Texas Wine

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One’s immediate associations of the state of Texas most often have to do with spurred boots, ten gallon hats, lassos, large portions of barbecue and conservative governors with creative interpretations of the English language. But Texas is also home to the country’s earliest wine industry, and is now the fifth-largest wine-producing state behind California, Oregon, Washington, and New York. We may not even be drinking decent wine from anywhere at all if it weren’t for a Texan. Want to learn more about Texas wine? Well, giddy up!

In the 17th century, as in California, Spanish Franciscan missionaries came to Texas and planted Mission grapes (Listán Negro) for sacramental wines, the first ones near El Paso. This continued to spread into the 18th century. Once European immigrants settled here, especially Italian ones, wines were produced for more pleasurable drinking purposes. Frank Qualia established Val Verde, the oldest continuously operational winery, in 1883 in Del Rio, in Southwest Texas. He started with Mission and also discovered the native Lenoir grape, diversifying his vineyard with various vinifera types such as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat Canelli as he progressed. His son, Louis Qualia, took over in 1936.

Pierce’s Disease is a bacterial infection that afflicts plants in the Gulf Coast, and a major obstacle for growing grape vines in Texas. Frank Qualia is credited with testing many different vines for their resistance to Pierce’s and rot, another frequent hindrance. His findings influenced many other viticultural enterprises throughout the state.

But one cannot properly discuss Texas wine history without mention of Thomas Volney Munson. Between 1880 and 1910, this man traveled thousands of miles to classify, breed, study, test, and promote hundreds of grape varieties. He received great acclaim for his comprehensive findings for the Exhibition of American Grapes at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, Illinois. He established breeding programs to find the most disease-resistant and climatically suitable cultivars for growth in Texas, known as the “Munson varieties,” and consulted elsewhere. In fact, he is the man who discovered that grafting American rootstock to European vinifera stopped Phylloxera, those pesky little varmints that destroyed the world’s vines in the late 1880s. To this day, many of the vines that exist in France and Europe are relatives of original Texas rootstock. He received the Legion of Honor for his brilliance. And when not saving the world from inferior grape juice, he found time to study ancient philosophy and spiritualism.

But not even T.V. Munson could stop the Temperance Movement and the Great Depression. Val Verde was the only winery in Texas to weather this storm, likely granted a license to produce wines for religious purposes to the devoted (and those who suddenly “found” some spiritual inclinations). It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the Texas wine industry recovered. Today, there are eight Texas AVA regions. Most of the vineyards are located in the North-Central, South-Eastern, and Trans-Pecos areas of the state. Any farther south and east is far too warm for quality viticulture, though that hasn’t stopped some stubborn producers to give it a shot anyway.

Texas High Plains, what many consider the highest quality region, and the second largest AVA, is located in the panhandle centered around Lubbock. Wineries outside the region are known to source grapes from here. This area benefits from a higher altitude and moisture-rich, sandy loam and limestone soil. Warm days, cool nights and low rainfall make this a very suitable area to fully ripen grapes without fear of rot. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal, but emerging grapes such as Tannat, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Mourvedre, Viognier and Dolcetto are becoming popular. Old standbys Zinfandel, Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli, and Chardonnay are also found here.

The Hill Country lives up to its name, with iconic scenes of green expanse, gentle hills, and canyons. It can get quite hot here, and wine-makers have resigned themselves to abandoning Bordeaux (or even Napa) dreams and embracing the circumstances. Instead of Cabernet, Merlot, etc., the best-suited grapes are those from the Rhone, Italy and Spain, such as Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Viognier. Many wineries dabble with fortified wines in the Port style since they’re so conducive to warm weather conditions. The AVA is split into two appellations, Bell Mountain and Fredericksburg, and two major cities, San Antonio and the capital city of Austin are located within it. Most of the wine has not gained attention outside the local area, but perhaps that will change soon.

