By Melissa Unsell

It’s a movement that’s creating synergy across the globe – one that involves entrepreneurs, small-businesses and market disrupters – all changing our world one business at a time.    Once a concept mandated due to lack of resources and technology, the concept of buying local is the new mantra.

Vinously Speaking fans and supporters are continuously involved in this movement and have experienced first hand our authentic, unique experience.  You can expand your involvement with us and be directly involved with the movement by supporting our efforts to expand to the best wine bar in town.

See how at www.gofundme.com/vinouslyspeaking

*Produced by Custom Made

Our “One Year in Business Celebrations!” are kicking off today!  In case you’ve missed our posts on Facebook, here is all the info for our upcoming celebration events:

TODAY we will be hosting an exclusive VIP Celebration Event @ The Richter Co. (616 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78215) from 6-9p. This VIP celebration is open to anyone who donates $65 or more to our crowdfunding campaign at this web address: http://www.gofundme.com/vinouslyspeaking ~ Our celebration will include an open wine bar of show stopping wines, delicious nibbles to entertain your taste buds  and music to move your soul by DJ Phylo! You can donate $65+ online at the link above by 5:59pm today to attend.  Once you have donated $65+, every person you get to donate at the $65+ level on our crowdfunding campaign between now and Thursday (4/11/13) earns you a $10 gift certificate to use at our wine shop (or wine bar), earn up to $50. Let us know who you got to donate, so we can get you that gift certificate! Donate and start telling your friends to do the same!

And if Thursday is too busy for you, or $65 is a bit out of donation range for you, not to worry, we invite you attend our ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS FREE GRAND TASTING & CELEBRATION AT THE WINE SHOP THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY (4/12, 4/13)!! We will be tasting the 13 best selling wines of our first year of business! Join us anytime Friday 4-7p to taste the wines only OR join us Saturday anytime 1-7p to taste the wines, nosh on apps, and listen to the musical stylings of DJ Phylo!! This special 13 wine wine tasting is FREE, but we do ask that you donate any amount you can to our wine bar crowdfunding campaign online at http://www.gofundme.com/vinouslyspeaking or in person at the wine shop!

We hope to see you at any and all of our One Year in Business Celebration Events! Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Cecilia Barretto & Melissa Unsell
Owners of Vinously Speaking Wine Shop & Blog

We are fast approaching our “One Year in Business Celebrations!” In case you’ve missed our posts on Facebook, here is all the info for our upcoming celebration events:

On Thursday 4/11 we will be hosting an exclusive VIP Celebration Event @ The Richter Co. (616 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78215) from 6-9p. This VIP celebration is open to anyone who donates $65 or more to our crowdfunding campaign at this web address: http://www.gofundme.com/vinouslyspeaking ~ Our celebration will include an open wine bar of show stopping wines, delicious nibbles to entertain your taste buds  and music to move your soul by DJ Phylo! You can donate $65+ online at the link above or stop by the shop today 3-7p or tomorrow 3-7p and donate with card, check, or cash. And once you have donated $65+, every person you get to donate at the $65+ level on our crowdfunding campaign between now and Thursday (4/11/13) earns you a $10 gift certificate to use at our wine shop (or wine bar), earn up to $50. Let us know who you got to donate, so we can get you that gift certificate! Donate and start telling your friends to do the same!

And if Thursday is too busy for you, or $65 is a bit out of donation range for you, not to worry, we invite you attend our ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS FREE GRAND TASTING & CELEBRATION AT THE WINE SHOP THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY (4/12, 4/13)!! We will be tasting the 13 best selling wines of our first year of business! Join us anytime Friday 4-7p to taste the wines only OR join us Saturday anytime 1-7p to taste the wines, nosh on apps, and listen to the musical stylings of DJ Phylo!! This special 13 wine wine tasting is FREE, but we do ask that you donate any amount you can to our wine bar crowdfunding campaign online at http://www.gofundme.com/vinouslyspeaking or in person at the wine shop!

We hope to see you at any and all of our One Year in Business Celebration Events! Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Cecilia Barretto & Melissa Unsell
Owners of Vinously Speaking Wine Shop & Blog

Ok, vinous readers.  Get ready to explore two more obscure wines.  In this post, I’ll have you venturing off to France and Spain.  Get your passports ready for your palate.

No. 1

I recently purchased a Cremant de Limoux for a friend.  If you like Champagne, you’ll love this Cremant from the Languedoc region in Southern France.  It provides great value and legend has it, the monks there shared their secret with Mr. Dom Perignon himself. (We’ll keep this our little secret, as some wine experts say this sparkler will stand up to Veuve Clicquot).  Shhhhh…..

