Happenings at TWC
Sweetening Wines
One doesn’t have to spend much time working in a Texas wine tasting room to learn that lots of folks enjoy sweeter wines. Wines with some residual sugar or sweetness often have bright fruit aromas and flavors, and are very easy to drink, either by themselves or with snacks and meals. The question is often asked how does one make a sweet wine. Many folks believe that certain grapes are just sweeter than others, or some grapes can get riper and thus have greater sugar content. That is the issue to explore in this edition of Carl’s Corner. Continue »
Jan 6, 2021 at 11:16 AM
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Warm Weather Whites – Part 2
As warmer weather and summertime approaches, many feel a strong attraction to the lovely white wines produced by Texas vintners. There are many to choose from. Part 1 focused on Viognier, Vermentino, and Roussanne. This Part 2 edition will focus on Marsanne, Picquepoul Blanc, and Grenache Blanc, the other three of the so-called Rhône white varieties that tend to grow well and make delicious wines in the Lone Star State. The owner-partners at 4.0 Cellars – Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars – produce wines from these grape varieties, or use them in blends. So many delicious warm weather white wines are available for purchase from 4.0 Cellars (shipping or curbside pickup during these crazy COVID-19 times). Continue »
Apr 30, 2020 at 7:58 AM
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Warm Weather Whites-Part 1
As warmer weather and summertime approaches, many feel a strong attraction to the lovely white wines produced by Texas vintners. There are many to choose from, and this Part 1 edition will focus on Viognier, Vermentino, and Roussanne, three of the so-called Rhône white varieties that tend to grow well and make delicious wines in the Lone Star State. A number of these wines are produced by the owner-partners at 4.0 Cellars – Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars – and are available for purchase (shipping or curbside pickup during these crazy COVID-19 times). Continue »
Apr 8, 2020 at 1:09 PM
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Montepulciano - 4.0 Cellars Italian Style 2019
A new release Montepulciano from Lost Oak Winery is now being featured in the 4.0 Cellars Tasting Room. Montepulciano is the second most planted red grape varietal in Italy. It is growing in popularity in Texas, too. Montepulciano is believed to have originated in the Tuscany region of Italy, but today is mostly found in the regions of Marche and Abruzzo located to the east of Tuscany, across the Appenine Mountain range. Because of its tolerance to heat and dry conditions, Montepulciano is generating interest from Texas winegrowers ranging from the Hill Country to the High Plains. Continue »
Oct 23, 2019 at 1:49 PM
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Rhône White Grapes in Texas 2019
As I am organizing several wine tastings for Industry meetings that will include several Rhône white grape varieties, it seems appropriate to focus on these grapes that are doing extremely well in the Lone Star State. Texas grape growers and wine makers are planting and vinifying more white grapes that originate in hotter climates, such as the southern regions of France near the Mediterranean Sea coast. The best-known of these grape varieties include Viognier (vee own yay), the key grape in the northern Rhône appellation of Condrieu; Roussanne, an important component of white blends in the southern Rhône appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Marsanne, a primary grape in white blends from the famed northern Rhône appellation of Hermitage. All three of these grapes have become well-established here in the Lone Star State. Continue »
Sep 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM
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Black Spanish Grapes – Update Aug-2019
Black Spanish grapes are common to southern states that tend to have hot growing seasons with higher humidity. Here in Texas, Black Spanish has been planted extensively from the Hill Country eastward to the Louisiana border, and southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The grape, also known as Lenoir and Jacquez, is relatively hardy and disease resistant, making it popular in areas where more traditional vinifera grapes are difficult to grow. This is the grape variety growing in the small 4.0 Cellars Vineyard, that will soon be harvested and used to produce a Portejas. Continue »
Jul 31, 2019 at 8:30 AM
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Alicante Bouschet - A Really Red Grape
Alicante Bouschet (“alla kahn tay boo shea”) is one of only a very few varieties of teinturier grapes of the Vitis vinifera species that have both red flesh and red skin. The dark color of Alicante Bouschet provides winemakers with some advantages which can be important here in Texas. Continue »
Jun 5, 2019 at 6:00 PM
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Pink Wines – Hot in Texas (Update 2019)
Warm weather is the time to enjoy pink wines, and Texas is now producing some of the best available. These pink wines can be dry, off-dry (slightly sweet) or medium-dry (even sweeter) to provide great warm-weather enjoyment for picnics, deck-sitting or lazing about the pool area. And, don’t forget, they can take the place of white wines and many lighter reds at the mealtime table. Continue »
Apr 10, 2019 at 7:00 AM
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Mourvèdre – Warm Weather Wonder
Mourvèdre (moor-ved), also known as Mataró or Monastrell, is an important grape in the warm, arid regions of Texas. It was back in 2016 when this grape was last discussed on these pages, so it’s time for an update. Mourvèdre is also grown throughout warm weather areas of Europe, especially along the Mediterranean Coast of Spain and France. There are plantings in Australia and other parts of the U.S., but the biggest current impact from Mourvèdre is here in the Lone Star State. Many styles of wine are made from Mourvèdre, ranging from rosés to lighter reds, and from dark, full-bodied reds to port-style wines. Continue »
Feb 27, 2019 at 8:19 AM
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Cinsault Variety Update, 2019
Cinsault (sin-SOH or san-SOH) or Cinsaut (without the “l”) has become an important contributor to the grape variety portfolio of Texas winegrowers and winemakers. Because Cinsault is heat and drought tolerant, it can be grown in most Texas wine regions, especially the Texas High Plains AVA. Cinsault produces relatively large grapes with dark skins which typically translates into medium-bodied, modestly colored red wines with a softer, less tannic character. With its softness, fresh fruit aromas, and spicy flavors, Cinsault is often used to produce easy-drinking rosé wines and as a blending grape with other varieties, like Grenache, Carignan (care-in-yawn), Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Continue »
Feb 15, 2019 at 9:42 AM
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