It’s cleaning-out-the-email-inbox day today. There’s a lot happening that you need to be aware of.

But, first, watch this space for news of at least one wine tasting to be hosted by the Alliance Française Houston (http://alliancehouston.org) in March. Having been recently chosen – sentenced? – president of the Alliance’s board of directors, it’s my sworn duty to get wine front and center again. Through his popular monthly tastings, the late Bear Dalton put our 100-year-old house at 427 Lovett Blvd. in the heart of Montrose at the epicenter of the local swirling and sipping scene, and I’m determined to honor his legacy by getting some buzz back into the building, both literally and figuratively.

A certified wine legend in these parts, Bear can’t be replaced, but we must carry on without him, so we’re certain to host a tasting, probably in conjunction with Douglas Skopp and his Dionysus Imports wines (http://dionysusimports.com) because Doug is a board member, sometime in March. Why? Because March 20 is International Francophonie Day (Journée internationale de la Francophonie), a longstanding celebration of France’s language and culture. And wine, obviously, is a huge part of said culture.

Again, details forthcoming soon.

New sippin’ spots

I’m happy to report that west Houston has a very cool new wine bar called VinSanto (http://vinsantowine.com) – it opened recently in Memorial Green, where Vine Wine Bar used to be – and Fort Bend County will soon welcome Wine Vibes (http://winevibesmicrowinery.com), a “micro-winery”/bistro in Missouri City.    

Riccardo Guerrieri is the certified sommelier running the show at VinSanto, with considerable help from his partner, Giorgio Caflisch, and sommelier Stephanie Kukutschka. Guerrieri is no stranger to the scene here, having established his bona fides during his tenure at Vinology, and he’s bringing the same fun but sophisticated vibe to VinSanto, a wine bar, bistro and retail shop all in the same attractive package. Riccardo’s list isn’t the same ‘ol same ‘ol. “Hidden gem, off-the-beaten path” wines from Italy, France and Spain are front and center.

But he’s got a lovely, naturally made pet nat from Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast that’s well worth trying.

Caflisch, in turn, is a certified Italian Wine Scholar who teaches at the Texas Wine School, while Kukutschka was previously at Houston Wine Merchant.

VinSanto’s Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight, and Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Meanwhile, Wine Vibes, part of the new development Sienna Crossing, will offer a similar mix of wining, dining and retail shopping plus the opportunity to make wine and even create one’s own labels when its doors open Feb. 7.

Chef Phillip Hare, the creative force behind Houston’s Red Cat Jazz Café, will be the general manager. Wine Vibes vision? According to the email I received: “To educate guests through an immersive experience by breaking through barriers of color and gender by pairing wine with inclusivity, and introducing the industry in an approachable, fun, and vibrant way.” Well, OK.

I’ll get my first look at VinSanto this Wednesday and have plans to visit Wine Vibes in early February.

Gulf Coast wine? You bet!

The 31^st annual Gulf Coast Winegrowers Watson Field Day, featuring viticulture and winemaking presentations, research-related wine tastings, commercial exhibits and networking for both experienced and prospective grape growers and wine makers, takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Cat Spring Agriculture Society Hall in Cat Spring. It’s again presented in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Capital Farm Credit.

Our neck of the woods isn’t the easiest place to be a winegrower, but lots of folks have figured it out and will be sharing their hard-earned knowledge. Registration at the door opens at 7:30am and the price is $50 for GCWA members, $60 for non-members and $25 with Student ID. A lunch sponsored by Sensor Insight and a networking social are included. Non-members may join GCWA at registration. Visit the Gulf Coast Winegrowers Association on Facebook for additional information.

Wining in the Hill Country

Forty-plus wineries will be participating in a nearly month-long, free-form celebration of all things grape in Texas’ most scenic AVA. From January 30 to February 24, one can visit up to four wineries per day, receiving complimentary tastings and 15-percent discounts on purchases of up to three bottles for only $100 per couple or $65 per person.       

The revenue from ticket sales go to the Texas Hill Country Wineries Association (http://texaswinetrail.com), which works to encourage the growth and development of the of the wine industry in its backyard, and also to the Texas Hill Country Wineries scholarship program that supports local students pursuing careers in the wine industry.

Go to https://texaswinetrail.com/wine-lovers-celebration for all the details, including a list of the participating venues.