No. 2

Now I take you to Jumilla, Spain.  Here we find the Monastrell varietal that is expressed as a fruit-forward wine.  It is delightful and should not be overlooked.

Check out this Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil

This is a great value at only $17 retail.

I encourage you to explore these wines and take your palate on the ultimate road trip.  Why not use the Cremant de Limoux as an aperitif and use the Jumilla wine to accompany a great meal!

Voguishly Yours,

Melissa Unsell

Wine and Fashion have merged. That’s one of the reasons I love merging the two subjects in my blog posts. Perhaps it brings awareness to the fact that not only do we each express ourselves by the clothing we choose to wear each day, but that we also express a liquid style through our palate. We all have different preferences, and that’s what makes it fun.

I wanted to take a moment to enlighten you on a couple of fashion designers that have received accolades from the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation (yes – Ecco Domani has a fashion foundation)! The foundation was founded in 2001 and recognizes up-and-coming designers (Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and others have been recognized by the foundation).

A couple of years ago, Lyn Devon, was recognized by the foundation.

Since then, she has been featured in InStyle, Lucky, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and many other publications. She produces the entire line in New York City and focuses her design on iconic American fashion – think clean lines and impeccable tailoring. The line can be found at Neiman Marcus and other specialty boutiques.

These are two of my favorites in the Spring collection:

Joseph Altuzarra was recognized by the foundation in 2010. He was born and raised in Paris, and has since worked in NY with Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler. He now designs his own collection focusing on the modern professional woman.

This suit is awesome; I have to have it:

Ecco Domani isn’t the only label that can seen around the fashion industry.  New Zealand’s Kim Crawford was the official wine sponsor of Fashion Week last year. And in September 2010, Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits announced its role as The Official Wine and Spirits Retailer of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and poured champagne selections from their cellars for invited guests and VIPs all week long.

Watch the designers above as they begin to flourish and offer us irresistible styles.

Voguishly Yours,

Melissa Unsell

By Melissa Unsell, of Vinously Chic
2.19.13

In a few short weeks, the most sophisticated wine auction in town will have oenophiles swarming. The annual Fête du Cuvée wine auction occurs on Saturday, March 2nd and will feature top local chefs showcasing their best culinary creations paired with exceptional wines. Oenophiles and wine enthusiasts will ascend upon the historic Bright Shawl donning their finest, with the popping of corks and the clinking of crystal creating a layer of supreme ambiance.

Events like this, help the Junior League of San Antonio fulfill its mission. An organization of women volunteers, the Junior League supports over 60 agencies and programs that meet the rising needs in the community, making JLSA the non-profit that supports other non-profits to build a better San Antonio.

The event is limited to 350 guests, and is nearly sold out. For ticket information, visit www.sanantoniowineauction.com

The auction is planned by a committee of 27 League volunteers led by Sheila Mayfield and Julie Moczygemba alongside an Executive Leadership Team of private collectors and industry insiders.

There is no other wine event like this one in San Antonio.

Some of the live auction lots include a guys package with a Porsche for the weekend, a round of golf, spirits to last all year, and a steak dinner; a Northern CA wine country adventure with personalized experiences at Palmaz, Darioush, Hanzell and B.R. Cohn wineries; and a New Orleans experience with a 3-hour cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, among many others.

The silent auction promises to be an oenophile’s shopping paradise with over 80 lots being offered.

The auction catalog will be unveiled at the Preview Party, Thursday, February 21st at Porsche San Antonio – an event reserved for patrons of Fête du Cuvée.

Below is a list of featured Chefs with a special sneak peek of the menu
(*menu items subject to change):

Jeffrey Balfour
Executive Chef, Citrus at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
Oxtail Pie with Spring Vegetables
Tortarossa Rosso Toscana Tuscan Blend

Chris Cook
Executive Chef, Oro Restaurant and Bar at the Emily Morgan Hotel – a DoubleTree by Hilton
Hickory Smoked Wild Boar Spareribs with Picked Rhubarb, Granny Smith Apples, and Natural Jus
McPherson Rosé of Syrah

Ernie Estrada
Sous Chef, Las Canarias, Omni de La Mansión del Rio
Ballotine of Organic Chicken, Oyster Mushroom, Peeler Farms Egg
Drouhin Pinot Noir

Geronimo Lopez
Executive Chef, NAO New World Flavors
“Matambre” NAO with Duck, Pork Belly and Chorizo Terrine Argentinian Style, Three Corns “Humita”, Piquillo Peppers Warm Foam and Chimichurri Sauce
Colomé Torrontés Argentina Vino Blanco

