Holiday Wines with Vilma Mazaite of laV

As a renowned sommelier and managing partner at upcoming restaurant laV, we asked Vilma Mazaite to share some fabulous recommendations for wines this holiday season.  From dinner pairings to family gifts, Vilma filled us in on the best wines for celebrating with family and friends.

Many people get so caught up in preparing the holiday dinner that wine pairing becomes an afterthought. For Vilma, holiday dinner is defined by hearty dishes and warming up with a glass of great red wine, such as burgundy or northern Rhône syrah based wines. These wines are lighter and acid driven, pairing wonderfully with an array of dishes. To find the best deal, Vilma recommends trying bourgogne level burgundy from the best producer, which means amazing quality for an even greater price. Domaine Roulot Monthélie, Coche-Dury, and Hubert Lignier all offer entry level wines with quality that will easily exceed your expectations. For a good Rhône try Jamet Côte-Rôtie or Thierry Allemand Cornas to impress your guests.

Choosing the proper wine for holiday gifts can be tricky as well. Because everyone has different tastes, it is better to stay as neutral as possible unless you know specifically what your family/friend prefers. Vilma suggests gifting wine that you love to drink or one that has a story. For a friend's Thanksgiving dinner last year, Vilma gifted a bottle of Hoffstater Shiava from the Alto Adige region of Italy where she had recently traveled. Not only did this wine taste delicious, but it had a unique and interesting story to share.

Vilma also notes that bubbles are a great go-to gift for anyone. Even if they aren't a big fan of drinking champagne, nothing says "let's celebrate" more than the sound of popping open a bottle of bubbly! Champagne can also be great for ringing in the new year, and although it can get a little pricey, it's totally worth spending on. A few favorites that Vilma would love to open this New Year's Eve include:

• Krug Brut 1988
• Pol Roger Brut Reserve 1996
• Egly-Ouriet Brut Prestige Millesime 1999
• Selosse Substance NV
• Paul Bara Brut Rose Special Club 2005

In addition to Vilma's great wine advice and suggestions, laV Executive Chef Allison Jenkins shares a holiday dish made with 10/15 onions, which can be purchased at this time of year. laV is an up-and-coming Austin restaurant specializing in French cuisine.

Texas 10/15 Onion and Leek Gratin

6 cups julienned sweet onions

2 cups thinly sliced leeks (wash and dry well)

4 oz unsalted butter

1 ½ cups heacy cream

2 T. chopped fresh thyme

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1 ½ cups grated parmesan cheese, divided

2 T. olive oil

This gratin can be assembled the day before baking. To bake before serving, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Melt 6 T of the butter in a large heavy pot with a lid. Add the leeks and onions and sprinkle with a little salt. Turn the heat to medium and cover with the lid to let the onions steam, about 5 minutes. Once the onions and leeks have begun to soften, remove the lid and continue to cook until they are translucent. Keep the heat fairly low so they do not color. Add the thyme and season with a little more salt and pepper. Then add the cream and cook 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in half of the parmesan cheese. Transfer to an ovenproof baking dish (or individual dishes) and set aside. 

For the breadcrumb topping, melt the remaining 2 T of butter with the 2 T of olive oil. Combine with the remaining parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.   

Before baking sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the onion mixture. Bake at 375 until hot all the way through, brown on the top, and bubbling around the edges, about 30 minutes.

How our 15th Anniversary = 27 years of Philanthropy

So, how exactly do you cram 27 years of giving in to 15 years? With an explanation  of course!  The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas officially turns 15 years old tomorrow, October 27th, 2012.  You see, according to the IRS, we were formed as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit public foundation on October 27th, 1997 thus making tomorrow our 15 year anniversary.  Pretty cool.

However, we have actually been operating as a philanthropic community donor for over 27 years starting with our first ever Rare and Fine Wine Auction in April of 1985 benefiting KLRU public television.  Over the past 27 years, we have given over $1.50 million back to our community through scholarships, grants and donations including over $800,000 to our original beneficiary, KLRU.  We have also given out over $190,000 in culinary scholarships, $175,000 in grants to underwrite TexSom and $15,000 to Share our Strength and Texas No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger.

Coincidentally, tomorrow will also be my 2 year anniversary with the Foundation so clearly I have not personally witnessed all the good deeds we have done.  However, I am a pretty good forensic investigator and have had a lot of fun learning all the good works we have done from helping eradicate Xylella fastidiosa (Pierce's disease) in our Texas vineyards in partnership with Texas Tech University to sponsoring a TV show about childhood nutrition once called Flapjax and Papi's Kitchen (unfortunately, we were a little too far ahead of our time for the show to succeed).

Of course, we are not about to stop here!  We have selected Dell Children's Medical Center as our 2013 Rare and Fine Wine Auction beneficiary, we are committed to hosting the annual TexSom conference and we are partnering with a group in West Texas to raise money for the South Plains Food Bank and much, much, more.

I have no idea if we will continue for another 27 years or 100 years, but I can tell you that I am very proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to the next 15 years with the Foundation.

