Monthly Archives: January 2016

Wine Round-up

We get our winery membership wines at every start of the quarter. We have a couple in Napa and Sonoma and a butt load in Fredericksburg. For those unfamiliar with the concept, let me start with the good stuff.

  1. You get discounted prices (10-15%). You get about 3-5 bottles every quarter.
  2. You are also able to purchase selections which are limited in quantity most of which are the award-winning wines, not readily available to wholesalers.
  3. You get a free wine tasting at any given time, usually the new mixes available to keep yourself updated.
  4. For those wineries that have restaurants, you get priority seating or dedicated areas usually with prime view or front and center if they have entertainers which is almost every weekend.

The last two applies if you would rather pick them up from the winery as opposed to having it delivered. Now if you opt for the delivery, like we do with our California memberships, it gets kinds gnarly. As much as I would want to, we can’t go to California every three months; we both have the dirty w-word: work!  These wines (and mortgages) don’t’ pay for themselves. This option gets you 3-5 bottles of their selection that will fall under your preferences (cab, merlot, syrah etc). In some ways, its nice because  every delivery is a surprise. So if you are truly adventurous and want to partake as much variety as the winery has to offer, then this is a good option too.

January marks the beginning of the quarter so we already got notices that we can now go ahead and pick up our bottles. This is not our first rodeo so we know that the key to “longevity” in a wine-filled day is a full stomach. We decided to have a nice early lunch at Pasta Bella. They haven’t been open for long but already I am hearing a lot of good reviews. We tried to have dinner here a couple of months ago with Steve and Ginger but the wait was too long. This time, we came in as soon as they opened for lunch so we were seated immediately. Yey!

The place is not much to look at. In fact, as soon as the doors opened, I can already whiff some cooking-smells from the kitchen. The first thought that came to me was “oh no, my hair will be smelling like spaghetti”. However, it did remind me of the fact that during my long stint in Italy, the best food I had were always from hole-in-the-wall places like these.

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D was happy because their wine selection included one of his faves, Cabernet Franc from Messina Hoff.
D was happy because their wine selection included one of his faves, Cabernet Franc from Messina Hoff.
he had Pasta Bella Special #3 which was Angel hair pasta with diced chicken, wild mushroom, sun dried tomato and Jalapeño flakes.
he had Pasta Bella Special #3 which was Angel hair pasta with diced chicken, wild mushroom, sun dried tomato and Jalapeño flakes.
I had chicken piccatta
I had chicken piccatta
in many of their good reviews, a lot were about the pasta Alfredo, so I decided to have it on the side as well.
in many of their good reviews, a lot were about the pasta Alfredo, so I decided to have it on the side as well.

And with that dish,  I have officially fallen off the wagon from my low-carb diet. But let me just say that it was totally worth it. I would fall all over again for that pasta. It was cheesy, creamy, decadent and tasted like  each bite was 8,000 calories (because i am pretty sure it was).

So with our tummies sufficiently lines with carbs and fat, we set off. Our first stop was Grape Creek Winery. This winery is one the prettiest here in Fredericksburg. Their dedicated section for members is right next to the vineyards. They also have a gorgeous outdoor trattoria. If it weren’t for the fact that it chilly today, we would have started out here with pizzas.

Getting some sun and wine to warm up on this chilly day.
Getting some sun and wine to warm up on this chilly day.

We tasted a couple of their new selections and this our loot.

Merlot, Cuvee Blanc and Grand Rouge Sweet Wine (for me)
Merlot, Cuvee Blanc and Grand Rouge Sweet Wine (for me)

Next stop is Alexander Vineyards.They have a really good selection of champagnes. French law states that the term “Champagne” is exclusively used for wines that come from this region. So this is one of the unique wineries in the area whose grapes are not from Texas or any part of the US.  Theirs are imported  from the small village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger near Epernay in Champagne, France.

Decor here is minimalist.Also very different from the usual wineries exuding a lot of Texan vibe.
Decor here is minimalist,  very different from the usual wineries exuding a lot of Texan vibe.
Our loot, two Sauternes, (rich sweet wine for me), and Graves (Grand Vin de Brdeaux for D)
Our loot, two Sauternes, (rich sweet wine for me), and Graves (Grand Vin de Bordeaux for D)

Our next stop is a popular favorite : Messina Hof. This is our latest membership because being very popular, each time we come here, it’s always crowded. Some time last month, we were able to beat the crowd and realized why—their wines are fantastic. You see so many bottles of their stuff in HEB and Specs but those are not even close to what they have in their wineries.

