Tag Archives: Wine
Texas Hill Country and Wine
When one thinks of wine, maybe their first thoughts are of Northern California, the Napa Valley region, or parts of Italy and France – but few realize how many wineries are in Texas.
In Central Texas, there are close to 3,200 acres of vineyards. Grapes produced here are numerous and include: Blanc du Bois, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Lenoir, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscadine, Muscat Canelli, Mustang, Noble, Norton, Orange Muscat, Palomino, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Riesling, Roussanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque, Scuppernong, Semillon, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Viognier, Zinfandel.
The highest numbers of plantings in the state are for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes followed by Chenin blanc and Sauvignon blanc.
Believe it or not, Texas has a long history of wine production. Portions of the state have the perfect climate – that of being sunny and dry, which many compare to regions in Portugal.
The first wines in Texas were thought to be produced by Spanish missionaries in the 1650s. These Franciscan priests initially planted vines in West Texas near El Paso. The wine was used for sacramental purposes.
With Prohibition, much of the Texas wine industry was ruined. Families and companies stopped growing grapes and making commercial wine. Even today, 254 Texas counties have dry laws.
Despite setbacks, Texas became fruitful again. Today, the state is divided into three main wine growing regions due to the areas vast diversity in microclimates. There is the North-Central Region, the Eastern Region, and the South-Eastern Region. The North-Central region includes the northern third of the state from New Mexico across the Texas Panhandle toward Dallas. The South-Eastern Region includes the area around Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Last is the Trans-Pecos Region.
Grape harvesting in Texas usually occurs toward the end of July, which is two months earlier than in California and about three months earlier than France.
With all of these grapes there are of course the wineries. In Texas there are a reported 160 wineries. The largest winery is operated by the University of Texas with 1,000 acres, which was established in 1987. The second largest winery is the Llano Estacado Winery.
There are many ways to tour Texas Wine Country. There are tour companies which include luxury mini-buses to limo service. You can also take your own car and enjoy the beautiful drive.
If you want to sample the wine without visiting the winery, there are numerous restaurants in Texas who pride themselves on selling wine produced in Texas.
As for those in the Texas Hill country, there are many wineries to be visited along with beautiful tasting rooms. Some of the more popular include Becker Vineyards, located between Fredericksburg and Stonewall and Grape Creek Vineyard. Additional vineyards include: Alamosa Wine Cellars, Bending Branch, Chisholm Trail, Comfort Cellars Winery, Driftwood Estate, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery, Fall Creek Vineyards, Flat Creek Estate, Fredericksburg Winery McReynolds Winery, Pedernales Cellars, Perissos Vineyards, Pillar Bluff Vineyards, Rancho Ponte Vineyard, Singing Water Vineyards, Sister Creek Vineyards, Solaro Estate, Spicewood, Stone House Vineyard, Texas Hills Vineyard, Texas Legato Winery, Torre di Pietra, William Chris Vineyards, Woodrose
As you can see there are a number of wineries and vineyards to visit just in the Central Texas region. When visiting, take your time, enjoy the drive and the grounds and most importantly, enjoy the wide variety of tastes you will experience.
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Do Wine Aerators Work?
Pour-through wine aerators are a relatively new addition to the wine accessory world, and the reviews are unanimous: they work.
They are especially useful for the average wine drinker who buys wine off the shelf, for consumption within a few weeks or months.
Most retail wine sellers don’t stock ripe vintages, opting instead for more affordable reds and whites from the previous 5-10 years. These wines are wonderful, high-quality options if you follow the cardinal rule of wine: Let it breathe.
Have you noticed that the last glass poured from a bottle tastes better than the first? That’s not the alcohol confusing your tastebuds, it’s the oxygen improving the wine over time. Amazing wines can be ruined by drinking them too soon out of the bottle, your $ 15-$ 20 bottle needs a little TLC to live up to its price.
New reds especially need air to ripen and allow the flavours to meld. As oxygen flows through the wine, the harshest elements are burned off, leaving a smoother, well-rounded taste.
Young whites also benefit from air, as they can come out of the bottle tart or overly tangy.
There are two preferred ways to allow your wine to breathe – decant or aerate.