James Moore
Executive Chef, Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden
Open Faced Shiitake ‘Bacon’ Sandwich, Candied Habanero Aioli, Golden Tomato Jam, Petite Mustard Greens
Bibi Graetz Casamatta Rosé, Tuscany

John Russ
Executive Chef, Lüke San Antonio
Jumbo Crab, Marinated Black Drum, Fried Garlic and Serrano Peppers, Green Olives, Fresh Herbs
Duchman Family Winery 2010 Vermentino

Lauren Canales
Pastry Chef, Westin La Cantera
Farm Fresh Strawberry Cake
Llano Estacado Viviano Superiore Rosso

Jessica Dowdy
Head Baker, BIRD Bakery
Elderflower “Little One” Cupcakes
Pierre Spar Crémant Rosé

Visit www.sanantoniowineauction.com for more information about the auction.

Visit www.jlsa.org for more information about the programs and projects of the Junior League of San Antonio.

The Joffrey Ballet will perform The Rite of Spring on March 8th at the Lila Cockrell Theatre.  To celebrate the Centennial of the production’s debut, ARTS San Antonio is hosting an array of events leading up to the performance.  With the help of Neiman Marcus, ARTS SA presented Joffrey Fashion and Passion Event highlighting the best fashion for ballet spectators along with the newest trends of 2013.

Vaslav Nijinsky’s choreography for the 1913 Paris premiere of The Rite of Spring sparked a riot that is said to have given birth to modern music and dance.  The symbiotic workings of the music, costumes and choreography create an intense space of artistic expression.  Similar consequences can be drawn from the artful expression of fashion.

This event united performance art with fashion, with an astonishing array of artistic capabilities.

First up on the runway was “Spring and Blue”!  An array of blue tones makes for a whimsical start to the show.

Next up was orange!  This citrus color is the new neutral.  Wear it with anything and don’t neglect the energy it transpires.

Then came the chic leisure looks.  Effortless style, meets comfort.

The PRINT is on!  It’s on the streets.  We saw prints in Fall fashion, and they are sticking around for Spring.  Find a pattern that sings to you and put it on!  (And don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit).

Lovely in Lace.  Romantic yet sexy, lace is in.

Couture Culture time.  This couture collection is sure to turn heads.  Wanna be a showstopper?  Adorn one of these…

If you’re feeling inspired to adorn wearable art or to enjoy a performance art adventure, this event will have inspired you.  How will you enhance your space of artistic expression?

For a full list of events , visit ARTS San Antonio.

VOGUISHLY YOURS,

MELISSA

Join us anytime during our 3 day event:
Thursday (2/7) anytime between 5p and 8p
Friday (2/8) anytime between 5p and 8p
Saturday (2/9) anytime between 1p and 7p

FYI – Saturday we will have DJ Phylo spinning some mad Italian beats!

• Bring your significant other, your best friend, your neighbor, your coworker, or just bring yourself!
• Plastic glasses are provided for the tasting but feel free to be fancy and bring your favorite wine glass from home :)
• Provided the weather is nice, we will have bistro tables out on our patio for y’all to relax on :)

And please invite all of your wine loving or wine curious friends! Send them the link to this post, post the event on your Facebook, email your crew, write it in the sky, brand it on a cow, or pass along the Facebook Event invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/405392392884902/ - Small businesses succeed because of your word of mouth so we thank you in advance for helping us out with that! :)

A presto!

Our shop is located on the corner of Wurzbach & Babcock in the business plaza behind McD’s.

Be sure to make it out because IT MIGHT BE OUR LAST one … well, only if the Mayans are correct and the world ends on 12/21/12. HAHAHAHA!

So with that in mind, our theme for this Saturday’s tasting is … THE END OF THE WORLD WINE & FOOD PAIRING!!!

Join us anytime from 1p – 7p at the wine shop (7271 Wurzbach, Ste #117 – 78240)!

See you there!

Join us at Vinously Speaking Wine Shop anytime during our 3 day “Israeli Kosher Wine Tasting Event” happening this Thursday thru Saturday (address and times listed below). You will receive a complimentary sampling of 8 delicious Israeli kosher wines and a plate of kosher friendly apps to nosh on!

Thursday (12/6): 5p – 7p
Friday(12/7): 5p – 7p
Saturday (12/8): 1p – 7p

Address: 7271 Wurzbach Ste #117 (78240) – Behind McDs on Wurzbach & Babcock

And remember, our small business relies on the motto “sharing is caring” so please feel free to invite all of your wine loving friends, share the link to this post on any and all social media outlets and if you are a Facebook-er than you can also share our Facebook Event invite on your timeline!

If you have any questions please leave a comment, email us at vinouslyspeaking@gmail.com, or call us at 210-793-4078. We look forward to seeing you at our event!