Scared of WineSpeak?

Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?

Houston Wine Geeks is an informal group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.

What’s all this about Malbec?

Where did it come from?

Why are some people addicted to it now who never even heard of it 10 years ago?
We will be talking and tasting Malbec — what’s to like about this wine and where does it fit in the great red wine spectrum.

We will be pouring some tasting “flights” of a few different Malbecs.

To help out the financial obligations of the group we ask that you drop $1 into the meetup jar (plus $4 more if you partake of the flights).

And of course, in the grand tradition of this group, bring any Malbecs (or others) you want to share.

This Meeting

Join us at Ruggles Cafe Bakery for a Mouthful o’ Malbec.

Ruggles Cafe Bakery
2365 Rice Blvd
Houston, TX 77005
Houston TX 77005
(713) 520-6662
www.rugglescafebakery.com

About Ruggles Bakery

Much more than an award winning dessert bakery, Ruggles Cafe Bakery in Rice Village has been serving homemade soups, fresh sandwiches and salads, hearty pastas and fresh baked desserts for over ten years. We pride ourselves in using the highest quality ingredients all prepared daily in our own kitchen. Crowd pleasers include the Warm Baked Goat Cheese Salad, Whole Wheat Salmon Pasta, Flame Grilled Angus Burgers & Daily Specials including the Ruggles Skinny. It’s a healthy low calorie special that changes every day.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert. It’s not unusual to see our guests eyes grow wide and smiles big as they approach the desserts and order counter. We invite you to take a moment and browse our three bakery cases filled with an impressive selection of homemade desserts. Children 12 and under are invited to decorate a cookie for free while your meal is prepared. Our cozy indoor seating is great any time of the year and we encourage our guests to relax and enjoy their meal with family and friends. We now offer a covered patio area to enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner outdoors.

Here’s an interesting blog post over at domaine547: “Gary Vaynerchuk as Market Maker.”

You can follow Gary on Twitter at twitter.com/garyvee.

Scared of WineSpeak?

Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?

Houston Wine Geeks is an informal group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.

This Meeting

Join us at Vintropolis as we sample their wine by the glass menu.

Vintropolis Wine Bar
10001 Westheimer Road
Houston TX 77042
(713) 532-9463
www.vintropolisbar.com

About Vintropolis – City of Wine

Since inception, there has been a clear and simple vision for Vintropolis; “give our customers what they want and need.” Vintropolis is a wine experience based around what wine lovers enjoy; great selection, intimate atmosphere, superb hospitality, and all at an incredible value! It’s a wine bar for wine lovers of all levels, never any snobbery!

Vintropolis brings world-class wines to wine lovers in your neighborhood at affordable everyday prices and takes the guesswork out of selecting a wine that fits your individual style or occasion. With educational and fun wine classes that the customer can choose and schedule at any time, it makes learning about wine both easy and enjoyable. Also offered is a myriad of wine-related merchandise and a Super selection of gifts.

Spec’s beat out some of the biggest names in wine retailing. These fine organizations were also in the running:

• Astor Wines & Spirits
• PJ Wine
• Trader Joe’s
• Zachys

Scared of WineSpeak?

Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?

Houston Wine Geeks is an informal group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.

This Meeting

Join us at Divino as we sample their extensive wine by the glass menu.

Divino Wine Bar and Restaurant
1830 West Alabama
Houston TX 77098
(713) 807-1123
www.divinohouston.com

About Divino Wine Bar and Italian Restaurant

Established in 2001 by father and son team of Jim & Patrick McCray, divino offers an authentic food and wine experience in the tradition of Italy’s much loved trattorias and enotecas.

Divino’s wine program is highlighted by an eclectic, Italian heavy wine list, with as many as thirty wines offered by the glass. A user-friendly pricing policy allows diners to enjoy fine wines for significantly less than at many of Houston?s restaurants.

The kitchen offers both classic and modern dishes that represent the best of regional Italian cooking. Specialties include housemade pastas including the signature “Emily’s Goat Cheese Ravioli,” seasonal specials and exquisitely prepared seafood. A special emphasis is given to the cooking of Emilia-Romagna where Patrick trained as a chef.

Scared of WineSpeak?Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?

Houston Wine Geeks is a group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.

This is the first meet-up after I take the Certified Specialist of Wine Exam (CSW) in New Orleans on May 31, 2008. Come celebrate!

