COMPENDIUM TEXAS WINE
WELCOME TO TEXAS WINE COUNTRY!
One of my favorite jobs as Texas Agriculture Commissioner is to serve as a promoter of the Texas wine industry, here at home and across the globe. My wife Debra and I always enjoy a good Texas wine and we invite you to experience the beauty and diversity of the Lone Star wine regions. Whether you spend a day, come for a weekend or stay even longer, you’re in for a great time.
The Texas wine industry has grown a lot over the last decade and has generated billions of dollars for Texas’ economy. Wine aficionados and amateurs all over the world rave about our varietals and the distinct taste of Texas wines. Young farmers across the state are also finding their place growing the finest grapes, serving exceptional awardwinning wines and sharing their knowledge with those who are curious about the industry.
From cellars tucked away on country roads to wineries that dominate spacious vistas, there’s something for everyone. Wine is a true treasure in Texas. Debra and I support the Texas wine industry, and we encourage you to sample the best that Texas wine has to offer.
A BOOMING WINE
Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the nation.
A BRIEF TIMELINE OF
INDUStrY TEXAS WINE
Texas’ wine industry employs more than 100,000 workers. The wine industry brings $13.1 billion to the Texas economy.
Texas is home to more than 400 wineries.
1600s
Spanish
1843
1800s
European settlers to South and Central Texas start vineyards using grapevine cuttings brought over from their native missionaries.
1876
1883
missionaries begin cultivating grapes near present-day El Paso.
Thomas Munson is born in Astoria, Illinois.
Thomas Munson moves to Denison, Texas.
Frank Qualia founds Val Verde Winery at Del Rio. It is the oldest bonded winery currently in operation in Texas.
THE THING ABOUT WINE TOURISM
1888
The French government presents Thomas Munson with the French Legion of Honor Chevalier du Mérite Agricole award for his Texas-grown, phylloxeraresistant rootstock, which saved France’s wine industry.
1900
As the century turns, Texas has a thriving wine industry with 25 wineries in operation.
1909
Thomas Munson publishes Foundations of American Grape Culture. It becomes the handbook for U.S. grape growers.
1919
1933
Prohibition is repealed and the Texas wine industry begins again on a smaller scale.
Prohibition forces the closing of Texas wine operations.
FUN FACTS ABOUT TEXAS WINE
A case of wine holds 12 bottles.
The overwhelming majority of Texas wine is consumed by Texans.
The use of cork as a seal for wine bottles dates back to the late 17th century. However, the corkscrew is a wonder of the wine age and was developed in the mid-1800s.
Ever wonder how many grapes you have to squeeze to get a single bottle of wine? On average, about 800.
The oldest winery in Texas is Val Verde Winery in Del Rio. It first began operation in 1883.
If you’re planting a vineyard, use this formula: one acre of grapevines equals about 800 gallons of wine.
In France, they like their wine — and their statues. In fact, there are several statues in France honoring Thomas Munson, the brilliant Texas viticulturist who developed a phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Some credit Munson with single-handedly saving the European wine industry.
1970s
Bobby Smith starts a vineyard in Springtown and the Sand Land Grape Grower Association launches operations west of Lubbock. A new generation of Texas winemaking begins.
1986
Llano Estacado Winery wins a Double Gold award at the prestigious San Francisco Fair Wine Competition, putting Texas wine on the world stage.
1986
The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is launched, creating a highprofile showcase for Texas Wine.
If you like the taste, but are watching your waist, a 4 ounce glass of wine contains about 85 calories.
You don’t want to break a wine barrel. It’s quite a spill — each barrel holds 60 gallons of wine.
The roots of the Texas wine industry date back more than three centuries.
2004
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo launches its first International Wine Competition.
2001
The Texas Legislature creates the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program.
TEXAS WINE
Want to learn more about Texas wines? Visit uncorktexaswines.com.
This online, easy-to-use resource is a fast way to find what you’re looking for. Just point and click to do things like:
• Find a Texas winery near you.
• Find local wine events and festivals.
• View and download Texas wine menu pairings.
• Read about the awards Texas wines are winning.
Texas has 85 wineries in operation and an additional 19 in development. 2005
The Texas Legislature approves a bill allowing wineries to ship their wines anywhere in the state.
2009
Texas has 188 wineries and 315 grape growers.
2015
Texas has nearly 350 wineries that contribute to $13.1 billion to the Texas economy.
2017
2018
More than 400 wineries across Texas.
TDA launches uncorktexaswines.com webpage and Uncork New Possibilities Campaign.
TASTING WINE buying WINE
Wine tasting is a time-honored art anyone can enjoy. Enrich your satisfaction with these easy and entertaining steps.
SEEING THE WINE
Look at the wine in a glass. Pay attention to color: Is it red or maroon? Also, notice the wine’s clarity. Tilt the glass and swirl. Is it clear or cloudy? Any sediment or bits of floating cork? Remember, an older red is more translucent, a younger red is opaque.
SMELLING THE WINE
Smell the wine. Gently swirl the glass to release the bouquet. Bring the glass to your nose and deeply inhale. Notice the complex aromas. Is it floral? Fruity? Oaky? A pleasing bouquet is a wonderful indication of a good wine.
TASTING THE WINE
Take a small sip and roll it around on your tongue, then take a quick breath and mix the wine with air. Did the flavors open up? Reds often have an oak or berry flavor. Whites are more likely fruity or floral. Swallow. How does the wine finish? Does the flavor linger or pass quickly? Consider the texture: is it light-bodied or full-bodied?
Buying a Texas wine is as easy as following the Three
Quality Texas wines are available in every price range, so choose a bottle that is as pleasing to your pocketbook as it is to your palate.
