Here’s a little something to get you through your Monday, think about strolling the picturesque town square of Granbury while sipping wine on a gorgeous spring day. Aaaah that’s better, so now make plans to attend the Granbury Wine Walk this Friday and Saturday (April 29 & 30) and that’s just what you can be doing this weekend.

If you’ve never been to Granbury take advantage of the Granbury Wine Walk to discover this quaint and charming town. The event takes place around the picturesque and historical town square which will also feature live music. Along with wine to sample you’ll find food from local restaurants as well as local herbs and produce. You can also browse through the shops and galleries while you sip your wine.

For all you tweeters out there, the only way to vote in the People’s Choice Wine Competition is through your tweets that end in the #granburywine hashtag. If you don’t tweet, like “Granbury Wine Walk” on Facebook an leave your votes on their wall.

Friday the hours are from 2PM – 8PM and Noon- 7PM on Saturday. Tickets bought prior to the event can be purchased through the Granbury Wine Walk website and cost $15. Tickets at the event cost $20. Proceeds from the event benefit the Langdon Center (arts organization). You’ll receive a commemorative wine glass, schedule of events and map. Look at the Granbury Wine Walk website for all the details.

Wine ‘n’ Dine Chef Spectacular
If you’re really into food, you’ll want to attend the Wine ‘n’ Dine Chef Spectacular on Friday April 29 from 7PM – 10PM. This celebrity chef VIP event will highlight the Texas Wines from the Wine Walk by pairing them with classic and contemporary cuisine. Four of our local superstar chefs will be serving a mouthwatering selection of dishes, here’s the scoop from Texas Toast Culinary Tours:

Asdren Azemi of Ruffino’s in Fort Worth will serve mozzarella pipettes,a very contemporary twist on the caprese salad; and zucchini blossoms stuffed with rice and tomato

Grady Spears of Grady’s in Fort Worth will serve pan de campo, a flatbread, with braised short ribs, a big hit at Taste of the NFL.

Denise Shavandy, founding instructor at the new culinary program at TSTC in Abilene is doing some of her signature Middle Eastern-Indian dishes, lamb chop lollipops with cilantro-mint chutney and lentil salad.

Lanny Lancarte of Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana in Fort Worth will serve his chocolate marquise cake with black-pepper ice cream

Not only that, but you’ll get to witness the chefs in action as they compete in teams Iron Chef Style for a cooking competition that features a secret ingredient. All attendees get to judge the dishes to determine who gets the title of Spectacular Chef – how fun does that sound?

Tickets to the Wine ‘n’ Dine Chef Spectacular are purchased separately from the Wine Walk tickets and cost $85 per person, this includes all food & wine, souvenir wine glass and other gifts. Tickets can be purchased at the Granbury Wine Walk website. Part of the proceeds benefit the Dora Lee Langdon Cultural & Educational Center in Granbury.

April 16, 2010

Lonestar Goldsprints at Trinity Bicyles
If you want a workout on a Friday night head on over to the almost finished Trinity Bicycles at 207 S. Main Street. Or just come to have a sneak peek at Fort Worth’s newest bike shop. Goldsprints is a stationary bike racing tournament: Registration for the event begins at 6PM, it’s free and there will be beer.

April 16 & 17, 2010

18th Annual Blessing of the Vine and New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail
Grapevine
If you love wine, get yourself to Grapevine this weekend for tastings at 8 of their fine wineries. Don’t miss the chance to participate in the centuries old tradition of the Blessing of the Vine that takes place April 17 at 11AM with complimentary admission and a free wine tasting at Delaney Vineyards. The rest of the event costs $45 per person and includes tastings at 8 wineries along with entertainment and food at each venue.

