Food 'O File

Texas' potential as a grape-growing region was first discovered in 1662 when Spanish Franciscan monks observed the ease with which they could produce grapes for sacramental wines. Two centuries later, large quantities of insect-resistant grape cultivars developed in Texas by horticulturist T.V. Munson prevented the destruction of French vineyards during the phylloxera infestation of the 1880's. Though Prohibition effectively destroyed the American commercial wine industry, it has rebounded in the last 25 years. Texas now ranks fifth in the list of wine-producing states nationally, with 26 wineries and 150 commercial vineyards. October is Texas Wine Month and the calendar is packed with events to celebrate Lone Star vintages statewide. Here's a taste:

October 11 -- Second Annual Texas French Connection Wine Tasting, 5:30-9pm at the French Legation in Austin, hosted by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. 472-8180

October 11 & 12 -- Harvest Festival Conference & Expo sponsored by the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) at D-FW Harvey Hotel in Irving. 817/424-0570

October 12 -- Third Annual Grape Day Celebration at Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock, celebrating the 20th anniversary of wine making on the High Plains. 806/745-2258

October 12 -- Sixth Annual Celebration of Good Health at Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow, noon-5pm. Tours, tastings and healthy cooking classes from Green Gourmet Diana Welsch. Call 476-4477 for directions to the winery.

October 12 -- Uncorking Texas! Wine tasting and auction, 7-11pm at Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine. 817/481-5668

October 18 -- Award-winning Texas wines featured at Bon Fresh Food Market in Westlake.

October 19 & 20 -- Vintage Vino Weekend, 10am-7pm on the Agri-Top Stage at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. 817/424-0570

October 26 -- Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival held all day at the Marketplatz in downtown Fredericksburg. 210/997-8515

The original Z'Tejas Grill is back! After weeks of rebuilding to repair damage caused by the July 19 kitchen fire, the popular West End eatery is once again open for business at 1110 W. Sixth. In addition to installing a brand-new kitchen, owners took the opportunity to give the whole restaurant a face-lift. Among the improvements are high-tech cable lighting and a new bar. "It's amazing that the restaurant community came through with temporary jobs for our staff," says General Manager Matt Dodson with gratitude, adding that he's reopening with almost the entire old crew... There is some bad news and some good news from a long-time local confectioner. Master French patissier Alain Braux closed Amandine French Pastries & Desserts on W. 12th the first of October. However, fans of the popular Amandine French Sorbet need not fear because the frozen delight is still in production and available at the usual outlets... Imagine celebrating your 50th birthday by inviting 30 million elementary, middle, and secondary students and their families to come to lunch. That's just what the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) is doing on Wednesday, October 16. Held during the annual National School Lunch Week, Take Your Family to Lunch Day is designed to raise local awareness of the part that school lunch and nutrition programs play in the daily lives of children. Kids' ability to learn is directly related to nutrition, so be aware, be very aware. Check with your kid's school and be there.