PAIRING
The selection process might be easier if you’re looking for something to pair with dinner. The general rule is whites with poultry, fish and highly-flavored foods. Choose reds for beef, game dishes and heavier meals. For dessert, choose a wine that’s sweeter than the dish to be served. Port or Riesling wines are excellent choices for dessert.
PREFERENCE
Taste is a personal thing, and you’ll establish your own preferences as you become familiar with a variety of wines. However, for a party or dinner, there are guests’ preferences to consider. For experienced wine enthusiasts, a full-bodied Tempranillo or Tannat might be a wonderful selection. However, if your guests are new to wine, the safer choice is a good Mourvedre, Sangiovese or Sauvignon Blanc.
Remember, rules were made to be broken. The only important rule is that you choose a Texas wine to enjoy.
P’s.
WINE ETIQUETTE
DETERMINE THE PROPER TEMPERATURE
This is Texas. It gets hot here. Really hot. “Room temperature” will not do. Keep your sparkling wines, white wines and rosés around 50 degrees, and your red wines around 65 degrees.
TIME THE UNCORKING
Be a good neighbor. Let your red wines breathe and sit a spell before you serve; uncork them about an hour before drinking. Uncork whites just before serving.
DECANT THE WINE
There’s no hurry. You’re already in Texas. Pour your vintage red wines slowly into a decanter to separate the wine from its sediment and let it breathe some more. Red wine is like a good steak: the aroma is what makes it special.
POUR THE WINE
Pour sparkling wines down the side of the glass to protect the bubbles. Pour still wines right in the center of the glass. When it comes to filling the glass, the more is not merrier, optimize aromas and bouquet notes by filling halfway. This will allow for swirling and aeration.
USE THE RIGHT GLASS
The best wine in the world won’t taste right in a big iced tea tumbler or a tiny glass. Red wines go in big glasses with wide bowls. White wines go in skinny glasses with narrow bowls.
HOW TO ORDER WINE IN A FANCY RESTAURANT
Survey the table and see if the group wants individual glasses or a bottle. Then, set your price limit and don’t let the median price of the wine list coax you into straying. Finally, utilize your server or restaurant sommelier. It’s that simple.
HOLDING A WINE GLASS
Avoid holding the glass by the bowl. You’ll get your fingerprints all over it. Plus, you’ll warm up the wine.
DETERMINING WHETHER A WINE IS GOOD OR NOT
Do you like it? That’s all it takes. Fortunately, with the wide selection of quality Texas wines out there, you won’t have much of a problem.
An eye-catching graphic or trendy name might get your attention, but there’s more to a label than marketing. Wine labels contain information required by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Common elements of a wine label include:
WHAT’S ON A HOW TEXANS WINE LABEL MAKE WINE
1. The brand name or trademark of the winemaker. The name and location of the wine producer.
2. A vintage date indicating the year the grapes were harvested. If no vintage date appears, the wine is a blend of grapes from different years.
3. The varietal, which is the name of the type of grape listed composes at least 75 percent of wine.
4. The appellation (geographic region) where the grapes were grown. A Texas appellation denotes 85% sourced grapes and a single vineyard denotes 95% sourced grapes.
5. The percentage of alcohol in the wine. Bottles labeled as “Table Wine” contain no more than 14 percent alcohol.
6. The quantity of wine in the container.
The winemaking process includes a few simple steps and a lot of skill. Here are the basics:
HARVEST
Grapes are picked from the vineyard.
SORTING
The grapes are examined for quality and ripeness, and the best are chosen for wine production.
CRUSHER/DESTEMMER
A mechanized process of removing the stems and crushing the juice from the fruit.
FERMENTATION
A tank or open bin process where the concoction is allowed to ferment.
BLENDING
A formulaic process of mixing grapes and flavors to create a particular taste.
BARREL AGING
Wood barrels are commonly used to age wine for a period of months or years, which maximizes the flavor.
WINE GROWING REGIONS OF TEXAS
Eight designated Ameircan Viticultural Areas (AVAs) currently exist in Texas. Eighty-five percent of wine from a viticultural area must be made from grapes grown within the area’s boundaries. If the wine is a varietal, 75 percent of that wine must be made from the designated grape variety.
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS
This 12,000 square-mile area covers much of the central and western Texas Panhandle. It was approved in 1993.
TEXOMA
The Texoma viticultural area is in Northcentral Texas and includes Montague, Cooke, Grayson and Fannin counties. The area covers approximately 3,650 square miles on the south side of Lake Texoma and the Red River, along the TexasOklahoma state line.
MESILLA VALLEY
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS
TEXOMA
MESILLA VALLEY
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
ESCONDIDO VALLEY
TEXAS DAVIS MOUNTAINS
BELL MOUNTAIN
FREDERICKSBURG IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
Areas drawn according to the federal registersection that established the American Viticultural Areas.
This appellation is located at the far western tip of the Texas border north and west of El Paso.
THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
This is the second-largest viticultural area in the United States. Established in 1991, it covers 15,000 square miles and contains part or all of 22 counties.
ESCONDIDO VALLEY
Established in 1992, this Viticultural Area covers 50 square miles along Interstate 10 in Pecos County in far West Texas.
TEXAS DAVIS MOUNTAINS
Approved in late 1999, this appellation is southwest of the Escondido Valley viticultural area. It was the last U.S. appellation area to be recognized in the 20th century.
BELL MOUNTAIN
Established in 1986, this appellation was the first in Texas. It covers roughly five square miles on the south and southwestern slopes of Bell Mountain in northeast Gillespie County, about 15 miles north of Fredericksburg.
FREDERICKSBURG IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
Some 110 square miles make up this appellation established in 1988 near Fredericksburg, 80 miles west of Austin.
