by Sandra Crittenden

As originally seen in the June 2018 issue of Galveston Monthly

Pour yourself a glass of some of Napa’s finest, then settle in to take a vicarious ride with one of the valley’s most perfect scoring couples. You will feel like you’ve joined them at their table as Kathryn and Craig Hall take turns telling their tale starting in Texas before they met on through the building of their California wine country empire.  A Perfect Score: The Art, Soul, and Business of a 21st-Century Winery  is a story anyone can savor, it is one of two hard-working, determined people who come together first in love and, then together, dream a dream big enough for wine lovers everywhere to share with them.  Available today on  Amazon  or at  Hall Wines . Media Sample for review purposes. Also posted at Wine Thoughts.

I reviewed the United Tastes of Texas cookbook by Jessica Dupuy in the May/June 2016 issue of Edible Houston . This book would make a great gift for not only "the Texas cook but foodies everywhere" for Mother's Day and beyond. Read the full review at  Edible Houston .

In her book,  Thirsty Dragon , Suzanne Mustacich tells the overlapping stories of an interesting group of players as they join China on its 20 year journey into the world of wine.  This well-documented saga of China's race to build the infrastructure needed to become one of the superpowers of the wine world collides with Bordeaux's need for buyers in 2009. China's willingness to speculate on wine as an investment combined with their gift giving culture leads to mini-skirted translators  facilitating sales  in Bordeaux and millions of dollars of classified growths sitting in Chinese warehouses.  The tale continues with high level corruption in the Chinese government, counterfeiting and fraud. A brief lesson on the economy and the wine regions of China add more background to this story of the "largest government funded drinks tab in history."  An interesting and well-researched read for any winelover that should be enjoyed with a generous pour of B...