir July 2005

A true American pioneer, David Lett staked his claim to Willamette in 1965, armed with a few Burgundian clones and an unlikely dream. David’s son continues to craft world-class wine at the helm of The Eyrie Vineyards. Their tasting room is a mandatory destination where verticals showcase the aging potential of their wines and always represent the region at its apex.

White Rose Estate is a boutique Dundee Hills producer that is not commercially distributed and is rarely seen outside Willamette. Still, the terroir-driven expression, elegance, and poise of their pinot noir captures the feminine grace of a great Chambolle-Musigny for a third of their Burgundian equivalent. Soter Vineyards faithfully represent Yamhill-Carlton, Eola Amity Hills, and Ribbon Ridge appellations. With biodynamically farmed fruit, their wines are teeming with life and energy in the glass, and each reveals the distinct character of geologically unique terroir from their breathtaking hilltop estate.

Walter Scott came to my attention through Master Sommelier Brian McClintic’s wine club, which focuses on boutique producers crafting natural wines. Scott is rooted in the Eola Amity Hills, and his terroir-driven wines reveal a heavenly sense of place and stunning expressions of pinot noir and chardonnay. One of the hottest bespoke producers in Willamette, Evening Land is helmed by Indian American Master Sommelier Rajat Parr and celebrated winemaker Sashi Moorman, who craft wine from the historic Seven Springs Vineyard in Eola Amity Hills. Biodynamically dry-farmed and aptly crafted with non-interventionist winemaking, their wines rival some of the finest in Burgundy. Skeptical? Give Jason Wise’s documentary Somm 3 a whirl to witness three of the world’s most sensitive palates taste Parr’s wines blind.

Wherever your journey takes you, Willamette is destined to charm, inspire, and invigorate. Bon journée!

The author

The post The Golden Age of Willamette Valley first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

I specifically look to French rosé throughout the fall and holiday season for three essential components: herbal complexity, mineral backbone, and bright acidity. Why? Well, the herbal and floral notes are a downright musical pairing with all that parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme we employ throughout the season. The mineral backbone from the limestone-rich soils can stand up to all the hefty, heart-warming fare on the table. Most importantly, the laser-beam freshness from France’s cooler climate lends their rosés ample acidity to cut right through the fats of myriad meats that are often the centerpiece of the meal. With all the wine nerdspeak out of the way, let’s journey to la Belle France and investigate what to look for on the label because French wine geography is just as important as the producer when shopping for la vie en rosé.

Bandol

Provence is sacred ground for rosé, but the appellation of Bandol is unrivaled, in my humble opinion. If I could only drink one rosé for the rest of my life, it would be from this picturesque Provençal village in the south of France. Blessed with ideal limestone soils, a kiss of sea spray breeze from the Mediterranean, and herbes de provence running wild through the vineyards, rosé achieves its true apex in Bandol. My favorite producers are Domaine Tempier, with history and charm I could write a book about, Domaine de Terrebrune, and relative newcomer Domaine Gros ‘Noré.

Corsica

The birthplace of Napolean is a unique winegrowing region that boasts an ideal climate as well as complex limestone and schist soils, but what truly sets the island apart are the native grape varieties from this isolated locale. These rosés can deliver bright citrus, red berries, wild herbs, sea spray freshness, and lingering minerality that compel you to open bottle after tantalizing bottle, if you’re not careful. My favorite producers are Domaine Comte Abbatucci, as well as Yves Leccia.

Tavel

What do Ernest Hemingway, Honoré Balzac, and Louis XVI all have in common? Tavel was their favorite rosé. This southern Rhône village focuses solely on rosé production, and the deeper-hued examples from these sun-drenched vines are bursting with charm and complexity thanks to extended skin contact during winemaking. This French beauty is a favorite among rosé lovers who yearn for a bit more fruit and a hint of tannin in the glass. Tavel is an absolute all-star alongside turkey, dressing, and cranberry relish, as well as any preparation of ham you would care to throw its way. Producers to look for are Château D’Aqueria, Château de Trinquevedel, and Domaine Maby.

photo credit: Ambyr Davis

A few unicorn wines to also look out for:

Domaine de Fonsainte, Corbiéres, France          

Hailing from Languedoc-Roussillon’s Corbiéres village, this delightful rosé is snatched up right as it lands on our shores and is always a gem that overdelivers at its modest price point. Derived from vineyards first planted by the Romans, Domaine de Fontsainte has been crafting world-class wines since the 17^th century. A perennial favorite at Saint-Emilion in Fort Worth, it is also one of my go-to rosés for larger gatherings.

