GO TEXAN DrinkLocalWine.com Conference August 15, 2009 Texas: 5th largest wine producing state in the nation More than 170 wineries More than 280 commercial vineyards Texas' wine and wine grape industry: $1.35 billion
June 22nd, 2009 Wine & Cheese Pairing Class at Mozzarella Company
Learn to pair wine and cheese with wine expert John Bratcher and cheesemaker Paula Lambert in a unique setting where all questions are answered, Mon, 22-June, 6:30-8:30p, $50. Reservations 214.741.4072. Mozzarella Company, 2944 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226 (Deep Ellum).
June 22nd, 2009 Dallas Uncorked: Pairings on the Patio at Parigi
Four course wine dinner Mon, 22-Jun, 6:30-9p, $80 inclusive, reserve online. Info: Dallas Uncorked214.999.0820. Parigi Restaurant, 3311 Oak Lawn Ave. #102, Dallas TX 75219, 214.521.0295
June 17th, 2009 Beer and Cheese Pairing Class at Mozzarella Company
Guided tasting of 6-8 beer and cheese pairings with Mark Monfrey and cheesemaker Paula Lambert, approximately 2 hours. Wed, 17-Jun, 6:30-8:30p, $50. Mozzarella Company, 2944 Elm Street (Deep Ellum), Dallas TX 75226. Reservations: 214.741.4072
June 17th, 2009 Winemaker Benjamin Calais at Scardello's
Wines from Benjamin Calais, winemaker/owner of Calais Winery in Deep Ellum paired with hand-made cheeses, Wed, 17-Jun, 7p, $20, reservation required. Scardello's, 3511 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas TX 75219, 214.219.1300
June 13th, 2009 AIWF Wine Lunch at Salum Restaurant
Sat, 13-Jun, 12:30p. $63, reservation required. Info online or phone AIWF Hotline 214.696.2493. Salum, 4152 Cole Avenue #103, Dallas TX 75204, 214.252.9604
June 8th, 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Tasting at Wine²
Mon, 8-Jun, 7p, $15. Wine²,
110 W. Oak St. A, Denton, TX 76201. Reserve: 940.384.9463
June 3rd, 2009 Night of the Italian Collection at Vino 100 Alfonso Cevola leads tasting of wines from Lombardy, Puglia, Veneto, Alto Adige, Tuscany and Piedmont Wed, 3-Jun, 7:30-9:30p, $40 plus tax. Includes 7 wines, appetizers from Jimmy's Food Store, and Mozzarella Company fresh mozzarella demonstration and tasting. Vino 100, 2909 McKinney Avenue, Suite A, Dallas, TX 75204. Reservation required: 214.969.9463 or email Denise at vino100dallas dot com
June 2nd, 2009 A Taste of Burgundy at Molto Formaggio Highland Park Village
Wine and cheese of Burgundy, Tues, 2-Jun, 7p, $75 per couple, and take home gift bag that includes a bottle of wine. Molto Formaggio, Highland Park Village Shopping Center (SW corner Preston & Mockingbird), 68 Highland Park Village, Dallas TX 75205, Reservations: 214.526.0700
May 31st, 2009 Selections from Spain Wine Dinner at The Grape
3 courses from chef/proprietor Brian Luscher paired with Spanish wine from distributor New Age Wine, Sun, 31-May, 5:30p, $45 plus tax and gratuity, The Grape, 2808 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206. Complimentary valet parking. Reservations: 214.828.1981
May 29th, 2009 Tuscan Wine and Food Pairing Class at Flavors From Afar
Fri, 29-May, 6:30p, $$$, Flavors From Afar, 6712 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205, 214.696.2327. Reserve
May 29th, 2009 Wild Alaskan Cooking Demonstration and Dinner at Chamberlain's Fish Market Grill
4-course wine dinner Fri, 29-May, 6:30p, $69.95 plus tax & gratuity. Reception: Alaskan Salmon Beggars Purses with Champagne Cream;
Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris First Course: Mirin and Sesame Glazed Halibut with Marinated Vegetable Salad; Willamette Valley Vineyards Chardonnay Dijon Clone Entrée: Filet Mignon and Butter Poached King Crab with Morel Mushroom Sauce; Pendulum Meritage, Columbia Valley Dessert: Pacific Wild Blueberry Pie, Yukon Jack Frozen Snow Cap
Vanilla Ice Cream, Yukon Jack Liqueur, Light Cream de Cocoa and Whipped Cream Reservations: 972.503.3474 Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill, 4525 Belt Line Rd., Addison, TX 75001. Reserve: 972.503.3474
May 23rd, 2009 Dallas Wine Trail Grand Tasting at Times Ten Cellars
Dallas winemakers Benjamin Calais, Calais Winery; Lee Foster Fuqua, Fuqua Winery; Dan Gatlin, Inwood Estates and Times Ten Cellars's Kert Platner, Rob Wilson and Chris Lawler present the Dallas Wine Trail Grand Tasting Sat, 23-May, 11a-5p at Times Ten Cellars, $50 ($45 in advance online). Includes tasting of 12 wines, hors d'oeuvres, and to take home, a Dallas Wine Trail wine tote, sommelier-style glass, and one bottle of wine. Times Ten Cellars, 6324 Prospect Ave, Dallas TX 75214, 214.824.9463.