Decanting –
Decanting was originally introduced to allow wine sediment to settle to the bottom of a vessel, and is largely used for deep, complex reds. Today, sediment is hardly an issue with wines, normally you can see through the bottle if decanting is necessary. The average rich red wine needs a minimum of an hour to breathe in a wide vessel. Many wine lovers don’t have this kind of time, especially when entertaining and serving several bottles over the course of a dinner or party.
Aerating –
For wine drinkers who like to enjoy single glasses, or a number of different wines in an evening, a wine aerator is the must-have gadget to ensure maximum enjoyment. Available in single glass or bottle sizes, (some wine aerators are versatile enough to do both) aerators sit between the glass or vessel, separating wine as it’s poured from the bottle into streams to allow maximum airflow in seconds, not hours.
Great for Parties
As well as being practical, wine aerators are fun to show off to guests. The next time you throw a party, make a point of pouring a glass through an aerator, and let your guests try both the oxygenated wine and the wine straight from the bottle. Most average drinkers can’t believe the difference in taste. You’ll be the host of the season, and establish yourself as a true aficionado.
A Wine Consumer Powder Keg
Last year I ran across a website that stirred my interest in wine consumer issues and I wrote an article about it (see my article at: http://winecoolerblog.com/category/wine-issues). The website (freethegrapes.com) presented specific information with regards to shipping wine between the various states. I found out that several states actually made it a criminal offense to do this type of shipping of wine. Believe it or not, some states even classified this crime as a felony. Because it has been some time since I came across this issue, I decided to reacquaint myself with it in order to share the facts with you.
What I found is the issue has progressed to a critical situation called the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act of 2010 (commonly called House Bill #5034). Hearings on this bill were recently held in late September of this year. This bill amends the Webb-Kenyon Act by emphasizing Congressional Policy that each state or territory shall continue to have the primary authority to regulate alcoholic beverages and decreasing the ability for legal actions challenging the authority of states to regulate alcoholic beverages. This amendment negates the Federal authority to regulate interstate commerce in this particular case.
House Bill #5034 further amends the Wilson Act to eliminate the state requirement to regulate the importation of all alcohol based liquors or liquids to the same extent and in the same manner as such alcohol based products produced in such state or territory. In my words, this means that each state can and probably will discriminate against these products that are produced outside that respective state. Once again, I believe the Federal government’s role in interstate commerce is being set aside by H.R. 5034.
Why do you suppose, with all the critical legislation that congress should be working on, that they are undertaking an issue like this? The answer is lobbyists for the Beverage Distribution and Wholesale Industry are putting pressure on them to do so. The traditional American business model starts with a producer that leads to a wholesaler that leads to the consumer. The wholesalers in this equation are naturally fighting your ability to purchase and ship directly from the wine producer of your choice, strictly a matter of money. Wholesalers do not want anyone messing with their “money tree” that has been in place so long.
During my review of this issue, I did find information from Congressman Mike Thompson (California), a person who testified against this discriminatory House Bill (review his testimony at: http://mikethompson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=209346. His remarks will make you think about the evolution of regulation of alcoholic beverages since the era of Prohibition in the United States. Beer lovers if you think this is only a wine issue then you had better think again. If you have a favorite brewery outside of your resident state, you may not be able to get that favorite shipped to your home.
The Commerce Act was established by Congress and litigated many times since Prohibition. All of this Post-Prohibition activity led to our current regulations that have proven to be some of the best in the World. It is time for consumers of alcoholic beverages to get involved. Visit the freethegrapes.org website. They have made getting a response to your Congressperson simple with an easy to fill our form letter that can be easily e-mailed to the right people. In my opinion, if we don’t rally around getting House Bill 5034 thrown out, we will be stepping back in time with regard to your consumer and constitutional rights.
See Wine and Beverage Storage Solutions: http://idealwinecoolers.com/
See Wine and Beverage Information and Facts: http://winecoolerblog.com/
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Australias Margaret River Wine Region
Looking for a vacation destination that is off the beaten bath? Perhaps you hunger for something unique. Well, add Western Australia to your bucket list. According to Lonely Planet this is one of the top 10 regions to visit for 2010. The Margaret River Wine Region is largely the product of a very successful experiment that began in the late 1960s. It was at this time that the first significant planting of vines occurred. Chosen for it’s perfect Mediterranean climate The Margaret River Wine Region now produces 20 percent of today’s premium wine market. With more than 200 grape growers in the region it is a wine lover’s paradise.