H-town happenings

Aperitive Italiano — Amore Italian Style: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at The Italian Cultural and Community Center (iccchouston.com). Eventbrite.com.

Il Poggione Dinner with winemaker/export manager Alessandro Bindocci: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31. 713 664-7581 or romahouston.com

End of Dry January Blind Wine Tasting: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at We Olive & Wine Bar (weolive.com). sercawines.com. $35. Eventbrite.com

Cruise through Chianti with Jeremy Parzen: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2: Vinology. $65. http://vinologyhouston.com

Empanada and Wine Night: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at SERCA Wines. $40. Eventbrite.com    

Cypress Sips Wine Brunch:  Noon Saturday, Feb. 11, at The Station Seafood Company (ilovethestation.com). $75. Eventbrite.com

Informal wine dinner featuring Texas wines and barbeque: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Atkins House $85. Eventbrite.com     

Bay Area Wine Fest: 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Morgan Falls Event Center, Alvin. Eventbrite.com  

Champion Wine Garden Presented by Frost Bank at NRG Carruth Plaza, in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo: Seminar reservations. $55. http://eventbrite.com

Sippin’ with Sporty

2019 William Chris Vineyards Fovel Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Texas Hill Country

The back label promises “Real. Texas. Wine.” But it’s missing the word “good” between “Real” and “Texas.” This is a superb effort from the boys in Hye, one of the best cabernets from anywhere that I’ve tasted in a long while. The Fovel Vineyard is located a couple miles northeast of Fredericksburg. $60 at http://shopwilliamwineschris.com (I might add that the 2020 William Chris Enchante, a Bordeaux-style blend, is also well-worth trying, too.)

2019 Colene Clemens Vineyards Margo Pinot Noir

Winemaker Stephen Goff, who has been with the winery since its founding in 2008 by Joe and Vickie Stark, uses only estate fruit grown in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains AVA. It’s a very Burgundian pinot noir, which should be taken as a compliment. The Wine Spectator awarded a score of 94. A wonderful new find for me! Colene, fyi, is Vicki’s mother and Margo is is Colene’s greaet granddaughter. $42 at http://coleneclemens.com

The Sports Page

Raising a glass to . . . Jonathan Feigen

I don’t know how my longtime former Chronicle sports department colleague keeps his sanity covering the current-generation Rockets. I really don’t. The NBA beat is the hardest of them all even when a season is going swimmingly, and the baby Rockets are, of course, drowning. But Jonathan, who’s not that much younger than I am and I’m already four years retired, still brings passion and intelligence to his every story, most of which offer at least a tiny measure of optimism. Bravo and bon courage, my friend!

Pouring one out for . . . Stephen Silas

At this stage of his career, which may not last much longer, he’s the losing-est coach in NBA history. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And, worse, he’s had to also process his father Paul’s death during this most dreadful of Rockets season (again). I don’t know the young man, but he seems to be a smart, decent fellow who took the wrong job at the wrong time.    

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Others to follow

Jeremy Parzen (http://dobianchi.com)

My podcast partner is crime will be going deep into Chianti, covering every angle of what’s Italy’s most evocative — and misunderstood — wine. Parzen will host a seminar Thursday evening, Feb. 2, with six wines, including a vin santo, to be tasted and explored in detail. Go to his web site to register.

Sandra Crittenden (http://winelifehouston.com)

Sandra suggests 10 pinot noirs you need to try now, sharing an inciteful piece she wrote for Galveston magazine.

Russ Kane (http://vintagetexas.com)

The Texas Wineslinger touts the aforementioned Watson Field Day and suggests we try the Duchman Salt Lick Vineyard the next time you have a pizza. Speaking of which, Russ is has become a master pizza maker using his new Ooni, the creme de la creme of home-use pizza ovens. Note that he’s also teaching his Specialist of Texas Wine Level 1 at AOC in February. You can register at his site.

Jeff Kralick (http://thedrunkencyclist.com)

Jeff reports on the best random samples he has received recently from wineries and their marketing teams. Yep, dirty thankless work . . .

Katrina Rene (http://thecorkscrewconcierge.com):

Kat gives us the skinny on the wonderfully varied wines of Sicily through the Donnafugata lineup and throws in a bit of a travelogue, too.