I love neighborhood wine bars! Of course, the other half of B & B would say that I just love wine anywhere. That being said,, a wine bar becomes a neighborhood wine bar and one of my favorites because the staff treats you like family each time you visit. Of course, they need to have good food, wine and atmosphere. Since I split my time between the south suburbs of Denver, Colorado and Austin Texas, I have favorites in both cities.
I’ll admit it. On a hot afternoon out on the B&B patio, sometimes nothing hits the spot like a very dry rosé. In the past, my favorites have been exclusively Pinot Noirs. This summer’s rosé tastings included a few Cabernet and Malbecs but nothing lit my fire. However, I did find a Spanish Rioja (Tempranillo blend) I really enjoyed and I think you might like it, too.
So gentlemen, roll up the sleeves on your pink button down, grab your golf shorts and slip on your Topsiders (sans socks). Let’s drink some rosé on the patio before Fall is upon us and show the girls we ARE real men!
Recently, I was on line with a Facebook friend of this wine blog who is an American in the wine business in Paris. We were discussing the lovely experience Donna and I had just the day before at Fall Creek Vineyards. His thoughtful response fit this story so well. “Behind every wine bottle is a story. Behind every story is a person whose hard work and passion made your enjoyment of that wine possible.” Our day at Fall Creek Vineyards was filled with enjoyment, wine, food and friendship; all the result of the passion Ed and Susan Auler have put into Fall Creek wines for the last 35 years. Continue Reading »
Even though I live in Denver over half the time, I am a Texan through and through. As such, I want, I mean really want, to love Texas wines. We spent the last two weeks re-exploring the Texas Hill Country wine region to reacquaint ourselves with what is going on with Texas wines. While I may not be in love, I definitely now have a crush on Texas wines. All puns intended… Continue Reading »
This is our weekly review of wines we had the opportunity to taste over the last week or so. Unless otherwise noted all the wines were paid for with our hard earned bucks. We are happy to review wine offered by vintners and wholesalers. Please see our “Sample Policy” on this site.
It’s been hot in Denver lately. Just the way we like it on the patio. With friends and family around we’ve been looking for some hot weather patio sippers that are a great value. Continue Reading »
Recently we were contacted by James Blanchard of Blanchard Family Wines in Sonoma and asked to review their newly released wines. It seems that James was reading our Bacchus and Beery Wine Blog and noticed we are based much of the time in Denver, Colorado. James, as it turns out, lives near us. He is active duty in the U.S. Air force and recently finished a teaching assignment in the business school at the Air Force Academy, down the road in Colorado Springs. Continue Reading »
Recently I was reading an article on our slow to rebound economy. The writer interviewed an upscale restaurateur who claimed his sales were still off by 60% from a couple of years ago. I have no idea where the restaurant is but that doesn’t seem to be the case in my two cities, Denver, CO and my beloved Austin, TX.
Donna and I spent a little time discussing the restaurateurs claim and agreed that we don’t eat out as much as we did. So we asked why? We came to the conclusion that there are a number of restaurants we like very much but refuse to pay their exorbitant wine mark ups. In my early days of wine collecting (that was a long time ago) in Austin I’ll admit I was spoiled (Henry and Jay, you know who you are). Back then wholesale laws and enforcement were much more lax and I’d buy cases of great wine wholesale, compliments of my restaurant buddies. So very early on I learned the real cost of wine.
Here’s my rant. What the hell am I getting when I pay a restaurant 200% or more than I can buy the exact same wine retail. Continue Reading »
This is our weekly review of wines we had the opportunity to taste over the last week or so. Unless otherwise noted all the wines were paid for with our hard earned bucks. But if anyone out there would like to donate a wine to end up in this blog…we’re game! This week’s wines are Big Ass Chardonnay, Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Artesa Cabernet and Four Vines Zinfandel Continue Reading »
We are pleased to accept and certainly encourage your wine samples. If you are kind enough to send us a bottle or two or three, here is our promise to you. If we like your wine, we’ll shout about it from the top of the mountain (We live in Denver, lots of mountains).
If we do not care for your wine we will discretely let you know and post no review at all. Bad reviews will only be posted on wines we’ve spent our hard earned money on.
So the bottom line is - if you’re kind to us, we’ll be kind to you.
What Makes a Great Neighborhood Wine Bar?
August 30, 2010 by Bacchus and Beery
What Makes a Great Neighborhood Wine Bar?
By Donna Beery
I love neighborhood wine bars! Of course, the other half of B & B would say that I just love wine anywhere. That being said,, a wine bar becomes a neighborhood wine bar and one of my favorites because the staff treats you like family each time you visit. Of course, they need to have good food, wine and atmosphere. Since I split my time between the south suburbs of Denver, Colorado and Austin Texas, I have favorites in both cities.
Continue Reading »
Posted in 2. Wine Commentary, Bar Commentary | Tagged Wine, Donna Beery, Bacchus and Beery, The Grove Austin, Cru Park Meadows, Indulge Wine Bar, wine information, wine+blog | 1 Comment »