TDWine

Off to the Hill Country

My wife Andrea and I are off to the Texas Hill Country this weekend to check out the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. Born and raised in Texas, I admit I’ve only tasted a few Texas wines over the years. Honestly most have not been that great.

Over the past few years I’ve heard a little buzz that some Texas producers are getting better at their game though I haven’t paid much attention. A few years back Wine Spectator did a feature issue on the Texas wine industry. I recall a quote that recommended investment equating the maturity of the Texas wine industry now to that of California in the 70′s. Not that Texas can rival the best growing regions in CA, but imagine investing in large plots of the Russian River Valley in the early 70′s.

Back in August during my Inrto level Sommelier course, Master Sommelier and fellow Texan Guy Stout mentioned that Texas was in need of 10,000 additional acres of vineyards to keep up with current demand. Definitely sounds like an investment opportunity. He took the plunge a few years ago and has 3 acres of Syrah in Blanco. I understand this year’s harvest was crushed at the Mandola winery in Dripping Springs.

Regarding quality, with all the producers in Texas I’d find it hard to believe that no diamonds in the ruff exist. I also have to give Texas a break when comparing them to regions around the world. Think about all the plonk that exists from table wines in Italy and France to the jug wines of California. Yes, the great regions have great wines, but they’ve had a head start so Texas just needs to catch up. With modern viticulture and winemaking techniques, today’s innovations will help close the gap.

So with an open mind and an open palate we’re heading to the beautiful Texas Hill Country in search of limestone diamonds. I’ll let you know what we find.

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