Cowboys and Cabernet: Lone Star Wines Shine at California Conference
Mr. Parker, are you out there?

By Jane Nickles, Texas Culinary Academy - Austin, Texas
Guest Blog on VintageTexas

Howdy, y’all. Jane Nickles here. I’m the Wine Educator at the Texas Culinary Academy (http://www.tca.edu) in Austin, and today I’m happy to be guest blogging here at Vintage Texas. Those of you who know me know that as part of my “day job” I speak - an awful lot - at wine, food, and education conferences all over the country. I’ve been doing it for quite a while, and every year the toughest crowd I face is at the Annual Conference of the Society of Wine Educators (http://www.societyofwineeducators.org)

The first Texas wine I poured was Brennan Vineyards (http://www.brennanvineyards.com) Viognier 2008 (Comanche County). I am so proud that this wine was the first in the line-up and I think it stunned this California crowd, creating more than a few new believers in the ways of Texas Wine. They loved it. Lemon, lime, green apple and apricot aromas, followed by honeysuckle, jasmine, honey, and almond flavors; all wrapped in voluptuous softness. What’s not to love?

Next up was Llano Estacado (http://www.llanowine.com) Viviana 2008, a new white blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, and Viognier. This aromatic charmer - as tart and floral as fresh-pressed apples with jazzy nuances of lime and peach - has just a tickle of sweetness to keep the bracing acidity in check. The crowd loved the wine and (wine educators that they are) noted that it would be a great foil to spicy Texas foods such as Shrimp Diablo, Fiery Salsa, and anything off the grill.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1058