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A Pinot Comparison (Saturday Tasting at Blind Bishop)
Pinot is loved for its versatility, and that chameleonic quality was on display at Saturday’s themed wine tasting at Blind Bishop in Dallas. We tried six different expressions of Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio/Gris. It was the first summery day of the season, and wine lovers streamed into the sun-filled tasting room. Two gentleman pourers…
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Review: Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva (2019)
I have a bottle of Chianti to talk about–but first, a magical oak tree story. Tuesday night I was out at dinner with my wife Sarah, and as we were leaving we got caught in a freak hailstorm. It was typical screwy North Texas early spring weather. Cool and sunny and then…bam! Blinding rain and…
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Mixing it up with Clos du Val’s blending seminar
It was a fab Cab lab at The Wine Authority this past Saturday. Napa Valley’s Clos du Val was in the house with barrel samples from the 2023 vintage–and one very special finished wine, the 2021 Yettalil blend ($200 retail). I booked the blending seminar for “educational” purposes. My wife (and fellow Cab lover) Sarah…
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DFW Wine Events: April 2025
Ah, April. When spring is in the air, and a wine lover’s thoughts turn gently from Sherry to rosé. This month, we’re debuting a new monthly feature on The Wine Fairy blog: Local events! These are our top ten picks for viniferous April happenings in our wonderful city of Dallas and nearby areas. Events are…
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Bordeaux Wine Dinner at Lavendou (Dallas, TX)
I may not be able to travel to Bordeaux at the moment…but I couldn’t resist it when Bordeaux came to my backyard. Last night, Lavendou Bistro Provincial hosted three Bordeaux winery owners. Wines from three distinct appellations were paired with three main courses for a decadent meal that was worth skipping lunch for. The evening…
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Texas wine travel guide: The Red River Valley Wine Trail
Once snubbed by discerning drinkers, Texas wines are starting to get serious attention. The two best-known regions are the Hill Country (which gets the biggest share of the wine tourism) and the High Plains (which grows most of the grapes). But did you know that Texas actually has 19 recognized wine trails? From the Gulf…
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California Uncorked: Napa Valley & Beyond (Total Wine class review)
Nothing helps smooth the path to the weekend better than a midweek wine or spirits tasting. And so, I frequently take Thursday evening classes at the Total Wine in West Plano, Texas. It’s like an educational version of a Thirsty Thursday happy hour! Last night’s class was “California Uncorked: Napa Valley & Beyond.” It’s an…
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Nature’s own wino, the Cedar Waxwing
Some people mark the season’s change by the blossoming of cherry trees or the thawing of frozen ponds. In my household, we have our own harbinger of spring: The yearly arrival of a very boozy bird, the Cedar Waxwing. A flock of several dozen shows up at once and perches in the tall trees. On…
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Well, that’s depressing. Granbury’s Revolver Brewing closes up shop
It’s been a tough, tough year for the craft brew industry and the casualties just keep mounting. One of the largest and most beloved Texas breweries has turned off the brew kettles for good. The sad news broke over the weekend in the digital edition of the Houston Chronicle. Revolver Brewing was founded in 2012…
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Study tips for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: How to Pass with Distinction
I got my Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 results last Friday! As promised, I’m sharing those results along with some tips for doing your best on the Level 2 exam. Over the last few months, I studied hard to build a wine vocabulary and a basic understanding of styles and regions. Then, I…
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WSET Level 2 Class: Week 2 Thoughts
Hooray, I’ve done it! I’ve completed my Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 class and exam. Now comes the long wait for the test results–and hopefully, a nifty digital certificate and bragging rights. Last week I posted some notes about WSET Level 2, including how I decided to take this class and why it…
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New Dallas wine bar: Palate by Lekka
North Dallas has a stylish new watering hole for wine lovers: Palate by Lekka. It’s right next door to the home-and-gift shop, Lekka Retail Concepts. (Both storefronts share a shopping center with veteran Preston Road restaurants Banana Leaf Thai and La Hacienda Ranch.) Palate actually opened right before the holidays, but it emerged on my…