Texas Libations for the Eclipse

A friend and I were talking the other day about appropriate drinks to have during the special day of the total eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024. The word libations came to mind and the most common definition for the word is “a drink poured out as an offering to a deity.” Although this often refers to a drink poured on the ground at a special place or onto a monument of significance, surely there is a better way to enjoy a libation—specifically drink it. Since the eclipse represents for most of us a once in a lifetime event, it seems that some good libations should be enjoyed on that Monday. Although there are literally hundreds of fine wineries in Texas from which to source wines, the suggestions below are focused mainly on locations with which I am most familiar, mostly located in the Texas Hill Country, where I will be watching the eclipse.

The thought of a great cup of coffee, or tea, first thing Monday morning sounds great. Enjoy this traditional beverage with whatever you prefer for breakfast or brunch. You may have visitors or be visiting friends and family, so sipping a hot beverage to start the day is a good way to share stories and build excitement for the heavenly event of the early afternoon.

As you begin preparations for the day, my recommendation would be a lighter wine, either white or rosé, depending on your personal taste. Softer, light-bodied whites like Brennan Vineyards Pinot Gris or Muscat of Alexandria, or Sandy Road Vineyards Riesling should be delightful as you prepare a picnic lunch and arrange your viewing post. A nice rosé, even a Pét-Nat, in either dry or semi-sweet style, would work here as well. Perhaps a snack of peach jam on toast, lemon cookies, or ginger snaps would be appropriate.

Once your viewing area is arranged and any viewing instruments are well positioned, it’s time for a picnic lunch. The eclipse will start as the moon approaches the sun and starts to show a visible dark crescent shape at the edge. This sounds like time to graduate to a bigger-bodied white wine like a McPherson Cellars Chenin Blanc, Lost Oak Winery Roussanne, or rich white Rhône blend (McPherson Cellars Les Copains Blanc), Ab Astris Winery Stello white Blend, or Sandy Road Vineyards White Blend (Marsanne-Roussanne). These wines will pair beautifully with all manner of salads, fried chicken, and sandwiches of grilled cheese or turkey and ham, Make the preparations simple so that you have plenty of time to visit with friends and family and rest before the main part of the eclipse.

As the eclipse edges towards the halfway point, it seems time to switch to red wines and my personal preferences would be Bar Z Winery Pinot Noir, an easy drinking Les Copains Rouge red Rhône blend (McPherson Cellars), or Sandy Road Sangiovese. A cheese board or charcuterie tray would go well at this point as everyone gets more excited to view the full eclipse that will occur around 1:30 in the afternoon. This will also be a good time to prepare for the highlight wines to be opened at full eclipse.

In the several minutes just before the full eclipse, as the sky grows darker and the air begins to feel cooler, it will be time to open the highlight wine, a big DARK red. For me that means a really nice Texas Bordeaux-style blend, like Lost Oak Winery Meritage (Bordeaux style blend), a bold Hilmy Cellars Montepulciano, a rich Merlot from Elisa Christopher Wines, or a Syrah from Serrano Wine. Have glasses ready and pour this wine for a toast at the full eclipse that will last just a few minutes. What a very special opportunity this will be for most of us, especially here in the Texas Hill Country. Make sure to listen as the birds and wildlife grow silent in reaction to this incredible event.

One additional wine recommendation would be a special eclipse bottling from one of our Texas wineries – Texas Wine Collective, Brennan Vineyards, and Blue Ostrich Winery to name a few. Farmhouse Vineyards is releasing at their eclipse party the 2017 Observer produced from fruit harvested during the last eclipse (August 2017). Many of these have special labels depicting the eclipse and would not only be fun to drink on this occasion but make wonderful gifts for your family or friends. Stash a few bottles in your cellar for future fun while remembering this momentous event.

Enjoy finishing that big, dark red as the eclipse ebbs, the sky becomes lighter, and the air begins to warm up, again. There will be a lot to discuss as more of the sun peeks out from the moon’s shadow. At this point maybe a glass of cool water would be appropriate to refresh the palate and help rehydrate before carrying on.

To finish off the actual eclipse, follow the lead as things get lighter and brighter by opening and sharing another fuller-bodied white wine, such as an oak-aged Becker Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay, a Viognier that has seen some barrel aging (Lost Oak Winery, Brennan Vineyards), or a Rhône-style blend of Marsanne-Roussanne from McPherson Cellars. My mouth is watering at this list of delicious whites.

It may now be time to think about supper, likely something that will require an outdoor grill. Some favorites to recommend are bacon-wrapped pork tenderloins, richly flavored BBQ ribs, well-seasoned steaks, or that Texas standard of smoked brisket (hopefully you will have started this earlier in the day—go low and slow). Of course, red wine will be called for and some suggestions include bolder reds like a lush GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) from Ron Yates, Petite Sirah from Hilmy Cellars, Petit Verdot from Lost Oak Winery, Mourvèdre from Serrano Wine, Parr Touriga Nacional from Adega Vinho, Tannat from Rivenburgh Wine, or Sagrantino from Messina Hof Winery. These and many more great options are being grown and produced in Texas.

Finally, as Monday night draws near, and like the eclipse, the festive gathering ebbs to a close, a final recommendation is sparkling wine. Open a bubbly and enjoy a toast to this amazing experience and the opportunity to share it with special people. Sparkling wine from Elisa Christopher Wines or sparkling Chenin Blanc from McPherson Cellars would be great options. I hope you have a great time on Monday viewing the eclipse in Texas and enjoying great fellowship, delicious food, and wonderful wines.

See the list of Texas wineries hosting total eclipse events.