September 2, 2010

The classic Barolo of Mauro Molino (in Austin Sept. 15)

Founded by Giuseppe Molino in 1953, the Molino winery (La Morra) has been producing some of the greatest expressions of the Nebbiolo grape for more than half a century. In 1978, Mauro Molino (left) took over for his father and more recently, a third-generation of Molino winemakers joined the legacy of this iconic winery when Matteo Molino finished his studies at the enological institute in Alba.

The estate has 5.8 hectares planted to Nebbiolo, including one of the Langhe Hills’ most famous growing sites, the legendary Vigna Conca, the shell vineyard so-called because of its shell-like amphitheater shape.

From its bright, fresh Barbera d’Alba and its earthy, savory classic Barolo, which blended from different growing sites, to its top single-vineyard designated bottlings of Barolo, the three generations of experience at Molino delivers world-class wines vinified using the best of old- and new-world techniques in winemaking.

The most recent generation of this family-owned and managed estate, Matteo Molino, will be presenting some of the winery’s top wines on Wednesday, September 15, 5:30 p.m., at Vino Vino in Austin.

If you’d like to join the tasting as D’Amore Wine Selections’ guest, please send us an email by clicking here.

August 26, 2010

Louisiana frog legs at Branch Water Tavern, Houston

Above: Julio Hernández, president D’Amore Wine Selections, and Evan Turner, Managing Partner/Beverage Director, Branch Water Tavern, Houston.

“Frog legs have always been sold in Texas,” said a spokesman for Louisiana Foods (Houston) this morning. But they’ve always been Chinese. But that all changed a few months ago when Louisana Food owner Jim Gossen, from Grand Isle, Louisiana, “got behind Louisiana ‘dressed’ frogs.”

Above: Louisiana Frog Pot Pie and Nebbiolo? Hell ya!

Today, whole ‘dressed’ (i.e., cleaned) frogs, sourced in Louisiana are being served in some of the finest restaurants in Texas, like the Branch Water Tavern in Houston, where the Louisiana Frog Pot Pie has been a big hit with patrons and critics alike.

Check out Jim’s awesome blog here.

Above: Reuben Sliders are only $1 during Branch Water Tavern happy hour.

Houston Chroncle restaurant reviewer Alison Cook writes that “Young Branch Water Tavern feels like a classic.”

“If there is one thing I like better than Branch Water Tavern’s complimentary squared-off biscuits, buttery of crumb and hot from the oven,” wrote Alison, “it’s those biscuits piled with soft shreds of pork rillettes and zapped with a little sharp mustard. Now that is a fine American sandwich: ballast for an evening of sipping or carousing; a shareable first course; even a kingly breakfast, wrapped and toted home in a paper sack. And at five bucks for an order of three, those rillettes biscuits are — like much of the menu at this promising new restaurant — a terrific bargain.”

With a great by-the-glass selection, one of the best back bars in town, and a super friendly staff, we tend to agree!

August 23, 2010

The best Prosciutto in Texas

Above: Celery root salad at Vinoteca Poscol in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, Texas.

D’Amore Wine Selections recently visited one of our favorite Italian cuisine destinations in Texas, Vinoteca Poscol, the most casual restaurant in Chef Marco Wiles’ trifecta of great Italian eateries in Houston, including his flag ship Da Marco and Pizzeria Dolce Vita.

Above: Housemade bresaola, perfect on a hot summer evening with a glass of white wine.

Named after the famed Via Poscolle (Poscol in Friulian dialect) in the city of Udine, the restaurant is a tribute to Chef Marco’s Friulian roots. When you enter its doors, you feel like you’re in a classic Italian wine bar.

Above: There is an art to the perfectly sliced Prosciutto.

Like all of Chef Marco’s restaurants — from the fine dining venue Da Marco to the more casual pizzeria and enoteca Dolce Vita — the food is fantastic. But the Prosciutto… aaaaaaaa… the Prosciutto…

Above: The vintage Berkel “Prosciutto slicer” used at Poscol.

Anyone can buy a Prosciutto (the famous salt-cured pig’s thigh of Italy) but it takes a true master to slice it correctly. It should be paper thin while maintaining its integrity. In other words, it’s needs to melt in your mouth, not on your plate.

Above: Tagliolini al forno with béchamel and Prosciutto, inspired by Harry’s Bar in Venice.

The food and wine service at Poscol are top-knotch. But, then again, we’d go back just for that heavenly slice of salt-cured pig thigh.

Vinoteca Poscol
1609 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006-3727
(713) 529-2797

Highly recommended

August 18, 2010

Chapeau bas TexSom!

Above: The sixth-annual Texas Sommelier Conference “TexSom” was held Sunday and Monday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Irving (Dallas, Texas).

D’Amore Wine Selections takes its hat off to TexSom and all the wine professionals who volunteered to make this event a spectacular success.

From the excellent seminars (“Chardonnay Around the World,” “Classic German Regions, Classic German Styles,” “Classic Region: Greece,” among others) to panels that included some of the top wine professionals in the U.S. (like Bobby Stuckey, who led a discussion on “How to Run a Beverage Program”), nearly 300 attendees had the opportunity to interact with Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and restaurant professionals from across the country.

Above, from left: D’Amore president Julio Hernández, Duchman Family Winery Events Mananger Paula Rester, and Duchman Family Winery Tasting Room Manager Bill Elsey.

D’Amore Wine Selections and the Duchman Family Winery were proud sponsors of this truly unique and spectacular event.

Our hats off to you! Chapeau bas! We’ll see you next year…

August 12, 2010

D’Amore proud sponsor of TexSom 2010

Above: A scene from TexSom 2009. Sommelier D’Lynn Proctor is just one of the Texas wine professionals who will be seated at the Court of Master Sommeliers Master Exam later this month.

D’Amore Wine Selections will be pouring four of its products at this year’s Grand Tasting at TexSom, the 2010 Texas Sommelier Conference, to be held this Sunday and Monday, August 15-16, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Irving (Dallas), Texas:

    Duchman Family Winery Moscato (Driftwood, Texas)
    Duchman Family Winery Vermentino (Driftwood, Texas)
    Cantina Valpane Barbera (Monferrato, Piedmont)
    Sesti Monteleccio (Montalcino, Tuscany)

TexSom represents a unique opportunity for consumers to learn more about the wines of Texas and the wines of the world and it allows Texas wine professionals to interact with some of the biggest names in the world of wine, like Master Sommeliers Bobby Stuckey and Paul Roberts.

According the conference website, “The Texas Sommelier Association is a trade association comprised of Texas wine professionals. The Association promotes professional wine service standards, outlines paths for further wine education and certification, and raises public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. The organization sponsors the ‘Texas’ Best Sommelier’ competition, with the winner being awarded scholarships for professional certification courses. This competition is held behind the scenes during the TexSom conference.”

Winner of last year’s “best sommelier in Texas,” June Rodil, will be in attendance this year. We’re excited to see who will take home the prize this year. Stay tuned!