Les Pallieres “Au Petit Bonheur” 

Crafted by the masterful hands of Daniel Brunier, the genius behind Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Vieux-Télégraphe, au Petit Bonheur is simply teeming with life and delivers bright citrus, red berry, and a complex array of herbal nuance and mineral backbone that is simply sheer nirvana in the glass. Out of seventeen hand-selected wines for a recent tasting at Saint-Emilion, this enchanting Rhône beauty simply stole the show. I highly recommend grabbing a bottle while it lasts.

photo credit: Ambyr DavisM

I am a sommelier and wine writer. I know what I like, but I continue to discover new horizons.  Join me in easing a cork out of an unknown bottle. Discover what speaks to your sense memory. Does that hint of raspberry remind you of berry picking as a child? Does that tomato leaf aroma harken back to the first bite of bruschetta that danced across your palate? Everyone has their “aha” moments, and there is never a wrong answer with wine. Just enjoy. Santé!

The post Rosé, S’il Vous Plait first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

In fact, this is the 37^th iteration of this fantastic event, and it just keeps getting better every year. This really is one of our favorite events of the year, because it offers tons of fun for everyone in your family or a really fantastic date night. Of course, there’s gallons of wine for mom, dad, and the grandparents to try, but there’s also fun and games for the kiddos, non-stop live music, great food and a very affordable admission fee.

The festival begins Thursday the 14^th and runs through Sunday the 17^th. During that time the bubbly will flow at Champagne Terrace sponsored by Hilton DFW Lakes. Wine aficionados can experience internationally recognized wineries from Barossa, Australia, and Napa Valley at the Liberty Park Plaza International Wine Experience sponsored by Gaylord Texan Resort. It’s rosé all day at the all-new Rosé Rendezvous at the Gazebo featuring rosé varietals from Messina Hof Winery, Landon Winery, and Llano Estacado Winery. Of course, there will be The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic sponsored by Audi Grapevine. This is the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the country featuring all Texas wines. Judges, i.e., guests of the festival, take part in 90-minute sessions and will decide the winners of the gold, silver, and bronze awards.

Photo courtesy of GrapeFest

There will be several entertaining and educational workshops to attend; including the very popular charcuterie workshop, teaching those who attend how to put together the perfect cheese and meat board for entertaining. The Barossa Wine Walkabout seminar features a guided flight of Riesling and Shiraz. Guests will receive their Barossa Adventure Certification and in turn, become ambassadors of one of the premier wine regions of the world. At the all-new Texas Wine and Wicks, guests will enjoy two glasses of Texas wine while learning how to create an organic candle that they can take home and enjoy long after the festival. If that’s a little too tame, perhaps the Grape Stomp competition and the Champagne Cork Shoot-Off is more your speed.

As mentioned, this is a family friendly event. There will be live music on four stages all four days with two major headliners, country star and songwriter David Lee Murphy and pop vocalists Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips fame. The winery tasting rooms and locally owned boutiques and restaurants along Main Street will be open for business, while unique vendors and artisans will be in the center of Main Street, along with delicious festival foods featuring everything from corn dogs and funnel cakes to international delights. There will be a Kid Zone, Carnival Midway, and pickleball courts, too.

Photo courtesy of GrapeFest

This is also a very special weekend for the City of Grapevine as they will add Barossa Valley, Australia, to their list of Sister Cities. A delegation from Barossa Valley will be on hand to sign the official Sister Cities Accords as well as delegations from Grapevine’s other Sister Cities, Parras de la Fuente, Mexico; Krems, Austria; and West Lothian, Scotland. To mark this special occasion Grapevine and Barossa have teamed up with Qantas Airways, to offer a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit Australia. Keep your eyes peeled for the Qantas promotional booth at the festival to sign up to win!

Tickets to GrapeFest are on sale now! As for admission, Thursday is complimentary as is Friday before 5pm. Then it’s only $10 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors. Head to GrapeFest.com to learn more about the experience, and Grapevine makes planning your visit super easy at GrapevineTexasUSA.com.

The post Get Ready to Celebrate Wine in Grapevine! first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

What led you to the wine industry?

