Wine Wednesday: William Chris Vineyards 2020 Mourvèdre

 

Mourvèdre is one of those wines that I only learned about recently. The Mataro grape produces wines that are very intense in the sort of high-tannic way that I like. 

Personally, I blame the book My Side of the Mountain for my obsessions with all things tannic (yes, I'm looking at you, too, black tea). The young protagonist used oak chips and water to tan deer hide and I've been crazed ever since. 

Mourvèdre seems an odd fit with Texas since (according to lore) the grape likes "its face in the sun and its feet in the water."  Hot sun we got, but "feet in the water" doesn't exactly match any of the Texas wine growing areas that I'm aware of. And, as I think I mentioned already, William Chris is one of the Texas wineries that have committed to using only Texas grown grapes. 

Another reason it's odd is because Texas has very specific rules about how much alcohol wines can have, and when and where those wines are sold. Under 14% they can be sold in grocery stores. Between 14 and 17% they can only be sold during certain hours. Over 17% they can only be purchased in liquor stores. Since Mourvèdre tends to be high in alcohol, that could potentially be a problem.

But I digress...

This is a very nice wine with a lot of dark, cedar/tobacco notes on the nose. Blueberry and baking spices are the dominant flavors. I would happily pair this wine with Beef Bourguignon or Italian food.

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Exploring Emotions ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we answer the question, "Do you think romance novels have a unique ability to explore emotions and relationships that other genres don’t?"

I don't know if it's necessarily unique to Romance, but I think many romance authors view it as a mandate.  I mean, what is the point of Romance if not to explore the characters' emotions of their relationships with each other? I think that's what readers come to Romance for.  

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to find out what she thinks. And don't forget to check out her book Montana Pines Search for Love!

Montana Pines Search for Love

They’re both searching for ghosts from their past. Can Tuf and Lacey put aside their insecurities long enough to fall in love in the present, or will the past tear them apart? And when they both find what they’ve been looking for, will they realize that what they have now is even more precious? A heartwarming story of love, family and relationships that last a lifetime.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL4RLDQV 

Games We Play, series 3

Giada Mazzi is Living her Best Life

https://books2read.com/GiadaMazzi

life is more than just the lies we try and tell ourselves about what we’ve done and who we are.​

 I guess the truth is that I never stopped loving Ben. And I never stopped imagining how different my life might have been if he were only the person I needed him to be, instead of the person that he is. Which is silly, right? I mean, truly; it’s laughable. Because if he were someone else, he wouldn’t be him.  And the world is already full of people like that. What good is one more gonna do me?

Besides, if I’m honest, Ben wasn’t ever the problem. That was me. I was never the person he believed me to be. Oh, I thought I was, in the beginning. I tried hard to be, and that worked for a while. Sort of. But eventually I reached the point where I had to make a choice between living life for myself, or for everyone else.

And when it came right down to that…how could I not choose me?

Musical Monday: Those Were the Days (Bobby Vinton)

 

I've been leaning hard into the nostalgia these past few months. I don't think there's anything to say about that that this song doesn't already encapsulate. I will say that, politically, this is no longer the country I grew up in. 

If you'd like to listen to more Autumn-themed music, check out my playlist here:

Wine Wednesday: William Chris Vineyards 2024 Picpoul Blanc

 

The third wine I sampled at William Chris, was a Picpoul Blanc--that's a new grape for me. It's a French grape (also called Folle blanche) and is the main grape used to make cognac. 

This past summer was my Summer of Peaches the Fredericksburg peaches were AMAZING and so this wine, with its very pronounced peach flavor should probably count as my summer 2025 wine. 

The wine is crisp and dry but it also has some weight to it. It has a very floral nose. Apparently many people notice pronounced lemon and citrus notes, I did not. I mean, there were SOME but not as much as suggested. There's also that hint of salinity that I've come to expect from Texas whites. Not a criticism, just an observation. 

I'd love this with a light seafood or pasta dish, or perhaps a salad. It would also make a nice porch wine. 

Here's a post from the vineyard where the grapes for this wine were harvested in 2024: https://www.facebook.com/100057280907251/posts/picpoul-blanc-headed-to-william-chris-vineyards-altalomavineyard-harvest2024-pic/1023696889549665/ 

The grapes are SO GREEN!!