Cheers,

Marshall Jones

Executive Director

Texas Wine Month

The Texas Department of Agriculture has named October Texas Wine Month, so what better time to support the many wineries of the Lone Star State? Texas is the fifth largest wine producing state and brings nearly 1 million tourists here each year. The 2012 Texas harvest has been one of the largest grape harvests in state history and has got Texas winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike very excited.

The Wine and Food Foundation is celebrating with a Wine Dinner this coming Monday hosted by Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar and Duchman Family Winery, which has recently been named "best Texas wine" by the Dallas Morning News. This five-course meal and wine pairing will be accompanied by Duchman Winemaker Dave Reilly and Gusto Chef Julio Cesar Florez.

There are also lots of other ways to get involved in Texas Wine Month and support our local and regional winemakers. Texas Hill Country Wineries offers tastings from 17 Texas Wineries with A Month of Sundays: Barrel and Tank Tasting. While enjoying your pairings, discuss the winemaking process, winery lifestyle and the future of the wine industry in the Texas Hill Country with winemakers and owners. You can also catch the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest on Saturday, October 27 to celebrate and indulge in delicious Texas food and 100 different Texas wines.

Open House & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

After settling into our new space, we're ready to show it off and celebrate with you all! Please join us this Thursday, October 4 for the Austin Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of our new Sixth Street office.

The ribbon cutting will be from 1-2 p.m. and will be followed by an Open House until 7 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be served throughout the day, so come hungry! We welcome you all to come celebrate and check out our new office.

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

2121 East 6th Street, Suite 102

Austin, TX 78702

Thursday, October 4 | 1-7 p.m.

We've Moved!

We've Moved! 

Come visit The Wine & Food Foundation in our new location on East 6th Street. Right on the southwest corner of East 6th Street and Robert Martinez Boulevard. Please stop in and say "Hi!" and have a glass of wine in our new space in The Sixth Street Villas.

Bill Elsey’s Wine Picks for Independence Day!

As the 4^th of July is right around the corner, we wanted to find out which wines are the perfect fits for the occasion. We asked the 2011 Texas Sommelier Conference winner, Bill Elsey if he would give some recommendations and we are so excited to try them!

He said to always look for wines that are:

   *Affordable (so you can easily buy multiple bottles!),

   *Refreshing,

   *Go well with traditional BBQ & summer time food,

   *And can appeal to a large crowd

A few of his recommendations include:

 

Canals & Munné Gran Reserva Cava Spain 2007: a great sparkling wine to serve all day long on the Fourth. It is perfectly balanced with notes of citrus, apple, mineral and toast. It is fresh and with crisp acidity making it easy to serve well chilled outside on the porch on in the back yard. This wine is a great aperitif and goes with just about any food. Retail in the Red Room $21

Cave de Samur "Les Pouches" Loire Valley, France Chenin Blanc 2011: This wine is bone dry and loaded with flavors of key lime, lemon zest, granny smith apple, and chalk. When it is as warm as it has been recently, and will continue to be for the Fourth, this is a wine to help you get through a hot afternoon by the pool. Retail in the Red Room $17

Cantine Barbera "La Bambina" Rosato 2011 Sicily, Italy: Rosés are the most versatile of all wines during the Fourth of July because they offer many of the same qualities that you find in light bodied red wines, while still providing a refreshing character, and you can serve them well chilled. This wine comes from southern Italy and is made from 100% Nero D'Avola grapes - an indigenous variety to the region. Fresh cherries, ripe strawberry and raspberry flavors are prevalent with a beautiful red floral note on the finish. Retail in the Red Room $17

Valdez Sonoma Zinfandel 2009 California - Sonoma Zinfandel is a great go-to option for the full bodied red wine enthusiasts this Fourth. The Jammy, rich, dark fruit character of the wine pairs perfectly with BBQ, Steaks and Burgers. This wine is an exclusive offering only available through the Red Room Lounge and offers tremendous power and depth of flavor for the price. Retail in the Red Room $39

Happy 4^th of July!

Get Your Passports for our 10th Anniversary of Tour de Vin!

It is the 10^th Anniversary of one of the Foundation’s premier events!  Tour de Vin is a get-your-passport-stamped style wine and food tasting featuring fine wine from around the world and the best domestic and internationally-inspired cuisine in Central Texas.

This globetrotting culinary showcase highlights 15-20 of Austin’s favorite chefs and 15-20 wineries presenting a cosmopolitan array of samplings which are accompanied by live multi-cultural performances throughout the evening.

The event will be set at the W Hotel in downtown Austin on August 24. 2012 from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Guests can enjoy live music under the stars, and a silent auction featuring rare wines, exceptional restaurant packages and a dazzling array of items. 

Visit our website to get your tickets today!