Wineries included in the tastings: Cross Timbers Winery and Tasting Room, Delaney Vineyards and Winery, La Bodega Winery & Tasting Room, Farina’s Winery, D’Vine Wine and Tasting Room, Homestead Winery & Tasting Room, La Buena Vida Vineyards, and Su Vino Winery and Tasting Room. Also don’t miss the Gallery Art Show from 10AM – 6PM on April 17 in the Palace Art Center on 300 Main St. Grapevine. Unfortunately the Jazz Wine Trains are already sold out.

April 17, 2010

Doc’s Annual National Record Store Day Sale
I love music and despite the instant gratification found with Itunes- nothing beats walking into a musty record store and thumbing through rows of vinyl waiting for a great piece of music to find you. Celebrate vinyl in all it’s glory during National Record Store Day at Docs Record and Vintage. There will live music from 1PM-6PM and free food and beer, best of all 20% off all used merchandise. So come out and support your local record store! 2111 Montgomery Street.

April 17, 2010

The Kimbell, Spring into Art Family Festival
1PM – 4PM
Admission is FREE and sponsored by the Lonestar Film Society. From the Lonestar Film Society:

From peach-blossom screen paintings to Japanese wind-sock constructions, celebrate the arrival of spring with art-making activities inspired by popular Asian traditions. Program highlights include childrens films from the Lone Star Film Society and Japanese drum performances by Dondoko Taiko of Fort Worth.

Festival Schedule
1:00 PM: The Paper Crane and Ballad of Mulan (The Paper Crane, 30 minutes – Looks at Japanese culture, including music, food preparation and display, and origami.)
2:00 PM: Families of Japan (Families of Japan, 30 minutes- documents the life of 8-year-old Ayako, who lives in Sendai, Japan and Ten-year-old Seichi lives on a farm near Furukawa, Japan.)
3:30 PM: The Paper Crane and Ballad of Mulan (Mulan, 7 minutes – Mulan disguises herself as a man to join the army in her father’s place.)

April 18, 2010

Jazz Sundays at Lightcatcher Winery
Tatiana Mayfield Quintet 4PM-7PM
$10 per person at the door. “Wine” down your weekend at the lovely Lightcatcher Winery with some live music and wine. Get there early to snag a seat! 6926 Confederate Park Rd.

Keeping it short and sweet for this weekend.  If you’re lucky enough to be heading to SXSW make sure and check out ETFW’s Eating Guide for SXSW.

Funky Finds

Let’s keep Fort Worth Funky! Check out this indie art and craft fair in the Will Rogers Memorial Center (Small Exhibit-Poultry Building). Support your local crafters and artisans that will be selling their creations. Admission and Parking are free! 3409 Burnett-Tandy Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Lightcatcher Winery

Jazz Sunday 4PM – 7PM
Get a jump on St. Paddy’s Day celebrating with some vino and Lightcatcher’s St. Patrick’s Celtic Bacchanal. The Trinity River Whalers provide the rowdy pub tunes – you provide some St. Paddy’s day Spirit and enjoy some good times.  The Lightcatcher Bistro will be serving lunch if you’re in need of some noshies.  6925 Confederate Park Rd/FM 1886, Fort Worth, Texas 76108.

As an admitted Francophile I was quite excited last year about the Beaujolais Nouveau release of wine. After purchasing a bottle at $15, I was completely and utterly disappointed. I could not even finish the bottle, which is saying something for me – because I’ll usually drink just about any swill. At $15 this lesson was particularly painful because I generally like to buy wine for less than $10 a bottle (as I said any swill will usually do) unless it’s a special occasion.

So this year I shall say “pffft” to the Beaujolais, it’s all about marketing anyway and drink something a little more palatable. I think the Beaujolais must taste better in France where the opening of the Beaujolais is quite the event, but then again I think everything tastes better in France.

Maybe I’ll see what other French wine I can purchase with my precious $15 or stick with the Spanish wines I’ve been drinking lately. Cortijo Rioja from Central Market is a current favorite and is made from 80 % tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Tempranillo wines tend to be very mellow, smooth, and easy to drink (a little too much so). So Au Revoir for now Beaujolais.

Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10

Musicarte
10AM – 11PM Free

This Festival takes place in Sundance Square and celebrates Latin culture through its music, dance, art, and food. Performance schedules can be found on the website.The Mercado de las Americas features artists from around the world, so visit the booths of this juried fine arts and crafts exhibition.

The Pueblo de las America’s promises to be a gastronomical feast featuring food from Ocho Rios Jamaican and Caribean Grill, embargo, Qdoba Grill, and Cantina Laredo Mexican Grill. The menus include jerk seasoned meats, empanadas, carnitas, tacos al pastor, and tortas cubanas. Beer will also be available to accompany the festival food. Bring the kids and stop by the Fiesta Kids Zone for arts, crafts, and games. Also join local artist Jo Dufo in painting a collaborative mural.

Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10

Bistro Lightcatcher Restaurant Round-up
Bistro Lightcatcher Winery showcases Texas ingredients to pair with their Texan wine made on site with Texas grapes. The menu features Texas ingredients such as Texas 1015 onions, gulf shrimp and oysters, check out the website for all the details. Restaurant Round-up is sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture and part of the proceeds of this event benefit The Tarrant Area Food Bank. 6925 Confederate Park Rd/FM 1886
Fort Worth, Texas 76108

Friday October 9, Saturday October 10, and Sunday October 11

Mid-Cities Greek Festival
11AM – 10PM, 11AM – 4PM Sunday
Opa! Fall means it’s time for the annual Mid-Cities Greek Festival. The pastoral grounds of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Euless make the perfect backdrop for enjoying delicious Greek food and cultural performances.

Check out the website for all the menu details. I’m craving the comforting goodness of Pastitsio and Moussaka but spanokopita, gyros and other Greek favorites are on the menu as well. The food is plentiful and you will NOT leave hungry. 303 Cullum Drive, Euless TX.

Every Wednesday from 5PM to closing, Zambrano’s will be offering 50% off all bottles of champagne.  With over 25 selections to choose from including Veuve Clicquot and Gruet, there’s plenty of reasons to toast what’s left of the workweek.  While you’re there enjoy the Lump Crab Cake Appetizer and 8oz. filet that have been added to the menu.  Cheers!

Zambrano’s Wine Cellar
910 Houston Street Suite 110
817.850.9463

The Vibe
Finally, a place for uppercrust Fort Worth Westsiders to gather other than the Rivercrest Country Club.  Just kidding, Winslow’s Wine Cafe serves folks from both sides of the bricks.  And judging from the constant crowds I think a few people from nowhere near “the bricks” have discovered Winslow’s as well.  The smoothly contemporary wine bar serves wine and wine friendly food in an old converted gas station.

Everyone from blinged out, fur-vested ladies to jeans-wearing guys watching ESPN populate the bar area.  Small sofas make up a “loungy” area if you’re looking to get cozy.  If you like your vino al fresco, Winslow’s has a primo patio that’s making me yearn for spring.  Heaters extend the patio season, but on my last visit in 40 degree weather the heaters were not working their magic.  Our hostess managed to move us to a spot by the wood burning oven in the dining area, ahh that’s more like it.  The dining area has banquette seating and small tables that remind me of a modern European bistro.

The Food (And Wine)
On our first visit to Winslow’s, the knowledgeable waitstaff expertly steered us towards a a glass of Gougenheim Tempranillo ($8) and a Campo Viejo Tempranillo ($13-yeouch).  Winslow’s has a few $7 glasses, but all of us cheap wine aficionados would appreciate a few more added to the list.

On another visit my husband and I ordered bruschetta ($8) to start our dinner.  Though the bread was nicely grilled and crunchy, the toppings were slightly under seasoned and didn’t deliver the crisp zing of freshness I was looking for.  They were topped with a tomato-red onion mixture, white beans, or tapenade.  Perhaps I had visions of myself as a blinged out, fur-vested lady when I decided on the decadent and priciest dish on the menu, The Lobster Ravioli ($19).  My husband ordered the House Gnocchi ($14).