BTW, it's currently harvest time for most wine producing areas in the country (or shortly thereafter) making this the perfect time to pick up the POUR DECISIONS series, if you haven't already!

https://books2read.com/Pour-Decisions

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Favorite Season ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to, "What's your favourite season, both in real life and in your writing?"

You know, I think we've answered this before. But, for me, the answer is still Autumn. I love all the seasons to some extent, and a lot depends on where I am. After thirty-something years on the California Coast, I am a dyed in the wool Weather Wimp. I like four seasons, but I want them all to be mild. 

Which is not how I grew up. New Jersey's four seasons are much more IN YOUR FACE. Summers are hot and humid with thunderstorms. Winter is cold and damp and if you're dreaming of a white Christmas, you can keep right on dreaming 'cause it's likely not gonna happen. The flowers in the Spring and the colorful leaves in the Fall can't be beat. But the days might be cold. Or it might be rainy or overcast. 

It's not weather you can count on, is what I'm saying. Still. I think it's hard to beat a crisp Fall day--blue skies overhead, the crunch of leaves underfoot, a hint of smoke in the air, a McIntosh apple in your hand...or a glass of cider, or a pumpkin spice latte.

I honestly love exploring all the seasons in my writing, so I'm not even going to address that part of the question except to say that Giada Mazzi is Living her Best Life is very much a Fall book. And best enjoyed with a PSL.

Now, hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's page to find out what her favorite season is.

Games We Play, series 3

Giada Mazzi is Living her Best Life

https://books2read.com/GiadaMazzi

life is more than just the lies we try and tell ourselves about what we’ve done and who we are.​

 I guess the truth is that I never stopped loving Ben. And I never stopped imagining how different my life might have been if he were only the person I needed him to be, instead of the person that he is. Which is silly, right? I mean, truly; it’s laughable. Because if he were someone else, he wouldn’t be him.  And the world is already full of people like that. What good is one more gonna do me?

Besides, if I’m honest, Ben wasn’t ever the problem. That was me. I was never the person he believed me to be. Oh, I thought I was, in the beginning. I tried hard to be, and that worked for a while. Sort of. But eventually I reached the point where I had to make a choice between living life for myself, or for everyone else.

And when it came right down to that…how could I not choose me?

Musical Monday: Love the One You're With (Stephen Stills)

 

Well, as you might have noticed,  if you've been following this blog for awhile, I love live performance videos. Attempting to "watch" a song that's just a static image irritates the shit out of me. But, I couldn't find any live performances of this song that I wanted to post. There was a fabulous live version featuring ALL of CSNY, but I'm also something of a purist and this (I believe) was a solo effort by Stills, so this is what we're left with. 

I mentioned last week that I thought the message behind Sealed with a Kiss was a little silly, this song definitely puts a different sort of spin on the idea of what to expect when lovers are separated. Of course, it was released during the Vietnam War and the era of Free Love, so there is that, as well.

Many of my memories of "summer songs" involve me walking on beaches with friends while singing loudly...and probably badly. This particular memory also involves a torrential summer rain storm. The adults we encountered on our way back to the hotel where we were staying expressed surprise that we hadn't come in right away (yeah, we were seriously drenched and wearing elephant bell bottom jeans that flapped around our legs and left trails of sand and water everywhere we went--and, FYI, would have made running out of the rain almost impossible, at that point). But, as we kept pointing out, we'd gone the beach, so we'd been expecting to get wet anyway. 

Ahh, those were the days...

Wine Wednesday: William Chris Vineyard (2024 Mary Ruth)

 

As I mentioned last week, I went wine tasting at William Chris Vineyards in Hye, TX (just outside Fredericksburg) a few weeks ago. One of the wines I tried is their Mary Ruth, which is named after William Blackmon's mother (this is the William in William Chris). As I understand it, she put her property up as security when William and Chris were purchasing the vineyard. Moms are the best. 

This is a mix of Sauvignon Blanc, Blanc du Bois and Muscat, which sounds like it might be sweet, but it's not! It's very crisp and light with a rhubarb-lime flavor and a floral nose--yellow hose, honeysuckle and lemon blossom. It's a medium bodied wine with a pale straw color and hints of salinity. 

The wines at WC were great, as were the grounds and the view, but what really caught my eye were the butterflies!  Apparently the vineyard is a Monarch Waystation! Which is very cool.

 

Butterflies and wine. That's an idea that Allegra (the heroine of my POUR DECISIONS book Que Será, Syrah) could really get behind! 

https://books2read.com/Pour-Decisions

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Memorable Characters ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked "How do you create memorable, lovable protagonists and their love interests?"