Tasting room
Tasting room
Wine-tasting is a token system. You buy a certain number of token and each wine selection has a token value.
Wine-tasting is a token system. You buy a certain number of token and each wine selection has a token value.
free glasses if you sign on for membership. yey!!!
free glasses if you sign up for membership. yey!!!
our loot: Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling Almond, Sweet Sangria and Moscato.
our loot: Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling Almond, Sweet Sangria and Moscato.

Our next stop is a total gem. We found Chisholm Trail Wineries by accident. We were looking for authentic pizza made from a wood burning oven, and Google led us to this. It is tucked amidst hills and rivers, the last thing you would expect is an award-winning winery. And they do have a chef making Napoli-style pizza in a wood-burning oven in the back…

D with the winery's official mascot, Jack. he is a donkey who roams around the winery with his little pal, Daisy. He is feared in the label of their winning-est wine. He is a celebrity in his own right.
D with the winery’s official mascot, Jack. He is a donkey who roams around the winery with his little pal, Daisy. He is featured in the label of their winning-est wine. He is a celebrity in his own right.
Our loot: Almagres (totally awesome port),Bad Ass Blush (note Jack on the label) year 2013 and 2014 and Ghost Rider (sweet red wine)
Our loot: Almagres (totally awesome port),Bad Ass Blush (note Jack on the label) year 2013 and 2014 and Ghost Rider (sweet red wine)

Bad Ass Blush is hands down the best sweet red that I’ve had. And trust me,  I’ve had a lot…It’s a double gold medal winner, and rightfully so. The wacky name is consistent with that of the winery’s vibe; fun, unpretentious, in-your-face-Texas without the brassiness. If you can appreciate the long and winding road that leads here, this is one place you wouldn’t want to miss.

Next on our stop is Kerrville Hills Winery. This is another award-winning winery located just outside of Fredericksburg.

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Our loot: Cake Sera-sera, award-winning Texas Syrah (for me) and D had an American Cabernet Sauvignon (2006). We are short of one bottle Muskrat Love, an orange Moscato, because they ran out. I should have it in two weeks.
Our loot: Cake Sera-sera, award-winning Texas Syrah (for me) and D had an American Cabernet Sauvignon (2006). We are short of one bottle, Muskrat Love, an orange Moscato, because they ran out. I should have it in two weeks.

Last stop is Santa Maria Cellars, a stone’s throw from our house. Our house sit on top of a hill and this winery is literally on top of another hill next to ours. This area is not called Texas Hill Country for nothing…

This winery is owned by an Argentinian couple. Martin Santa Maria used to be a professional rugby player before he became an award-winning winemaker. He will tell you his wild tales on how he ended up in this side of the world during wine-tasting. He is delightful!
This winery is owned by an Argentinian couple. Martin Santa Maria used to be a professional rugby player before he became an award-winning winemaker. He will tell you his wild tales on how he ended up in this side of the world during wine-tasting. He is delightful!
Our loot: Cab Port, Muscat Canelli, Red Moscato (all for me) and D had a limited edition Cab Sauvignon
Our loot: Cab Port, Muscat Canelli, Red Moscato (all for me) and D had a limited edition Cab Sauvignon

We went to HEB to grab something to cook for dinner. Here’s another delightful treat: their HEB here offers wine-tasting of Non-Texas Wines.

Our loot
Our loot

From left to right: 14 Hands is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington. Chain Gang Pitch Black Red s from Monterey County, California. Terra d’Oro ‘s Zinfandel Port from Amador County, California.

One of the wonders of being here in Fredericksburg is that time always seems to be on a crawl. We did all this in less than 5 hours! There are a lot of miles in between but there isn’t really much traffic. I cannot believe how productive I am being here. I can’t do three things back in Houston without spending most of my day and consuming most of my gas! (hello…10MPG beast of a G-wagen!!!)

The sun was still shining high and bright when we got home. Amidst all these, Beans stayed at home because he had Algebra project…poor kid. We pre-empted a hang-over by having coffee and left-over Italian Cream cake from Pasta Bella.

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My cappuccino and D's super-sized espressso
My cappuccino and D’s super-sized espressso
Added bonus: D made a "bunny" image on the cappuccino foam! So talented!!!
Added bonus: D made a “bunny” image on the cappuccino foam! So talented!!!

