We hope you had an amazing weekend and are enjoying this cooler weather!
Some of you will read the subject line one way, and some will read it another.
Are you the one reading it as relaxed anticipation of "Ahhhh.....finally we are into the fall."?
Or, are you one reading it as "AHHHHHHHHHHHH.....NO. I can't believe October is here already!"?
We are looking at it both ways. We can't believe it's October as it came way too fast. But on the other hand, it's patio weather. It's festival season, and Denton is officially Halloween City of Texas! We have Jazz Fest, Industrial Street Pop Fest, Day of the Dead Fest, and there are likely other events we are not including.
October tends to be our second busiest month of the year next to December with the help of all the festivals happening, and much nicer weather to enjoy on the patio here in Downtown Denton.
We hope you will use Steve's Wine Bar as your base of operations when visiting Downtown for any, and all festivals and activities. With wine and beer to go, specials with a Halloween them, and just great tasting beverages, we hope you will make us your first stop before wandering around Denton. And YES, you can walk with a beer or a glass of wine in your hand while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown Denton.
I mentioned in the last email that the roads around us are no longer blocked off due to construction. When you come down to Steve's, parking will be a little easier without the barriers. We suggest that if you can't find parking right in front or back of the wine bar, park at the church lot half a block away. It's super convenient and as long as you have your car out of the lot by midnight, everything should be fine.
So let's talk about the start of the next season here at Steve's.
Tonight at 7:00, we have another amazing guest vocalist, with Alyssa Allgood visiting from Chicago. If you attended our special "concert" back in February with Nicole Zuraitis, we think you will have a similar experience tonight. We still have a few reserved seats at $15, but when they are sold out, the cover charge tonight will be $20. So jump online ASAP before the reserved seats are sold out.
Tomorrow night, we have Shelly Denning in-house doing a special arts and crafts program 6:30 to 8:30.
Wednesday evening we have a new talent to Steve's Wine Bar with Alexandra Tayara hosting a solo show.
Saturday afternoon at a special time, 5 pm, we have another solo act with Júlia Coelho with a very special musical program on vocals, gothic harp, loop pedal, and psaltery. $10 reservations are still available.
Sunday is Birthday Sunday from 5 - 7 pm. Did you or a family member have a birthday this month? Come on down and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer for the birthday person, and light snacks and sweets to enjoy with your beverages. Please reserve your spots as it will help us plan on the right amount of food to have for everyone.
Monday night is another special concert with Award Winning Saxophonist, Jack Lanhardt.
Tuesday is the first day of October, and it's the kick-off of Halloween here in Downtown Denton. We have a special evening planned with Lady Cass and the Fellas. Join us as we start the fun for October with some fun and "spooky" music with Cassandra Berry.
With all the events happening in Denton, rather than compete with them, we are keeping our event schedule on the lighter side for the month of October.
Every Thursday in October there will be live music right across the street from us in the park with the return of Twilight Tunes. Industrial Street will be closed on Thursday nights and we will be putting tables and chairs out front for our customers to sit and enjoy the music. Every Thursday is our Half-Price bottles, so come on down and take advantage of that along with any of the specials we will have for October.
Monday the 7th we will have the Brad Leali Tentet back for another amazing night of music.
Saturday the 19th we will have The Cats back for another special concert.
Stay tuned as we sprinkle in more solo performances and special afternoon experiences for you to enjoy.
Reserve your seats online at RESERVATIONS.
People have been asking about Cigars. We had neglected to renew our Permit on time and are now waiting for the updated Permit to be delivered. As soon as that is done, we will move our Humidor back out to the main space and be ready to support your cigar needs when visiting Steve's.
Steve and Karen will be away from the bar for most of October. The staff here at Steve's look forward to serving you, your friends, and your family while they are away. They have put a lot of trust in the team to keep the business rolling, and we hope you will be here to support the team. With your help, we can continue to make October the second busiest month of the year here at Steve's.
Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Cheers! From all of us here at Steve's Wine Bar.
Sep 23, 2024 at 12:30 PM
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The credo of Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard is “Force, Fraîcheur, Précision,” which translates to “Strength, Freshness, and, of course, Precision.” Precision comes from the soil in Chablis, Kimmeridgian marl, which dates back to the Jurassic era and imparts a chalky minerality to Chablis wines. Strength refers to the structure and complexity of their wines, resulting in a lingering finish. Natural acidity makes up the freshness component, a signature of Chablis. Crafted from 100% Chardonnay, Chablis is the elegant and sophisticated twin to the butter-fueled ‘cougar juice’ that many know as the main iteration of Chard. A versatile grape, Chardonnay conveys terroir and the winemaker’s expertise. Chablis is almost always matured in stainless steel to allow the fruit to sing, and additional lees aging contributes to its complexity. With bready and herby aromas and characteristics of lemon, yellow apple, pear, tropical fruits, and wet stones, the Jean-Marc Brocard will drink beautifully alongside your favorite shellfish from Hoochies.
Before the weather turns completely chilly, it’s time for one more rosé, but this version is a barrel-aged head turner. This cuvée of 56% Syrah, 39% Grenache, and 5% Cinsault has been matured in new French oak wine casks, which bestow an additional layer of body and subtle complexity. Childhood friends and owners of Penelope Bourbon Company, Danny Polise and Mike Paladini sought to create an accessible wine that “embodies the daily joy of celebrating life’s pleasures – big and small." Sourced from vines at Château de Marmorières in the south of France, about 5 miles from the Mediterranean Sea, Lyle & Kennedy is a unique take on a modern rosé. Pale pink in color, on the nose there are notes of cranberry, raspberry, citrus, and a touch of smoke, while the palate presents grapefruit, lemon, and lychee. Grab the Maza Plate from Yummy’s Greek, which is a sampling of light Mediterranean fare, and sip it with a glass of Lyla & Kennedy.
Yes, a Baby Big Dog this early in the lineup is a departure from our typical methods, but this Nebbiolo from Langhe in Piedmont, deserves to be showcased as the very first red. Langhe is the land of expensive Barolos and Barbarescos, also made from Nebbiolo. As a grape variety, it is usually lighter in hue, resembling a Pinot or a Gamay, but a bit heavier in body. Produttori del Barbaresco specializes in, well Barbarescos, which require extensive oak aging and have other stringent requirements. This offering, on the other hand, has undergone treatment in concrete to preserve its beautiful fruit aromas and flavors. It is a celebration of what Nebbiolo is known for, often called the grape of ‘tar and roses’ (I promise that is not a bad thing), usually imbued with lighter aromas but massive tannins. The extended maceration on this wine coupled with concrete have softened the tannins, letting fruity raspberry, anise, prune, and dried fig, be the star, along with hints of white pepper and cinnamon. Imbibed with your favorite spicy Asian dish, this combination will make for a perfect evening.
Spain only has two elevated recognized wine regions, Denominacións de Origen Calificada, or DOQs, due to the extensive regulations in the country (they do, however, have 90+ Denominación de Origen or DO’s). One of their DOQ’s is Rioja, which we have had the privilege to offer multiple offerings; the other is Priorat, which is the highly sought-after wine region in Catalonia. According to Wine Searcher, Priorat is known for its “terraced vineyards, slate soils, big reds with good acidity and a mineral line,” as well as very low yields due to the hot, dry weather. Garnacha is the main grape of Priorat, supported also by Cariñena (Carignan, but known locally as Samsó or Mazuelo). ‘Bluegray’ is a blend of 40% Garnacha, 30% Cariñena, 20% Syrah, and 10% Merlot, and it is a beautiful rendition of Priorat, displaying the terroir through ‘llicorella,’ which are free-draining, nutrient-poor soils consisting of partially-decomposed slate and quartz. The wine is lifted by violet and smoky aromas, followed by cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, and of course, licorice, a product of ‘llicorella.’ Clear your schedule so you can gather your favorite tapas and pour a generous glass of ‘Bluegray!’
