Here’s to the perfect pairing Wine Dinner, featuring special guest Rajat Parr on Tuesday, October 22 at Francesca’s at Sunset. I have no doubt this will be an incredible evening! I am a huge fan of Sommelier Rajat Parr who runs the wine program for all of Chef Michael Mina’s restaurants. RN74 in San Francisco is one of my favorite spots…
sommelier
You Are Royally Invited To A Very Merry Un-End of the Year Extravaganza!
Take a tumble down the rabbit hole and head to Francesca’s at Sunset for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration. As you may have guessed, this year’s theme is Alice In Wonderland. Tour a world of culinary wonder with a specially-themed, five course occasion to ring in 2013!
Top Homegrown Picks for Tastings at the Westin!
Did you know that Texas is the 5th largest wine producer in the entire country? We mean business down here! All month long celebrate (and support) local wineries that are producing some highly regarded products.
Champagne for the love of February
Much obliged to Masraff’s: They’re popping the cork for you on Valentine’s Day with some fabulous recommendations on bubbly, but more importantly, some little known secrets about champagne that make a whole lot of difference! According to house sommelier Ben Roberts, all wine tasters look for a sense of the “place” that a particular wine is from.
The Beauty of Bordeaux Pairings
It’s no wonder the world’s most knowledgeable wine connoisseurs are captivated by Bordeaux. Sure, to command the sometimes outrageous prices there’s some hype. With wine there always is, but Bordeaux wines are the standard and have been for centuries, especially when it comes to pairing with food.
Masraff’s wild king salmon
Known for its beautiful patio with the relaxing waterfall and its sleek indoor decor (complete with floating fireplace!), Masraff’s on the boulevard always has something enticing. I was an instant fan with their garlic-seared calamari and their pristine white, delicious crab cake.
Keep cool with a nice brew this summer
As you know, I love a good glass of wine. But in the summer, sometimes an iced-cold beer is best. Matt Wheeler, the Sommelier at the H-E-B Bunker Hill, has some suggestions on finding a beer to beat the heat. Alamo Golden Ale is a smooth beer.
The Texas wines to try
If you’ve steered away from Texas wines because they don’t taste like Napa wines or French wines, it’s time to revisit the Lone Star vinos. A Texas cabernet will never taste like a Napa cab because the terroirs in the two regions are totally different—different soils, climates, etc.
Exploring Texas’ best wines
Wine is big business in Texas. There are nearly 200 wineries in the state fuelling an industry that has an economic impact to the tune of more than one billion dollars a year!
Master Sommelier at Gruene Door
Learning about wine doesn’t have to be intimidating or stuffy – just ask anyone who’s ever been to one of Master Sommelier Guy Stout’s classes. Guy is hosting a wine pairing dinner at the new Gruene Door restaurant Thursday night, Dec. 17 in Gruene, Tx. Guy is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to […]
Rev it up a notch – raw oysters & the perfect wine
Can raw oysters really improve your sex life? I have no idea, (sorry) but I do know when you pair the right wine with the right food, every meal becomes an adventure. The perfect match is bliss, but sometimes a lot of the fun is the ‘investigative’ process. With all the fabulous fresh seafood available […]
Be spontaneous. Fun wine tasting at sunset tonight!
Okay guys…it’s tonight—an incredible wine tasting of Burgess Cellars wines at Francesca’s at the Westin La Cantera. Sunset central! The view this time of year in the evening is spectacular. The Burgess vineyards are located on the famed Howell Mountain in Napa. If you enjoy red wines, you’ll enjoy this tasting. Francesca’s sommelier Steven Krueger […]
Chocolate & Red Wine Time
Dark chocolate and red wine…find yourself floating up to heaven just thinking about the combination?! Keep flying and I’ll fill you in on the results of a wine and chocolate pairing I recently did at my house. There were 11 of us – 2 sommeliers, 8 admitted chocoholics and one who ‘just isn’t into desserts’. […]
Valentine's Day Idea
If you’re looking for an easy romantic getaway or just a night out, check out the Valentine’s specials at the Westin La Cantera. Francesca’s (beautiful sunset view and all) will offer a five ( 5 ) course menu for $ 85.00 / $125.00 with wine pairing. The Grille (the steakhouse) will offer a four ( […]
The Experts Chime In on Favorites
When I look for info from the local experts on wine, I often turn to Janet Easterling and Joe Baker. Both are sommeliers, and both are incredible wine connoisseurs. Janet is currently a wine consultant to a number of upscale San Antonio restaurants. She also can be found at Bergheim Cellars on Hwy 46, so […]
