With the change of the calendar to September, it seems that the weather here in Houston is finally thinking about cooling off a bit. It also means that it is past time to take a glance at the calendar and share a few dates with you.

First, at the end of the month, I will be back in Philadelphia for a few days. It will be the first time since we moved to Texas back in 2016 that I will be in the city that I generally refer to as “home” and even there I am going there for a funeral, I am really looking forward to visiting the city.

The View from the roof deck of our old house.

Almost immediately following my return from Philly, I will be heading off to the Dordogne Valley in Southwest France with my bike in tow for a week’s worth of riding, dining, and, of course, wining in a French wine region that I have only visited a couple of times.

The last time I was in the Dordogne, I finished with a trip to Rocamadour.

Once back in Houston, it will only be another couple of weeks until the Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir, one of the three big tastings that I put on every year for other members of the Houston wine trade. The tasting is scheduled for November 5th, so if you are interested in submitting wines or even attending, drop me an email (jeff (at) the drunken cyclist (dot) com).

The full line-up of Pinot Noir from a few years ago.

In the middle of the month, I will head down to NRG Stadium for to judge wines for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Wine Competition. It will be my fifth(?) year judging the competition, which is one of the largest in the country.

66 wines in about an hour, spitting out every one (except the Chardonnay—after the judging was over, I drank the rest of that sucker, it was delicious).

Last, at least for now, in early December (the 11th), will be the Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine. As with the Pinot tasting the month before, this is open to other members of the wine community here in Houston, and it tends to be a pretty jovial time.

Last year’s full lineup. Lotsa bubbles.

That’s all I have for now, please let me know if you want to attend one of the tastings (limited spaces) or want to meet up in Philly (or France, for that matter).