My Lobster Ravioli arrived swimming in a lovely sauce that I worried might be too heavy.  After one bite, I found that the fennel infused sauce had just the right amount of richness without being too heavy.  The homemade pasta lightly ensconced the succulent lobster filling.  I savored the strands of lobster that I found in my sauce, but a few more would have been welcome.  Overall I was happy with the dish and sopped up every last bit of sauce.

The gnocchi came out looking picture perfect and the butternut squash beurre blanc sauce didn’t drown the gnocchi.  The texture of the gnocchi could have been lighter but the flavorful sauce with crispy pancetta balances out any issues I might have had with the gnocchi itself.  The raw sage that topped the dish would have been great if it had been given a little flash fry in some butter (I love the combination of crispy fried sage with pasta).

We were with friends and they ordered the Spinach and Chevre Pizza ($18).  I was too into my Lobster Ravioli dish to notice that my friends were quickly devouring their Pizza.  It must have been good because it disappeared before I could think to ask for a bite.  I will take their word that it was good.  Also a note to anyone who dines with me, “Save me a bite!”, please.

On the recommendation of the waiter we ordered a bottle of Syrah from the Anglim Winery, Paso Robles ($44).  The medium bodied wine was like Richard Simmons reading Nietzsche – deep but fruity.  It complemented our pasta dishes nicely.

The dishes plus the wine made our total add up, but it was worth it.  When we go back I think we could order 2 salads ($8/each) and a 14 inch wood fired pizza ($14-22) along with a cheaper bottle of wine and wind up with less sticker shock while still enjoying a great meal.

The Service
At these prices I expect a higher level of service.  On our first visit we were perfunctorily handed a wine list.  The dinner service didn’t fare much better when our waiter forget my friend’s Lobster Ravioli order, but to be fair they were quickly able to get the order out when we reminded them.  In general the waiters seemed to buzz around frenziedly. What’s the hub bub, is somebody more important than me here? (oh wait that’s the fur vested lady in me talking)  However, when the waiters do stop to pay attention to you they give excellent recommendations on the wine.

Overall 
Winslow’s offers a lovely alternative to hanging out in a bar and drinking watered down mixed drinks or the throat stripping wines that are usually served in “bars” (hello, Corbett Canyon I’m talking about you).  If you’re looking for a spot to stop by and have a glass of wine or to gather with friends Winslow’s is the place, it’s even first date worthy.  The outdoor patio seems perfect for enjoying warm summer nights as well as crisp fall evenings. The dishes are creative yet without pretension while also being delicious.

Eat This
Yes! 3 out of 5 wine glass clinking panthers. Cin Cin!

I Eat This
Lobster Ravioli

Hours
5PM – 10PM Monday through Thursday
5PM – 11PM Friday and Saturday
* They offer a Happy Hour on Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5-7PM where wine and food are discounted
Closed Sunday

Winslow’s Wine Cafe
4109 Camp Bowie
Fort Worth, TX
817.546.6843

Last night at the stroke of midnight this years batch of Beaujolais Noveau was released.  This young, red, French wine gets uncorked just a few weeks after harvesting and fermentation.  French law dictates that the Beaujolais not be released until the third Thursday of November.

In France there is much local celebration in connection to the wine’s release.  In the US there is much marketing associated with it’s release.  Former boybander and current Dancing with the Stars contestant Lance Bass lit a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas to mark the occasion, I can’t even begin to dissect the ridiculousness of that event.

I first learned of this event in high school french class.  French class sowed the seeds of my slight obsession with all things French and European.  Pere Dan (Father Dan, I went to Catholic school) gleefully would spend class discussing the wine and lamented the fact that we could not enjoy the day properly by having a glass (oui, I lamented that fact as well).  Since then I look forward to third Thursday of November, I just like the idea that somewhere out there people celebrate this wine on this day.