May Membership Mayhem

May is Membership Mayhem month!  Become a member at any level throughout the month of May and receive one or two FREE* tickets to a Wine 101 class and tasting at Twin Liquors in June.  In addition to this amazing benefit right off the bat, you’ll also receive discounts to premier Foundation events throughout the year, access to members only wine tastings, and more.  But hurry, this offer is only valid while supplies last!  We’ve got 25 seats to give away; they will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  So join us today!

*Number of free seats depends on member level at which you join.  Enthusiast receives one free seat, all other levels receive two. 

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD!

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD!

With champagne flowing and lively bidding, the 27th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction was certainly a night to remember!  Guests arrived dressed to the nines and began the champagne toasts while perusing the live and silent auction items.  Wines of rare offerings, large formats, and coveted vintages were on display and wine trips and multi-course dinners were sold throughout the night.  A great time was had by all before the special night came to a close.  Drum roll, please…

And we are proud to announce that the foundation raised $260,000 to be used for our good works including culinary scholarships, educational grants, and a gift to The Texas Hunger Initiative and No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger in Texas.

We are extremely grateful to our Champagne Reception sponsors H-E-B and Moet Hennessy as well as those who supplied the wines for dinner: Cape Classics, Hahn Family Wines, Moet Hennessy, and Retour Wines.  Many thanks are also in order for The Four Seasons, TexSom sommeliers, our volunteers, auctioneers and spotters, and our Auction Committee, all without whom this night would not be possible!

And of course, thanks to you all for joining us for such a wonderful evening full of friends, fun, and plenty of wine!

Premier Lots for the 27th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction Announced!

After months of scouring the globe for rare, fine, and desirable wines, The 27th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction is nearly upon us, and we've got our hands on some really great lots this year that you won't want to miss.  Among them are large format bottles, collector's wine sets, lavish wine trips, and exclusive wine dinners.  Don't be the last to scout out the details on these premier lots!

Have we piqued your interest?  The night begins with a champagne reception in which all the lots are on display for your perusal.  Following, you'll be treated to a decadent array of salads, entrees and desserts on the buffet, presented by the Four Season's Executive Chef Elmar Prambs.  And we've only just begun!  Then the real fun begins with the boisterous and fast-paced live auction, showcasing nearly 100 auction lots.  Feeling lucky?  Give it a go at the silent auction tables where 50 lots featuring wine, gift cards, experiences and other goodies abound.  And the best part?  It's not too late to reserve your seats for this always fun evening!  Just visit our registration page to join in on the fun!

Cowboys + Gauchos Recap

This past weekend, we hosted Cowboys + Gauchos! We couldn’t have asked for a better setting. It turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day full of non-stop fun! People began pouring in early in their boots and hats, ready to jump on into all excitement.

Like most guests, my eye was drawn straight to the pit where a delicious variety of meats were on display. There’s nothing like having your meal cooked right in front of you! And the smell! From the moment you stepped on site, the smell of barbecue was intoxicating. Roaming from station to station, there wasn’t one booth without something incredibly tasty. One of my favorites, besides the main attractions (the elk, pig, and goat), was the brisket taco provided by Salt Lick. The meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Wrapped up in spicy sauce and a tortilla, I was in heaven!

 The inside of the pavilion was beautiful, filled with sparkling lights, splashes of color, and, of course, the smell of so many amazing wines. Guests were able to sample both Texas and South American wines, while being serenaded by beautiful music. It was the perfect atmosphere to sip on your favorite wine and get swept away in the song.

 But, my absolute favorite part of the event was the S’mores Pit! Out behind the pavilion, there was a table full of chocolates and marshmallows. There were so many different flavors to choose from that it was hard to make just one! So much excitement surrounded the process. People would flock to the station to experience something that would take them back to their childhood days. I went traditional with a roasted vanilla marshmallow and stuck it between two graham crackers with a delicious piece of dark chocolate. It was the perfect treat, topped off with sticky fingers! Cowboys + Gauchos was a wonderful experience full of good food, great wines, and tons of fun! Don’t miss out next year. We are sure to have another rip roarin’ good time!

 -Rachel Reid, intern

Members Only Syrah Happy Hour

We went out on a limb and hosted our first-ever members only wine tasting last night at Marquee Rents. Well, I guess it wasn’t too risky; who doesn’t like wine tastings?! We were greeted with a beautiful set-up in Marquee’s design center, where colorful linens painted the walls and sparkling stemware awaited our wine. We ended up with about 15 different Syrah/Shiraz to taste along with an abundance of yummy bites from our members and Dagar’s Catering. It was interesting to find that some wines were robustly fruit-forward while others were lighter bodied with a softer finish. Everyone had their own favorites but I personally liked the 2005 Tintara Shiraz McLaren Vale, bursting with blue and black fruit and some layers of mushroom and tabacco.

 I’m already looking forward to our next members only wine tasting, wherever it may take us!

Two Events Not To Be Missed!