I have always loved wine and food as a vessel for gathering with friends and family and sharing stories. My entry into the natural wine world was as a passionate consumer of wines made by growers that were treating their vineyards like a living ecosystem- each bottle had a story to tell of a time and place that you can taste. Prior to settling in Fort Worth, I lived and traveled abroad and in other cities in the U.S., always seeking out the local natural wine shops. Sharing the stories of the growers and makers with friends is where it started for me.

What inspired The Holly?

At the core, it was the lack of transparency in the wine industry for the end consumer. Today, 90% of the wines in the world are made conventionally (meaning with some level of mass production). There are hundreds of additives that can go into wine without ever going on a label. And in the vineyard, the focus tends to prize high yields and a standardized product. All in all, true natural wine accounts for a very small proportion of the wine world. It is this tiny group, led by independent small grower-winemakers, importers and shops, that I revered as renegades and rebels that inspired The Holly. My husband and I were often driving to Austin, Houston or to other states to source natural wines and felt it was about time Fort Worth had its own destination.

Photo courtesy of Liz Mears

Natural, sustainable and organic are all buzz words in the industry. What is a natural wine and why focus your entire business model around it?

While no legal definition of natural wine currently exists, various official-ish ones do, set by groups of growers in various countries, including the U.S., France, Italy and Spain. Our wine list is curated by their set of requirements: A minimum of organic farming in the vineyard where grapes are always hand-harvested. In the cellar, the wines are made (or rather transformed) without adding or removing anything. No additives, lab-grown yeasts, processing aids or animal by-products are used in any of our wines, and ‘intervention’ in the naturally occurring fermentation process is kept to a minimum. The result is a living wine – wholesome and full of naturally occurring microbiology. For our vegan friends out there, that means all our wines are vegan friendly. Working organically and biodynamically in the vineyard ensures that grapes have all the native microbiology and bacteria they need to naturally become delicious wine. If you care about where your food comes from, wine should be no different.

Any misconceptions about natural wine that you’re trying to set straight?

That natural wine is not a flavor profile, but rather a method and philosophy of farming and winemaking. The range of grape varietals in the natural wines on our shelves is extensive, leading to extensive flavor variability, from the classic to the more obscure.

Photo courtesy of Liz Mears

How did The Holly get its name?

From the California Holly, a native drought-resistant plant surrounding vineyards on the central coast of CA. It’s also a nod to the Holly neighborhood in East Austin where we spent much of our time while designing our building and planning The Holly.

What drew you to set up shop in Near Southside?

We love the community support and camaraderie of Near Southside, for us it encompasses everything we love about the Fort Worth cliche of “small town, big city”. We lived in Fairmount before constructing from scratch the building that houses The Holly and our residence above, we knew we wanted this shop to be here.

You have one wine you can drink for the rest of your life. What is it going to be?

That is a tricky one because my personal goal would be to try it all, from all over, and go on as many adventures as possible. But if I must choose, I’d have to say Gamay from Beaujolais all day!

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5, and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her husband, talking about her cat.

The post Worthy Convos: Liz Mears of The Holly Talks Wine, Microbiology, and Fort Worth first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

There is some good news. Holiday season means it’s wine season! And with a few pro tips from local connoisseurs in your back pocket, you will be pairing and pouring with confidence this year like the holiday hero you are.  

You can’t please everyone. But bubbles can.  

The tricky part about hosting is that you’re hosting people. And people have opinions, especially when it comes to what’s in their glass. Mom likes chardonnay, Brother thinks white wine is Mom Juice, Dad strictly drinks Napa cab, and Nana likes her sweet wine. But no one can argue that fizz is fun. Champagne is the poster child for celebrations, after all. And according to Monica Wright, manager at WineHaus, sparkling wine “is the best to start any meal with family and friends.” Her go-to is often a sparkling rosé because, “that little pop of pink makes it feel more festive.” Mikey Riojas, sommelier at The Magnolia Wine Bar, shares Wright’s sentiment. “[Sparkling rosé] is a way to kick off the holidays with a big family. We all have different tastes, but this wine comes in handy because it makes everyone happy.” 

Photo courtesy of WineHaus

Acidity keeps things interesting.   

You know that swirly sensation you feel under your earlobes when you eat a lemon candy? That’s your sensory response to acidity, which is a necessary component to the ultimate balance of a wine. And although white wines are generally perceived to have more acidity than red wines, don’t overlook certain red varietals such as pinot noir, sangiovese, or gamay. Offering a selection of both red and white will surely please the table and hold up to whatever dish is on your menu, says Riojas. “A lot of people are coming around to the idea that wines with a healthy acidity are the key to heavy food or food with a lot of fat. White wines like a fresh Burgundy chardonnay will give the palate a refresh between bites. Sauvignon blanc from Sancerre is usually fresh and zingy and will do the trick as well. For reds, pinot noir can sometimes be the fresh cranberry note that tops off turkey or ham.”  

