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No Margarita? No Problem
by Andrew Chalk How hard is it to make a margarita? How about add ice and pour? That's what you do with Flybird ready-to-drink agave wine...
andychalk
Apr 23, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Vale do Bomfim 2017 Red Wine, Douro DOC, Portugal ($13)
by Andrew Chalk The table wine line from legendary Port producer, Dow. It is a blend of the same grape varieties (touriga franca 50%,...
andychalk
Apr 22, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Domaine de Cala 2020 Coteaux Varois en Provence, France ($21)
by Andrew Chalk A product from Joachim Splichal, owner/founder of Patina restaurant in Los Angeles.It is a blend of 46% grenache, 41%...
andychalk
Apr 21, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Girasole Vineyards 2019 Zinfandel, Mendocino Co. CA ($17)
by Andrew Chalk Girasole Vineyards, planted by Charlie Barra in 1955. Now amounting to 300 acres sitting on benchlands above the Russian...
andychalk
Apr 20, 20211 min read


BITTERS WITH STEAK!!!
by Andrew Chalk Bitters have always done magic to cocktails in the hands of the right mixologist. And any good pastry chef can describe...
andychalk
Apr 19, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Two Grand Cru Sparkling Wines from Spain
by Andrew Chalk Juvé & Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva 2017 (SRP $23) o The leading Gran Reserva in the world o Hand...
andychalk
Apr 16, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: The Prisoner Wine Company 2019 ‘Blindfold’ White Wine, CA ($32)
by Andrew Chalk A chardonnay-viognier blend. The winery says “This white blend features aromas of lychee, stone fruit, citrus, apple pie,...
andychalk
Apr 15, 20211 min read


Garrison’s Grand Reopening April 15
by Andrew Chalk From the wires.... We’re delighted to welcome back guests and locals to rediscover Garrison starting this Thursday. ...
andychalk
Apr 14, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: 2019 Robert Hall Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles ($8 375ml)
by Andrew Chalk Delightful Sauvignon from this major producer in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast. The nose is predominately...
andychalk
Apr 13, 20211 min read


Grass-Fed Beef Hits The Taste Spot
by Andrew Chalk The PR rep. wrote "Andrew, do you eat red meat?" Do I eat red meat? Do I meet red eat? Do I heat red beet? It's a simple...
andychalk
Apr 10, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Stags’ Leap 2019 Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA ($32)
by Andrew Chalk Racy acid backbone makes this a wine that can pair with a wide variety of food or be quaffed on its own. Consider pairing...
andychalk
Apr 9, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Pine Ridge Sparkling Chenin Blanc-Viognier, CA ($)
by Andrew Chalk Pine Ridge Vineyards has hewn its own course in many ways. One is its championing of the cinderella varieties (in the...
andychalk
Apr 8, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Chalk Hill 2019 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc, Chalk Hill AVA, Sonoma Co., CA ($33)
by Andrew Chalk A premium sauvignon blanc from a winery with an established track record with the grape. The winery says “The Chalk Hill...
andychalk
Apr 7, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: McManis Family Vineyards 2019 Petite Sirah, Lodi, CA ($12)
by Andrew Chalk McManis is in their fifth generation as a family grape grower. The family describes it “In 1990, Ron and Jamie McManis...
andychalk
Apr 6, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Fetzer, 2019 Gewürztraminer,Shaly Loam, Monterey, CA ($10)
by Andrew Chalk Available in all 50 U.S. states and nearly a dozen nations worldwide, Fetzer Shaly Loam Gewürztraminer (SRP $10) is an...
andychalk
Apr 5, 20212 min read


WINE REVIEW: THIS IS THE UPSHOT!
by Andrew Chalk Venerated California winery Rodney Strong release the ‘Upshot’ brand of blended wines. Upshot is the end result of our...
andychalk
Apr 2, 20211 min read


SFW and NSFW Seltzer!
by Andrew Chalk Arctic Chill Hard Seltzer Releases SFW|NSFW Tasting Kit, Highlighting the Brand’s Relationship to Polar Seltzer and...
andychalk
Apr 1, 20212 min read


WINE REVIEW: Chamisal Vineyards 2019 Stainless Chardonnay, Central Coast, CA ($18)
by Andrew Chalk Chamisal, located in California’s ‘forgotten’ AVA of San Luis Obispo, is a master of unoaked chardonnay. This vintage is...
andychalk
Mar 31, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Reddy Vineyards, 2019 TX-BDX, Texas High Plains ($50)
by Andrew Chalk This is a Bordeaux blend made in Texas. The grape blend is 71% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, 7% cabernet sauvignon, 6%...
andychalk
Mar 30, 20211 min read


Was it lockdowns or COVID that killed the restaurants?
by Andrew Chalk This article is about the sad closure of Knob Hall Winery in Maryland. I visited the state's wine industry in 2019 and...
andychalk
Mar 29, 20212 min read


EDGE OF THE LAKE VINEYARD AND WINERY NOW OPEN ON LAKE RAY ROBERTS
by Andrew Chalk One of the welcome by-products of keeping up with Texas Winery Dogs is that one gets to visit Texas wineries that one...
andychalk
Mar 29, 20213 min read
Want to work in a winery?
by Andrew Chalk From the wires... Murphy-Goode Announces “A Really Goode Job” Call for Entries for a Chance to Win the Ultimate Dream Job...
andychalk
Mar 26, 20213 min read


New Dog Of The Week!
Turner of Hilmy Cellars is in Texas Winery Dogs Turner, the 6 year old Golden Labrador at Hilmy Cellars, is a newcomer to Texas. He came...
andychalk
Mar 25, 20211 min read


Kim McPherson: A Life Putting Texas Wine Making On The Map
The Director's Cut by Andrew Chalk On January 20th, Wine Industry Advisor named Kim McPherson on of "Wine's Most Inspiring People 2021"....
andychalk
Mar 25, 202112 min read
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