This year the Garden Party went totally green. Every single thing was to be recycled or reused-from composting all the food, to using real glassware to be washed, to recycling the wine bottles. And boy, were there wine bottles! Twin Liquors sent 30 cases of wine to this spring party, and I know that by the time the event concluded it was probably almost all gone. This year we focused on “something for everyone”. Rather than take an approach of trying to theme the wines by region or grape, we focused on flavor, so we had everything from dry to sweet, from fruity to austere, from lean to full bodied. We also included a lovely array of some dessert wines and of course some great sparkling too! (see below for a list of wines served)

The food was a hit as well. Every single restaurant really did “bring-it”. Of course there were my annual favorites, the Moonshine shrimp corndog and Eddie V’s crab cake. Green Pastures did a bacon wrapped quail that was off the hook and Maudie’s had a yummy Mexican shrimp cocktail. There were some new faces this year too, Zushi Sushi and Salt & Time. But, I must say that the consensus of the night was that Cool River took it home with their bacon wrapped scallop. It was amazing…perfectly cooked, tender and succulent…they were grilling right there on the premises.

A beautiful night all around… under the canopy of beautiful trees, great wine, amazing food and music by the Nash Hernandez band. I’ll toast to that and see you there next year!

Cupcake Brut Rose, Bright and bubbly, this sparkling wine has the vibrant aromas of strawberries, watermelon and hints of rose petals.  Columbia Crest Chardonnay, Rich and Creamy Washington State Chardonnay Sterling Organic Cabernet, Organically grown Cabernet grapes from California Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet, Sonoma Coast Cabernet with deep fruit and a long finish Pacific Rim Vin de Glacier, A golden elixir of peachy/floral notes, viscous and delicious
 
Table Two:
Segura Viudas Cava Rose, Sparkling Wine from Spain, great mixed with liqueurs or on its own with Tapas Pine Ridge Viognier/Chenin Blanc Blend, Flaunts aromas of ruby grapefruit, pear, lychee and melon, with a delicate touch of spicy, white florals.  La Vielle Ferme Rhone Blend, Unoaked French Rhone blend with bruit fruit. Drink chilled in the afternoon!  Aveleda Charamba, The same blend used in Port Wine: Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional. Elegant and with fine fresh berries aromas, Carl Sittman Reisling, Sweet yet balanced, fun & fruity. Great with Asian fare.
 
Table Three:
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Rose, This is a slightly fizzy, moderately hearty pink wine from Portugal. It is clean, crisp and refreshing and perfect as a summer evening aperitif.  Pacific Rim Dry Riesling, Racey, dry yet with great fruit notes. Try with savory Asian bistro fare.  Lexicon Malbec, Full and rich red from Argentina. Malbec is SO HOT right now!!  Cupcake Merlot, With smooth and supple tannins this is a soft, silky Merlot shows bright cherries followed by espresso mingling into a plush, silky mocha finish.  Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling, Sweet Riesling are picked riper than the grapes for the dry Riesling. Brings perfect balance to all fiery fare — especially Thai, Szechwan and Caribbean cuisine... or simply enjoy as an aperitif.
 
Table Four:
Borgo Sanleo Prosecco, Light & Lively sparkling wine from Northern Italy.  Lagaria Pinot Grigio, crisp and fruity with a dry finish.  Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay, unoaked Napa chardonnay with nice body and elegance. Enjoy with lighter summer fare.  Gallo of Sonoma Merlot, Sonoma Coast red, with nice fruity notes and a soft dry medium bodied finish Murphy Goode Cabernet, Bold and rich, yet balanced and elegant. Try with petite filet or mushrooms.
 
Table Five:
Snowline Pinot Gris, very dry, crisp and soft. A great appertif.  Gallo of Sonoma Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast white. Rich and buttery to pair with heavier cuisine, like a chicken wellington La Puerta Malbec, Easy drinking, soft and fruity, but still with good structure.  Abrazo Tinto, Spanish blend yields a fruit forward red with balance and a nice juicy finish
Pacific Rim Framboise, Dessert wine with a rich mouth-feel, that makes you feel like you are in a raspberry field!!
 
Table Six:
Poema Cava, ripe peaches, pears and toasted bread with a hint of spice fill the nose. Finishes dry with a rich, creamy texture Santa Helena Sauvignon Blanc, crisp, light and tart Chilean white. Perfect Texas summer white.  Graffigna Malbec, An elegant Malbec, with berry notes and great structure. Pair with grilled flank steak with Chimmichuri.  Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz, Big jammy fruit forward Australian red. Chill this down just a bit and sit on the porch with a cigar. Chateau St. Michelle Riesling, Lighter sweeter style Riesling, with peach and pear notes.