What kind of wine - Hill Country Texas?

Question

Hi all - I'm in the Texas Hill Country and I'm having an Italian inspired dinner. Lasagne, Garlic shrimp and Baked Rigatoni on the menu. What is a good red wine? white wine? - that is available around here? Maybe HEB or Western Beverages might carry. I won't actually have many wine drinkers, but I still want to have some available for those who can appreciate. Thanks!

Answer 1

Since you are in the Hill Country, I am assuming you are wanting a wine with a little local flavor.  

Texas vintners do make wines from Italian varietals, but as a rule they are not overly easy to find.  If that is the case there, I would recommend you stick with a good red from a reliable producer, such as Becker, Llano, or maybe St. Genevieve.  Personally I enjoy the Becker Iconoclast - a full-bodied red that goes well with bbq, I believe it would be a good - although not perfect - match with the entree.  For a white I would recommend a Llano Pinot Grigio, although Chenin Blanc or the Riesling may work well, too.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

2001 Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast ($13). Excellent value for this super tasty wine! Fresh and aromatic, and offering juicy tropical and pear fruit, with touches of citrus and light spicy oak on the finish.

Answer 3

First, I'm not entirely sure why you would have two pasta courses.  In terms of an 'Italian Dinner', it's a bit like offering two salad courses at one meal.  Unless, of course,  you have vegetarian guests and one of these is meant to help them.

Here's what I'd put together:

1. Try having something simple to start (a bruschetta (grilled bread slices with tomatoes) perhaps, or caprese salad (sliced tomatoes topped with fresh mozarella slices and olive oil)).

2. Follow that with a pasta (I'd chose the baked rigatoni over the lasagna, explanation to follow)

3. Garlic shrimp with a light vegetable (steamed, chilled asparagus (white if you can find them) with prosciutto or  grilled zucchini with goat cheese)

4. Possibly a mixed green salad.

5. A simple dessert (fresh strawberries and peaches with whipped cream, or the ol' Texas standby, delicious watermelon)

It's summer, and Central Texas summers are hot.  So, counterpoint that with a light, refreshing meal that doesn't weigh you down.  Lasanga is a heavier, more stick to your ribs kind of meal that doesn't seem to fit.

Now the main point of your question, wine.  This time of year, with that kind of menu (seafood, salad, and fruits), my head screams 'Pinot Grigio'.  The tangerine-crisp, easily drinkable wine from the Veneto (north Italy) is the epitome of refreshing.  You should be able to find the wine type, the choice will be brand.  The 'Bella Sera' and 'Bolla' will suffice if you're on a budget, but if you can spare the cash, look for 'Santa Margarita' ($15-20).  

If you want to keep all the tomato sauce based pastas or if you prefer reds, look for a fruity young variety.  'Beaujolais Nouveau' by DuBoeuf would be ok.  It might get lost against the lasagna, but it will be the best compromise I can think of.  

All of these are always available at my local Wal-Mart here in North Texas, so I think you'll be ok.

If you want to go local: there are some decent wines coming out of the Fredericksburg area. The Chenin Blanc from Becker Vineyards would be nice ($13 a bottle) or the Sauvignon Blanc from Fall Creek ($9 a bottle).