Happenings at TWC
Funky Food and Wine Pairings: Another Year of Thinking Beyond Cheese
Remember when the pandemic first started and things came to a halt? Well, it was during these slow, confusing times that GM Dave challenged some of our TWC team members to come up with new experiences for our customers who would be more than ready to enjoy wine and have some fun when everything opened up again. My brain got to work, and I presented him with 12 months of food and wine pairings: cupcakes and wine, donuts and wine, popcorn and wine, farmers market fruits and wine. These were some of my ideas that he gently turned down. Continue »
Oct 20, 2021 at 2:02 PM
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Texas Cheese and Wine Experience (Oct-2021)
The Texas Cheese and Wine Experience in the comfortable boardroom at Texas Wine Collective is available every day, by reservation. Groups of 2-12 make reservations online (www.texaswinecollective.com) and gather at the appointed time (11:00, 1:00, 2:30, or 4:00) to experience a pairing of 5 Texas cheeses with 5 Texas wines from the TWC partner wineries: Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars. Most Saturdays, I have the privilege to host these pairings, and while sharing with a wonderful group of ladies from Houston this past Saturday (9-Oct-2021), an inspiration came to me to write about this special cheese and wine pairing opportunity. Continue »
Oct 15, 2021 at 8:03 AM
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The 80’s Are Coming to TWC! Radical!
I started middle school in 1980, finished high school in 1986, and graduated from college in 1990. The 80’s marked almost the entirety of my adolescence, and as you might imagine, it was a turbulent time…particularly for my fashion and musical tastes. I can divide the 80’s roughly in half based on my attire and what I listened to on mixed tapes. Continue »
Oct 6, 2021 at 9:44 AM
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Texas vs. Spain: Spanish-origin Grape Varieties
A special wine pairing event is scheduled at Texas Wine Collective on Sunday, 3-October, to provide a fun opportunity to appreciate the similarities and differences between Albarino, Mourvèdre (or Monastrell/Mataro), and Tempranillo grown and produced in Texas versus key regions in Spain. There will be two sessions, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. For more information and to make a reservation, check out the www.texaswinecollective.com website. Continue »
Sep 27, 2021 at 2:38 PM
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Fortified Port-style Dessert Wines (Portejas)
The Black Spanish, or Lenoir vines, growing in front of the logo tanks at Texas Wine Collective were discussed in a previous Carl’s Corner posting. Black Spanish is a hybrid grape that grows well in the hot, more humid climates of Texas. The vines were planted in 2013 by folks from Lost Oak Winery, one of our owner/partners, and were intended to be a “show” vineyard, a garden really, so that visitors could see and appreciate grapevines. However, once we saw grape clusters ripening, it seemed only right to each vintage and make something fun with them, like a Portejas. Continue »
Sep 13, 2021 at 2:51 PM
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Meet Some New TWC Faces!
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how TWC is balancing old and new…maintaining what’s always made us a favorite in the Texas Hill Country while making room for new experiences and adventures. Part of this balance involves welcoming new teammates into our TWC family. Continue »
Sep 8, 2021 at 11:17 AM
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Wine Club Selections for Sept-2021
It has been an unusual summer, milder temperatures and a LOT more rain. Can you remember seeing the Texas Hill Country this green?! Grape growers all over the state have been working hard to control fungal diseases and mildew problems that wet weather and warm temperatures have promoted. Now it’s harvest time and most growers and winemakers are really busy getting the 2021 vintage underway and under control Continue »
Aug 31, 2021 at 2:06 PM
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Magic All Around, Old and New
The past year and half has brought many changes to TWC…with even more coming. We’re busy balancing the old and new and finding fun in both! Continue »
Aug 26, 2021 at 2:07 PM
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Picardan – White Rhône Grape for Texas
Because of the rolling hills and rocky landscape, sandy, gravelly soil types, and hot, dry, windy climate conditions in the southern Rhône Valley of France, grape varieties that thrive there also tend to do quite well in many regions of the Lone Star State. Classic Rhône white varieties like Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, plus red varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are well-known in Texas for producing quality wines. A much less-known white grape variety, Picardan, is now showing up in Texas wine blends. Float Blanc 2020 Texas High Plains is a refreshing white wine blend that contains Picardan, accompanied by Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. It was produced by McPherson Cellars for Texas Wine Collective. This Carl’s Corner post explores Picardan – a bit of history, some characteristics, and potential here in Texas. Continue »
Aug 19, 2021 at 1:30 PM
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TWC Vineyard Grape Harvest
Those of you who have visited or even driven by Texas Wine Collective probably noticed grape vines growing near Hwy 290, in front of the three Logo tanks at the entrance to the tasting room and patio area. These are mostly Black Spanish, or Lenoir, vines, a hybrid grape that grows well in the hot, more humid climates of Texas. The vines were planted in 2013 by folks from Lost Oak Winery, one of our partner/owners, and were intended to be a “show” vineyard, a garden really, so that visitors could see and appreciate grapevines. Continue »
Aug 7, 2021 at 3:24 PM
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