Happenings at TWC
Blanc du Bois – For the Hot & Humid
Blanc du Bois is a hybrid grape generated by John Mortenson at the Univ of Florida in 1968, by crossing another hybrid, Florida D 6-148 with Cardinal, a CA table grape. The varietal was named for Emile DuBois, a grower who emigrated from France to the U.S. in 1882. It was released to commercial growers in 1987, and has now spread across the southeastern states from Florida to Texas. Hallmark characteristics include crisp acidity, fresh fruit and floral aromas, along with citrusy flavors. Blanc du Bois typically works better in off-dry wines, and has been used to make fortified wines in the style of Madeira. Continue »
Aug 17, 2016 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 warm weather areas of Europe, especially along the Mediterranean Coast of Spain and France. Also grown in Australia and the U.S., the styles of wine made from Mourvèdre range from rosés to lighter reds, and from dark, full-bodied reds to port-style wines. Continue »
Aug 3, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Viognier-A Natural for Texas
Viognier [vee-ohn-YAY] has become a key white grape variety in the burgeoning Texas wine industry. Viognier is a naturally low-yielding grape with fragrant aromatics producing lush, full-bodied wines that have helped to fill the market where Chardonnay and other popular white wines have been less successful in the hot, dry Texas climate. Continue »
Jul 20, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Pink Wines
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 more sweet) 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 »
Jul 6, 2016 at 9:00 AM
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Our Tanks
Often we are asked about the three large, shiny stainless steel (SS) tanks sitting in front of 4.0 Cellars. Where did they come from? What are they used for? Are they wine tanks? Do they have wine stored in them? After a bit of research and a few phone calls, the story behind the tanks began to emerge, and I can now share it with you. Continue »
Jun 29, 2016 at 1:21 PM
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