I prefer white...

[SHANEA]

http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17579478&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475591&rfi=6

/12/2006
Wine: A sparkling, fruity gift idea  
Johnnye Montgomery<br>MRT Correspondent
Midland Reporter-Telegram  

If wine is on your list of gifts for special friends, but you're feeling rushed, or you're a little uncertain of what to buy, here are some suggestions put forth by two local experts.


 

Debbie Brock, who owns The Wine Rack with her husband, Greg, said it is helpful to know whether the recipient prefers white or red wine, dry or sweet.


"If you don't know their preference, it is probably best to make a selection from one of the more popular wine varieties and styles," she said.


"Merlot is always a good choice for red, and Chardonnay is probably the safest choice for white."


Or you might consider a blend of several grape varieties. Brock said that blends can appeal to a wide range of tastes and are available in a wide range of prices.


"Red wine blends that are Cabernet Sauvignon- and Merlot-based are usually referred to as 'Bordeaux style' or 'meritage' blends, and others, that are Syrah-based, are often referred to as 'Rhone style' blends," she said. "These tend to be smoother, softer wines, and often are more consistent from one vintage to the next."


If the intended recipients are the adventurous type, you might give them a Cabernet Franc, described by Brock as "a red grape varietal that is enjoying some new-found popularity and is lighter, fruitier and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon."


She suggests Ironstone Reserve (under $20) and Trespass Napa Valley (under $40).


She said champagnes and sparking wines also are festive and wonderful gifts, and can be found in a wide range of prices.


"Champagne/sparkling wine suggestions under $10 include Almondage (sweet almond-flavored sparkling wine), under $25, Roederer Anderson Valley Brut (dry lemon and pear flavors) and under $45, Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne (dry honey, mineral and berry flavors)," she said.


Brock also has help for the giver who hasn't the time or the self-confidence to make a choice. She says if you tell the staff at The Wine Rack approximately how much you want to spend, they'll make the selections and prepare a gift basket for you. Or if you know what you want, but don't have the time to wrap it, they'll do that, too.


Lee Florence, beer and wine manager at H-E-B, said when giving wine keep in mine the likely foods the wines will be served with.


"Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz go well with beef, particularly grilled red meats and prime rib. Merlot is a softer wine with less tannin than the Cabernet," he said.


"White wines are best for cheese trays, white sauces such as Alfredo, chicken, pork, salads and fish. Pinot Noir, Beaujolais and Tempranillo go well with lighter fare such as leg of lamb, lamb chops, salmon, roasted vegetables and grilled meats. For red pasta sauces, dark rich red wines like Chianti are best.


"Sweet whites such as Moscato and sweet reds such as Port make great dessert wines," he said.


He added that wines bought for collection and storage should be kept cool and dark -- ideally about 56 to 58 degrees, but suggested that a cool closet, or under the bed in a cool room would do. An absolute no-no is the kitchen, where the oven and the refrigerator are constantly pumping out heat, and the light is bright.


"Most wines are made for immediate consumption," he explained. "Becoming a collector takes a little education and investment."


Florence stressed, however, that above all, people should never be intimidated by the buying -- or the giving -- of wine.


"Wine-drinking should be fun, experimental and adventurous," he said.




Texas wines


Another good way to put fun into wine-giving would be to give wines made in Texas.


According to a 2005 study of the Texas wine and wine grape industry published by The Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute of Texas Tech University, Texas was the fifth largest producer of wines in the United States, following California, Washington, New York and Oregon.


The study showed that almost all -- 95 percent -- of Texas wine is consumed in Texas, and that while wine consumption in 2005 throughout the nation increased by 3.8 percent over 2004, wine consumption by Texans increased by 4.9 percent over the previous year.


The Texas wine industry has also burgeoned. The 2005 study reported 113 bonded wineries in Texas. A year later, according to Jim Evans, the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association's Region 4 director, the number has grown to 127.


Evans said Region 4, which includes wineries in the Fort Stockton, Lubbock and Alpine/Fort Davis areas, is doing very well, and producing wines that people can be proud to buy and to give.


"St. Genevieve, the state's largest winery, is continuing to grow, with new owners and new marketing programs," he said. "They have come out with a new sweet Muscato, which is very nice, and a new sweet red wine. And they're marketing a second line called Peregrine Hill, which is a little higher in price than the price you pay for St. Genevieve, but they are both great quality wines for the price you pay.


"The Caprock and Llano Estacado and Pheasant Hill wineries continue to do well and to win awards."


Evans -- who is a prize-winning winemaker for Lone Oak Vineyards at Valley View (his 2002 and 2003 Merlots took bronzes at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, and the Dallas Morning News Competition) -- said Texas wines are beginning to gain the notice of wine buyers not only throughout the United States but internationally.


For wine lovers or would-be wine drinkers, Evans said a good place to start is locally. He says that there is a Permian Basin chapter of the Wine Society of Texas, and that inquiries are always welcome (www.winesocietyoftexas.org, and click on the Permian Basin link)..


Evans said that although there is great interest in advancing Texas' wineries and wines, their general aim is broad.


"We don't just promote Texas wine," he explained. "We educate people in general in the proper use of wine, publicize upcoming events, and (refer to) articles about Texas wine."