I’m getting the salmon ready for the grill for our dinner. I haven’t decided which wine to have with that.  We’ve done this kind of round-up for a couple of years now. If you include those from California, all the bottles can really add up, so choosing one for dinner is not exactly simple. “An enriched life is one that is filled with options”— I like that.

Speaking of not-easy choices, we are heading out early tomorrow to make in in time for the Brady-Manning showdown. I’m still not sure who to root for. Either way, it should be fun. Can’t wait!!!

 

 

Confessions of an Under-Achiever

 

January is my laziest month. Weird, I know. Everyone else jumps on to their new year’s resolutions with so much verve, while I am spending more than half of my day in my pajamas. I always have this big Holiday hang-over. It’s because I spend so much energy the previous month — with all our three birthdays, anniversary, Christmas and New Year. January is more than half-way through and this is all I’ve done:

—–took down my Christmas decor – last weekend, D generously offered his services; that’s what he does every year. A gentle reminder that the decors have to go. He knows that I am OC about putting it all back in place, so I will have to refuse his offer and do it myself. God forbid I should need a red and gold Christmas ball and I won’t find it in the red plastic box in the second shelf on the left side of the attic.
—–survived my salad-only Holiday detox – the Lord knows I did not pass on any dish nor drink last month and my skin paid for it. Dry, dull and blotchy. Ick. I don’t do colonic cleanses, the mere thought of it terrorizes me. So i just do it the old fashioned way of drinking lots of water and consuming raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. My skin has now stopped looking like on old leather bag. Yey!
—–binge-watched Nurse Jackie Final Season, Fargo Season 2 and Homeland Season 5 – now you see why there is no need to change out of the pajamas until sundown.
—–never missed any NFL play-off game – D can’t wait for Superbowl. Once that’s done, we can spend our days like normal people again. He does not appreciate planning our days around Tom Brady’s game schedule.

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Other than those, barring going back to work (let’s not even go into how many patients I saw coz it’s kinda pathetic too), I haven’t done much…

What snapped this whole under-achieving vibe was Bean’s entry on our to-buy list. I keep one in the kitchen. I am very forgetful so if it’s not on this list, it won’t make its our way into our house. Under his entry of Gatorade grape flavor, he wrote, Real Food. Ouch! I have not cooked anything since the start of the year. I kept my family alive through nuke-n-eat FitFoods and by anyfooddelivered.com. It’s a website that allows you to order any food in the area and they charge you. So simple. I order stuff from Fat Bao. It’s Asian fusion specializing in baos. Beans likes their Big Byrd and Yummy Byrd.

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D likes their soft-shell crab bao and ahi-tuna bao
D likes their soft-shell crab bao and ahi-tuna bao

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I love their tonkatsu, but I am staying off the carbs so I just have the soup and beans gets the noodles and all the meats on it
Other than this life-saver of a restaurant, it’s all veggies and fruits . Now you see why the energy level is low. Oh, and not a drop of alcohol too. Too bad coz it’s the beginning of the quarter and all our shipments from our wine memberships are all coming in…drats.

Anyway, Beans finally got fed-up with all these foods, yummy as they are, so he requested that I cook some “real food”. Naturally, I felt guilty. I asked him he wants anything specific, he said he has missed my lemon chicken and wild rice soup. The awesome mom that I am, I immediately made some.

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I use rotisserie chicken (get one whole chicken then dice the breast part) so that this is just a one-pot dish. If you use raw chicken, you need to marinate the chicken breast with salt and lemon then sauté it. I barely got off my hiatus so the fewer dishes to wash, the better.

In a pot, add a cup of rice/wild rice combo and season with herbs. I use an italian herb mix (1 table spoon)
In a pot, add a cup of rice/wild rice combo and season with herbs. I use an italian herb mix (1 table spoon)
Add 3 cups of chicken stock and as soon as it boils, add carrots.
Add 3 cups of chicken stock and as soon as it boils, add carrots.
Add diced up chicken, cover and cook for 20 minutes
Add diced up chicken, cover and cook for 20 minutes
add juice of three lemons then cook for 5 minutes without stirring.
add juice of three lemons then cook for 5 minutes without stirring.

Sliced lemons in the picture is purely for aesthetics. And just like that, my creativity has awakened too! I have officially started what looks to be a wonderful year.

Here you go, Beans. “Real food”.