WineShark

06/10/2024

Happy birthday to my bearded noodle, fuzzy wumpus, heartwarming and wickedly smart Miska. You are the chaotic loves in my life.

01/21/2024

The merging of childhood joy, creativity, art, and construction. Enjoying an amazing time at Brick Fest Live in Dallas with some old kids and some young kids!

08/31/2023

Final day of the tour. A canal tour, some city travel, and a great vibe from Amsterdam. Certainly a ton more to explore. I'm ready to be home to my family, my dogs, and my loved ones. I've learned so much, enjoyed so many places and people. Forever grateful for this opportunity.

I'll see many of you in September for more wine and food shenanigans. Can't wait to raise a glass with you!

08/30/2023

More art! Final museum of the journey was the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. More awe over amazing works in painting, sculpture, jewelry, weaving, carpentry, miniatures, weapon smithing, pottery, ceramics, and fashion. I ❤️ Rembrandt.

08/29/2023

The last two days have been filled with exploration of Operation Market Garden, plus a little detour into Van Gogh. Retraced the steps of the US, UK and Polish airborne troops that lead the way for the UK ### Corps in the ambitious, but ill-fated, plan to reach the Rhine before Christmas the end of 1944. The Netherlands are beautiful , and I have enjoyed every detour and side adventure.

08/27/2023

Cathedrals, and wine, and beer, oh my! More stomping around Antwerp today. Marvels of architecture and art, all tied together with conversation and family. I met fun people and enjoyed the city in every respect.

08/27/2023

A visit to Antwerp yesterday. Did an impromptu tour of Chocolate Nation, a museum and chocolateir devoted to Belgian chocolate and the huge economic impact it has made here. Then it was an afternoon lounging about with good food in Belgian beer late into the night.

08/25/2023

A day of art and war. A visit to the Musèe Old Masters at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts was a stunning start. This is a period of art I particularly enjoy, and the exhibit is remarkable. Then it was off to the battlefield at Waterloo. This was another example of creative display, context, and tragic passion that memorialized the famous battle. Amazing stuff!

08/25/2023

Travel day to Brussels, featuring a stop at the December 44 museum, a small but well arranged display of the battle for La Gleize during the Battle of the Bulge. The featured guest, Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B number 213, is a rare and fascinating treat. Six of these chonkybois fought in the narrow streets and steep hills of the Ardennes, but were ultimately defeated. The area is lovely and definitely worth the stop if you are a WW2 history fan.

12/15/2022

Live at 6:30 Cenral: Celebrations of the season are here, and with that, sparkling wine is frequently part of the mix. Let's talk about a Champagne, why you might choose other options, and what those options might be. We'll have an example in the Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir on the Grocery Store Grab.

Celebrations of the season are here, and with that, sparkling wine is frequently part of the mix. Let's talk about a Champagne, why you might choose other op...

12/07/2022

Premier @ 6:30 Central: Tis the season for spicing up your wine - literally! Let's chat about mulled wine, wassail, and traditions. Plus, we'll introduce Gabbiano's "Golden Knight" for use in your own mulled wine recipe on the Grocery Store Grab!

Tis the season for spicing up your wine - literally! Let's chat about mulled wine, wassail, and traditions. Plus, we'll introduce Gabbiano's "Golden Knight" ...

11/30/2022

Live at 6:30 Central! Let's talk about a true character of wine history: Frank Schoonmaker. This colorful gent changed the direction of wine naming in the "new world" wine scene. We'll even drink to tradition from the place that started it all, Wente Vineyards, on the Grocery Store Grab.

Let's talk about a true character of wine history: Frank Schoonmaker. This colorful gent changed the direction of wine naming in the "new world" wine scene. ...

11/10/2022

LIVE at 6:30: When we talk about "fall flavors" or "warm flavors," what do we mean? Let's peek into the components in certain wines that make them perfect matches for Fall foods and entertaining. Plus, we'll try some Campo Viejo Red Blend on the Grocery Store Grab

When we talk about "fall flavors" or "warm flavors," what do we mean? Let's peek into the components in certain wines that make them perfect matches for Fall...