We have two exciting events in the next few weeks and trust us, these are not to be missed! The first is the Tops in Texas event on Tuesday, February 28th. Chefs Josh Watkins, Paul Peterson and Zack Northcutt will go head to head and be judged by Top Chef contestants Tre Wilcox, Arnold Myint as well as Chefs David Bull and Tyson Cole. All ticket proceeds will benefit The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas! VIP tickets are $85 each (just a few left, seriously) and General Admission is $50 each. Click here for more information.

The next upcoming event is Cowboys + Gauchos on Sunday, March 4th at the Salt Lick Pavilion. Starting at high noon, ticket-holders will be welcomed with the sights, sounds and experiences familiar to both the North American Cowboy and the South American Gaucho – the sight of an open fire with the delicious smells of great BBQ. Chow on the grilled fare before washing down your delicious rations with the fine wines from local Texas vineyards and South American wineries, plus a little local brew too! We’ll have live music and family fun activities (did someone say Photo Booth?!?) sponsored by Yelp! that you won’t want to miss. $40 Foundation Members, $50 General Public, $10 ages 13-20.

Cowboys + Gauchos

Yee-haw and olé! Cowboys + Gauchos will be returning to its frontier at the Salt Lick Pavilion on Sunday, March 4th.  Come experience the food, wine and culture of the North American Cowboy and South American Gaucho. Starting at high Noon, attendees will be welcomed by the smell of meat cooking on an open fire and the sound of fine wine being uncorked. Delicious cuisine will be provided by the following restaurants: Judge’s Hill Restaurant & Bar, Café Josie, Zocalo Café, Auguste Escoffier, Live Oak Barbecue, Wild Bubba’s, and Mmmpanadas.

Accentuating the flavors of the meal, wine will be provided by the following wineries and distributers: Alamosa Wine Cellars, Duchman Family Winery, Fall Creek Vineyards, Casa Lapostolle, Llano Estacado, McPherson Cellars, Spicewood Vineyards, Terrazas de los Andes and a local brew from Thirsty Planet Brewery.

To sweeten the hearts of even the most rugged cowboys and gauchos, dessert will be provided by the gourmet Delysia Chocolatier.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy an open fire, live entertainment, and authentic North and South American food and wine.  Purchase your tickets for this can’t miss event before space runs out! Tickets are $40 for Foundation members and $ 50 for general public. Click here to register for the event.

A huge thanks to our sponsors Yelp!, YNN Austin, Acqua Panna and The Salt Lick BBQ for helping make this exciting, tasty, and cultural experience possible.

Film Frenzy!

We had a blast this past weekend participating in the First Annual Reel Change Film Frenzy, brought to life by the Alamo Drafthouse and Lights. Camera. Help.  Ten teams of filmmakers were partnered with ten different nonprofits and tasked with writing, producing, shooting, and editing a short film in under 48 hours.  On Sunday evening, we viewed the final products at the Alamo Drafthouse and a winner was crowned.

 

We were honored to be paired with ONE STORY PRODUCTIONS for our challenge. We began Friday filming at Congress, doing interviews with Sommelier June Rodil and Chef David Bull. Then we headed to the Red Room Lounge at Personalwines.com where we hosted a small get together and interviewed 2011 Scholarship Winner, Renee Morgan and the 2011 TexSom Best Sommelier in Texas winner, Bill Elsey. Filming was not done yet! We headed to Max's Wine Dive to interview the wonderful Chef Erica Beneke. On Saturday, we made our way out to Spicewood Springs Vineyard which provided the perfect backdrop for filming.

 

We are honored to have our video alongside nine other fantastic non-profits! The winner was Austin Bat Cave and fan favorite was Whole Planet. Check out our video titled Eat Well, Drink Better here. Huge thank you to everyone that helped us during our Film Frenzy!

Save-The-Date: 27th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Mark your calendar now for the Foundation’s event of the year, the 27th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction! To be held at the Four Seasons Austin on April 14, 2012, festivities will begin with a champagne reception and silent auction debut. Following, guests will be treated to an array of fine wines as well as a decadent buffet in the ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel. Then the fun begins! The boisterous, fast-paced and always competitive live auction will feature a multitude of exceptionally rare and collectable wine lots up for bid, in addition to extraordinary dinners, wine trips, and more!

Big Reds & Bubbles Video

Special thank you to Moth to Flame Films for filming Big Reds & Bubbles 2011. See the video here:

And be sure to "like" them on Facebook too (https://www.facebook.com/mothtoflamefilms)!

2011 Scholarship Winner, Renee Morgan Using Talents in a New Way

A lot of folks have been asking what I’m up to since graduation. Well, I have an exciting new project to tell you all about. I’m thrilled to introduce Chefalicious Hospitality, Inc., a 503(c) non-profit foundation. You see, as a mother, grandmother and culinarian, I feel very strongly about children’s nutrition and it’s effect on their health and development. In Williamson county, Texas, over 60,000 people are food insecure at any one time. Of those, over 32,000 are children under the age of 18. (These statistics are according to the U.S Federal Census Bureau and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.) As a long time resident of Williamson county, I know that much of the county is rural, which means many times it is exceptionally difficult for these people to obtain assistance. Even if a family receives assistance in the form of SNAP (food stamps), a family of four generally receives around $150 or less per month. If the children of such a family receives free or reduced breakfast and lunch at school, they many times still go hungry nights, weekends, summers. That’s where Chefalicious Hospitality comes in.

