Monthly Archives: February 2011

The Villa B&B

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Merrill

Susan and David were celebrating their 24th anniversary and their children decided to treat them to a night stay at the Villa B&B at Messina Hof. They’ve stayed at the Villa before and were looking forward to returning. Arriving on a … Continue reading →

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Wine and Chocolates, A Culinary Love Affair

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Merrill

Valentine’s Day may be over but pairing wine and chocolate is timeless.  On Sunday February 27th, The Wine Bar at Messina Hof will be holding its monthly Wine Appreciation Class, “Wine and Chocolates, A Culinary Love Affair.” The cost is $19.95 … Continue reading →

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Home from Portugal!

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Merrill

Paul and I have so many memories, photos and stories to tell!  Portugal is a land of history, of tradition, of family heritage.  But new directions are on their horizon.  During the ten days we visited, we tasted Rose’ Ports, … Continue reading →

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What Makes an Event Exciting?

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Merrill

Great news + great friends and family + joy + thanksgiving equals excitement. Saturdays announcement about Messina Hof’s Hill Country Winery project was exciting! Family, friends, VIP’s, Cork Club members, media from Fredricksburg, Bryan, College Station and Houston joined us to guess … Continue reading →

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Cooking Parties with the Chef

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Merrill

Paul and I love to cook together in the kitchen. That is why we enjoy so much the Cooking Parties with the Chef. Last week was no exception. Chef Dwight treated us to Bisque, Chowder, Sweet Potato Boudin Stuffed Chicken, … Continue reading →

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Italian Week at Our House

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Merrill

This week is Italian Week at our house. Paul and I worked together in the kitchen most of the afternoon Sunday preparing lasagna, buffalo meatballs and fresh baked french bread. The lasagna was simple. I prepared the meat sauce using … Continue reading →

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Messina Hof Food Products

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Merrill

These make great gifts for every wine lover in your life. Each Messina Hof food product has been developed by the Messina Hof culinary team, using our wine in the recipe to create a one-of-a-kind taste you can only get at … Continue reading →

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Scale of Sweetness in Wines

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Merrill

Wines vary in sweetness from totally dry which is less than 0% sugar, to extremely sweet wines which can exceed 10% sweetness. It is very difficult to determine by reading most wine labels as to the sweetness level. This is one reason … Continue reading →

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Tour of the Vinho Verde

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Merrill

January 30, 2011 Our second day of the tour of Vinho Verde started at Paco de Calheiros.  The sun was bright, the breeze gentle and filled with perfume of Camelias from the largest Camellia tree we have ever seen. The beautifully … Continue reading →

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Vertical vs. Horizontal Wine Tasting

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Merrill

Okay, no groaning – this isn’t a geometry lesson! Every wine lover should learn these two terms and how they relate to wine: vertical tasting & horizontal tasting.  A vertical tasting comprises of wines made of the same varietal from the … Continue reading →

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