However don’t let the name fool you. Located off the coast of the Indian Ocean Margaret River is known for a lot more than just wine. Locals and regulars are well aware of the beautiful beaches for all sorts of water sports and diversions that include surfing, snorkeling and whale watching. Besides this there are many ways to enjoy nature such as limestone caves, nature trails, wildflowers, horse riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, bush walking, you can even get up close and personal with the kangaroos.
If you just want to relax and well, eat. You’ve picked the right place. There are award winning restaurants and cafes all over the region. Chef’s from around the world make use of plentiful local produce, seafood, olive oil, cheeses, venison, beef and vegetables. Not to mention handmade chocolates. Whether it’s a picnic among the wildflowers or a first class eating experience paired with your favorite wine. You will not be disappointed.
Wondering when to make your getaway? Most activities are open year round however do your homework if you have specific adventures in mind. For example, whale watching can be done from June to September. Flinder’s Bay in Augusta is the first stop for many whales that make the long trip from Antarctica to the Margaret River Region. From September to December Geographe Bay is the perfect place to spot endangered Blue Whales. Though wildflowers and orchids are on display all year round, guided wildflower tours are only available September 11th – November 12th.
If you’ve been dying to try some of the most high quality surf anywhere in the world then experience the biggest swells in winter and spring. Also, party goers shouldn’t miss the Annual Margaret River Wine Region Festival March 17th – 21st. Here you can find your favorite diversions all in one place, wine, food, music and art. So, while the region welcomes tourists all year long be sure to investigate times and seasons for your favorite hobbies and sports.
It is rare to find so much variety in one place. Come alone or bring the family there is literally something for everyone in the Margaret River Wine Region. Write it on your bucket list and book your vacation today.
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The Margaret River Wine Region Western Australia
At the southern most tip of the grand continent and country of Australia is the gorgeous Margaret River Wine Region. The lush region is home to over 60 sprawling wineries, hundreds of delicious restaurants, and entertainment for the whole family. Margaret River Wine Region is predominately boutique wineries producing only one percent of the countries wine, however the region produces over 15 percent of Australia’s premium wine. Wineries use anywhere from 2.5 tons of grapes to 7000 tons of grapes. The boutique wineries are able to control the quality of their wine better than the larger commercial wineries found in other part of Australia. Many of the wineries offer free or reasonable pricing on their delectable wine tastings. The vineyards are the main attraction in this historical surfing area but they are not the only side to this beautiful region.
Among the luxurious and delightful wineries are the great restaurants for all appetites. Cuisines range from fresh fish caught right off shore to the italian and even native Australian food. Restaurants are mostly casual but there are plenty of fancier establishment for a romantic evening overlooking the green wine region or the powerful ocean. Local restaurants serve wine from around to region, giving guest another opportunity to try a new type or winery while at dinner as well. After a warm meal, gaze at the beauty of the region around you with a glass of rich desert wine or liquor from the Margaret River Wine Region.
Yes, that is right throughout Margaret River are distilleries of all types of alcohol. Most are smaller brands, that rarely leave the country for as an export but they all offering tasting and many have tours for the interested guests. Unlike the wineries the distilleries are fully operational throughout the year, therefore tours and purchasing can be done at any time. Scattered around the distilleries and wineries are unique specialty producers including sweet chocolate houses, fudge, and ice cream factories. As with the distilleries they offer an insiders view on the making of their sweets from start to finish.
For the more adventurous tourist, Margaret Wine Region boasts majestic hills and cliffs for hiking, rock climbing, and extreme bike riding. It is suggested visitors consult or hire a guide to travel on the beaten trails due to changing landscape and wildlife found in the area. Heading down to the shore, massive waves pound the shore year around creating a surfers paradise. Locals are usually surfing the waves and visitors are welcomed to join in on the fun or bask in the sun on the gorgeous beaches which line the coast.
The Margaret Wine Region is only a short jog from the city of perth, folks can travel by bus, train, plain, or personal vehicle to the gorgeous region. Traveling through the region there are hotels, bed and breakfasts, and select wineries have accommodations for guests. When visiting Australia, the wineries, distilleries, sweet factories, and fining dining found in the Margaret Wine Region are a must.