Such a good question. But I'm not sure I have a good answer. I don't feel like I ever really know when a character is going to be perceived as lovable--never mind memorable. And I know a big part of the reason for that is my love of creating flawed, imperfect characters. I think that if you create outside-the-box characters you stand a better chance of them being memorable, but not necessarily lovable. 

I do try to make my characters relatable. And I try to guide readers into understanding my characters needs and motivations--what drives them; why they are the way they are; why they do the things they do.  But you only have to read some of the reviews I've gotten to understand that sometimes, for some readers, that doesn't work out. 

I think, probably, my most flawed characters are my vampires. Biologically speaking, they pretty much start out being morally gray.  But, from a sales perspective, they seem to be the most memorable. 

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to find out what makes her charaters lovable and memorable. And don't forget to check out her book, Once Upon a Tablecloth.

ONCE UPON A TABLECLOTH

Nick Jordan acquires failing restaurants, then makes them prosperous. But when Lily Mercer called him for help, he didn't count on falling in love. Or that someone wants to kill her.

And with so many obstacles and threats, can she survive? Can their love?

https://amzn.to/3gDu85M

IN THE DARK

Children of Night, Book One

San Francisco, 1969. Vampire Conrad Quintano has been around for centuries—long enough to know that falling for a human is a terrible idea. Much less falling for adventure-seeking hippie Desert Rose. An even more terrible idea? Agreeing to raise her babies and protect them with his life. 

Present day. Marc and Julie Fischer have always known they’re vampires. Raised in virtual isolation, they’ve never known their parentage or their unique status in the world. But once their uncle comes to take them home, the family reunion is nothing like they anticipated and they’re thrust into a world they’re completely unprepared for.

https://books2read.com/u/49nGpX

Musical Monday: Sealed with a Kiss (Bobby Vinton)

 

Going back to "songs from my Summer Playlist" for yet another week, this one used to get A LOT of airtime back in the day. To be honest, I always thought it was a little bit silly. If your love can't withstand the absence of a couple of months, can you really call it love? I don't think so. 

Wine Wednesday: William Chris Vineyards 2024 Pétillant Naturel Rosé

 

I went wine tasting at William Chris a few weeks back and will probably be spending the next few weeks describing their wines. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. 

My first introduction to WC was at Dos Olivos in Buda. I'm still exploring Texas wines and I especially enjoy wineries here that are committed to using only grapes grown in the state. 

I will always love California wines, but I want to expand my horizons. 

When you sign up for a tasting at William Chris you're immediately given a glass of Pét Nat. I wasn't holding out a lot of hope for it, honestly, even though I'm fascinated by the whole Pét Nat process, because it's a rosé and far too many Texas rosés are sickly sweet (to my taste). But this was nice. NOT too sweet--even though the predominant notes were watermelon and strawberry. 

It was cloudy, which is what you expect from a Pét Nat, with an (also typical) slight funkiness. Pét Nat is the original sparkling wine, with minimal manipulation, no added sugar (and yes, sometimes it's STILL too sweet!) and only one fermentation which is completed after it's bottled. It's typically sold in a swing top bottle, rather than a cork, and it's actually very similar to hard cider. 

In the POUR DECISIONS books, Allegra tries very hard to convince Bianca to put out a Pét Nat because it's quick!

https://books2read.com/Pour-Decisions

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Keeping Plots Fresh ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to, "How do you keep your romance plots fresh and exciting, especially when writing a series?"

You know, I think this is actually less of a problem in a series than if you're writing stand-alone books. If you're writing a series in which each book focuses on a different set of characters, it's not as likely that they're all going to be dealing with the same issues in the same way. And since you've created them all as unique people and since the plot line usually grows from the character, rather than the other way around, it's not generally a big problem. 

I think it's more tempting when you're writing stand alone stories to recycle troupes or plotpoints because you don't have the same kinds of constraints. But perhaps that's just me. 

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to find out how she deals with keeping plots fresh. And don't forget to check out her up-coming book, Montana Pines Search for Love

Pre-order now! Montana Pines Search for Love is now available for pre-order with a release date of September 1st.

