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With Thanksgiving a few days away, finding the perfect wine to serve during dinner can be time consuming for anyone. Whether you are looking for a full-bodied red to serve during your dinner, or a rich white wine to pair with appetizers and desserts, Texas wines have so much to offer.
Here are 10 Texas wines you should look for at your local grocery store that will pair well with your holiday dinner:
2018 Haak Vineyards Ensaio BDB dry, $19
Haak Vineyards provides a refreshing wine to help kick off your Thanksgiving. Filled with rich melon and pineapple notes, Ensaio has a rich finish to help you enjoy the day cooking, munching on smooth cheeses or citrusy desserts. You can learn more about this wine at haakwine.com.
2019 Calais Winery Cuvee du Rocher Reserve, $36
Like most sauvignon blancs, this light-bodied wine offers prominent citrusy aromatics yet it is elevated and finished with ripe pear, apricot and gooseberry notes. Pair this buttery sauvignon blanc with herb-filled sides, such as stuffing and soft cheese appetizers or an apple pie to finish off your Thanksgiving dinner. You can learn more about this wine at calaiswinery.com.
2018 Brennan Vineyards Roussanne, $18
This roussanne is the perfect wine to pair at your table with hearty root vegetables and roasted turkey or ham. The wine offers notes of gala apples, papaya, dry mango and key lime for a crisp and sturdy finish. You can learn more about this wine at brennanvineyards.com.
2018 Duchman Family Winery Vermentino, $26
Duchman Winery
With so many new normals in 2020, you might want to switch up your Thanksgiving dinner by adding some seafood options. If you are looking for a wine pairing to suit your needs or to add flavor to any herb-filled dish, try this award winning vermentino. You can learn more about this wine at duchmanwinery.com.
2019 Landon Winery Viognier, $20
No holiday meal is complete without dessert. If you are in search of a light-bodied wine to pair with your fruit tarts and pies, this Viognier will do any dessert justice. With a peach, melon, wet stone and citrus flavors, finish off your Thanksgiving dinner with this creamy wine. You can learn more about this wine at landonwinery.com.
2017 Bending Branch Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
This 2017 vintage of cabernet sauvignon has tasting notes of vanilla, red currant, black plum, leather, copper, figs, cinnamon, black pepper and warm herbs to fill the palate with a rich, intense finish. You can pair this cabernet sauvignon with red meats and sides with heavy herb influences. You can learn more about this wine at bendingbranchwinery.com.
2017 Pedernales Cellars TX Malbec, $40
It doesn't feel like a holiday dinner without a perfect Malbec to pair it with. With notes of plum, black cherry, currants, violets, earth and rosemary, this award winning Malbec by Pedernales Cellars can be a lovely pair for roasted meats and light cheese appetizers. You can learn more about this wine at pedernalescellars.com.
2017 Kuhlman Cellars Zinfandel, $34
The savory characteristics of this zinfandel will pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving Turkey, and any other lighter meats at your dinner table. If you are a fan of lighter-bodied wines, this zinfandel will provide notes of roasted berries, dried cranberry and black tea leaves. You can learn more about this wine at kuhlmancellars.com.
2013 Bending Branch Winery Tannat EM, $45
Bending Branch Winery
Amplify the rich taste of any holiday meal with this Texas tannat. Your savory dinner options, such as roasted meats and salty entrees, will happily pair with the acidity and notes of cola, spearmint, cedar and violets with this tannat. You can learn more about this wine at bendingbranchwinery.com.
2017 Kuhlman Cellars Reserve Merlot, $38
Looking for a Merlot to pair well with with a holiday roast? This classic French merlot is filled with rich aromas and significant notes of fresh figs and plums. Pair this wine with all of your favorite holiday meats such as ham, turkey or hearty sides. You can learn more about this wine at kuhlmancellars.com.
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You might know this beach as a college student's spring break hotspot, but really, it's the Rio Grande Valley's most secret gem. From someone who has been going to "the island" every year since before I could walk, here's a guide to the best SPI has to offer.
Weather
First thing's first, don't underestimate how hot South Texas is. Be ready with plenty of sunscreen. If you thought Austin was hot, you're in for a treat as high humidity will make the Valley feel scorching. Luckily, the water offers some reprieve from the sun's rays—still, be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat.
Getting there
Driving in: From Austin, you can expect almost a six hour drive. Your navigation will take you either around San Antonio (which is a plus for most people) or through San Antonio, funneling to U.S. 77 until you reach Valley grounds in Harlingen.
- From there, it might be smarter to take the toll roads, which border the Port of Brownsville and will save you going through small towns like Los Fresnos that can get backed up with traffic.
- But if you do decide to hightail it through Los Fresnos, be wary of how fast you are going and the speed limit. Cops are especially on the prowl in those areas, catching out of towners unfamiliar with the speed limit changes.
