For those of you that know me well, you know being on camera was never my plan. Working on the other side of the camera, first at “Positively Texas,” at CBS in Dallas, then doing news talent placement, followed by a 10 year career as an executive at Nielsen, my television path was completely off camera.
However about 2 1/2 years ago one of my favorite clients from Nielsen days said he was starting a few local television shows in Dallas on their local London Broadcasting station, and they wanted Gary to contribute to one, and maybe I could do some wine segments on the other. That was the start of TV land for me, with two lovelies, Kim Whitman and Hilary Kennedy on “Texas Living,” talking wine, spirits and tasty cocktails. Shortly thereafter KTXD-TV launched “The Broadcast TV” featuring four ladies who loved a good cocktail and were always up for a glass of wine. Needless to say, I quickly found my home.
Over the past two years the show has changed, bringing in new friends like insightful, and always beautiful, Dawn Neufeld, and seeing an exit from favorites like funny and sincere Suzie Humphreys. But the premise remains, an “up close and unscripted” discussion of the day with four funny ladies and their talented Exec Producer, Stuart Boslow.
I am so thrilled to be a part of “The Broadcast TV” family and loved raising a toast with them to celebrate their 2nd anniversary on Wednesday. Check out our segment linked below with tasting notes included below as well. I can’t wait to see what the next two years brings ladies, I promise good glasses and tasty cocktails will be involved. Cheers!
Chandon Brut Rose minis – Traditional method Napa Valley sparkler from sustainably farmed fruit with an emphasis on Pinot Noir. Intense ripe strawberry, juicy watermelon, and fresh red cherry fruit aromas with a creamy, seductive, and well structured palate with red berry, red apple and spice. About $8 each, available at World Market, Spec’s and other local wine stores.
Celebratory bubbly – Exclusive Champagne of the Oscars. Piper Heidieck Brut Champagne. A non-vintage sparkler that is very dry, but also nicely fruit filled to create balance and freshness in the wine. Filled with golden apple and pear, fresh citrus and a touch of cream the bubbly is perfect to welcome guests, pair with light hors de vourse and sip well into the night. $35 – $45, widely available.
Nothing is better for movie watching, and celebrating, than America’s favorite white and a bowl of guilt-free popcorn
Adelsheim Caitlin’s Reserve Chardonnay – David Adelsheim can easily be considered to be the father of Oregon Chardonnay and this is one of his best. Fresh and racy, yet balanced and elegant. Filled with apple, creamy lemon tart and spice. $45 available via their website.
Live Love Pop – Local girl Lauren Brundage started this company in 2013 and it (and she) have sky rocketed since. Healthy and delicious snacking is so much better with Live Love Pop, so much so that she is the only salty snack in the official swag bags of the 2015 Oscars! $6-$10 at Pogo’s
Always the teacher, a different, healthy and very special red from El Porvenir de Cafayate with their Laborum Tannat from the Cafayate region of Argentina, this small production, single vineyard wine captures all those heart healthy benefits of red wine. Grown on high pergola vines this hearty red is ideal for Texas, or Argentine, cuisine. Robust red fruit, hearty herbal and spice notes, with dried fig, dark chocolate and spice. Tannat is a highly tannic wine (hence the name) and the red-wine tannins contain procyanidins, which protect against heart disease. $30 at Pogo’s
A special cocktail to celebrate the anniversary – Hendricks uses uses rose and cucumber in addition to the traditional juniper and botanicals of gin to add depth and flavor to this dry, small batch gin.
“Broadcast TV Fizz”
1 1/2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
1/2 part Cointreau
1 part hibiscus or pomegranate syrup
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Add first 4 ingredients to an ice filled shaker and shake until very cold. Strain into a tall ice filled glass and top with soda.
To celebrate one of the girls favorite movie of the year by Oscar time – Hudson Whiskey Manhattan Rye – artisanal, small batch distillers focused on quality vs. quantity, and mainly on great taste. Their Rye has toasted caramel, juicy orange and coconut notes, blending well with the orange and ginger cocktail.
“Sniper Special”
2 parts Hudson Manhattan Rye
Juice of 1 orange
Ginger ale
Add first 2 ingredients to a tall ice filled glass and top with ginger ale.
RED WINE WITH BREAKFAST 