Tuf Brody is searching for his long-lost brother and a place to call home, Lacey Westwood has avoided caring too much since that small boy she met when she was eight left and took part of her heart with him. When their journeys bring them together, will they find the courage to open their hearts to romance?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL4RLDQV

Games We Play Omnibus 2

The DiLuca Brothers

https://books2read.com/DiLucaBrothers

The Atlas Beach Chamber of Commerce’s innovative mentoring program—partnering successful business owners with some of the newer start-ups—has just what food truck owner Carly Meyers and baker Stephanie Sands needed to get their businesses off the ground: The Delectable DiLuca Brothers. 

These Jersey Boys might be cocky, but cooking's not their only talent, and the kitchen's not the only place where they'll be turning up the heat.

Musical Monday: The Fall (Cody Johnson)

 

So, I've been hearing this song a lot lately. It's apparently a "Tesla Favorites" which means my car has been playing it on rotation unless I choose a different "channel". I kind of like it, enough to have added it to a bunch of my book playlists, but I'm not sure I'm onboard with the philosophy. It sort of sounds like the guy is saying that yes, he's hurt other people and generally not been all that good as a person, but it's okay, because it was worth it to him. 

I dunno. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm feeling extremely jaded at this point in time. If anyone has a different take on it, I'd love to hear it. So, tell me what you think...

Wine Wednesday: Wente Vineyard 2023 Central Coast Chardonnay

 

So, Wente Vineyards (which is pronounced like Twenty, only without the initial T) is located in Livermore, one of the few California wine producing areas that I've never been to. 

You always think there will be time, don't you? 

I nearly went, several years back. I was on a road trip with a friend of mine (author Kinsey Holley) and we could have detoured there. We talked about it. But it was a Sunday and we were driving back from Reno to Vallejo (along with everyone else on the planet, or so it seemed) and so we chose not to. 

Vallejo is just outside of Napa and we were going to Napa the next day, so it didn't seem like a bad decision at the time. But what can you do?  

Anyway, having read about Wente, I'm even more sorry to have missed it. Apparently, Wente is "the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country.

If I'd known then that I'd go on to write (some of) the Pour Decisions books, I would definitely have made more of an effort! 

The website is pretty informative: https://wentevineyards.com/ I especially found it fascinating that "75% of all California Chardonnay stems from the Wente Clone."

Anyway, the wine that I tried is the Central Coast Chardonnay, which wouldn't have been grown in Livermore, anyway. I think I missed out when I lived in the Central Coast (Paso Robles) because other than Viognier, I stuck mostly to red wines, particularly zinfandel, which I think Paso does better than nearly anyone else. 

But I digress.

Unfortunately, I did not keep great notes on this wine. I did notice that it was straw colored, mildly buttery with a hint of minerality; that there were notes of  apple and pineapple on the nose; and that it tasted of apricot and vanilla.  

I paired this wine with butternut squash mezza luna in a brown butter sauce. 

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Seasoned Summer ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to, "How do older characters experience summer differently — and how does that shape their love stories?"

You know, this is an interesting question. My initial response was, well, they've got more baggage, but that's an oversimplification. I think, on the whole, they're less impulsive. They may be more wary, or they may be more cognizant of life's fleeting nature, and thus more determined not to waste time unnecessarily.  One of my favorite "seasoned summer" scenes takes place in the fifth Oberon book, Touch of a Vanished Hand. Marsha and Sam aren't the main characters in this book, but they definitely experience a very romantic summer--even getting engaged atop a Ferris Wheel. They're an older couple--she's mid-thirties, he's mid-forties--which (not gonna lie) seems pretty young to me, at this point. They've been in love for about a year, at this point in the series, and Sam is eager to make their relationship official. Marsha, on the other hand, is anxious. She doesn't want to make another mistake. 

Now, hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's page to find out how her older characters experience summer!

Touch of a Vanished Hand

Oberon Series, Book 5

Sinead Quinn has always been something of a drifter.   But now, with her ex-husband trying to blackmail her, and her ex-boyfriend's widow trying to put her in jail, she has no choice but to go to ground.  What better place to hide than with your family?   After all, what are sisters for?  Especially when you're a twin.

 But the first rule of hiding out, is to keep a low profile.  And that does not mean kissing your sister's boyfriend (even if he can't tell the two of you apart); rescuing a troubled teen; or taking a highly visible job as hostess of Oberon's most celebrated new inn.