May 20th, 2009 Ridge Vineyards Tasting at Sigel's Addison
Current vintages including newly released 2007s from Ridge Vineyards, with winemaker John Olney Wed, 20-May, 5-7p, free. Please RSVP: 972.387.9873 or online. Wines to be tasted include 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Chardonnay (93ws), 2007 Zinfandel Paso Robles, 2007 Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard, 2007
Three Valleys Sonoma County (Zin blend)(90cg), 2007 Zinfandel East Bench (92cg), 2006 Zinfandel York Creek, 2006 Zinfandel Lytton Springs (92st), 2005 Syrah Lytton West (95cg). Sigel's Addison, 15003 Inwood Road.
May 20th, 2009 Off The Vine & Into The Glass Esterlina Winemaker Dinner
With Eric Sterling Wed, 20-May, 6:30p, $75 includes Diablita Sonoma County Blanca, Esterlina Cole Ranch Off-dry Riesling, Esterlina Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Esterlina Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, Esterlina Cole Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Diablita Sonoma County Zinfandel and food from Into The Glass. To reserve, phone Wayne: 817.442.1969. Off The Vine, 324 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX 76051, 817.421.1091
May 18th, 2009 Wines from Tasmania Class at Wine²
Mon, 18-May, 7p, $20, Wine², 110 W Oak St A, Denton, TX 76201. Reservation required: 940.384.9463
May 15th, 2009 Wine Down at Sunset Winery, Burleson
Fri, 15-May, 5:30-10p. Wine is available for purchase and you may bring your own food to enjoy on the deck. Bruce and Birgit Anderson offer a taste of 2 of their wines from 4-6p. Winery hours: Thurs-Sun, noon-7p and by appointment. Sunset Winery, 1535 S. Burleson Blvd., Burleson (south of Fort Worth, corner of the east service road to Interstate 35-W and CR 530B, just south of the Exit 34 crossover and 2 miles north of exit 32). 817.426.1141
May 15th, 2009 Back to the Future: Then & Now Wine Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse - Dallas
Fri, 15-May, 6–8p, $45 +tax, includes wines and hors d'oeuvres. Featuring 2001/2007 GrossetPolish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley; 1997 (1.5L)/2007 Alexander Valley VineyardsSin Zin; 2001/2006 Betts & Scholl Grenache, Barossa Valley; 2001/2006 Perrin Vacqueyras; 2000/2004 Ausvetia Shiraz, South Australia; 1985/2003 Spring Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. Reservation required: 214.366.2000. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, 10477 Lombardy Lane, Dallas TX 75220
May 12th, 2009 A Taste of Chile at Central Market Dallas
Informal sampling of 6 wines with Jennifer Uygur, wine and beer manager, Dallas Central Market and Sergio Reyes, Geo Wines, Tues, 12-May, 6-8p. $15, includes Cucao Chardonnay Reserva, Chono Cabernet Sauvignon, Chono Carmenere, Chono San Lorenzo Syrah, Chono San Lorenzo, and Palin Syrah. Reserve: Central Market Dallas Cooking School, 214.361.5754. Central Market Dallas, 5750 E. Lovers Lane (at Greenville), Dallas TX 75206, 214.234.7000
May 11th, 2009 Au Bon Climat Wine Dinner with Jim Clendenen at Abacus Kent Rathbun and Dallas Central Market present a 5-course wine dinner with Jim Clendenen, owner/winemaker and mind behind Au Bon Climat at Abacus Mon, 11-May, 6:30p, $125 inclusive.
