Blog | The Chalk Report

andychalk

Nov 29, 20222 min read

Dining with Bacchus at EATALY

by Andrew Chalk It is not every day that you get to dine with Bacchus. God of "wine, vegetation, fertility, festivity, ritual madness,...

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andychalk

Nov 28, 20222 min read

Holiday Gift Guide for the Grill Master

FROM THE WIRES... Burn Pit BBQ Price: $8.99 - $10.99 Rubs and hot sauces also available on Amazon Grill masters know just how savory all...

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THE HILL COUNTRY TOWN OF MASON IS EMERGING AS A NEW HUB OF THE TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY

andychalk

Nov 25, 202227 min read

THE HILL COUNTRY TOWN OF MASON IS EMERGING AS A NEW HUB OF THE TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY

by Andrew Chalk In 2020 I wrote that the quaint but tiny town of Mason was emerging as one of the next wine industry clusters in the...

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KOPKE IS THE OLDEST PORT PRODUCER IN THE WORLD

andychalk

Nov 24, 20221 min read

KOPKE IS THE OLDEST PORT PRODUCER IN THE WORLD

by Andrew Chalk And they make some really good port wines. Check out these examples on the shelves... 2003 White Colheita 20 Year Old...

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COUNTDOWN TO A TEXAS THANKSGIVING: T - 1

andychalk

Nov 23, 20222 min read

COUNTDOWN TO A TEXAS THANKSGIVING: T - 1

by Andrew Chalk We are just days away from what, for many Americans, is the biggest family get-together of the year - Thanksgiving....

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HUGH JOHNSON’S POCKET WINE BOOK 2023 - BUYER’S GUIDE TO A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT

andychalk

Nov 21, 20224 min read

HUGH JOHNSON’S POCKET WINE BOOK 2023 - BUYER’S GUIDE TO A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT

by Andrew Chalk When the 2022 edition of this long-running guide (hereafter HJPWB) was released, I reviewed it and reported that I found...

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COUNTDOWN TO A TEXAS THANKSGIVING: T - 4

andychalk

Nov 20, 20222 min read

COUNTDOWN TO A TEXAS THANKSGIVING: T - 4

by Andrew Chalk We are just days away from what, for many Americans, is the biggest family get-together of the year - Thanksgiving....

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COUNTDOWN TO A TEXAS THANKSGIVING: T - 5

andychalk

Nov 19, 20223 min read

COUNTDOWN TO A TEXAS THANKSGIVING: T - 5

by Andrew Chalk We are just five days away from what, for many Americans, is the biggest family get-together of the year - Thanksgiving....

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andychalk

Nov 18, 20221 min read

KEEPING THE TRAINS ON TIME

Symington Family Estates Launches Combolo do Vesuvio FROM THE WIRES Seasoned travelers know that the Linha do Douro (Douro Line) in...

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andychalk

Nov 17, 20221 min read

Tis a Mere Truffle!

FROM THE WIRES... Get ready to unearth one of Italy's most prized ingredients – fresh white truffles are back in season, and at Eataly...

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WINE REVIEW: Cakebread 2021Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA ($45)

andychalk

Nov 16, 20221 min read

WINE REVIEW: Cakebread 2021Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA ($45)

by Andrew Chalk This month, Cakebread Cellars is releasing the newest vintages of Merlot and Chardonnay perfect for fire-side sipping....

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andychalk

Nov 15, 20221 min read

Drake's Perfect Margarita Boxtail

FROM THE WIRES... Drake’s Perfect Margarita Boxtail: (SRP: $19.99/1.75L, ABV: 12%) is the only boxed RTD that is vegan, organic,...

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Flat Top Hills Releases a $16 Pinot Noir and it is their Best Wine Yet

andychalk

Nov 14, 20223 min read

Flat Top Hills Releases a $16 Pinot Noir and it is their Best Wine Yet

FROM THE WIRES Flat Top Hills Celebrates International Pinot Noir Day with Introduction of New Wine Offering Winery Will Also Introduce...