Our mission is to use our culinary talents and resources to provide for the nutritional welfare of the economically disadvantaged children of Williamson County, Texas, the surrounding area and the world. We aim to do this through providing nutritious food, education, partnerships with area schools and daycare, cooking lessons, installation of home gardens and scholarships for the study of culinary arts to deserving students.

What does that mean exactly? Well, here’s the way it works. Chefalicious Hospitality offers catering, personal and private chef services, meal delivery for those know don’t have the time or inclination to cook, cooking lessons and classes and summer cooking camps for kids. Let’s say you need one of these services. If you chose to hire Chefalcious Hospitality (CH) as you would any other caterer or private chef, you also get the added benefit and peace of mind in knowing that your money is helping to feed hungry kids. You see, all of our proceeds are used to provide nutritional services to food insecure children in Williamson county.

We seek to assist children and their families in several ways:

-  CH will partner with No Kid Hungry™ to provide grocery store tours to economically disadvantaged parents to teach them how to read nutritional labels, menu plan, avoid unhealthy foods, and shop on a limited budget.

-  CH will provide a hot and healthy meal to any child under the age of 18 in need. We seek to partner with the USDA to provide lunch for children in the summer and this grow this service to include all other meals.

-  CH will provide cooking lessons to parents and children in food insecure families. Our intent is to teach children to prepare simple healthy snacks and give parents the tools they need to prepare delicious, quick and healthy meals for their families.

-  CH will gift a home garden to food insecure families, teach them how to grow and maintain their garden, and how to preserve their harvest for long term consumption.

-  CH hopes to offer training and culinary scholarships to promising high school students who demonstrate talent and financial need.   

Why now? I suppose my own story impacted my decision to start this foundation. Prior to attending culinary school, I had been a successful realtor and business owner. My husband owned a prosperous delivery company. We enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. When the recession hit our country in 2009, we found ourselves to be casualties. Along with so many others in this country, we lost everything. After trying to find work for over a year, I decided it was time to reinvent myself by going to culinary school. It was very difficult but it was something I had always wanted to do. Sometimes we didn’t have enough food, heat or even utilities. But I had a goal and nothing was going to stop me. I am grateful and blessed to say that I was able to finish culinary school with no debt because of winning the Stephan Pyles Cook-Off Scholarship, along with several others. I am forever indebted to the The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and Chef Stephan Pyles.

This experience forever changed me and highlighted the plight of so many in my community.  While I was in Boston completing my culinary internship with America’s Test Kitchen, I saw a billboard that advertised a place where any child under 18 could get a meal in the summer. It was sponsored by the USDA. I started thinking about how I could start something like that at home. Once back home in Texas, I started talking to people about my idea. Pretty soon, I had a professional kitchen, a dining room and office space with utilities donated by a local church in Leander. Next a farmer began donating organic vegetables. Then a certified master gardener offered to help with the gardens. A retired grant writer offered to help raise funds. We were on our way!

Currently, we are working on putting together our board of directors and infrastructure of the foundation and expect to be fully operational early in 2012. We hope to have a grand opening and a gala fundraiser in upcoming days. I would love to invite all of you to consider being a part of this important work, either by volunteering time, donating, or hiring CH for your events and culinary needs. We look forward to serving you and the children of Williamson county.

Please contact me regarding opportunities or to contract CH for events and services at renee.morgan1@gmail.com, 512-300-6128 or PO Box 1058, Liberty Hill, TX 78642.

It’s Exactly What I Wanted…
The beloved holidays are upon us. It’s my favorite time of the year! I get warm fuzzies just thinking about the smell of a decorated tree, the taste of our cul-de-sac cookie exchange or the tune of a soft holiday song. All of our senses are enhanced during the holidays. We want you to spend more time enjoying the holidays and less time trying to decide what to get your family and friends as gifts, so we’ve done the work for you and hope you can check everyone off your list with these amazing gift selections. And, as usual, we include the special WFF wine & spirits section.
By Marika Flatt

FOR THE OENOPHILE:
The Instant Wine Refresher by Ravi

If you’re like me, you always need to chill wine at a moment’s notice.  I have my reds in a wine cabinet and my whites in a wine cooler, but they don’t get as cold as we Americans like our whites. As wine accessory specialists, each of Ravi Solutions’ product lines is designed to maximize drinking pleasure while offering sophisticated style and flawless performance.  The smallest and fastest wine chiller on the market today, this unique tool transforms room temperature white and red wine to cellar temperature in seconds, for a smoother taste and enhanced flavor. The wine chiller can also be used to chill spirits. $39.95, http://www.ravisolution.com

Custom iPhone case

Whenever you go to an electronics store to get a new iPhone case, they are all the same. If you’re like me, you love a case with personality! All oenophiles will adore the wine cork case from Zazzle. 

