I love the Benjamin Franklin quote used in the opening of our Fort Worth Uncorked wine-lovers" feature where one of our country's Founding Fathers states, "Wine is sure proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy!" I agree with good ol" Ben. Hence, we dedicate editorial to this wonderful, fruity topic every November.
Chester Cox is featured on our cover as the poster boy for our wine coverage and shares with us five faults to look for when you're the one who ordered the wine at a restaurant. Well known from his decade at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, Chester is now the service manager, wine sommelier and hospitality master at Kent & Co. Wines.
If you haven't heard of Kent & Co., it's the eclectic and chic wine bar that Will Churchill and Corrie Watson opened in an old typewriter repair shop on West Magnolia earlier this year. If you need your car serviced at a Frank Kent dealership, simply make an appointment and drop it off at Kent & Co., and they will take it to the dealership for you to be serviced, take you to work or back home and pick you up and deliver you to your waiting vehicle at the dealership when it is ready. That, my friends, is Cadillac service (even if you own a Honda or a Hyundai or any of the other Frank Kent brands).
Our wine issue also serves you an extensive listing of local wine events in the area for November and December. Where can you go on Sunday, Nov. 2, to celebrate fine food and wine, experience terrific entertainment and hang with really fun people? Bites & Flights, West 7th's first major food and wine event. Sponsored by Fort Worth, Texas magazine, Bites and Flights will provide entertainment by several live bands throughout the day while you enjoy a profusion of cuisine samplings from West 7th eateries, along with wine samplings from numerous Texas wineries. For more information on this event and others, turn to page 56.
Also in this issue is our annual 2014 culinary awards list (page 95). From fried chicken and champagne from Max's Wine Dive, to the Cowboy Murrin burger at Rodeo Goat, this year's list is sure to give you some new eateries to try.
Finally, as we are entering the holiday season, we are pleased to present you with an opportunity to be inspired at our Fort Worth, Texas magazine Holiday House (page 70). Located in the Montserrat development, this 8,500-square-foot home, sitting on 2.5 acres and formerly owned by PGA golfer Rory Sabbatini, has been transformed into a Christmas idea showcase complete with stunning holiday décor. Furnished and decorated by local designers, most of the items in the home are for sale. The home will be open for touring from Saturday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 23. All touring proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth.
So as we approach the holiday season, spend some time in the community with friends and family whether it be over a glass of good wine or getting some decorating ideas at our Holiday House tour.
Hal A. Brown
owner/publisher