The wines from other AVAs are even more rare outside of Texas:

*Escondido Valley

*Mesilla Valley

*Davis Mountains

*Texoma, the location where Munson did most of his Phylloxera research ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Popular wines made in Texas under $20

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Varietals Produced in Texas View all

Pinot Noir

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

Subregions of Texas

Popular Wineries in Texas View all

Luz de Estrella Winery

"Located 3 miles East of Marfa, Texas on US Highway 67/90 (see map below), the vineyard and winer...
Duchman Family Winery

The Duchman Family Winery is a small, family-owned winery located in the beautiful Texas Hill Cou...
Piney Woods Country Wines

Traveling East, take Exit 876, turn back west at the bayou and take the first right to the Winery...
Fall Creek Vineyards

Fall Creek Vineyards was established in 1975 by Texas businessman/rancher, Ed Auler and his wife,...
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards

From a fledgling winery in 1998, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards now produces 8,000 cases a year, with ...
Messina Hof Wine Cellars

Messina Hof Winery & Resort, a Texas vineyard established in 1977 by Paul and Merrill Bonarrig...

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January 2013

HELLO WINE LOVERS!ON A RECENT TRIP THROUGH TEXAS, MY HUSBAND & I STOPPED AT A JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE FOR DINNER. EVEN THOUGH I VERY SELDOM DRINK ALCOHOL, I DECIDED TO HAVE A GLASS OF JAPANESE PLUM WINE. IT WAS AMAZING!NEITHER ONE OF US CAN REMEMBER THE NAME OR EVEN THE CITY THAT THE RESTAURANT WAS IN. IF SO, I WOULD BE ABLE TO CALL THEM.HELLO WINE... Read More

Forum post in the topic Marianne
January 2013

Becker Vineyards Merlot 2010

Snoothrank:

Olive juice on the nose, tart, & a quick finish. From "tart to finish". Read More

Wine review by 1172944Carlo182 1172944
January 2013

Gouguenheim Cab 2009

Snoothrank:

Deep ruby color with hints of purple; a nose full of black plums, red and black cherries, spices and a hint of vanilla scented oak; a range of layered flavors including chocolate and spice, leading into a long finish. It is a well-balanced wine, with fine tannins.Alcohol: 13.60%. Residual Sugar: 3.13 g/l. Total Acidity: 5.35 g/l.www.lavieenvin.c... Read More

Wine review by La Vie en Vin
January 2013

Vina Mein Ribeira Blanco 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Barberolo
December 2012

Slowly picking out my favorites & enjoying food pairings @ wonderful restaurants in Austin & Dallas! Looking forward to social events nearby ! Read More

Forum post in the topic Hello North Texas! by 1172944Carlo182 1172944
December 2012

Becker Vineyards Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Snoothrank:

On the nose, this wine has nice warm spices. The mouth reveals blackberry, dark ... long. One of the best wines Texas has to offe Read More

Wine review by Craig Bilodeau
December 2012

Llano Estacado Sweet Red NV

Snoothrank:

I like German white wines so for me I really enjoyed Llano Sweet Red. My wife on the other hand likes a dry red, with that oakey after tastes, she was happy that I liked it. Read More

Wine review by alanb1108
December 2012

Inwood Estates Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Snoothrank:

Actually this is the 2009. Fruit forward - berries primarilyStrong tannins. Distinctive Cabernet flavor. Somewhat artificially distinct from Tempranillo. Not particularly complex character. A bit flat. Some acidity. 14.3% alcohol. Drank with duck breast, puréed cauliflower. Read More

Wine review by jeffreympatrick
December 2012

Becker Vineyards Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Snoothrank:

Great for a Texas Cab! Read More

Wine review by rfogle
November 2012

Il Conte d'Alba White Blend Stella Rosa 1917

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Nice and sweet. Soft on the tongue so anyone would enjoy the juicy red berry flavor. Read More

Wine review by navalent

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Texas wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Becker Vineyards
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	Zinfandel
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Texas Hills Vineyard
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	Roussanne
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Becker Vineyards (Fredricksburg, Tx)
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	Pinot Noir
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Texas Hills Vineyard
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	tempranillo
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Pedernales Cellars
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon , tempranillo
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Fredricksburg Winery
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	Petit Verdot
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Duchman Family Winery
Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Varietal:	Pinot Grigio
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Wilson Vineyards
Region:	USA » Texas » Wilson County
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Don Sebastiani & Sons
Region:	USA » Texas » Wilson County
Type:	Table Wines

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Region:	USA » Texas » Gillespie County » Texas Hill Country
Type:	Table Wines

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Region:	USA » Texas
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Region:	USA » Texas » Blanco County

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Region:	USA » Texas
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Region:	USA » Texas » Blanco County
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Texas Wine

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Page 2 of 77 Texas on Snooth

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