One of the coolest things about the Texas wine region is that there is so much room for experimentation and innovation. It is such a young region, so there’s not really hard and fast rules for a Texas wine style, or even what grapes should be used. I hear from Texas producers that they are trying out new grapes all the time and seeing what produces the best quality wines.
That being said, Texas is definitely a warm climate, and the best regions are semi-arid. Because of the hot summers, one of the biggest challenges producers face is a short growing season. Harvest has been known to begin in the last week of July!
Because of this, producers and growers lean toward grapes that they know can thrive under these conditions. Although the current most planted grape is Cabernet Sauvignon, that’s probably more of a nod to consumer preferences than to what actually works best in Texas terroir. However, most quality-focused growers are looking for inspiration from the Rhône, Spain, and Portugal as the region is growing in quality.
In particular, look for Texas Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Tannat among red wines. Tempranillo is becoming the signature red grape of Texas, and I’ve had some fantastic Tempranillos. For whites, look for Rhône varieties: Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. Additionally, I’ve seen some excellent Albariño and Vermentino.
What Texas wine would you like to try?
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