Total Wine

I'm VERY excited about the opening of Total Wine & More here in Dallas near Northpark after seeing some of their prices! My regular everyday wine, 2010 Apothic Red, is $6.97 regularly-on sale now for $5.97! The cheapest before this was $8.23 at Goody Goody.

 I'm going to check it out this week-more later.

A wonderful lunch and some great new music

I had a most enjoyable lunch yesterday at one of my favorite eateries, the Urbano Cafe. In it's current incarnation (for the last two+ years) next to Jimmy's Italian Market located on the corner of Bryan and Fitzhugh here in Dallas, TX, it provides excellent food at reasonable prices (my bill was less than $11), and it's BYOB! It doesn't get any better than this! You need to check it out.

Just before lunch, I also discovered that one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Grayson Capps, has a new studio album out, his fifth. After hearing the cut, Rock and Roll, on Deidre Craft's show, Pearl's General Store, yesterday on KOOP FM in Austin, I realized that I needed to buy it! You should too!

A New Wine and a New Vintage

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I tried a new Zinfandel, Dancing Bull 09 California. I liked it a lot and the price is great-$10 or less. I was told that it was highly rated, but I have not been able to verify that. It is a E.J. Gallo wine.

My current favorite, Apothic Red 09 has a new vintage, 2010, and an added varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, to the blend. The 2009 has Zinfandel, Syrah, and Merlot only which I like better than the new blend. It is a little drier, but still a good wine for around $11. I still can get the 09 for a while at my local World Market.

Eilen Jewell

Last night marked the second stop on Eilen Jewell's first official Texas tour and her first public show in Dallas as part of her "Queen of the Minor Key" album promotion. The first stop was Houston, tonight Denton, Sunday in San Antonio and finishing on Tuesday in Austin where she has played several times before.

In my opinion, this woman is one of the biggest talents in the music business today with a beautiful, soulful voice along with expert song styling. Her show at All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum was exceptional and she played to a packed house of others who appreciated her as much as I do. What an evening! Catch her live if you can; if not, get the new CD-it's great!

Eilen Jewell

Great news! Eilen plays the AllGood Cafe on 9/2 promoting her new album, Queen of the Minor Key! She's one of the best female singer/songwriters I've ever heard, and this album is killer!. Be there or be square! See her website for other dates in Texas.

An excellent inexpensive blend

Last Saturday, I tasted one of the best blends, Apothic Red 2009 Winemaker's Blend from California, I've had in a long time. Made of Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot, it sells for $9.99 at Kroger here in Dallas. It is a great value!

Summer Beer

I tasted my new summer beer about three weeks ago. It is Shiner's new seasonal, Ruby Redbird, with ruby red grapefruit and ginger. It is perfect for summer with a Texas twist!