“The musical selections will transport you from North Texas Winter to bright and cheerful compositions written with in just years of each other in the late 1800’s. The wine notes will give you a little insight into the world of wine contemporary to the composition of these lush, lyrical and romantic symphonic works.
I have selected wines with appeal to a broad range of preferences to enjoy during the program. I hope you make multiple selections, maybe not for consumption during the performance, but to reflect on the performance at a later time, as you enjoy wines from local purveyors. There is something for everyone, I have included 2 bold reds that will surprise you along with 2 bright whites and a sparkling brut rosé.” – Carl Andrews
Bittersweet reminiscence
A popular novelty
A “powered-wig piece”
*Click on the wine image below to read the description of each recommended wine for this evening’s set.
When you have made your selection, follow the “Purchase Now” button to purchase directly from each winery.
6th Street Winery | VIOGNIER
Crisp, bright, lush aromatic fun in a glass
Viognier (“Vee-own-yay”) a full-bodied white that is soft on the palate at first sip and shows its creamy flavors of tangerine, lemon, pineapple. On the nose, you will get hints of a roses and other light florals.
Viognier is my personal favorite alternative to Chardonnay. This aromatic and less acidic wine pairs well with Moroccan spices, apricots, oranges, carrots and yams, and medium umami-rich proteins like shrimp, lobster and pork.
Viognier 55°F Refrigerate for 2 hours (maximum)
OG Cellars | 2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
A wild ferment with complexity and unique aromas.
I chose this Cabernet because of the unique production involving “wild fermentation.” A wild-fermented wine uses native yeasts that are found on the fruit and in the vineyard. This cabernet is reminiscent of the Grieg’s inspiration from 18th century French dance forms full of life, movement and opulence.
OG’s brings you a bold lush red wine with unique aromas of passion fruit, stone fruits, and plum that leaves with a “silky smooth” mouth feel. This wine will surprise you. I suggest decanting to wild fermented red to allow the wine to breath and dispel any unusual aromas that might surprise you.
Cabernet Sauvignon 68°F Refrigerate for 45 – 90 minutes (maximum)
German Romance in a glass
This wine speaks to me of the Rhine River and gorgeous scenery, imposing castles looming over the river and the pale yellow, acidic, aromatic and lightly sweet wines German Rieslings.
The musical selections for this program are from the late 19th Century that comprise the Romantic era, where composers looked past the constraints of Classicism and took inspiration from the other arts: poetry, dance, nature and even the supernatural.
The Horseshoe Riesling brings to mind the playful balance of the Straus Polka. You may hear a wine described as “well balanced,” Riesling is this sort of wine – a perfect balance of delicate body, sweetness and acidity. It dances in the glass and on the palate in perfect time like a Strauss waltz.
Riesling 45°F Refrigerate for 2.5 hours (minimum)
Rooted in a tiny French Village
Tannat has been hailed as the next Malbec and one of the “healthiest” of red wines, due to much higher levels of antioxidants. This varietal has more gusto than Cabernet Sauvignon. Tannat is the most widely planted varietal in Uruguay and a relative new comer to the Texas vineyards and the U.S.
Wine Spectators named Tannat of the Top 100 Wines of 2017. So you really should get to know this wine and Hook & Ladder has a killer offering of a Tannat from Texas fruit. The deep purple color in the glass, flavors of black plum, dark chocolate, cardamom and smoke will tease your palate. This big red is the perfect pair to Grieg’s homage to Norwegian playwright, Ludvig Holberg whose plays were performed in Copenhagen in the 1720s. Grieg was inspired by the romance and classicism of a time gone by and of course by another native Norwegian.
It may be a big stretch, but the bit of cardamom which is often found on the palate in Tannat takes me to my childhood and my Norwegian grandmother who baked every kind of Holiday treat. While not native to Norway, the aroma alone reminds of me of all things Norwegian and Edvard Grieg.
Tannat 68°F Refrigerate for 45 – 90 minutes (maximum)
“Methode Cap Classique” Sparkling
“Methode Cap Classique” Sparkling
This gorgeous sparkler from the Franschoek Valley of the Western Cape of South Africa will capture your palate, your heart and have you tripping the polka, the sarabande, the gavotte and rigaudon before you know it. Methode Cap Classique (MCC) is South Africa’s designation for sparkling wines made in the traditional manner or “Methode Champenois” from France’s Champagne region.
A beautiful sparkler is the level for all things and perfect for any occasions not just weddings, New Years and such. Moreson is the top producer of Chardonnay in South Africa and our winemaker was name SA’s Winemaker of the Year for 2018 by Diner’s Club International. His chardonnay releases have placed repeatedly in the top 10% of France’s annual “Chardonnay du Monde” competition against over 800 entries from France and around the world.
So where does those pair with the musical program? Everywhere. If you can’t decide, drink champagne! A wine that was refined by the Widow Clicquot at the same time these compositions were written and first performed. While I cannot confirm this, it is very likely that Madame Clicquot’s champagne was poured at its first performance in St Petersburg on 30 October 1881.
Brut Rosé 45°F Refrigerate for 2.5 hours (minimum)
*ALL CHARCUTERIE ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BEFORE JANUARY 25