It will be a great conversation piece and then you can tell the person your favorite wines. Zazzle can print literally any picture, graphic or design onto a case, letting you design something completely original. Custom Zazzle and Case-Mate mobile cases range from $34.95 to $39.95, www.Zazzle.com/cases

Cookies by Design’s “Aged to Perfection” cookie bouquet
Who doesn’t love to eat sweets during the holidays? This cookie bouquet is perfect for all of us oenophiles! This adorable design is great for hostess gifts or a gift you want delivered to someone. Check out this “Aged to Perfection” bouquet: http://www.cookiesbydesign.com/gift-baskets/birthday-gifts/aged-to-perfection-boutray ($90.99). And, for that hard-to-buy-for guy, Cookies by Design has licensing agreements with the NFL, NCAA and MLB to reproduce team logos and colors on cookies. It’s a great gift for the ultimate fan, especially with his name on a jersey cookie! Check out: http://www.cookiesbydesign.com/nfl-gifts/dallas-cowboys-gifts/dallas-cowboys-cookie-bouquet

Woozie wine insulators
The first time I saw a Woozie wine glass insulator, I was at my sister’s 40th birthday party and I was coveting her gift of this stylish and functional little Woozie. Just like using a koozie for your beer, you pull this fashionable Woozie over your wine glass and it creates an insulated and adorable glass of wine, not to mention you don’t need a wine glass charm. Now, Woozie has wine bottle insulators and glass insulators that come in holiday designs and even a Woozie to cheer on your favorite sports team! I just love this inexpensive gift idea for anyone who enjoys wine, www.woozie.com.

FOR HER:

Foreverlily perfume

My favorite flower is the lily and I am a real girly girl with perfume so I was giddy when I heard about this! This is a wonderful fragrance from GoodTrueBeautiful in the most gorgeous packaging I’ve ever seen for a perfume bottle!

The recipient of this gift will be amazed and impressed simply by looking at the chic aqua and red box.  This is definitely an upscale fragrance – the Collector’s Edition (3.4 ounce eau de parfum) retails for $125 (www.mygtblife.com).

 Jockey Person to Person Convertible Cardigan and Ponte Jacket

The Convertible Cardigan is my new favorite piece of clothing! With a shorter back length and front panels that cascade into a longer length, this cardigan is the most versatile garment I’ve ever seen. There are literally a dozen ways to drape and wear this piece!

There is a video of one of the designers showing several ways to wear the Convertible Cardigan (http://jockeyp2p.com/DesignerCorner/ConvertibleCardigan). It comes in black/graphite stripe, pink scarlet, and Marrakech turquoise, $82. The Ponte Jacket is a denim-inspired look that comes in charcoal heather, black, true love, $95, www.JockeyP2P.com.

FOR THE FOODIE:

Sea Salt collection

I recently read a health article about how using sea salt is so much healthier for your body than the typical table salt. The Spice Lab offers over 150 sea salts from 30 countries. They have a unique gift item – Gourmet Sea Salt Collections that offer 5, 6 or 11 test tube sampler sets of exotic salts, all attractively displayed in a handcrafted wooden base.
Great for the foodie to keep in the kitchen and use in those tasty recipes! The sampler kits run from $24.95 - $59.95,  www.thespicelab.com.

Grafton Village Cheeses
During the holidays, we’re all entertaining and looking for yummy goodies to bring to dinner parties. Handcrafting world-class artisanal cheeses for over a century in the quintessential town of Grafton, Vermont, Grafton Village Cheeses are perfect for the holidays.
Pair these signature cheeses with crackers from the deli and a bottle of red wine. Grafton Village Cheese offers a variety of gift baskets that feature their award-winning cheeses along with an array of specialty Vermont goodies. Holiday flavors like Sage Cheddar and Garlic Cheddar make these baskets a delicious and welcomed change to the foodie gifts that friends and family have been sending for years. $39.99 - $59.99, http://www.graftonvillagecheese.com/.

Guylian Artisanal Belgian Chocolates
First of all, we all know how decadent fine chocolates and red wine are to our palettes. During the busy holidays, sometimes we just need to slow down with a truffle and a glass of cabernet in the evening. So, forget about purchasing this gift for someone else, just go ahead and purchase it for yourself and hide it away in your favorite decadent hiding spot.

This is truly a new chocolate experience (think hazelnut filled praline seashells). Guylian Chocolates are small treasures that are only sold at specialty, artisanal chocolate stores (2 piece $0.99 to $1.49; 6 piece $2.99 to $3.99 and 22 piece ranges from $7.99 to $14.99, www.GuylianBelgianChocolate.com)

McEvoy Ranch Olive Oil

Those of us who enjoy cooking from fresh ingredients find ourselves using olive oil on a regular basis. Whether you’re sautéing veggies or following a yummy winter soup recipe, EVOO is almost always in need.

