A Glance at How the Texas Wine Scene Has Come of Age
Until recently, many folks were still unaware that Texas is the fifth-largest wine producer in the United States. Since the wine market is being flooded with some of the most delicious red and white wines from Texas, wine enthusiasts are starting to take notice.
You can buy a bottle of premium Texas wine for all possible occasions and events at reasonable prices in several areas of the state. Home to over four hundred wineries, Texas is bound to cater to the different tastes of wine lovers residing and visiting the Lone Star State.
The Wine Industry
To the surprise of some folks, the sunny and dry climate of Texas has proved to be an incredible boon to winemakers here. They now churn out an astonishing variety of white and red wines, making the region famous among other states in the US. While that is the current scene, wine is not a new thing in Texas. The oldest recording of winemaking in the state goes as far back as the mid-1600s when Spanish missionaries made it in El Paso.
The wine industry in Texas was worth more than 13 billion dollars in 2017 alone. Besides providing employment opportunities, the industry also generates millions of tourist visits to the state throughout the year.
Wineries and Wine Production
Over four hundred wineries and more than four thousand acres of vineyards contribute massively to the state’s economy each year. Manufacturers range from small producers who primarily focus on tourism for sales to large-scale winemakers who have established markets across the state. That being said, most Texas wineries make wine for Texans.
Fredericksburg, Texas High Plains, Texas Hill Country, and Mesilla Valley are among the most famous American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Of these, Hill Country holds the record for being the second most visited wine region. Harvest time in the state is typically around July end, two months earlier than California and three months before any of the wine regions in France.
When it comes to wine production, Texas state can produce millions of gallons of wine each year. However, the state produces more red wines than it does white. But that could quickly change as an increasing number of winemakers create more varieties. Popular Texas wines to try include Cinsault, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Sangiovese, among several others.
Best Time to Visit Texas for the Wine
More people have taken to wine these days over other beverages for health reasons as much as for recreation. That’s because studies prove that wine is potent with properties that could help improve one’s overall health. Regardless of your reason to prefer this delectable drink, the best time to fly down to Texas for the wine is in October – the Texas wine month.
During this month, wineries organize special tours and tasting sessions for visitors. Several of them also launch new wines this month to market to the broadest possible audience. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy food festivals, fairs, and scores of other fun events. So, you can purchase a bottle of your favorite premium Texas wine and take it along to enjoy as many of these events as you can at leisure.
At least four times a year, a wine passport program is offered by the Texas wine country. It allows you to sample wines at almost fifty different wineries in the area and receive attractive discounts on bottle purchases.
What’s Next on the Texas Wine Scene?
Winemakers in the state are already using top-quality grapes such as Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese, to name a few. Enterprising ones are now exploring grape cloning and hoping to emphasize lesser-known Portuguese wine varieties.
Inevitably, there has been a consistent growth in quality-focused wineries alongside a tourism spurt. With more small wineries hoping to introduce their products in restaurants rather than constricting them to tasting rooms, the wine scene in Texas is bound to grow further.