Top 10 Texas Wines Those who follow this list annually will notice a few return players, and that indicates that these are not only superb wines, but consistently superb. Bending Branch is the only winery new to the list. The major grapes you should look for in the Texas wine section are grapes originally from France's Rhône valley, Italy's Tuscany, and Spain's northern half – specifically, whites like Albariño, Viognier, Roussanne, Gre­nache Blanc, Marsanne, and Vermentino; or reds like Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, San­giovese, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Tem­pra­nillo. These are in alphabetical order: 2) DUCHMAN FAMILY VERMENTINO 3) MCPHERSON LES COPAINS 4) PEDERNALES CELLARS VIOGNIER RESERVE 5) SPICEWOOD VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 1) BECKER VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE – CANADA VINEYARD 2) BENDING BRANCH TEXAS TANNAT 3) BRUSHY CREEK VINEYARDS TEMPRANILLO 4) FALL CREEK SALT LICK VINEYARDS TEMPRANILLO 5) PEDERNALES CELLARS TEXAS HIGH PLAINS TEMPRANILLO

Jay Trachtenberg's Top Reads of 2015 A Brief History of Seven Killings Jay Trachtenberg, Jan. 1, 2016 Joe O'Connell's Top Reads of 2015 Paradise SkyThe Best I Recall Joe O'Connell, Jan. 1, 2016 Virginia B. Wood, Aug. 28, 2015 Virginia B. Wood, Aug. 14, 2015 Bending Branch Makes White Wines, Too Pedernales Cellars Offers Another Delicious Tempranillo Top 10, Austin food news, Texas wine, Brennan Viognier, Duchman Family Vermentino, McPherson Les Copains, Pedernales Cellars Reserve Viognier, Spicewood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Becker Vineyards Canada Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Bending Branch Texas Tannat, Brushy Creek Vineyards Tempranillo, Fall Creek Salt Lick Tempranillo, Pedernales Cellars Texas High Plains Tempranillo Texas grape growers and wine makers choose to work with European as well as non-viniferous, or non-European grapevines and fruit. These grapes are more resistant to specific challenges presented by growing conditions in Texas.

Texas is the site of the first vineyard established in North America by Franciscan priests close to 1659. As European settlers followed the development of mission outposts, they brought more grapevine cuttings, further developing the industry through the 1800s.beer n wine store near me Today Texas boasts approximately 4,500 acres of producing vineyard farmland. blue valentine flowersThe U.S. Department of Treasury through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau officially designates American Viticulture (Grape Growing) Areas, or AVAs.top wine bars dc Texas has eight AVAs although many vineyards exist outside the specified AVAs. best wine tasting tours

For a wine to mention an AVA on the label, 75% of the volume of wine must come from grapes grown in that designated region.buy chocolate shop wine Texas grape growers have learned what varieties do well in Texas climate and soil. best wine made in 2007Texans are proud to share their award-winning Texas wines made with Texas grapes. Featured Texas Wine Varieties Blanc du BoisAn American hybrid with Italian Muscat in its heritage. Primarily grown in Southeast Texas, this grape produces wine with high marketability. It is popular among grape growers for it’s resistance to Pearce’s Disease – a fatal bacterial disease that can affect an entire vineyard. Blanc du Bois is typically used to make white table wine. Pictures compliments of Grohmann Farms Vineyard, Weimar, TXCabernet FrancThis classic French variety has does best on the South Plains or in extreme North Texas.

Often it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.Cabernet SauvignonThe king of red wine grapes does well over much of Texas, but especially well above 3,000 feet in elevation. Excellent wines made from this grape have been made by many Texas wineries and enjoyed by many consumers of Texas wines. Picture compliments of Williams Ranch Vineyard and Kirk Williams in San Antonio, TX.This grape is challenging to grow for much of Texas because it buds out early in the season, which makes the grapes subject to late spring freezes. Widespread recognition among consumers places this wine on most winery lists. It is susceptible to Pierce’s Disease. Wine from chardonnay grapes is typically aged for 12-13 months.Chenin BlancMakes white wine. The grape does well in most parts of the state. Typically dryer than chardonnay, it is less known by consumers and thus more difficult to find on winery lists. It is most often used for blending. Tight clusters make the grape prone to bunch/sour rot. It is also susceptible to Pierce’s Disease.CynthianaThis grape is used in making dry wine.