I know what you’re thinking. Turkey and ham are overrated. And if you’re like my family, you smoke a brisket instead. Not to worry. Bringing a little France to your Texas feast is just the ticket. Wright is a sucker for pinot noir’s fair cousin, gamay. “I like a good clean Beaujolais with the hearty stuff because it offsets that weightiness of it.”  

Let it breathe.  

Just like you need a breather after trying to navigate Central Market’s aisles the week before any holiday, taking a breath helps wine, too. In addition to adding an elegant flair to your table, decanting red wine serves multiple purposes. And it’s not just for expensive bottles. According to Riojas, “you can decant a wine if you have sediment forming in the bottle and you want to separate the two. Sediment can come from age, but it can also appear if a wine is unfiltered. You can also decant a wine when you want air to get in contact with the wine. Sometimes younger wines, wines with heavy oak usage, or a combination of both benefit from getting a little oxygen in the wine.” Oxidation and evaporation open the wine, allowing for a smoother and often fruitier drinking experience. Decanting time can get very technical depending on the style of wine, but Riojas says, in most cases, to leave the wine for an hour or two before serving. “I like to taste a little bit of the wine straight out of the bottle and put the rest in the decanter for comparison. Checking back frequently is part of the fun.” 

Photo courtesy of The Magnolia

Drink what you like.  

Certain wines and foods go together like, well, turkey and gravy. (I know I said turkey was overrated; however, I still respect the tradition.) But your glass is your prerogative. Wright loves Burgundy. Riojas loves Syrah. I love a different wine every week. The point is to enjoy your holiday season, whether it comes in a bottle, can, or dare I say, box.  

If you want to preserve your strength for other tasks, Monica and Mikey have shared their favorite wines to feature with any celebratory brunch, lunch, or dinner.  

WineHaus_Rose Photo courtesy of WineHaus

Monica’s Holiday Picks  

WineHaus offers more than 16 wines on tap. Wine lovers can fill up a growler (750 ml bottle) to take home and enjoy or peruse their wine wall.  

• 2019 Trefethen Dry Riesling, Napa Valley, CA / $30  
• 2019 Pratsch Rosé, Austria / $27  
• 2018 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA / $45  

Mikey’s Picks Photo courtesy of The Magnolia

Mikey’s Holiday Picks  

The Magnolia Wine Bar has an extensive list, with over 200 wines that are available for purchase.  

• 2018 RAEN ‘Royal St Robert’ Pinot Noir, Fort Ross-Seaview, CA / $68  
• Domaine Robert Serol ‘Turbullent’ Sparkling Rosé, Loire Valley, France / $38 
• 2019 Pascal Jolivet Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, France / $45   

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5, and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her husband, talking about her cat.

The post Putting the “Win” in Wine This Holiday Season first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Olivella’s

Welcome back! Olivella’s has a new address. What do you like about this location?

Thank you! We now have a wine shop in our lobby with unbelievable prices on a great selection of wines. And directly across from Kincaid’s and the Showdown, we’ve got great neighbors, too.

In what ways have you had to adapt during the pandemic?

We now deliver, and that includes wine and beer. In other words, we can bring the entire Olivella’s experience to your home, office, or event space. We also do wine tastings daily out of our retail wine shop.

Phot Courtesy of Olivella’s

How would you describe “Neapolitan” and “Roman-style” pizza?

Neapolitan is that classic, round high-crusted Italian pizza. Roman is a super-thin flat oblong. Hard to find as thin a pizza as our Roman style.

Tell us more about Wing Wednesday. Are these wings “Roman-style” too? 

In addition to traditional wing sauces, we offer house-made Italian-style sauces, though not specifically Roman or Neapolitan. Wings are half-off on Wednesdays.

How did Olivella’s come about?

It’s really not an idea or a concept so much as the fruit of very deep roots. Salvatore Olivella is a fifth generation pizzamaker from one of the oldest Italian pizza families. They have been making pizza in Naples, Italy since the 1920s.

Photo courtesy of Olivella’s

What is it about pizza and wine that brings people together?