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TRIP TO PASO ROBLES? STAY IN A TUSCAN VILLA

andychalk

Nov 11, 20225 min read

TRIP TO PASO ROBLES? STAY IN A TUSCAN VILLA

Allegretto Vineyard Resort Is In a Class of its Own by Andrew Chalk Prior to the pandemic, I traveled a lot on business and invariably...

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DOW’S VALE DO BOMFIM LAUNCHES WHITE TABLE WINE AND UNVEILS A NEW LOOK

andychalk

Nov 10, 20223 min read

DOW’S VALE DO BOMFIM LAUNCHES WHITE TABLE WINE AND UNVEILS A NEW LOOK

FROM THE WIRES... SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 26th, 2022 – Symington Family Estates, producer of some of the finest Ports in the world...

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WINE REVIEW: Saba Winery 2019 Norteno Red Blend, Tad Daniel Vineyards, Texas High Plains, TX ($35)

andychalk

Nov 9, 20222 min read

WINE REVIEW: Saba Winery 2019 Norteno Red Blend, Tad Daniel Vineyards, Texas High Plains, TX ($35)

by Andrew Chalk A new winery founded in 2021 by Scott Monette and Mirta Leon Poiseu in Mason, Texas. Scott was not always a Texas wine...

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A TALE OF TWO FESTIVALS: AUSTIN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL AND CHEFS FOR FARMERS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

andychalk

Nov 8, 20225 min read

A TALE OF TWO FESTIVALS: AUSTIN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL AND CHEFS FOR FARMERS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

by Andrew Chalk I just spent Saturday at the Austin Food and Wine Festival and Sunday at Chefs for Farmers Food and Wine Festival in...

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andychalk

Nov 5, 20222 min read

TRIVENTO: A MALBEC TO LOOK FOR

by Andrew Chalk It says something about the impact of Argentine malbec that at least two generations in America consider malbec to be an...

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This Is What Diageo is Buying With Its Purchase of Balcones Distilling

andychalk

Nov 3, 20224 min read

This Is What Diageo is Buying With Its Purchase of Balcones Distilling

by Andrew Chalk Diageo is the largest spirits firm in the world. The owner of brands like Johnnie Walker (Scotch), Tanqueray (Gin),...

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andychalk

Nov 2, 20222 min read

New Wines from Murrieta's Well

by Andrew Chalk Murrieta's Well is a Livermore Valley wine estate defined by its rich heritage steeped in California wine history,...

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REVISIT: THOMAS HILL ORGANICS, PASO ROBLES, CA.

andychalk

Nov 1, 20222 min read

REVISIT: THOMAS HILL ORGANICS, PASO ROBLES, CA.

Still a solid choice for imaginative, locally-sourced, New American cuisine by Andrew Chalk It has been several years since I dined at...

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CrateChef Delivers Chef Selections to your Door

andychalk

Oct 31, 20221 min read

CrateChef Delivers Chef Selections to your Door

FROM THE WIRES Available on ShareaSale and Sovrn Gourmet items arrive right at your doorstep with CrateChef to help nourish your inner...

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andychalk

Oct 30, 20221 min read

OAK’D WINE DINNERS GO BEYOND BARBECUE

by Andrew Chalk The ‘dirty little secret’ is that Oak’d is a front operation for a fine dining restaurant. The tradecraft that keeps it...

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KENT RATHBUN’S KATY TRAIL BBQ RESTAURANT OPENS AT 11AM TODAY

andychalk

Oct 30, 20221 min read

KENT RATHBUN’S KATY TRAIL BBQ RESTAURANT OPENS AT 11AM TODAY

by Andrew Chalk Famed Dallas chef Kent Rathbun’s latest venture opens today at 11am. It is on the Katy Trail at Monticello. It is set in...

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