Still, no matter which route you take, you'll go through Port Isabel before crossing the 2-mile bridge to South Padre. During peak times, such as early afternoon, expect to sit in traffic. Better times to travel are in the early morning.
Flying in: For the people that read a six-hour drive with wide eyes, there is a nearby airport in Brownville, a 40-minute drive from SPI, as well as the Valley International Airport in Harlingen, a 1-hour drive away. Be ready to spend $250-$400 a person.
Sights and sounds
Getting to the RGV, you'll be welcomed with palm trees well before you've made it to the beach. And just before crossing the bridge from Port Isabel to South Padre, you'll see a sign that may be blinking, indicating to watch out for pelicans.
As you drive over that bridge, your passengers will want to get their phones out and take the classic video of the the water, boats and parasailers in the bay. It's the best way to let everyone know you're on vacation!
And don't forget to roll down your window to take in the salty smell of the gulf of Mexico.
Lodging
Resorts: For beach access and the fun amenities that come with that, places like The Pearl, The Palm and The Saphire are where you'll get a resort-style feel.
Affordable: You can still find a Holiday Inn, Ramada and La Quinta along the beach bars.
Airbnb is always an option where you can rent out condos, but you'll want to make sure to book in advance as options may be limited in peak summer.
The beach
There are at least 25 access points to the beach, which is on the east edge of the island. Some you can only get to if you're a hotel guest. Here are the most popular ways to reach the sand.
Walking to the beach: Between the bars and hotels, you'll find free access points where you get to just park and walk right onto the beach. You're likely to still find umbrellas and chairs you can rent out.
Beach bar access: Some of the most popular places for beach entry are those that come with a nearby bar. But don't worry, all ages are welcome. You'll want to check these bars' social media pages in the evenings if you're looking for live music.
- Where you're almost certain to not struggle for parking is one of the hottest spots on the beach: Clayton's Beach Bar and Grill. At Clayton's, you're able to get your drink on, get a bite to eat and have access to the beach and volleyball courts.
- A smaller, but just as cool alternative is Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill. With the same amenities as Clayton's, you can't go to Wanna Wanna without trying a turbo, a pina colada with a rum floater—you can get these just about anywhere on the beach, but they just taste better beachside.
Driving on the beach: If you want to try your four-wheel drive on the sand, you can! Access points #5 and #6 allow you to pay a small fee to take your vehicle out there. Click here to see how you might prepare your vehicle for the sand. If you choose to go with this option, you'll want to make sure to pack appropriately as there are no rentals or bars nearby.
More fun
If you're trying to make the most of your South Padre getaway, we have you covered with things for the whole family as well as the nightlife scene.
- Watch the fireworks: Catch a fireworks display at the island all summer long. Catch them displayed on the bay in front of Louie's Backyard on Tuesdays and near Clayton Beach Bar on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Beach Park and Isla Grande: The former Schlitterbahn is now a beach park that opened in 2021. The 25-acre waterpark has water slides, a zipline and beach access. (Day passes are $38.99 for children and $10 more for adults)
- Sea Turtle, Inc.: Learn about sea turtles and sea life conservation at the largest state-of-the-art sea turtle hospital. You'll be able to get up close and personal with the turtles! ($4 for children, $10 for adults)
- Gravity Park: For the adrenaline junkies, this park has the tallest reverse bungee in the world ($25), a skycoaster ($25), go-karts ($15-$20), mini-golf ($8-10), a 60-foot ferris wheel ($8), and a climbing wall ($8).
- Sandcastle exhibit: Right next to Gravity Park is a small sandcastle exhibit that is free and about a 5-minute walk to see all the exhibits made entirely from sand by professionals. (Free w/ donations accepted)
- Get in on the water sports: A couple of rental places like Coconut Jacks SPI offer jet skis for rental as well as equipment for parasailing.
- Rent a pontoon boat: Tritoon Charters allows you to rent a pontoon boat for the day perfect for the whole family. The charter offers private snorkeling, shell hunting, up close dolphin and turtle encounters, tubing and sight seeing.
- Party like a local: Escape the beachside and head to the west edge of the island for live music and dancing. Tourists love to flood Louie's Backyard, but there are other bars along the bay worth going to such as Longboard, Laguna Bobs and Tequila Sunset.
Food
You can't leave the island before eating ceviche and fried shrimp. And you can't go wrong by eating at the already mentioned beach bars and bay bars. But here are some other notable places to visit:
- Breakfast: Yummies Bistro and Grapevine Cafe are both places to get your breakfast tacos in the morning.
- Lunch: Cafe on the Beach are good midday options to catch a quick bite without sacrificing quality.
- Dinner: F&B is about as upscale as it gets if you can snag a reservation—Elon Musk has been spotted here. They also offer Sunday brunch.
