Houston Wine Tastings

The Grand Wine & Food Affair 2009

Beginning April 22  through 26, 2009, Sugarland departs from its quiet suburban repartee and transforms into a hub for oenophiles around the Houston area. The Grand Wine & Food Affair will debut a number of events and showcases with more than 100 world-class wineries, winemaker lunches, vintner dinners, wine seminars and much more.

Event Schedule

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

One Enchanted Evening with Frank Family Vineyards; 7pm to 10:30pm
The ultimate in elegance is One Enchanted Evening with Frank Family Vineyards owner Rich Frank and winemaker Todd Graff  — a black-tie gourmet dinner — slated for Wednesday, April 22. Bedford offers the highest level of dining experience and cuisine, featuring world renowned Chef Robert Gadsby’s cross cultural American Cuisine. Tables of 8 are available for $1800 - call 713-747-9463.  Bedford - 1001 Studewood Street - Houston

Thursday, April 23, 2009

10 Great Budget Wines That Will Blow You Away; 5:45 pm to 7pm; $35
Learning to select and pair wine can be an intimidating process.  Nationally known wine expert and author, Leslie Sbrocco presents the selections of wines in an educational and entertaining way.  You will taste her top ten bargain picks based on her vast knowledge of wines from all over the world.  You will walk away with your shopping list and a renewed appreciation for the fun that wine brings to your life.  Fort Bend Chamber - 445 Commerce Green Boulevard - Sugar Land

Savouring Spain; 6:30pm to 8:30pm; $35
Join us for a brilliant selection of Spanish wines chosen by Central Market’s wine expert Martin Korson. Discover why Spain has become the gastronomic destination while you sip and delight your tastebuds with a sampling of regional foods including a vertical tasting of Manchego cheeses, the legendary Jamon Iberico, piquant Pequillo peppers, a handful of Marcona almonds and other small plates from salty to sweet.  Enjoy this rare evening in the new, re-designed Central Market Cafe accompanied by your favorite foodie friends, and the authentic sounds of Café Khytaro.

Covey Run Goes Cajun; 7pm to 9:30pm; $50
C’est magnifique! Covey Run winemaker Kate Michaud hosts this one of a kind vintner dinner at the famed Ragin Cajun Seafood & Oyster Bar.  Covey Run excels in crafting award-winning Washington State wines. Covey Run wines have been awarded 20 “Best Value” awards by Wine Spectator, the world’s leading wine magazine. You are assured a great time at this fabulously fun vintner dinner experience with Wilfred Chevis and the Texas Zydeco Band. Laisser les bons temps rouler!  Ragin Cajun Seafood & Oyster Bar - 16100 Kensington Drive - Sugar Land

Friday, April 24, 2009

Spain - What’s Next is Now; 5:30pm to 6:45pm; Tickets: $35
The Fred and Mabel Parks Foundation presents the Fred Parks Wine Lecture Series with Master Sommelier Doug Frost.  This event  hosts this survey of the hot new areas in Spanish wine, including a look at Spain’s native grapes (Tempranillo, Garnacha and Albarino, among others) and some of the regions that are suddenly making great and delicious wines. Located in the Cane Room at the Marriott Sugar Land Hotel, 16090 City Walk in Sugar Land (Directly across from the Ballroom where The  Grand Tasting is held)

The Grand Tasting; 7pm to 9:30pm; $125
The Grand Tasting will feature the most sought after wines in the world today and the talents of the country’s culinary superstars. The event will also feature The Grand Auction, a silent auction that benefits an endowed scholarship fund at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The Grand Tasting is held at the elegant ballroom of the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square; and will be the hottest ticket in town!  Marriott Sugar Land Town Square - 16090 CityWalk - Sugar Land

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Blending: The Artistry of Winemaking; 10:30am to 12pm; $35
This is your opportunity to be the winemaker in this hands-on blending seminar.  Swirl up your own house blend and learn a little bit more about winemaking.  Is it as easy as you think?  Experts, led by WJ Deutsch & Sons own Director of Education, Jorge Hernandez will guide you through the red varietals of Geyser Peak Winery and then each team will create their own proprietary blend using barrel samples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Teams will blind taste the samples and the team with the winning blend will receive a delicious prize.  A little sipping and blending and voila your signature vintage.  Reserved tables for six $210.  Marriott Sugar Land Town Square - 16090 City Walk - Sugar Land

Sienna Shuttle from Sugar Land Marriott Town Square; 12:15 pm to 4:15 pm; $5
Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! Shuttle transportation is available from the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square Conference Center entrance to the entry of the Sienna Sip & Stroll and back. Reservations required.

Sienna Sip & Stroll; 1pm to 4pm; $60
The Sienna Sip & Stroll, at Sienna Plantation, will feature over 40 wineries and a restaurant showcase with culinary delights displayed at 40 tasting tables.  During the Sienna Sip & Stroll, guests may enjoy a host of activities including cooking demonstrations with award-winning chefs.  Mark Towns Flamenco Jazz band will provide great music on your stroll.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Bistro Brunch; 11am to 2pm
The around the world Brunch featuring specialty dishes and wines from the major wine regions of the world. Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Greece, South Africa, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Argentina, California, Texas and more will be showcased in this global extravaganza!  Sugar Land Town Square - City Walk at Town Square - Sugar Land

**All information courtesy of thegrandwineandfoodaffair.com

SoVino Wine Bar & Bistro

Great New Concept Wine Bar and Bistro on Houston’s famed Westheimer Curve – already home to such foodie havens as Da Marco, Indika, Dolce Vita, and Sorrento – can officially add a notch to its belt in the form of SoVino Wine Bar & Bistro.

This brilliant new foodie destination, which opened in early October, is the brainchild of veteran Houston restaurateur Manfred Jachmich and UT Law School grad Elizabeth Abraham, SoVino was so named because of its emphasis on Southern Hemisphere wines.  The spot boasts an international menu that can best be described as an international interpretation of contemporary American bistro cuisine, created by former Nobu chef Patrick Moser.

The Space

The newly-constructed, stand-alone brick building boasts interiors designed by noted local architect Ferenc Dreef, the design-mind behind such nationally acclaimed Houston spaces as Gravitas, Hugo’s, Ibiza and Shade.  At SoVino, Dreef has created an interior that is as dramatically cosmopolitan as it is functional, starting with the arched ceiling that creates a crisp angle from the dramatic wine wall to the 18-foot bar with zebra wood base.

The Players

The brainchild of co-owners Elizabeth Abraham and veteran Houston restaurateur Manfred Jachmich, SoVino is the result of a serendipitous run-in between two people from different walks of life that led to a partnership that is as unlikely as it is highly effective.

The Concept

Abraham and Jachmich immediately began refining their concept.  After searching high and low for the perfect location, they zeroed in on a stand alone building on Lower Westheimer, bringing Jachmich full circle back to the old neighborhood.  Abraham says, “The fact that we found a location in the middle of Lower Westheimer made it all the better since Manfred really put Montrose on the map in terms of restaurants.”

Just pick up a copy of Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast or Wine Advocate, and look for the best 100 wines for under $20 or the best value of the month.  It turns out roughly 80% are from the Southern Hemisphere, and SoVino aims to focus on that value.

So Vino –Wine Bar and bistro
507 Westheimer
Houston, Texas
(713) 524-1000
www.sovinowines.com