Portugal Lends a Hand in Taming the Texas Heat

Today we experienced heat in the 90's for the first time I can remember this year.  With the innevitable summer heat looming over our Texan heads, this past weekend I turned my eyes to an old favorite - Vinho Verde from Portugal.  This traditionally slightly effervescent crisp white wine is a top choice when the heat rolls in. 

Famega, a producer from the Minho region of Purtugal,shows a slightly higher acidity coupled with intense aromas of citrus, green melon, and green apple on the nose.  Add that to the low alcohol content (10%), and you have the perfect go-to bottle when looking for refreshment during the the dog days of summer.  Plus, at $6-7 a bottle at the local Oak Lawn Goody Goody - This wine is truly a steal!

Happy Drinking and feel free to share your secrets to beating the heat =)

Tonight - Mon 4/18/11 - Hunnicutt Wine Tasting at the Bodega Bar

Just received the following information via email from Amier at the Bodega Bar on Travis Walk in Dallas, TX:

Tonight, Monday 4/18/2011 - Wine Tasting with Wines from Hunnicutt (Napa Valley)

Meet Jennifer Montalbano from Hunnicutt Winery.

Winemaker – Kirk Venge –  Mr Venge makes some stellar wines!  More info on this project can be found here - http://www.hunnicuttwines.com

These are limited production wines that express some of the best attributes of Napa Valley. Taste 4 Red Wines from Hunnicutt.

When: Monday, April 18, 2011

Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Cost: $8 (+tax & Gratuity) – Includes the cost of the tasting and the choice of one of the following – Cheeseboard of Black Diamond Cheddar & Gruyere, Bruchetta or Charcuterie of Prosciutto & Serrano.

 Wines will be available on a pre-sale at a deep discounted price.

Michael Keenan Private Wine Tasting - Wed April 20th

This Wednesday night we will be attending a fun event at a local home in East Dallas -

Michael Keenan will be in town showing off some of his highly rated wines. Michael Keenan is the owner and wine maker of the Robert Keenan Winery whose vineyard is located in Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley and specializing in the production of small lots of high quality, hand crafted wines. We will be tasting various wines from the vineyard including their acclaimed Cabernet Franc which has created somewhat of a cult following for its silky structure and enticing aromatics. It is always an exceptional quality wine and each year is one of the best of its kind to come out of California.

I will do my best to take good notes and snap some pictures to post on the blog following the event -

Featured wines include......
• 2007 Mernet - Cabernet/Merlot blend that recently was rated 97 point by Robert Parker.
• 2007 Cabernet Franc - Always one of the best of it's varietal from California.
• 2007 Mailbox Vineyard Merlot, 2006 Reserve Cabernet, 2006 Cabernet, 2008 Chardonnay and more.

More info can be found at the winery's website:  http://www.keenanwinery.com/



The Blog

Thank you for visiting The Newly Launched Dallas Wine Cult homepage.  I will be using the Blog area to write about my journey through my Sommelier course over the next few months, upcoming wine events around town, to review wines that I have tried through private and public tastings, to post wines tasted on my travels and to update anything and everything that I experience in the wonderful world of wine. 

Please check back and feel free to give feedback any chance you feel appropriate!

Matt