‘Lab’ is a line from Casa Santos Lima that is fresh, inviting, and approachable—reminiscent of the cute Labrador Retriever found on the label! Based in Vinho Regional Lisboa, which borders the Atlantic, Casa Santos Lima is a producer of great international prestige and legacy. Founded in 1920 by Joaquim Santos Lima, the brand was relaunched by his great grandson, José Luís Santos Lima Oliveira da Silva, in 1990. The ‘Lab’ Tinto, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Castelão, Tinta Roriz (AKA Tempranillo), and Syrah, is a medium-bodied red with quite the bite. The three former grapes are often used in Port production, with Touriga is considered the Portugal’s finest red grape variety, often compared to Cabernet or Syrah. Redolent with red and dark fruits, particularly plum, black cherry, and blackberry, the Casa Santos Lima ‘Lab’ Tinto also conjures some anise and spice on the palate. This wine would be a great accompaniment to an order of the Roasted Vegetable Flatbread from Hannah’s Off the Square.
Roodeberg, a prominent wine house in the Western Cape, translates to ‘red mountain’ and is so named for the crimson hue of South Africa's Paarl Mountains at sunset. Dr. Charles Niehaus began crafting wines there in 1949, and Canada became the first major export market, propelling it as an internationally-known brand. In fact, it wasn’t until 2004 that Roodeberg finally became available in South Africa; the name Roodeberg had been fully ensconced in the lore of South African wines for decades but was not drunk locally until 2o years ago! Each vintage, Roodeberg tweaks their ‘Classic’ red blend slightly, and the version we have is a mind-boggling eight grapes: 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Shiraz, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Tannat, 3% Malbec, 1% Tempranillo, and 1% Grenache. It expresses dark plum, cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate, spice, and cedar through its well-rounded flavor profile. Drinking a glass with an order of chicken wings from the Street Eats Catering food truck will be a culinary delight.
Bending Branch Winery is located in Comfort, which is about 45 miles north of San Antonio. Gorgeous trees abound on the property, making it an ideal wedding venue. Even more than pretty views, winemaker Dr. Bob Young engages in modern, innovative techniques like using carbonic maceration for bolder fruit and cryo-maceration and thermoflash fermentation, which capture intense color and flavor compounds. He calls his products “Next World Wines,” and Bending Branch has been recognized as the Top Texas Winery in the Houston Uncorked! International Wine Competition as well as Best Winery for the 9th straight year in the readers’ choice awards in San Antonio. The ‘Branch,’ a proprietary blend of Malbec, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah, conveys notes of black plum, boysenberry, black tea, along with a hint of cedar. A versatile wine, this could pair with multiple cuisines, but consider having it with the gourmet Lasagna Pizza from Jonuzi’s.
Based in Dunnigan Hills, Matchbook Wines is a family-owned establishment, which is becoming increasingly rare with such a well-known brand. Another remarkable value of the brand is the focus on regenerative and sustainable practices; Matchbook became a certified a ‘California Sustainable Vineyard’ in 2022. Sheep grazing, cover crops, compost and compost tea, and the elimination of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides is all part of their everyday routine to help preserve the ecosystem. Sourced from the best vineyard sites in Dunnigan Hills (and a small portion from Alexander Valley), ‘The Arsonist’ Red Blend is a spectacle with its dark, decadent hue and bold tasting notes. Petit Verdot, the dominant grape in the blend, accounts for 52%, followed by Merlot at 26%, and 22 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French, American, and European/American hybrid barrels for 24 months, this wine packs a punch with its multiple layers of plum, cherry, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla, spice, and leather. Jaunt over to the Tandoor Truck, and grab the Lamb Loin Chops to partake with ‘The Arsonist’ for —as the kids say—a ‘lit’ evening!
Sep 5, 2024 at 10:34 AM
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