A delicious dining experience that’s appealing to most of the population. To that end, our sommelier curates our wine offering and trains our staff to help customers find the best match for their food–whether Olivella’s or someone else’s.

If Fort Worth were one of your pizzas, which would it be? 

I’m not going to say the Drunken Pig, though it is my new favorite! But because we love being a part of such an interesting and vibrant city, probably The Dream: tomato sauce, house mozzarella, pancetta, chicken, gorgonzola, and jalapeno.

You can only eat one item on the Olivella’s menu for the rest of your life. Which is it?

That’s like having to pick my favorite Beatles song. Well, USA Today didn’t name us Best Pizza in Texas for nothing. But if I had to choose a non-pizza item off our menu, I could eat our meatballs with house-mozzarella for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5 and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her fiancé, talking about her cat.

The post Worthy Conversations: Charlie Green on the Remaking of Olivella’s first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Central Market

Explore the art of pairing wine and cheeses in this live, online class taught by Central Market’s own wine buyer and cheese buyer. These Central Market experts will introduce participants to a few of their favorites and discuss how these outstanding wines and cheeses are produced and how they can enhance any holiday celebration this year. Five cheeses will be sampled ranging from a Sardinian fresh goat cheese to a rich and creamy French triple cream along with three wines to complement them including a crisp Italian white wine, a rich California chardonnay, and a light French sparkling wine.

The cost is $80 per household and includes virtual class access and an ingredient kit, which is available for pick up at three Metroplex store locations.

The ingredient kit includes: five cheeses, three bottles of wine, Marcona almonds, dried fruit and crackers. To pick up the ingredient kits, park at the Curbside location at participating stores and follow directions on the Curbside parking sign to let them know when you have arrived. Kits will be delivered directly to participants cars.

Tickets for the virtual class without the tasting kit are available for $10.

Space is limited and registration ends on Tuesday, November 10, at noon.

To register for the virtual event, visit: https://centralmarket.com/digital-cooking-class-virtual-wine-cheese-tasting/

WHEN:          Thursday, November 12, 2020, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Wine and cheese kits available for pick up from stores on Wednesday, November 11.

WHERE:        Central Market-Fort Worth, 4651 West Fwy., Fort Worth, 76107

The post Virtual Pairing Class with Central Market’s Wine and Cheese Buyers first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Wine and cheese go together like Astaire and Rogers, like bacon and eggs, like hot chocolate and snowy days. There are fewer things that make me happier. My husband and I just celebrated our anniversary in Santa Fe. Aside from a nice dinner out, we spent most evenings in front of the fire, drinking wine, nibbling on a cheese board, and reading. It was a perfect way to celebrate.

Central Market knows this, so they are celebrating a World of Wine and Cheese through October 29! Not only do they have everything you need for a GORGEOUS cheese board (including the board!), they have amazingly knowledgeable Foodies to help you pair the cheeses you choose with the best wines available.

Do you like nutty, crumbly cheeses like Gruyere, Manchego, or a lovely Parmigiana Reggiano? These full-flavored, umami-packed cheese need a bold wine to stand up to them, so look for a Bordeaux (also called claret or Meritage), a reserve Rioja, or a big Italian red.

The two most famous bloomed cheeses are Camembert and brie. These cheeses have a rind of edible white mold that allows the cheese to ripen to a lovely, creamy texture inside. Pair these unctuous cheese with a bright, dry Vouvray or Sancerre. I love to pair these rich cheeses with a brut sparkling wine; the bubbles cut nicely through the richness!

Fresh cheeses like Chèvre, mozzarella, burrata, or caprino fresco are not aged. They have a clean, mild flavor, and some have a slight tang. (Try local producers like Latte Da Dairy or Mozarella Co.!) These young cheeses should be paired with a young wine. Try a Valpolicella, a young Pinot noir, an Albariño, or a young, unoaked Chardonnay.

Blue cheeses have penicillin mold added so that the classic bluish-green veins develop. They can range from creamy and soft (Cambozola) to semi-soft and crumbly (Roquefort or Cabrales), but all have a sharp tang from the blue veins. These cheeses pair beautifully with richer, dessert wines such as Sauternes, Vin Santo or a late-harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Or try a fortified wine such as a tawny or LBV port, a Pedro Ximenez sherry, or a Banyuls.