Reception: Copper River Salmon Carpaccio, Paula’s Cottage Cheese, Hawaiian Sea Salt; Cajun Grilled Rabbit Sausage Crostini, Roasted Tomato Marmalade 2006 Skin & Bones White Riesling, Santa Barbara First Course: Pan Seared Diver Scallops, Celery Root Puree, Foie Gras Cream 2003 Au Bon Climat Nuits Blanches Chardonnay Second Course: Porcini-Spring Ramp Tart, Molasses Glazed Pork Belly, Black Truffle Butter 2007 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara Third Course: Roasted Squab, Artichoke Risotto, Sweet Corn Sabayon 2006 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir La Bauge Fourth Course: Tea Smoked Wagyu Tri-Tip, Crispy Noodle Cake, Fermented Black Bean Sauce, Green Mango-Yuzu Salad 2006 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Talley Vineyard Fifth Course: Blackberry Brown Butter Tart, Fresh Peach-White Balsamic Puree, Creme Fraiche 2005 One Hand Clapping Late Harvest Pinot Blanc. Reservation required: Donna Tanner 469.867.3681. Abacus Restaurant, 4511 McKinney Avenue, Dallas TX 75205, 214.559.3111.
May 9th, 2009 Champagne Tasting and Discussion with French Affaires at La Cave Warehouse
Join Elizabeth New of French Affaires for a discussion of The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo, hosted by François and Anne Chandou, La Cave Warehouse proprietors. Sat, 9-May, 1-2:30p, $25, includes guided discussion, Champagne and savory bites. Reservation required: email info.affaires at frenchaffaires dot com or phone 214.232.5344. La Cave Warehouse, 1931 Market Center Blvd, #129, Dallas TX 75207, 214.747.9463
May 8th, 2009 La Vie en Roses Champagne Gala at Rosewood Crescent Hotel
Wine dinner honoring Jean Carrier, in the presence of the Honorable Pierre Grandjouan, Consul General of France, Fri, 8-May, 7p. $175, includes Champagne reception, wine dinner and dancing. Rosewood Crescent Hotel, Crescent Ballroom, 400 Crescent Court, Dallas TX 75201, complimentary valet parking. To reserve: 972.241.0111 or register online.
April 20th, 2009 Tenuta Col d'Orcia Tasting at Jimmy's
With Paola Tealdi, export manager, Mon, 20-Apr, 6:30p, check in 6:15p, $39 +tax. 6 wines to be tasted include Super Tuscan and Brunello, accompanied by an antipasti buffet, Jimmy's lasagna with grilled vegetables and dessert. To reserve, email phone number to Paul at jimmysfoodstore dot com. Jimmy's Food Store, 4901 Bryan, Dallas. 214.823.6180
April 16th, 2009 5-Course Fisher Vineyards Wine Dinner at Nana
Thurs, 16-Apr, reception 6:30p, dinner 7p, with Fisher Vineyards proprietor Juelle Fisher. $165 plus tax & gratuity. Nana, 27th Flr, Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. Reserve: 214.761.7470
April 15th, 2009 Merryvale Wine Dinner at Sevy's for Singles 30 & up Single Gourmet DFW hosts a 4-course dinner in Sevy's private dining room with Merryvale's winemaker and vintner Wed, 15-Apr, 6:30p reception; 7p dinner. $89 includes reception, 4-course wine dinner, coffee or iced tea, tax and gratuity. Reserve Reception: Goat cheese crostini with tomato, caper and golden raisin relish, Cristalino Cava First Course: Roasted sweet corn bisque with blackened shrimp, Merryvale Sauvignon Blanc, Napa 2007 Second Course: Seared sea scallop with creamy asparagus orzo, Merryvale Chardonnay, Napa 2006 Third Course: Peppered sirloin strip with sweet potato gratin and wild mushroom sauce OR Red snapper with orzo;
Merryvale Cabernet, Napa 2005 Fourth Course: Sevy's Three "New" Favorite Cheeses with almond pear chutney and exotic crackers, Merryvale Merlot, Napa (vintage to be determined based on availability).