Grown and produced in Northern California, McEvoy Ranch Olive Oil has been written up a variety of national print publications and holds many culinary distinctions. A blend of six early-harvest Italian varieties—bottled immediately, without filtration—in the traditional Tuscan style, McEvoy Ranch Olio Nuovo has a distinctly vibrant green color, rich fruit flavor and peppery finish. McEvoy Ranch Olio Nuovo retails for $22 (375mL) / $42 (750 mL) www.mcevoyranch.com and Whole Foods.

FOR THE KIDDO:
GLOB Paint Kit
Most arts & crafts paints stink. GLOB is a new line of all natural botanical paints made from fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices.  With colors like lemon verbena, pomegranate and basil green, (and they all smell like the color) GLOB paints are delightful for projects. Using non-toxic, food-grade ingredients, GLOB paints are all natural and biodegradable. Each kit includes 6 color packets, 6 compostable jars with lids & 2 bamboo brushes. $15 www.globiton.com

Funky Junque Accessories

For girls, we know it’s all about the accessories!  This online site is a great location to shop for the young girl in your life (no matter the age). Some of this season’s great finds are the Silicon Wrap Watch, which comes in Black, Hot pink, light pink, purple, $26.00; and the Kitty Cat Fold Over Glove in assorted colors, $24. Either of these would make a great gift or stocking stuffer. www.Funky-Junque.com

Soulo Karaoke
The vocal performance/karaoke application and microphone developed for the iPad, Soulo transforms iPads into cutting-edge personal karaoke singing machines that you can bring anywhere and have non-stop singing fun. Soulo is a really cool mic/accessory and super easy to use - just plug it in, launch the app and start singing.

The Soulo App is available for free at the App Store and integrates with your iTunes account.  The Soulo Digital is available at Target and the Apple Store for $99 and a wired microphone is available for $69.

Happy Napper

This plush goes from a soft comfortable pillow to a cuddly companion with a simple zip - and back again. Eight total designs are now available including Bug Bungalow to Lady Bug, Doghouse to Dog, Igloo to Penguin, and Castle to Dragon.  Each reversible Happy Napper lives in his Home Sweet Home complete with sleepy sound doorbell.  Kids ring the bell to wake up their Happy Napper, and then unzip the door to invite their friend to come out and play. Designed for preschoolers to teens, a portion of sales proceeds for all Happy Nappers goes to the Home Sweet Home Fund benefitting the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (www.cbtf.org). www.happynapper.com, $20  

Mario’s Pizzeria game
It’s amore!  If the parent is a foodie, sometimes the child is too! Children will “cook up” tons of fun with this fun game. The 8-piece play set has all the ingredients of a perfect pizzeria – three pizza pies, chef, delivery boy and vehicle, along with a very special oven that “fires-up” when the button is pushed.  www.ravensburger.com, $40

WINE AND SPIRITS:

Cakebread wines, i.e. the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
I was lucky enough to tour the famous Cakebread vineyard and winery in August and was completely overwhelmed with how amazing their operation is, how they utilize modern technology in their vineyards and how amazing each and every pour tasted! 

I now have my souvenir Cakebread glasses and enjoy their wines whenever possible.  The grapes for their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon come from terrific vineyards in prime locations in the Napa Valley. With fruit sources from multiple, diverse microclimates, they craft a sumptuous, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that melds the opulent black fruit character and firm tannins typical of the valley’s warmer northern microclimates with the bright fruit tones and crisp acidity characteristic of its cooler southern precincts. Enjoy with a great steak!

Alex Elman Wines
This summer, Alexandra Elman, entrepreneur and wine expert, launched a collection of accessible, organic wines. The inaugural offering is made up of four varietals from Argentina—a Chardonnay, a Torrontés, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Malbec, and are representative of what the collection aims to deliver: hand crafted, sustainable, honest wines that are truly emblematic of their terroir.

Alex's story is an inspiring one. The self-dubbed "Blind Wine Chick" lost her sight at age 27 and instead of slowing her down, Alex discovered that her palate had become even more focused and her passion for wine even more intense. She now travels the world seeking out sustainable fine wines to bring to the U.S. market, accompanied by Hanley, her seeing eye dog.

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon

Rarely do you find a winery that exists to produce just one variety of wine. But how refreshing is that! Make what you know and focus on making the best in that variety and exceed your customers’ expectations!

While the 2007 Silver Oak cab is great for the holidays, be it a holiday meal or as a gift to your holiday party hosts, what really stands out is Silver Oak's ability to etch their bottles of wine. The etching takes the classic bottle of wine and turns it into whatever the customer would like; messages, pictures, logos...the bottle's can be completely customized and etched however they would like. The etchings can be done on either of the two most recent Silver Oak vintages, the 2007 Alexander Valley as well as the exquisite and ever popular 2006 Napa Valley Cab (www.silveroak.com)

 Rutherford Hill Merlot
At just $25, Rutherford Hill Merlot proves that you don’t have to spend a lot for great, quality bottle of wine thus making it ideal for a holiday host or hostess gift.

