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 As seasons change and we enter the spring, I feel a sort of return to life for my palette. Not that I don’t love the wonderfully earthy, stewed, and slow cooked foods of the Winter, but frankly they are best suited for meaty red wines. I am not someone who likes to live on red alone and certainly not massive reds. Thankfully, the weather right now allows us to indulge in all that the world of wine offers. The occasional cool night is still well suited for big reds, while the rest of the evenings are ideal for Pinot Noir, Grenache, Bonarda, and all the other silky, supple reds. The change in season brings a bounty of great seafood, fresh vegetables, gorgeous cheeses, and other light, clean flavors that were made for white wine. March and April are probably the greatest time of year to indulge in Riesling and the thrilling white wines of the Loire Valley, so expect to see more of these vibrant wines on the list. Keep on the look out as well for some fantastic changes to the menu as Hugo incorporates the great flavors of spring.
For wine dinner lovers, we are hosting an Earth Day themed dinner on April 22nd. The event will highlight the incredible array of Biodynamic farmed and sustainably grown wines that are both outstanding drinks and friendly to the environment. The event will include epic selections from Oregon, California, Austria, France, Spain, and Germany. Our menu will focus on local ingredients that you can find at the city’s farmers markets. We will also be joined by one of Houston’s own Dairymaids, Lindsey Schechter, who is providing us with a Texas produced cheese plate. For those who can’t join us, you can always schedule your own little private tasting. With a little advance notice Chef Hugo and I can create a thoughtful and well paired wine dinner for a festive night with friends, family or clients. We do this often for groups six or larger and can host private events for companies, birthdays, baby showers, and other important gatherings. Of course we can also take this show on the road and have catered at a number of guests homes.
Additionally, we are available for private functions. If you are looking to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or a simple get together with friends or clients please contact me and I will be happy to arrange a event. We can do a pairing for groups as small as eight people. For questions, please contact me vial email at: sean@backstreetcafe.net
We have a simple mantra regarding wine here at Backstreet:
“Wine is not an extra or a luxury, but a necessary part of healthy living and a critical ingredient in helping food taste its best.”
It is this belief that compels us to be diverse in our selections and above all fair in our price. We will continue to provide you with the best wine at the best prices, so relax and take pleasure in a great meal with good friends and good wine. sean@backstreetcafe.net
~Sean
Beck Sommelier
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The Blossom
When I created this drink, it was really about a yearning for spring. It was a nod to the Azaelas coming back to life, with that memorable color of pink-to-purple interlaced perfectly. Consider this a play on the classic Cosmopolitan, only with better ingredients and a playful nature. We build this flower by first lining a martini glass with a few leaves of the soft, anise scented tarragon. Meanwhile we combine and shake together a mixture of fresh pink grapefruit juice, Absolut mandarin, and agave nectar. The mixture is gently poured over the leaves. Finally, we finish the cocktail off tableside with a little shot of fresh pressed cranberry juice, adding a body, some depth, and a color that completes the illusion of a flower come to life. ~ $9 |
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With springtime comes the arrival of brilliant, fresh fruits. This exciting time isn’t just for Chefs, it’s also the best time to create enticing beverages. Perhaps the greatest cocktail to play with in Spring is Sangria. Taking advantage of the fresh seasonal fruit and the incredible array of wines, I’ve come up with several renditions for this month. Every day brings new flavors and styles whether it is white, red, or sparkling. Be sure to ask your server for today’s selection, especially if you’re taking a relaxing lunch on the patio.
~ $7.5
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'06 Marco Felluga “Molamatta” Bianco (Collio Friuli) - Italy
Few wine destinations fascinate me quite as much as Italy’s Friuli. Located at the very Northeastern tip of the country, the area is an amazing combination of cultures including German, Slovenian, Swiss, and Roman. Over the centuries this melting pot has developed its own style, complete with breathtaking food and sumptuous wines that deliver a texture and flavor not often seen in Italy. The Molamatta is a blend of the regions great whites (Friuli adores blends): Pinot Blanc, Tocai Friuliano, and Ribolla Gialla. The intriguing mix delivers a lush texture, dramatic, curvy, and with a creamy edge. The wine is full-bodied like a Chardonnay, but with a mild nuance of oak and spice that help showcase the gorgeous flavors of peach, honey, apricot, and mango. A stunning, complex, and memorable white that should make for a great meal.
Glass: $10 3oz Taste: $5 Bottle: $40 |
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’05 Rusden “Driftsand” Grenache Blend (Barossa) – AU
Rusden’s young winemaker is one of the more interesting characters in the world of wine. An extraordinary talent, he started making wine at the age of 19. A decade later Christian still reigns as one of the great talents, unfortunately he still behaves like a teenager. I won’t go into details, but suffice to say Christian partied a little too hard on his last run through the U.S. and lost his importer. Who knows when we’ll be seeing his epic wines in the states again? In the meantime I bought up all that was left in Texas and am sharing this incredible juice with all of you. The blend is dominated by Grenache, giving the feel of a big Pinot with a salivating nose of wild raspberry, red currant, and rhubarb. The fruit grows tart and dry on the palette and picks up a soft meaty edge, with appealing notes of pepper and dark floral aromas. I really will miss this wine with it’s the perfect expression of fruit and absolute approachability!
Glass: $12 3oz Taste: $6 Bottle: $44 |
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last updated 5/08 |
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921/07 Have
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