April 14th, 2009 Wine & Cheese Pairing at Molto Formaggio
Featuring a sampling from Sam Gugino's September 30, 2008, Wine Spectator article The World of Cheese: 100 Great Cheeses, Tues, 14-Apr, 6:30p, $75 per couple, includes samplings of wine, cheeses, and bottle of wine and cheese to take home. Molto Formaggio, Highland Park Village Shopping Center (SW corner Preston & Mockingbird), 68 Highland Park Village, Dallas TX 75205, Reservations: 214.526.0700
April 14th, 2009 Bob Egelhoff Wine Dinner at Bonnell's
5-courses, $110, plus tax and gratuity First Course: Sampling of Four Different Oysters from Around the Country with Four Signature Sauces, Egelhoff 08 Dry Riesling Second Course: Bacon-Wrapped Monkfish with Creole Sauce, Egelhoff 03 Cabernet Sauvignon Third Course: Breast of Squab over Foie Gras with Mushroom Duxelle, Egelhoff 04 Cabernet Sauvignon Fourth Course: Seared Tenderloin over Brioche with Madeira Sauce and White Truffle Compound Butter, Egelhoff 05 Cabernet Sauvignon Fifth Course: Chocolate and Caramel Brownie with Port-Macerated Berries, Walton Tawny Port. Bonnell's Restaurant, 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76109. To reserve: 817.738.5489
April 11th, 2009 Champagne and Sparkling Tasting at Calais Winery in Deep Ellum
With winemaker Benjamin Calais, Calais Winery. Sat, 11-Apr, 4-10p, $15, includes taste of Georges Gardet Cuvée Saint Flavy Brut Tradition Champagne, Rieflé Crémant d'Alsace, Mariposa sparkling dessert red from Italy, and 3 non-sparkling Calais wines: La Cuvée Principale 2007 (unoaked Chardonnay), La Cuvée D'Elme 2007 (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc), and La Cuvée du Commerce 2006 (Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah). Please reserve: 214.453.2548 or email bcs at calaiswinery dot com. Calais Winery, 3000 Commerce Street, Dallas TX 75226, 214.453.2548
April 1st, 2009 Euro Cocktail at Azure
Informal reception, Wed, 1-Apr, 5:30-7:30p, $25, includes appetizers and 2 drink tickets for wine or beer. Sponsored by the French-American Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth, British American Commerce Association, Finnish American Business Guild, German American Chamber of Commerce, Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Texas, and Swedish American Chamber of Commerce. Reserve: online or phone French American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) 972.241.0111. Azure, 2900 McKinnon Avenue - 2nd Floor Social Room, Dallas TX 75201
March 28th, 2009 Masks and Jeans Black T-Shirt Extravaganza at San Martino Winery
Sat, 28-Mar, 6p, $20, reserve online. San Martino Winery, 12512 Hwy 205 North, Rockwall, TX 75087
Spicy, jammy, foodloving ZINFANDEL
There were no bad wines when Zinfandel Advocates and Producers served up their Zins at ZAP's Zinfandel Grand Tasting at the Tower Club in Dallas Thursday, May 14th, 2009.
We think Zin is pure pleasure, made for food. Nearly all the wines we sampled, from everyday to elegant, were recognizably Zinfandel: medium- to big-bodied, vividly berryish or jammy, with allspice or pepper and more (cherry, rose petal, cocoa, clove...), and as uniquely enjoyable as their makers' personalities.
Keeping Zinfandel weird is fun, and tasting is a must as regions, sub-appellations and vineyards proliferate and winemaker styles evolve. Many wineries are still family owned and operated, and offer small production wines.
Seven to know
1. 2007 Artezin Mendocino County Zinfandel winemaker Randle Johnson sees people turning to heritage varietals and says they're taking on new meaning. Johnson has been around the heirloom blocks: field mixes of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and Carignan traditionally planted by California's Italian farmers for their red blends. Winemakers still use these for blending, but because they ripen differently - Zin first, then Carignan, then Alicante Bouschet, then Petite Sirah, they're not picked at the same time, and some, nurtured to a precise berry size, are being made into single varietal wines. Smooth and elegant, the 2006 Artezin Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is a blend of Zinfandel from three Dry Creek growers, plus small amounts of Petite Sirah and Carignan. Artezin, based in Napa, CA, is part of The Hess Group.