The Houston Wine Geeks weekly meetings are my study group. I’m sharing what I learn and I’m there to learn from you, all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

• There’s no fee!
• Each attendee pays for their own wine and food.
• Meetings start at 6:30pm in a wine bar somewhere in the Houston area and last about an hour.
• Some people stay around after the meeting to enjoy the venue and the company.

Our Meeting

Join us at 13 Celsius (Midtown/Downtown near Toyota Center). We’ll be at this location for a few weeks as we check out everything they have to offer.

13 Celsius Wine Bar
3000 Caroline St
Houston TX 77004
(713) 529-8466
www.13celsius.com

About 13 Celsius

13 Celsius is the optimal temperature to store and maintain the integrity of great wine. With an aim toward providing Houston with the best wine possible, 13 Celsius prides itself as the only wine bar in town to actually keep its wine in a temperature-controlled cellar. Located in the heart of Midtown, this circa-1927 Mediterranean-style building creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the wine bars and Enotecas of Europe. We have an open air courtyard, luxurious seating, and nearly 40 feet of white marble bar from which one can partake from a bold and unique wine list focused on low-production, high-quality wines. We also offer choice meats and cheeses from Joseph’s Cooler to accompany and enhance the total wine experience. We serve locally roasted espresso from the finest of European machines. Come at night for a glass of wine and take home a retail-priced bottle or two.

Scared of WineSpeak?

Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?

Houston Wine Geeks is an informal group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.

This meeting is after the big International Sommeliers Guild test on Monday May 12. Hopefully, we’ll be celebrating! Come prepared to live and talk wine!

John is moving forward to take the Certified Specialist of Wine Exam (CSW) in New Orleans on May 31, so he’s not done trying to learn everything about wine. This meeting will be all about Portuguese wine including Port.

This Meeting

Oporto Cafe and Wine Bar
3833 Richmond Avenue
Houston TX 77027
(713) 621-1114
http://oporto.us/

About Oporto Cafe and Wine Bar

Best Tapas 2007

If you’re looking for a swanky wine bar that’ll impress a date, Oporto is your place. The tapas here aren’t snacks; they’re huge. There’s nothing better to nibble on while quaffing a glass of wine than the “Oportobello.” It’s a marinated portobello mushroom topped with spinach and artichoke gratin and finished with white truffle oil. If you’re still hungry after that Texas-size “tapa,” go for the linguiça oporto com batatas, a Portuguese-style sausage sautéed with onion, roasted peppers, potatoes, garlic, port wine and piri-piri oil. Great wines and delicious tapas will surely impress your date, … Saúde

Love eating out? Looking for new places to try and new people to share the experience?

I’m the organizer for Dining Out Club/Houston! We’re a growing bunch of dedicated foodies, all wanting to find exciting places to meet and eat. Once or more each month we go to different restaurants somewhere in (or near) Houston. I’m anxious for you to join in the fun!

• There are no club fees!
• Each attendee pays their own food bill.
• This meeting starts at 7pm and lasts about two hours.
• Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.

This Meeting

About Buca di Beppo

Buca di Beppo is an authentic Italian restaurant that offers flavorful Italian dining. Dine with family and friends while enjoying the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. In the spirit of Italian culture, our dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared. Groups small and large come together to pass platters of our mouth-watering cuisine around the table for all to enjoy.

The first Buca di Beppo opened its doors in 1993 in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building. We’ve since grown to 93 locations nationwide.

Dishes enjoyed for generations in villages throughout Italy inspire our menu, giving Buca its authentic Italian flare. We continue to innovate and create recipes beyond our traditional style by adding new menu items inspired by Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Come indulge in the Buca experience of unforgettable appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas, entrees, desserts, beer and fine wine.

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
5192 Buffalo Speedway near US-59
Houston TX 77005
(713) 665-2822
www.bucadibeppo.com/

It’s Monday night, so this must be the University of Houston and my weekly International Sommelier Guild class on wine appreciation. Twenty-two wine geeks and one geeky instructor, all talking and drinking wine for five to seven hours on a Monday night.

Those of you who really, really want to know more about wine should consider signing up. There are classes throughout the US and Canada (and much of the world).

But just so you don’t think this is all study and no play, here’s a quick video of Darryl Beeson (the instructor) and several of the class participants learning the art of sabering a bottle of Champagne.