The Fascinating Story of Wine Selection

Suggestions from a wine connoisseur

Wine is one of nature’s many gifts to man. Wine has a long romantic legacy, dating back to the ancient history of mankind. Along the way it developed an atmosphere of mystique and mystery

LA FERIA NEWS recently met with two wine connoisseurs to have them share their knowledge, and demystify for our readers the challenge of selecting and choosing the right wine for the right occasion. Eric Hoff and Stephanie Eberle were kind enough to help us understand that wine is for everyone, not just a few select.

Eric is the new owner of the Bottle Shop in La Feria. He is also a newly elected City Commissioner for La Feria. He invited Stephanie to join the discussion. This energetic young lady is the District Manager for the Republic National Distributors Company, a major distributor of domestic and imported wines serving the entire country.

Stephanie talked a bit about her life as we began. “My life has always been centered around the wine business,” she said. “I love to educate people and take the mystique away from choosing a wine. That is why I always urge wine fans to experiment and savor the endless array of different, interesting wines, and especially to attend wine tasting events like Eric and Tina are planning. I love to see people learn about and enjoy the many varieties and choices available.”

“For ages,” she explained, “the public has been laboring under an old axiom that basically decreed that there are two kinds of wine: red wines for red meat and white wines for pork, fish and poultry. That is a too limiting standard. It is more rewarding to reach out and enjoy new sensations,” she said.

Red wines have a natural smooth sweetness that many enjoy. They are fruit-driven, softer drinks with less Tannin that give them a pleasing taste and texture. She explained that wines, especially the red varieties, “really get a hold of all of your senses. They bring back pleasant memories They are always welcome at social events, However, their use is not limited to just red meat meals. The sweetness of reds balances with the spices of the food. They go well with Mexican and Indian spicy dishes, Gumbos, Ribeye steak, Bar-B-Que and purple potatoes.”

In addition to the red wines, the wines inventory includes white wines and the sparkling varieties including the famous Champagnes, traditionally served for special events.

White wines tend to be simple, flavorful additions to any table. They go well with dishes that are not too spicy or hot. Many enjoy white wines with pork dishes, prime rib, fish, shrimp and chicken.

A popular third variety of wine is known as “Rose.” These wines are not a watered-down version of red wines, but become pinkish in color by a removal of the red outer skin of the grape early during the fermentation process. “The Rose wines were really invented by the French in the Provence region because it was too hot for drinking red wines, and they didn’t like the white wines of the region. It was a compromise to accommodate the sensitive tastes of the French, but became popular around the world. Rose wine can be enjoyed with any meal, any time.

And what about Texas produced wines we asked: “The Texas wineries have produced some excellent wines in great demand by wine lovers,” she said. “Probably the best examples of the .fine wines that Texas is producing come from the Becker, Fall Creek and Llano wineries located in the hill country, wine-growing areas. If you are a wine lover, here’s a suggestion for you and your family. You will enjoy a tour of the Texas wine growing region in the hill country. Check with the Texas Department of Transportation for a map and guided tour book.

Eric Hoff said, “I like to think of the grapes as different personalities, each one lends its distinct flavor and subtle nuances of shade, texture and color to the finished wine in their own way. When you combine all those personalities, you end up with a lively experience.”

Hoff believes in wine. His Bottle Shop has expanded the wine list from the 10 varieties on hand when he took over ownership to a selection now of over 125 different wines from Spain, France, Italy, Chile, Germany, Argentina, and California .

So, In La Feria, if you want an education about wines and their selection see Eric and Tina Hoff. Or, better yet, attend one of their wine-tasting events soon to be announced in the LA FERIA NEWS.