As the second largest state in the US, Texas has eight viticulture areas. American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) include Bell Mountain, Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country Viticultural Area, Texas Hill Country, Escondido Valley, Texas High Plains, Davis Mountain, Mesilla Valley and Texoma.
Texas Wines
Texas is quickly increasing its wineries. Discover numerous wines that Texas produces from its over 177 wineries. Texas is the fifth largest wine producing state in the country. As in other states, wines are produced from grapes grown in Texas and sourced outside of Texas. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas is in need of many more acres of vineyards in order to meet the needs of the current wineries. Visitors to Texas will discover some wonderful wine varietals including Blanc du Bois.
Vineyards in TX
Vineyards in Texas are faced with a host of problems depending on their particular geographical area. From Yepez Vinyard located close to the Gulf to the high arid areas along New Mexico’s border, nature is a force that must be dealt with. Yepez, a new petite winery, suffered a devastating loss to a hurricane. Other regions need to guard against late spring frosts and Pierce’s Disease. Despite the inherent difficulties in growing grapes in Texas, the Texas wine growers’ spirit is inspiring.
Blanc du Bois is a grape that grows well in Texas. The Black Spanish variety also does well and both varietal grapes are resistant to Pierce’s Disease, the bane of the Texas wine industry. Other red grape varietals growing in Texas include Cabernet Sauvignon, Lenoir, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. Texas white varietals include Blanc du Bois, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Orange Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier.
Texas Wine Trails
When planning a visit to Texas, consider a visit to a winery or perhaps visit wineries along a wine trail. Currently Texas has eight wine trails throughout the state. These include Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail, Grape Wine Trail, Munson Wine Trail, Fredericksburg Wine Road 290, Way Out Wineries, Callas Wine Trail and Texas Hill Country Wine Trail.
Deciding Which Texas Winery to Visit
With so many wineries to visit in Texas, it can be difficult to decide which wineries to visit. Texas offers a passport program. Pick up a passport and get it stamped at each winery. After visiting just four Texas wineries, participants are eligible for a reward.
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