Rutherford Hill’s Merlot is an elegant, refined blend of classic Bordeaux varietals that create its rich aroma and flavor. Bursting with notes of cherry and plum, this silky, full-flavored wine is balanced, firm and the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates fine wine.
To learn more, please visit:  www.rutherfordhill.com

2009 Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay
Stumped on what wine to gift to your foodie friend whose typical Monday night menu sounds something like this -- Caramelized, balsamic-glazed heirloom figs and parmesan crisps with Chanterelle Mushroom tapenade?

With a rich and round mouth feel, this well-structured wine will pair well with anything, from crab cakes with saffron aioli to roasted rabbit. Your foodie friend will appreciate the versatility of this food friendly Chardonnay. http://www.landmarkwine.com/, $28

2009 JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon
For the friend who always knows everything on the up and up, give the gift of wine from one of California’s up and coming wine regions, Paso Robles. Only 14 miles from the coast, the limestone soils, hot days and cool nights in Paso give birth to elegant, high caliber wines.  JUSTIN Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception.

Made in a classic Bordeaux style, showcases the universally appealing flavors of delicate ripe raspberries, currant, and vanilla. http://www.justinwine.com/, $26

Herradura Añejo

Casa Herradura is one of the oldest and most respected producers of tequila, which many believe delivers the world's highest quality, most authentic tequila experience because of the expertise and leadership it has developed since 1870. 

Tequila Herradura is 100% blue agave tequila carefully crafted using traditional methods, such as cooking the agave in clay ovens and fermenting naturally with wild yeast. Herradura Añejo is aged for 25 months, which is 13 months longer than the industry standard. Its deep copper color hints to its oaky, spicy taste, which is apparent at the sniff of this refined expression and lingers on even after the first sip. Enjoyed like a fine Cognac or bourbon, Herradura Añejo is a great gift. $59.99 – 750 ml bottle

Sandeman Founders Reserve Collector's Tins

Sandeman, the world's leading port and sherry company, has released Sandeman Founders Reserve Collector's Tins ($20). The tins are decorated with images from the company's iconic poster artwork that makes Sandeman recognizable worldwide, and contain a bottle of Founders Reserve, Sandeman's signature and most versatile port. It is a memorable present for everyone from a cocktail novice (as six tasty cocktail recipes are included inside) to a Sandeman fan.  Sandeman's aged tawny ports come in 10, 20, 30 and 40-year old vintages ($40-$137), are the top rated imported ports in the United States and represent the quality that Sandeman has demonstrated for over 200 years. The rich yet elegant flavors of these tawny ports are sure to please and impress anyone who takes a sip. Of course, they can be given as a collection, representing a whole century of quality ports, but are also great when purchased individually to commemorate any special occasion or anniversary.


Marika Flatt has been a freelance writer since 2002, writing for publications such as: GoodHousekeeping.com, Austin Lifestyle, Austin Woman, FamilyTravel.com, ChickVacations, and several others. Her writing has also appeared on NPR.org. She is also the founder of PR by the Book, www.prbythebook.com. She lives with her husband and 3 children in Austin.

Stephan Pyles Celebrity Chef Dinner Recap

Now in its twelfth year, the Annual Stephan Pyles Celebrity Chef Dinner & Live Wine Auction held in Dallas this past weekend at Stephan Pyles Restaurant was anything but repetitive.  With different chefs cooking each year, the event always offers new surprises and inventive culinary creations to keep guests coming back for more.  This year’s line-up included David Garrido of Austin, Joel Harrington of Dallas, Nick Badovinus of Dallas, Jason Dady of San Antonio, and Rebecca Rather of Fredericksburg cooking alongside Stephan Pyles himself.  To get the night started, this year’s Stephan Pyles Culinary Scholarship winner Reneé Morgan prepared three passed hors d’oeuvres for the crowd of 100 that were so good, people were amazed to hear they had been prepared by a recent culinary school grad, rather than a chef with a pedigree such as that of Stephan Pyles.  Morgan’s samplings, paired with a Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, made for a happy crowd right from the get-go.  After four courses of scallops, salmon, quail, and lamb, each perfectly paired with wine, the lively and exciting auction portion of the evening began as doughnuts, ice cream, and bacon (!) were served for dessert. I don’t know about everyone else, but I practically rolled out of there, happy as a pig in mud.

All in all, a truly wonderful night to support a wonderful cause – this year’s dinner raised over $20,000 to support next year’s Stephan Pyles Culinary Scholarship awarded by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas.  Many thanks to our headlining sponsor Central Market, without whom this dinner would be impossible, all the chefs for donating their time and effort, and the wine sponsors (Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Evening Land Vineyards, Sokol Blosser Winery, Pedernales Cellars, Palm Bay International, and Esprit du Vin) who were extremely generous to donate all wine for the evening.  We’re already looking forward to the 2012 Scholarship competition which will take place in San Antonio March 17-18th.  If the next winner cooks anything like 2011’s winner Reneé Morgan, we’re in for a treat!