 Adam Sasso has always dreamed big.  But big dreams beget big complications.  First, his goal to turn the vineyard he inherited from his grandfather into a world-class winery is threatened by a mysterious saboteur.  Next, his plan to run the finest bed & breakfast Oberon has ever seen, is broadsided by a hostess who wants to run him.  Finally, it seems his fondest wish, of finding love-everlasting with the soul mate of his dreams, is about to go up in smoke when he can't convince her that they're destined to be together.

 This summer, it's going to take all the wizardry in Oberon to craft a happy ending for the drifter and the dreamer.

https://Books2Read.com/TouchHand

Musical Monday: Palisades Park (Freddy Cannon)

 So, we're still working our way through my Summer Playlist. Last week I mentioned having gone to an amusement park with my cousin, and I guess I should have mentioned that the park in question was New Jersey's own Palisades Park. 

I actually grew up only a couple of blocks away--ON Palisade Avenue--and another early memory is the way that every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer Palisade Avenue turned into a parking lot with cars trying to get in or out of the park. It was actually kind of annoying, especially when people would try and picnic on our front lawn! 

My father also ran the miniature golf concession there, so I always felt very connected to the park. I was very sad when it closed. 

Wine Wednesday: Sweet Cheeks Sauvignon Blanc

 

So this was a very interesting wine. It's one of the few wines my husband also liked! He termed it "delicious and drinkable". 

I chose to pair this wine with Indian-TexMex fusion cuisine. I don't go for very spicy food, but you can't really combine those and expect bland. So, obviously, there was some heat and this wine stood up well to it. It's a very full bodied wine--odd for a Sauvignon Blanc. It's a pale straw color. Very floral nose with hints of candied orange rind and pineapple. The lingering finish had notes of burnt orange, ruby grapefruit. Really delightful.

Romance Writers Weekly ~Favorite summer drink recipe ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to, "Choose one of your characters and share their favourite summer drink recipe."

Shockingly, this one is easy! I have characters in two separate books (which happen to be in two separate series) that each have mentioned the same summery drink choice: Sangria!

Allegra (from Que Será, Syrah) actually wrote a song about it (which is sung to the melody from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria):

How Do You Make a Pitcher of Sangria?

 

How do you make a pitcher of sangria?

What do you need besides the perfect wine

(Something that’s young and bright and not too oaky)

A cinnamon stick, some fizzy water, a lime? 

 

Plenty of recipes will tell you one thing,

Plenty of them will tell you the reverse.

But, where do you set the bar?

Is mango a fruit too far?

Do we need an extra bottle to rehearse?

Oh, how do you make a pitcher of sangria?

How do you make that sweet, sweet, summer wine?

I'm mixing things up a bit with my recipe, however, and urging you to try frozen sangria. 

For the ingredients you'll need:

    1 bottle wine 

    3 cups frozen fruit (I suggest peaches and either blackberries or cherries)

    1/3 cup orange liqueur like Triple Sec

    1/2 cup orange juice

    And then sweeten to taste using 2 – 3 tablespoons of something like simple syrup or agave nectar (honey and sugar just don't dissolve like they should. 

First you'll want to freeze some of the wine--an ice cube tray worth of wine should be enough--overnight. And chill the rest of the bottle while you're doing so. When you're ready to drink it, blend the frozen wine and the frozen fruit, add the rest of the ingredients and there you have it.  

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to find out what her charaters are drinking this summer. And don't forget to check out her book, Colorado Sunset, which is FREE for the next two days!

FREE EBOOK AUGUST 5-6

COLORADO SUNSET

Go back to where it all began, with this first book in my Peakview Series. When June’s car breaks down near the tiny town of Peakview, Colorado, she hopes to find a mechanic but finds so much more in the handsome rancher, Jeff Walker. Could it be that this unexpected stop will turn into a forever home?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UNP0GTW

POUR DECISIONS

New, Multi-Author Series!

Meet the Martinelli sisters: Rosa, Bianca and Allegra. These partners in wine have just inherited a once-storied winery in the heart of Napa Valley. They’re living the dream, right?

 

Not so fast! Because, as it turns out, not everybody is happy for them. And that includes their Uncle Geno who’d assumed the property would come to him.

 

There are hoops to jump through, barrels to get over, and a mountain of regulations they'll have to scale. But the sisters are crushing it—and we don’t just mean the grapes. They’re making wine, falling in love, and working together to restore their inheritance to its former glory, one pour decision at a time.

https://Books2Read.com/Pour-Decisions