Enough nostalgia for now.  The young wine is meant to be drunk immediately and therefore does not age well, as in if you have a bottle that’s older than 6 months you should toss it.  I know it’s a tempting bottle to pick up before going to a dinner party because it’s French and about $7, but resist if it is not the season for it.  The holidays though are a perfect time to enjoy this fruity, easy to drink wine.

News reports state that this years crop was affected by rains and some even lost all of their crops.  Some of the beaujoulais that does arrive to the states will be in plastic bottles.  To greenify, some producers are using PET recyclable bottles.  Some bottles will be arriving by sea instead of air to further reduce their carbon footprint.

There’s no big Beaujolais festivals going on in “le” Fort, but if you’re interested The French American Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth is hosting a Beaujolais Wine Festival.  The event dubbed as “France meets Texas. Celebrate the Harvest” is tonight at the World Trade Center in Dallas from 7:00PM – 9:30PM (cost $55, $60 at the door).  Now if you’d rather not drive all that way or spend all that money head to your nearest La Madeleine, sit by the fire and enjoy “un verre de vin rouge”.

Does anyone else remember the Seinfeld espisode where Jerry and George try and get Jerry’s girlfriend to fall asleep by plying her full of turkey and wine?  Ok, I’m digressing here.  If you are perplexed about what wine to serve with your turkey dinner, the folks over at “Put a Cork in It” will be conducting tastings of wines that pair well with the bird of honor.  If you are not the cook for Thanksgiving, bringing a nice bottle of complementary wine will ensure that you don’t show up empty handed for Thanksgiving dinner.  From LocalWineEvents.com:

This weekend we are tasting wines that will pair well with Thanksgiving food. We will be pouring Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sparkling Blanc de Noirs, Pinotage Rose, Pinot Noir and Garnacha. The tastings are Thursday (3-7:30pm) and Friday-Saturday (3-9pm). We are located on the corner of Park Hill Dr & University Dr just south of the Fort Worth Zoo. Please call if you have any questions. Cheers, Chris & Deedra Please tell them you found this event at LocalwineEvents.com

Put a Cork in It
2972 Park Hill Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76109
817-924-2675

* If you have no idea what Seinfeld episode I’m referring to, here it is on YouTube

Hey big spenders, on November 5th Chef Jon Bonnell creates a special 5 course meal to pair with wines from the O’Brien estate.  $115 per person (not including tax or gratuity).  Seating starts at 5:30PM.  Call 817.738.5489 to place your reservations.

From the Bonnell’s website:
O’Brien Cellars is owned by Bart and Barb O’Brien. They are committed to producing exceptional, small production (less than 100 cases each), hand-crafted wines that reflect the unique terroir of  Napa Valley from their sustainably farmed vineyards, using no pesticides or herbicides. Many of their wines have romantic names, reflecting the intertwining of wine and romance in life.

Wine Dinner Menu

First Course
Baked Brie in Phyllo Dough with Fresh Raspberries
Paired with Flirtation Rose

Second Course
Bay Scallop and Shrimp Salad over Seared Avocado
Paired with Attraction Chardonnay

Third Course
Pepper Crusted Smoked Ahi Tuna Cigar with Watercress and Shitake Mushrooms and Sesame-Ginger Drizzle
Paired with Romance of the Heart (blended red)

Fourth Course
Grilled South Texas Antelope T-Bone with Red Chili Whipped Potatoes and Braised Chard
Paired with Seduction (blended red)

Dessert
Chocolate Terrine with Cashew Butter, Dried Cherries and Blueberry Reduction Paired with Reflection (late harvest red)

Wow, this menu sounds amazing and almost makes me want to cash in what’s left of my 401K.  I’ll have to rely on the memory of my last meal at Bonnell’s to sustain me for now.  That reminds me I have a review of Bonnell’s that I should be working on now.  Hmmm, maybe that reflects the intertwining of wine and procrastination in my life.

Bonnell’s
4259 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth;
817-738-5489.