[I am delighted to welcome Russ Kane to culinarythymes.com as a guest blogger today. Russ is no stranger to Culinary Thymes; for several years he wrote with enthusiasm and insight about Texas wines in the print version of the magazine. As a proponent of Texas wine country, I am thrilled to showcase Russ’ Texas wine recommendations and food pairing ideas here at www.culinarythymes.com. Russ is currently at work on a book on the subject set for publication next year and you can read more from him at www.vintagetexas.com/blog. So if you’ve never tried them before, find out what Texas has to offer with these two wines. And Texas wine month is a great excuse to visit a Texas winery. To find one, click here for an interactive map. – alyce eyster]

October is Texas Wine Month:
Celebrate the Grand 2010 Grape Harvest
by guest blogger Russ Kane, wine writer and aficionado
www.vintagetexas.com

What better way to celebrate this year’s huge Texas grape harvest than with a toast and taste of Texas wine? Here are two that I find particularly exciting:

Messina Hof 2009 Riesling, Father and Son Cuvee, Merrill’s Vineyard (Estate Bottled), Texas High Plains
Texas Riesling with a hint of Muscat Canelli, this wine offers delicate fruit flavors and floral aromatics enhanced by crisp acidity and its semi-sweet style. Great for just sipping or served with brie and camembert cheese, salads and Asian/curried foods.

Llano Estacado 2007 Viviano Superiori Rosso
This luscious red wine is a blend of Texas Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Twenty-seven months in American and French oak barrels yield a Super Tuscan style in this super Texan. It has a deep ruby color and exhibits a full-flavor experience of spice, clove and black cherry with aromatics of vanilla and cola. Serve with grilled meats like pork, beef and lamb.

— — — — —

Russ Kane has covered activities in the Texas wine industry for over a decade with articles in selected local and regional publications. He is currently blogging regularly at www.vintagetexas.com/blog and is involved in a book project on the Texas wine experience, scheduled for publication in late 2011. He promises that his book will be like no other wine book you’ve have read before; true tales of Texas grit and determination. It documents his travels through time and Texas’ wide-open spaces describing his taste-ups with growers, winemakers and even long departed souls.