• Beard award nominations: The James Beard awards, the food world's equivalent of the Oscars, has announced its 2008 nominations. What is most noticeable are the categories that didn't include any Dallas-area restaurants, especially outstanding wine service. Many people here think this is one of the best restaurant cities in the country, but this does not seem to be the view elsewhere. Personally, I'm not surprised about the wine snub. Save for a couple of places like Pappas Bros. and Cafe on the Green, this is a lousy wine restaurant town. Prices are way too high and wine lists are predictable and unimaginative. They're also sadly lacking in Texas wine, which is unacceptable in a town that prides itself on regional cuisine.
• A $3 wine winner: Oak Leaf Vineyards, run by the negociant firm The Wine Group, has won a bunch of medals, including a gold for its chardonnay, at several recent wine competitions. It's available only at Wal-Marts that sell wine for $1.97 in California and $2.97 elsewhere. I have not tasted this brand, but will do so and report back. The Wine Group is best known for buying the Big House labels from Randall Grahm a couple of years ago.
• Italian wine class: Alfonso Cevola, who is extremely tolerant of the Wine Curmudgeon's personality, knows more about Italian wine than almost anyone. So it's a big deal that he is going to hold a three-part Italian wine class in Dallas, starting at the end of this month. It will cover northern Italy, central Italy, and the South and the islands. The sessions are a warm-up for more in-depth classes later this year for Intermediate and advanced Italian wine lovers. You can register on line or contact Michelle Anderson (214-794-0978) for information.
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