Becker Vineyards Fleur Sauvage: A Wild Texas Gem

If you look through the posts here, you’ll notice that reds get far more attention on the blog than white wines. The reason for this is simple, Pris and I prefer reds, so that’s what we buy more to try. But every once in a while I’ll pull out a white to go with a particular meal.  In this instance it was Becker Vineyard’s 2012 Fleur Sauvage, a crisp and refreshing Texas white wine blend. I’ve actually been keeping bottles of this wine stocked up for some time. It’s become a go-to over the warmer months if I don’t have a Vinho Verde handy.

The Fleur Sauvage certainly lives up to its wild flower namesake: bright, crisp, and sweet like a Texas wildflower in spring bloom. The sweetness of the wine hits you immediately on the nose with bright floral notes intermingled with sweet tropical fruit.  Crisp citrus notes cut through the palate followed by the cloying sweetness of the wines’ residual sugars. The after affect is very reminiscent of a muscat, though not quite as sweet.

I was fortunate to get to pair this wine with two very different meals over the course of the week. The first meal that led to the opening of this particular wine was a Ritz-crusted oven baked buttermilk chicken, sautéed sweet potatoes, and broccoli slaw. The sweetness of the wine complimented the rich buttery crust on the chicken, and the slightly spicy counterpoint of the cayenne pepper and smoked paprika. Where the wine worked best was when paired against the tangy apple cider vinegar slaw.  Sweet and sour in perfect opposition to one another.

The next meal came about by happenstance. Pris pulled out some frozen homemade pesto to mix in with some shredded chicken I cooked up. The pesto was not your typical pesto made with sweet basil, but a far sharper affair with a much more robust bite. Again, the sweet floral and citrus notes of the wine were a fantastic counterpoint to the piquant bite of the pesto.

This is a great wine for lighter, or more pungent or spicy foods. In fact, it would probably be great with some buffalo wings, which may now lead to a follow-up post. With our warmer weather now upon us this would also be a great wine to drink on a warm afternoon. However, if you’re not a fan of the sweet wines, dessert wines, or wines with a fairly high residual sugar content then let this one pass you by.

HEB stores carry Becker Vineyard’s selections, and you can usually find this one at the 10^th & Trenton location for around $16-$19. For more information you can visit: https://store.beckervineyards.com/

A Mighty Montepulciano

Pris and I were first introduced to the Duchman family of wines at a wine tasting hosted the Brownsville Historical Association back in 2011 that focused on Texas based wineries. Unfortunately, their wines aren’t carried down here, at least I haven’t seen them on my recent wine excursions. However, HEB Central Market does carry them and I always swing through when I can get to San Antonio or Austin. On one particular trip, I happened upon a Duchman 2010 Montepulciano that ended up in my basket, and then in my glass.

Last Saturday I decided to crack into this particular bottle since I’ve found that your lighter Italian varietals don’t have quite as much staying power as your bigger and bolder reds.  Part of the reason for this particular bottle was that I was whipping up some spaghetti with sausage and tomatoes. Italian wine with Italian food, not original but there’s a reason it works so well.

To start with, this Montepulciano is a fruit bomb! Fruit on the nose, the palate, and everywhere in-between. Loads of plum softened by vanilla and a gentle mineral bite assail the nose, in a very good way. Even more fruit loads up the palate. Rich dark berries and cherries rush through the mouth first. Allowing the wine to linger a bit you can appreciate a bite of spiciness, currant, and slightest bit of mineral that has to be a result of the terroir.

The wine paired flawlessly with the savory sauce, as expected. I would have liked to try it with some other meals to test its versatility, but the opportunity did not present itself. However, this wine is excellent all on its own. Like most Italian varietals its quite mellow, fruity, and easy to drink. If you’re not a fan of the bolder dryer reds, you should give the Montepulciano or Sangiovese a whirl rather than reaching straight for the Pinot Noir. That said, if you are a fan of the dryer reds, you may find this selection to be a bit too juicy.

The Duchman 2010 Montepulciano is a great wine, and exemplifies some of the best of Texas winemaking. If you’re looking, you can find it at Central Markets, possibly Whole Foods, and online direct from the winery at: http://duchmanwinery.com/.

A Return with Raymond Vineyard's R. Collection Merlot

Well, its been almost four years since the last post on this blog. Its not that there hasn’t been any wine drinking, or really good eating over the last few years far from it. Just haven’t been sharing it. A few weeks back, Pris and I decided to start working through our wine reserves which were getting somewhat advanced in age without the benefit of a wine fridge or cellar to properly store them.  As a result, we are getting back in the swing of things with the drinking, and hopefully the writing.

The first wine back up on the block is a 2011 Merlot from the R. Collection by Raymond Vineyards in northern California. Like most merlots, the R. Collection was loaded with tangy rich fruit in the nose. However, due to its age this was highly restrained and it took some time for the wine to open up. Once it did, the merlot ended up being one of the most mellow and drinkable wines we’ve had in a while. Rich plum and cherry played across the palate up front. This was followed by a hint of earthy spice at the end that as the wine slid down the back of the palate.

We paired the merlot with a fine Easter Sunday meal of grass-fed porterhouse, sautéed scallops, roasted asparagus, and roasted Yukon gold potatoes. The asparagus and potatoes were topped with grated manchego cheese. The steak came from Eagle Catcher farms and the scallops from The Shrimp Outlet. Both ventures have booths at the Grow & Growers market Saturday morning at Fireman’s Park in McAllen.

The merlot was a great choice to pair with this surf & turf. The age ripened smoothness allowed it to be light enough to play well with the scallops and still compliment the porterhouse. The rich fruit was a great counterpoint to the sharpness of the manchego.

As this wine was a gift I don’t have the usual information on where to purchase it locally or price. The website lists the R. Collection as an affordable everyday wine. If you happen to find it or get one as a gift, let it age. You won’t be disappointed in this incredibly versatile and drinkable Merlot.

For more information you can visit:  http://www.raymondvineyards.com/