Happenings at TWC
Corks versus Screwcaps – Does it Matter?
This update of a 2015 Carl’s Corner was prompted by a recent article by Dave Green in WineMaker Magazine, Virtual Edition, For nearly two centuries, cork has been the preferred closure for wine bottles. Cork is a natural product cut from the bark of a cork oak tree that is flexible and only a tiny bit porous. By properly shaping a cork to fit snugly inside the neck of a wine bottle, one can produce a very sturdy, long-lived stopper that is almost impervious to air intrusion. So, what is wrong with having cork closures for wine bottles, and why have screwcaps become more common and more popular? Continue »
Sep 30, 2020 at 9:57 AM
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Maceration in Winemaking
I recently enjoyed an article by Bob Peak posted in WineMaker Magazine, Virtual Edition (Sep-2020) entitled Maceration Tips and Techniques. Maceration is a term often tossed out when discussing the wine making process. It is critically important in producing red wines since most red grapes, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo, have colorless pulp (the juicy inside part of the grape) and red-black skins. Maceration is the technical term for soaking grape skins in grape juice, a necessary step in order to extract color (plus flavors and tannins) from those dark skins into the juice from the pulp to ultimately make a red wine. Continue »
Sep 16, 2020 at 1:20 PM
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Wine Club Selections for Sep-2020
The 2020 Corona virus pandemic and quarantine that essentially shut down businesses, including winery tasting rooms, just seems to go ON and ON. However, there was recent progress on opening as TABC issued some new rules related to sales of food and non-wine items that would allow for modified opening of many tasting rooms. (Can you understand this – I can’t! How can a virus tell the difference between a person just tasting wine vs one who is tasting wine but also purchased food?) 4.0 Cellars has applied for an updated permit under these new rules, and some forms of “normal” operation are returning. The September, 2020, Wine Club pickup parties will be held, probably under a limited format similar to that used in June. Information about the Wine Club pickup party, and a form to make reservations should be forthcoming to Wine Club members very soon. Continue »
Sep 2, 2020 at 12:21 PM
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4.0 Cellars Grape Harvest 2020
Those of you who have visited or even driven by 4.0 Cellars 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 original 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. Over the past few years, several vines have died and been replaced with Tannat and Tempranillo, creating what is now a field blend vineyard. Continue »
Aug 19, 2020 at 11:51 AM
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Developing Virtual Tastings for 2020
During this strange and restrictive Coronavirus shutdown of winery tasting rooms, several new approaches, including on-line purchases, direct shipping, and curbside pickup, have been taken to keep businesses operating and provide Texas wines to fans, interested customers, and loyal wine club members. After a couple of starts and stops that allowed limited customer tasting opportunities, the most recent TABC (Governor Abbott) edict has clamped down to eliminate any on-premise consumption on a winery’s property. Even though we are all capable of managing a clean, healthy environment and social distancing requirements, the shutdown restrictions remain despite our most fervent protests. Continue »
Aug 5, 2020 at 9:14 AM
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Texas Cheeses for 2020
For a number of years 4.0 Cellars has offered a Texas Cheese and Wine Experience featuring cheeses from Veldhuizein Cheese Farm in Dublin, TX, matched with wines from our three owner/partners – Brennan Vineyards in Comanche, TX, Lost Oak Winery in Burleson, TX, and McPherson Cellars in Lubbock, TX. With downtime during the Corona-virus shutdown and slowdown, opportunity arose to consider and taste additional cheese selections to feature in these pairings. The plan is to continue using some of the more popular Veldhuizen cheeses, and add some new and different options from the following producers. Continue »
Jun 24, 2020 at 11:00 AM
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Great CheeseBurgers on the Grill
With warm weather that seems to be around most of the year here in the Texas Hill Country, backyard grilling becomes an important part of our lives. Steaks, chicken, ribs, salmon, shrimp, sausage, and, of course, burgers are all targets for grill treatment. While hosting 4.0 Cellars Texas Cheese and Wine Experience pairings, discussions often relate to foods that use the delicious Texas cheeses offered. My favorite is Mac and Cheese and these recipes have been posted in previous Carl’s Corner editions. However, another topic that often arises during these cheese and wine pairings is how to prepare a delicious cheeseburger on the grill. So, here is the recipe and a discussion of my favorite method, along with some side dishes that also work well on the grill. Continue »
Jun 10, 2020 at 12:25 PM
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Wine Club, June 2020
What happened to March, April, and May-2020? The Corona virus pandemic and quarantine that essentially shutdown businesses, including winery tasting rooms, was certainly a shock no one particularly anticipated or enjoyed. 4.0 Cellars did what was possible during this strange time, selling wine on-line for shipping and curbside pickup. The April 2020 Wine Club pickup party was cancelled, and folks were encouraged to do a driveby to pickup of their wine allocations through arm’s length transfers from a few eager staff members camped out in the parking lot in front of the tasting room. Continue »
May 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM
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Spring Activity in the 4.0 Cellars Vineyard
During this Corona Virus shutdown period there are lots of activities that we can’t, or at least, shouldn’t do. However, Mother Nature does not take a break, so farming and vineyard work must continue. There has been a lot of activity in the 4.0 Cellars vineyard this spring, and that is the subject of this edition of Carl’s Corner. Continue »
May 13, 2020 at 1:10 PM
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Warm Weather Whites – Part 2
As warmer weather and summertime approaches, many feel a strong attraction to the lovely white wines produced by Texas vintners. There are many to choose from. Part 1 focused on Viognier, Vermentino, and Roussanne. This Part 2 edition will focus on Marsanne, Picquepoul Blanc, and Grenache Blanc, the other three of the so-called Rhône white varieties that tend to grow well and make delicious wines in the Lone Star State. The owner-partners at 4.0 Cellars – Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars – produce wines from these grape varieties, or use them in blends. So many delicious warm weather white wines are available for purchase from 4.0 Cellars (shipping or curbside pickup during these crazy COVID-19 times). Continue »
Apr 30, 2020 at 7:58 AM
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