Deep ruby color; red fruits, vanilla, leather on the nose; strawberry, cherry, blackberry, plum, fig, mocha on the palate. Continue reading “Llano Estacado Texas Tempranillo Cellar Reserve 2017”
Category: Facts About Wine
Aging wine
Most wines are ready to drink as soon as you get home from the store. Many—especially in the $12-$25 range—do not improve with bottle age. But what about those that grow wonderful with time? Continue reading “Aging wine”
Natalie MacLean interviews Gus Clemens
Natalie MacLean, the leading online wine expert in Canada, interviewed me for her podcast/video interview. It posted today (10-16-2019). The segment is 45 minutes long and the quality is good. Natalie is a charming personality and interviewer. If you are interested in Natalie’s online material and me talking about wine in general and about Texas wine and several other stories, here is the link to the video interview:
Link to video of the interview
Natalie MacLean interview podcast

Fredericksburg 2
If you decide to make Fredericksburg the epicenter of your Texas wine experience, here are suggestions for a game plan: Continue reading “Fredericksburg 2”
Fredericksburg 1
To immerse yourself in the Texas wine experience, go to Fredericksburg, the center of the Texas Hill Country AVA, the second-most visited AVA in the United States. Continue reading “Fredericksburg 1”
Becker Vineyards
When you write about Texas wine, there are iconic names. Doc McPherson, followed by his son, Kim. Messina Hoff. Fall Creek. And then there is Becker—Dr. Richard, and more importantly, his wife, Mary Clementine Ellison “Bunny” Becker. Continue reading “Becker Vineyards”
Texas grapes
After Texas wine pioneers demonstrated you could grow wine vines in Texas, the next question: what wine vines do we grow? Continue reading “Texas grapes”
Texas wine beginnings
Texas appears to be an improbable place for world-class wine. That did not stop two Texas Tech University professors, Drs. Clinton “Doc” McPherson and Bob Reed. Continue reading “Texas wine beginnings”
Texas wine
Eleven years ago, the Texas newspaper editor’s offer was enticing, his orders blunt: “Write about wines our advertisers can sell and our readers can buy.” Continue reading “Texas wine”
Zinfandel’s names
Crljenak kaštelanski (pronounce Tserl-yee-ehnak Kashh-tell-ann-skee). Primitivo (pronounce pri-meh-TEE-Voh). Or, if you are confounded by Croation and intimidated by Italian, go with the California pronunciation: zinfandel (‘zin-fən-del). Continue reading “Zinfandel’s names”