Don’t forget to add some different textures to your cheese board! Nuts like caramelized walnuts or Marcona almonds add some crunch, while fresh fruit (pears are in season, and Central Market has a beautiful selection!) adds a bit of brightness. Serve a variety of breads and crackers, and little pots of honey or slices of membrillo (a Spanish quince “cheese”) allow your guests to pair the salty umami of the cheese with a pop of sweetness. Charcuterie is a very traditional pairing with cheese; little bites of soppressata, jamón ibérico, or speck add to the fullness of the board. And don’t forget Central Market’s olive bar – grab several varieties to scatter around.

Cheese boards are perfect for last minute get-togethers. Simply go to Central Market’s website, order everything you need for a lovely cheese board, get some wines, and then do Curbside Delivery. Nothing could be easier!

The post A World of Wine and Cheese at Central Market first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Central Market

You don’t need to be told how beautifully diverse and extremely delicious Texas produce is. With regions ranging from desert to coastal, high plains to river valleys, Texas farmers grow a dazzling variety of produce. What other state can grow amazing citrus, gorgeous peaches and blueberries, rice, corn, wheat, pecans, peanuts, melons, onions, potatoes… The list is almost endless! All this produce takes specific soils and climates, and Texas has them all.

Photo courtesy of Central Market

Speaking of produce, Texas is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the US. Long before the vineyards of California and Virginia, Franciscan priests were growing grapes in Texas to be used in sacramental wines. The diversity of climates and soils allow Texas vintners to grow a diverse array of wine grapes, and Texas wineries are being recognized around the world and are winning prestigious awards. Let the wine experts at Central Market introduce you to some of these tasty and affordable wines!

Photos courtesy of Central Market

We all know how good Texas beef is (and the meat department has some of the best!), but Texas produces amazing lamb, poultry, and seafood. Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching, so why not plan to grill up a Texas feast? Lamb from Goldthwaite, quail from Lockhart, shrimp from Palacios, and oysters from Galveston make for a great addition to the gorgeous Prime Angus rib-eyes from Chalk Mountain. Or grab a brisket and smoke it low and slow over pecan and mesquite for a classic Texas barbeque. The possibilities are almost endless.

Photo courtesy of Central Market

Texas cheese are, like Texas wines, being recognized as some of the finest out there, and Central Market has a dizzying variety. From Latte Da Dairy’s goat cheeses to Paula Lambert’s pioneering mozzarella, creating a beautiful Texas cheese platter is easy. Or serve Texas honey over some fig and black pepper goat cheese from White Oak’s Haute Goat Creamery for a delicious and easy dessert.

When I say you can find Texas products in every department in Central Market, I mean it. Even Healthy Living and the Floral Departments are proudly promoting Texans and their products. And if you’re in a hurry, simply grab a Texas feast from the Chef Prepared selections available. There is something for everyone in your family. So head over to Central Market and celebrate some of what makes Texas great. I promise, your taste buds will thank you!

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My immature palate and unaccustomed mind could not understand why people voluntary drank that stuff. Uncle Jim is a true oenophile; his knowledge and appreciation of wine is vast and deep. Fortunately for me, he has a bit of the teacher in him, as well. Uncle Jim did not give up on my wine education, and over the past decade, he has slowly introduced me to different grapes, wineries, and food pairings.

We started, as many people do, with white wines. First, we tried riesling. We then worked our way up through sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, before finally getting into red wines like pinot noir and malbec. I have learned to hold a glass of wine by just the stem so as not to allow the heat of your hand to warm the wine. I have learned that you do not have to spend a huge amount of money to get a very good bottle wine. I have learned that letting wine breathe before drinking is key to opening up more flavors and softening the harsh tannins in a young wine. I have learned how to pair food with wine, harmonizing the flavors for a complete dining experience.

photo courtesy of Winemakers Uncorked

Last year, Uncle Jim and his younger brother, my father George Angle, embarked on a new wine adventure. They headed down to the Texas Hill Country and then circled up to East Texas to visit the three wineries that would make up the pilot episode in their upcoming wine reality show, “Winemakers Uncorked.” Not wanting to miss the education and the fun, I invited myself along for the ride and got to experience the trip through Texas, the intricacies of filming a reality television series, and the brothers’ shenanigans — all with a glass of Texas wine heavy in my hand.