2. Carol Shelton Wines Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel balances big fruit, spicy black pepper, smoky oak, and smooth, well-integrated alcohol. Shelton purchases organic grapes from Cox Vineyard in Mendocino County and named the wine in part for the wild yeasts she uses. Wild Thing accounts for about 1500 cases of Shelton's acclaimed production of 5000 cases a year. Her 2006 Monga Zin from grapes grown in Lopez Vineyard in Cucamonga Valley evokes Moroccan spice blends. Shelton's reserve wine is the elegant 2006 Rocky Reserve Zinfandel from Florence Vineyard in Rockpile, Dry Creek Valley.
3. Duane Dappen poured 4 of his distinctive D-Cubed Cellars wines: 2005 Napa Valley, 2006 St. Helena, 2005 Howell Mountain and 2005 Brown Vineyardsz: unique alternatives for those looking for something different in Zinfandel.
7. Deep Purple Winery makes Zin, not war, calling its 2007 Lodi Zinfandel a hedonistic fruit bomb with aromas of blackberry, cherry and plum with a sprinkling of cloves. The label flashes back to Fillmore West era poster art.
Location: One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh Street, Dallas TX 75201 Cost: $75. Paid valet and self-parking are available. Reserve:214.696.2493
- Richard Silverston, May 2009
ZAP Zinfandel Grand Tasting at Tower Club Thursday, May 14th, 2009, 6-9pm
Wines from more than 40 American Zinfandel vintners accompanied by small plates from chef Anthony Bombaci of Nana, chef David Uygur of Lola, chef David Bull of Bolla, chef Tre Wilcox and chef Sam Dickey, Zymology.
Location: The Tower Club, 1601 Elm St., 48th Floor, Dallas TX 75201 Cost: $45
Presented by The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas and Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) Information
Purchase tickets online. Tickets are nonrefundable.
- Richard Silverston, May 2009
Peay Vineyards Wine Dinner at York Street Thursday, April 30th, 2009, 7:30pm
Six-course spring feast prepared by York Street chef/proprietor Sharon Hage featuring 7 Peay Vineyards wines: 1 white Rhone blend, 2 Chardonnays, 2 Pinot Noirs, 2 Syrahs. Location: York Street, 6047 Lewis St., Dallas TX 75206 Cost: $150 plus tax and tip Reserve:214.826.0968
- Richard Silverston, April 2009
AIWF / Dallas Farmers Market Friends Spring 2009 Chef’s Cooking Class Series
Local chefs demonstrate favorite dishes inspired by produce fresh from the market Saturdays, April 25th through May 23rd, 2009, 11:30am-1pm.
Cost: Each class is $25 with a reservation; $30 at the door, space permitting. A 5-class package is $110. Group rates are available for 10 people or more. Location: Classes are held in the demonstration kitchen on the second floor of the Dallas Farmers Market Resource Center, 1010 S. Pearl Street, Dallas. Doors open 11am. To reserve: Mail check or money order payable to AIWF with reservation form to Cooking Class, c/o AIWF, P. O. Box 12384, Dallas, TX 75225.
Reservations will be held at the door for each class. Individual cancellations require one week advance notice. Information: 214.653.8088
Sponsored by The American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF) and Dallas Farmers Market Friends.
- Richard Silverston, April 2009
Spann Vineyards Wine Dinner with Peter Spann at Bene Bene Ristorante Wed, April 1, 2009, 7pm
5 courses prepared by chef/proprietor Rino Brigliadori paired with Spann VineyardsBetsy's Backacher, Spann Vineyards Chardonnay/Viognier, Spann Vineyards Mo Zin, Spann Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and Spann Vineyards Mo Jo. Location: Bene Bene Ristorante, 4727 Frankford Road Suite 409, Dallas TX 75287 Cost: $75 plus tax/gratuity Reserve: 972.267.2363
- Richard Silverston, March 2009
Calvados & Cheese Tasting at Lavendou Thursday, February 19, 2009, 6pm
The French-American Chamber of Commerce
Dallas/Fort Worth cordially invites you and your guests to attend a Calvados and cheese tasting Thursday, February 19th, 2009, 6pm, $30.
