Happenings at TWC
Cheese Burgers for the Holidays (Dec-2021)
With crazy Texas weather, it can be short sleeve warm or insulated parka cold in late November and December. If warm weather presents itself during the holiday season, backyard grilling can be fun. Continue »
Dec 8, 2021 at 9:39 AM
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Holiday Wine Selections – Nov-Dec, 2021
It seems amazing that it is Thanksgiving week, already. And Christmas and the New Year are just a few weeks away. Where has this year gone? We’ve had opportunities to enjoy and share a lot of good wines and good times in 2021, and now it’s time to consider wines that will accompany those special dinners and fun gatherings with family and friends. Here are some suggestions from the Texas Wine Collective portfolio that should brighten and enhance your holidays. Continue »
Nov 23, 2021 at 11:24 AM
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Tannins in Red Wines
When hosting wine tasting sessions at Texas Wine Collective, a question often asked is “What are tannins in wine, and why are they there?” I was reminded of this when a friend sent me a tasting note posted on www.cellartracker.com website comparing tannin qualities from two different Texas producers – basically, the taster complained about too much tannin in one producer’s wines. Being a subject that my friend and I had recently experienced and discussed, it seemed like a good topic for Carl’s Corner. Continue »
Nov 18, 2021 at 12:59 PM
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Texas Wine Collective Wine Club Release – Nov-2021
Oct 30, 2021 at 1:21 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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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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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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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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