This varietal closely resembles Norton, but many will say Cynthiana should be considered a separate varietal. Genetic studies show the two varietals are almost indistinguishable. Maybe Cynthiana is a mutation of the original Norton.GewurztraminerThis spicy, aromatic grape variety has proven to grow successfully on the South Plains of Texas.LenoirAlso known as Lenoir or Jacquez. Used in southern France in the mid-1700s, this grape is of American heritage. It is resistant to Pearce’s Disease, and therefore has been grown primarily in southeast and central Texas. Has been used to make Texas Port for many years, and recently has been successfully used to make red table wine. Picture compliments of Grohmann Farms Vineyard, Weimar, TXMalvasia BiancaThis Italian grape variety is very similar in taste to Muscat blanc. It can be used in the same way as Muscat blanc.MerlotThis classic French grape makes a soft, full-bodied, red wine similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but is easier to drink. This variety does well over the western 1/2 of Texas, but does extremely well above 3,000 feet in elevation.

Muscat BlancThis floral grape variety is a favorite of most winery tasting rooms and makes an excellent white, cocktail wine or a wine that goes with chocolate desserts. This variety does best in the western 1/2 of Texas, but can be found growing in other parts of Texas. Also known as Muscat Canelli.Muscat CanelliThis floral grape variety is a favorite of most winery tasting rooms and makes an excellent white, cocktail wine or a wine that goes with chocolate desserts. Also known as Muscat Blanc.Orange MuscatThis citrus tasting variety is proving to be a very good grape for the South Plains of Texas. It may do well in other areas too. Most often these grapes are used in making dessert wines.Petite VerdotThis classic French variety is relatively new to Texas and is used almost exclusively for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon.Pinot BlancThis rather neutral variety does well in North Texas and can be used as a neutral white table wine or as the base for a very nice sparkling wine.Pinot GrigioAn Italian grape variety that seems to be adaptable to the hot Texas climate.

It makes a simple, clean, dry white wine. While there is only a small amount currently planted it should increase in acreage over time.RieslingA German grape variety that is adapted to the colder regions of Texas. Wines from this grape, while sold as varietals, are often blended with a red wine to make blush wines.Ruby CabernetThis grape variety was developed by the University of California to be a hot weather Cabernet Sauvignon. It has extremely good color and seems to be best used when blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or with a white wine to make a blush.SangioveseThis Italian grape variety is has great potential to do extremely well in the hot Texas climate.Sauvignon BlancMakes white wine. Sauvignon Blanc does well in the western half of Texas. It can make a wonderful wine, but there is not a large market for this variety. Similar to Chenin Blanc, it is dryer than chardonnay, making it more difficult to find on winery lists. Tight clusters make the grape prone to bunch rot. It is also susceptible to Pierce’s Disease.ShirazThis French grape made “famous” by Australia may be the best red grape variety for many areas of Texas.

It color and taste are extremely good under a wide diversity of growing conditions. It is somewhat cold sensitive, especially when it is young. Also known as 'Syrah'.SyrahThis French grape made “famous” by Australia may be the best red grape variety for many areas of Texas. Also known as 'Shiraz'.TannatThis is a very tannic, earthy and robust wine. It produces a deep-red colored, full bodied, complex wine with a wildberry flavor and a high alcohol content. The wine pairs well with red meats and game dishes such as garlic-roasted duck, roast beef with autum vegetables, and grilled steak. Picture compliments of Jennifer Beckmann, Bending Branch Winery, Comfort, TX.TempranilloThis Spanish grape is very new to Texas and is already showing great potential, especially in North Texas. The future for this variety in Texas appears to be bright.ViognierReasonably difficult grape to grow, as it is somewhat more prone to disease than other varietals and can be unpredictable in its yield. It is, however, reasonably drought resistant.