Jim and George are like “Car Talk’s” Click and Clack of wine shows. Jim is a wine connoisseur and a highly-regarded, retired broadcast news political correspondent. My dad is a retired public-school teacher and the “smarter younger brother.” He also has a highly-developed sense of humor. Together, these two Texans, ages 71 and 69, take their viewers with them on a trip through their home state that makes exploring the world of vino delightfully funny.
After the filming was over and we were back home, I sat down with my dad to talk about his favorite wineries in Texas and California, what he feels are the best vineyards are to visit with families, and how becoming a wine connoisseur has enriched his life.

Q: What is one of your favorite wineries in Texas?
A: Wineries are sort of like friends; it’s hard to nail down a favorite. Out of the three vineyards we visited in Texas, Messina Hof [the original winery is in Bryan, with locations in Fredericksburg and Grapevine], Kiepersol Winery and Distillery [south of Tyler], and Wines of Dotson Cervantes [on the shores of Lake Buchanan in Tow], each produced its own unique wines with distinct personalities.
Because of my background as high school tennis coach and sportscaster, I found Alphonse Dotson, a former National Football League defensive tackler, to have the best story. One of his wines that I really enjoyed was Perseverance. Alphonse says that years ago his vineyard was decimated by wild hogs, deer, birds, and a hailstorm. He thought all the grapes had been wiped out. “A few vines survived nature’s onslaught, and from those few surviving vines became that wine.” That’s Perseverance.

Q: What is the best kid-friendly winery you’ve visited?
A: For families, it would probably be the De La Montanya Estate Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, California. At Dennis De La Montanya’s winery and vineyard, there’s beautiful gardens where kids can wonder around, pitch horseshoes, and play bocce ball. The estate is big enough to host parties and close to a larger city. The location is so fun that people forget it’s a winery that’s won numerous awards over the years, like its Double Gold Medal 2015 Pinot Noir.

Q: What do you love most about wine now that you’ve become more of a connoisseur?
A: I like tasting the culmination of adversity and creativity. As you walk through the vineyards and get to know the wine makers personally — or even help them bottle wine and get your shoes muddy — you understand the struggles they overcame that lead to their successes. That knowledge makes the wine taste even better to me because I know its history. The wineries are in partnership and competition with nature. Just like brothers sometimes, we’re competing against each other but we’re always the ultimate partners in life.

photo courtesy of Winemakers Uncorked

Wine lovers have a reputation for being full of esoteric knowledge and being, well, a little stuffy. “Winemakers Uncorked” is anything but stuffy. Unlike other food or wine series, with their use of baroque language describing costly wines and extravagant restaurants, the Angle brothers’ series is approachable and witty.
When asked to summarize the series, my dad said, “My brother is the ‘epicurious’ and I’m just the curious one, more interested in the science and personalities of the people we meet. Jim is primarily interested in the taste. I’m the Curious George.” The temperaments of the brothers balance each other beautifully, making for a wonderfully fun, highly informative television show.

You can learn more about “Winemakers Uncorked” and the journey of Jim and George through Texas at www.winemakersuncorked.com. The pilot episode of the series (with a cameo of me) is available on YouTube. Find it by searching “Winemakers Uncorked Pilot.”

Cheers to summer sipping.

Sip and See

Messina Hof Winery and Resort, with locations in Fredericksburg, Bryan, and Grapevine, Texas
www.messinahof.com
Wines of Dotson-Cervantes, located in Tow, Texas, twenty minutes from Llano
www.dotsoncervanteswines.com
Kiepersol Winery and Distillery, located in Tyler, Texas
www.kiepersol.com
De La Montanya Estate Vineyards & Winery, located in Sonoma County, California
www.dlmwine.com

This article originally appeared in the May/June issue of Madeworthy.

For more than a decade, Sarah Angle has worked as a Texas-based writer. She began her career as a daily newspaper reporter and photographer, and now splits her time between journalism and marketing communications. Since starting her own freelance writing business, Sarah has worked for brands such as: Frito-Lay, RadioShack, Dairy Queen, Honda, Sid Richardson Art Museum, Samsung, and Pizza Inn. As a journalist, her work has been published in the Washington Post, Boys’ Life magazine, Texas Observer, Fort Worth Weekly, The Dallas Morning News, and 360 West magazine. In 2014, she won first place from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia for her feature story “From the Land of the Lost.” The following year, she earned a fellowship from the Investigative Reporters and Editors organization and became a board member for the Society of Professional Journalists, Fort Worth chapter. Currently, she teaches in the School of Strategic Communication at TCU. Sarah lives in Fort Worth with her darling daughter and a house full of books and mid-century modern décor.

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