COMPILED BY ELLE BENT & ERIC WEILBACHER
Texas grapes
Texas boasts the more native grapes than any other state. There are a total of eight American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs, in Texas, which are designated regions where grapes grow. The Texas Hill Country is the third-largest certied AVA in America and the largest in Texas. Grape-growing regions of Texas
Mustang • Native to Southern U.S., including Texas • Red or rosé Trebbiano • White wine grape • Dry • One of the most widely planted grapes in the world Blanc du Bois • American hybrid primarily grown in Southeast Texas • Typically used to make white table wine Pinot grigio • White wine grape • Typically grayish-blue color • Wines produced vary in color
LUBBOCK
DALLAS
FORT WORTH
Bell Mountain AVA
Mesilla Valley AVA
EL PASO
Davis Mountain AVA
Texas High Plains AVA
FORT STOCKTON
Escondido AVA
Texas Hill Country AVA
AUSTIN
FORT DAVIS
FREDERICKSBURG
Fredericksburg AVA
Texoma AVA
SAN ANTONIO
SOURCES: COLLEEN MILES, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY; TEXAS WINE AND GRAPES GROWERS ASSOCIATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
How to pick a bottle of wine Here are some tips for understanding a wine label.
Mourvèdre • Red wine • Contains tannins • High in alcohol
Where it is bottled: This should be the same location as on the front if it is made at a local vineyard
Producer: Who made the wine
Flavor notes: Information about the ¤avor and aroma
Cabernet franc • Grows best in South Plains and North Texas • Red wine • Lighter than cabernet sauvignon Black Spanish • Red wine grape • Disease resistant • also known as Lenoir Tempranillo • Spicy, berry ¤avored • Red wine grape • Originated in Spain • Dry red wine
Duchman Family Winery uses dolcetto grapes for red wines.
Wine variety: What grape varietal it was made from
COURTESY KATE GITTINGS
Alcohol by volume
Region: Where it was grown
COURTESY ADOBE STOCK
Roussane grapes processed at Duchman Family Winery to be used in white wines.
SOURCES: COLLEEN MILES, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY; TEXAS WINE AND GRAPES GROWERS ASSOCIATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: BRIDGET ROBERTS, BEER AND WINE SPECIALIST AT H§E§BCOMMUNITY IMPACT
COURTESY ANDREA MAHONEY
Some shops specialize in opening up the process and craft of winemaking to their customers. Grapes are sourced from vineyards across Texas and the rest of the United States, and customers can set up appointments to get the process started from pitching the yeast to creating custom bottle labels. Water 2 Wine 304 S. Main St., Ste. 103, Buda Hours: Tue.-Sat. noon-8 p.m., Fri.- Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m. Closed Mon. Established: 2020 Make your own wine
www.water2wine.com/buda Water 2 Wine 185 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels Hours: Tue.-Thu. 1-7:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m. Closed Mon. Established: 2015 www.water2wine.com/newbraunfels Windmill Farm Winery 9111 Huber Road, Seguin Hours: Thu. noon-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m., Sun. noon-7 p.m. Closed Mon.-Wed. Established: 2022 www.hillcountrywineshoppe.com
Angel Jones is the owner of Water2Wine in New Braunfels.
ERIC WEILBACHERCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • MARCH 2023
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