Inaugural Cypress wine festival a success

Upon arrival, guests received a custom wine glass, baguette and fabric tote bag from H-E-B. Various vendors were set up under tents around the courtyard of Cypress Village Station, a mixed-use development off Hwy. 290 and Skinner Road, which was perfect for the upscale event.

Although there were lines to try all the wines, they moved quickly and we didn't have to wait more than three or four minutes to get refills. The samples were generous for a tasting event as most vendors filled up the glasses almost halfway.

A ticket to the event, which cost $25, gave visitors unlimited access to samples of wine, beer and food. There were about 100 different wines to choose from, a beer garden that featured several Texas breweries and several local restaurants with food samples.

While fans of wine could certainly find almost any type at the event, most of the vendors could recommend a good sample for those not as knowledgeable. One of the best wine samples we tried was the sangria made by Llano Estacado Wine, which is based in Lubbock. The drink was fruity and flavored with orange, lemon and lime, but not too overwhelming.

As for the food, cuisine from countries all over the globe was represented at the event. Texas Roadhouse was giving away rolls that tasted like they just came out of the oven and barbecue that was sweet and tangy. Locally owned restaurant Merche, which cooks up Spanish-Italian cuisine, brought bacon-covered dates. Normally these are two items that you wouldn't expect to mesh, but the salty meat complimented the sweet fruit. The Backyard Grill—which hosted a burger-eating contest—cooked up sausage and fried shrimp for visitors who were not daring enough to try the burger.

H-E-B had one of the largest selections of food, which included tortellini, bread with a garlic-butter sauce, meatballs and tomato slices. Since there were limited seating areas, it got difficult at times to manage a wine glass and food samples while moving from tent to tent, but needless to say, we didn't leave hungry or thirsty.

Wine Fair Cy-Fair may have only been for one night, but a similar event will take place during the first week of June in The Woodlands. Food and Vine Time Productions will also host the annual Wine and Food Week, which features events such as Wine Walk at Market Street, Around the World in 80 Sips and Sips, Suds and Sliders.