10/19/2022

LIVE at 6:30: Let's chat about when pop culture influences wine making, and how you too can become a wine maker without ever leaving home. We'll make an example of House of Dragon Pinot Noir on the Grocery Store Grab, so grab a glass and join us!

Let's chat about when pop culture influences wine making, and how you too can become a wine maker without ever leaving home. We'll make an example of House o...

10/05/2022

Today we're chatting about spirits-based Ready To Drink (RTD) cocktails! It's a bit of a departure from the usual, but a fun up-and-coming category of beverages, especially for those on the go. We'll try one for the Grocery Store Grab, the Troop Rum Mojito.

Today we're chatting about spirits-based Ready To Drink (RTD) cocktails! It's a bit of a departure from the usual, but a fun up-and-coming category of bevera...

09/28/2022

No show today. Have some doggie care to manage. Nothing serious, but a bit messy. 😳

09/24/2022

It's a rainbow of great local beer in German styles and German wine in well, German style! WineShark and Two Penny Beer at Agtoberfest in Horus Hall, near the Stockyards of Fort Worth.

I've got two free tickets to The VIP beer and wine event for the first two fans that show up!

09/14/2022

No WineShark Wednesday today. I have to do the adulting thing and deal with mechanics, money, and disappointment. 😣

09/07/2022

Live at 6:30 Central: What's in a name? Grapes have many different names for the same type of fruit, which can be confusing for new wine drinkers. Let's chat about a fun favorite, Mourvèdre! We'll cover some of its nom de plume and what this grape brings to the bottle alone, and with company. We'll even try some Cline Ancient Vines Mourvèdre on the Grocery Store Grab!

What's in a name? Grapes have many different names for the same type of fruit, which can be confusing for new wine drinkers. Let's chat about a fun favorite,...

08/31/2022

LIVE at 6:30! Let's chat a bit about wine-based RTD (Ready to Drink) beverages, the rise of Beat Box, and some of the convoluted taxation and foolishness left over from Prohibition. We'll be sampling some Beat Box Fruit Punch in keeping with our theme!

Let's chat a bit about wine-based RTD (Ready to Drink) beverages, the rise of Beat Box, and some of the convoluted taxation and foolishness left over from Pr...

08/24/2022

Live at 6:30: The last in our series of mass market wines, we're going to talk about a name with history, and a varied market perception because of that. Sebastiani was a staple of the household wine market that survived prohibition, and in the 1980's transitioned to making premium wines. Let's try a current offering for the Grocery Store Grab. We're also going to talk about "No-Low" wines - no or low alcohol wines, with a brief intro to how, why, and what the market holds.

The last in our series of mass market wines, we're going to talk about a name with history, and a varied market perception because of that. Sebastiani was a ...

08/17/2022

Live at 6:30: It's part four of mass market wines that might actually be worth trying. This is another "known good" in my book, King Estate Pinot Gris. Let's see if they have continued a record of quality product, easy access, and leading the OR wine market. We'll also have a wine quiz and talk about upcoming local wine events!

It's part fourof mass market wines that might actually be worth trying. This is another "known good" in my book, King Estate Pinot Gris. Let's see if they ha...

08/10/2022

Live at 6:30 Central! It's part three of mass market wines that might actually be worth trying. This one is a "known good" in my book, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. There's some wine-biz behind the scenes at work here, and we'll talk about that a bit. We'll also have a wine quiz and talk about upcoming local wine events!

https://youtu.be/M207l9nGAtw

08/03/2022

We're back! Live at 6:30: More chat about wines you likely see all over the place, and which of these mass market wines might actually be worth trying. Part two of our easy-to-find wine discussion for the Grocery Store Grab. Today's wine: Ménage à Trois Limelight Pinot Grigio. We'll also talk about a tour update for the Pacific Northwest!

More chat about wines you likely see all over the place, and which of these mass market wines might actually be worth trying. Part two of our easy-to-find wi...

07/29/2022

Whirlwind visit to the Willamette! New discoveries at Alloro, and iconic Pinot at Ponzi. Tour plans are in the works, 2 days in Willamette, 2 days in the Columbia Gorge. More soon! Get 6 folks together and I'll show you around!