From the fall of 1973, when I began covering Texas Southern University athletics as a boy sports writer for the Houston Post, through the fall of 2021, when my fabulous 14-year run as a weekly wine columnist for the Houston Chronicle came to an end, I rarely went more than a week or two without hacking out a story of some kind. But my recent four-month “sabbatical” – interrupted only by a couple of assignments for the Chronicle’s sports department – would be fortuitously timed. It gave me the chance to work through the loss of our beloved 18-year-old dog Ollie and, more recently, provided the downtime required for a total hip replacement. In between, I must admit it was nice to celebrate a holiday season completely unfettered by writing deadlines. 

However, the act of stringing sentences together for the purpose of educating, entertaining and, yes, occasionally irritating readers has been my raison d’être since I was the sports editor of my high school paper in El Paso. Not writing felt strange and a bit isolating so . . . here we go again. With this missive, I officially become a blogger.

 

I’m one of “them” now.

 

So, does Houston need another wine blog? Truth to tell, probably not. We’ve already got many good ones done by smart, passionate folks, several of whom have become great friends. Therefore, part of my mission going forward is to be a clearing house for their work, an aggregator if you will, which means I’ll be sharing links to their work in my space. I’ll also, of course, be providing recommendations – some totally my own, others from collective tastings – updates on the local wine scene and a listing of the best wine events happening in the area. As COVID eases its dastardly grip on our daily lives, there’s certain to be a major uptick in dinners, tastings and seminars, many featuring fascinating vintners and their representatives.

 

Until the pandemic hit in March of 2020, practically a day didn’t pass that we weren’t swirling and sipping with somebody from someplace far away. Damn, I’ve missed that. But, because Houston has become a hugely significant market for winemakers, those folks will be back, I promise. They love our restaurateurs, our sommeliers and, most of all, our consumers, whose thirst – pun intended – for wine knowledge and wine experiences rival that of any city anywhere. It’s this that makes me want to stay in the wine-writing game. 

 

As for sports writing . . . meh, not so much. Fifty years of that quenched my appetite. But, a word of warning, fellow winos: Do expect the occasional hot sports take (or, if the topic is Texans related, probably a profanity-laced rant). Can’t abandon my roots altogether. And, to close a circle in that regard, I’ll be calling that segment of the blog “Jock Shorts,” a nod to my column that ran in the Daily Cougar 50 years ago.

 

Yep, Jock Shorts. I was 18, OK?   

 

Anyway, a big new adventure begins and it even includes a podcast, the first episode of which can be found wherever you get your podcasts by searching for “Sporty Wine Guy.” I’m partnering with Jeremy Parzen, the Roma wine director, all-things-Italy expert and for-real Ph.D./Renaissance man. We’ll be riffing on all things wine, with a strong Houston focus. And, down the road, we’ll add some very cool guests.       

Bubbles

* 2018 Cuvaison Brut Cuvée Méthode Champenoise – If you’re looking for new bottle of bubbles with which to celebrate Valentine’s Day, look no further. Carneros meets Champagne here. At $50 (cuvaison.com), this classic pinot noir-chardonnay blend isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t drink cheap either. You’ll taste almonds, pears and lemon zest.    

White

* 2020 Masseria Li Veli “Askos Verdeca” – Tired of the same ol’ same ol’? This fresh and lively verdeca will excite you. The grapes grow on Masseria Li Veli’s property on the sunny Salento plain in Italy’s Puglia region. The wine is full-bodied, spicy and nicely acidic with tropical fruit and citrus notes. You’ll find it for $23.99 at wine.com.

Red

* 2019 Ruggero di Bardo Susumaniello – This might be the best Tuesday-night pizza/red-sauce pasta-pairing wine I’ve ever encountered A friend found it on the shelf at Trader Joe’s for 10 bucks. Seriously, 10 friggin’ bucks! Susumaniello is also a Puglian grape, but its origins are thought to be Croatia’s Dalmatian coast or Greece, the latter because DNA profiling turns up the white grape garganega in its family tree and garganega definitely has Greek roots. With lots of red-fruit flavor, it handles spicy foods splendidly.       

 

H-town happenings

* Wednesday, Feb. 9 – DOC Wines: Italian Excellences at Roma Restaurant, 2347 University Blvd. 6:30 p.m. info@ieemusa.com or 305 937-2488.  

* Thursday, Feb. 10 – Bubbles, Boots and Bourbon presented by the Women of Wine Charities at Pinto Ranch, 1717 Post Oak Blvd. $60 for members, $80 for non-members. Wowcharities.org.

                          

Folks to follow

* Sandra Crittenden (winelifehouston.com): Sandra gives her assessment of Stella’s, the airy new wine bar in the Post Oak Hotel presided over by former Iron Sommelier champ Julie Dalton. Jeffrey Young, previously at Georgia James, is part of the team, too.        

 

* Russ Kane (vintagetexas.com) Our leading expert on the Texas wine scene, Russ tells the story of the long-lost Guadalupe Valley Winery in Gruene, closing with a plea for help in finding out why the place went under.

 

* Jeff Kralik (thedrunkencyclist.com): Jeff talks about eight Italian wines that got his taste buds revved up.

 

* Jeremy Parzen (dobianchi.com): Jeremy weighs in on the huge challenges presented by Italy’s hot, dry 2017 vintage.

 

* Katrina Rene (thecorkscrewconcierge.com) – Kat tastes and tells the story of Jeff Long’s Longevity wines. Long, based in Livermore, Calif., is the president of Association of African American vintners and a great interview. I spoke with him this time last year. 

 

Jock Shorts

I’ll keep it short today. The Texans’ coaching fiasco . . . No words. Well, how about two? Utter friggin’ insanity. Wait, that’s three. Sorry.