Happenings at TWC
Magic All Around, Old and New
The past year and half has brought many changes to TWC…with even more coming. We’re busy balancing the old and new and finding fun in both! Continue »
Aug 26, 2021 at 2:07 PM
Permalink
Picardan – White Rhône Grape for Texas
Because of the rolling hills and rocky landscape, sandy, gravelly soil types, and hot, dry, windy climate conditions in the southern Rhône Valley of France, grape varieties that thrive there also tend to do quite well in many regions of the Lone Star State. Classic Rhône white varieties like Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, plus red varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are well-known in Texas for producing quality wines. A much less-known white grape variety, Picardan, is now showing up in Texas wine blends. Float Blanc 2020 Texas High Plains is a refreshing white wine blend that contains Picardan, accompanied by Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. It was produced by McPherson Cellars for Texas Wine Collective. This Carl’s Corner post explores Picardan – a bit of history, some characteristics, and potential here in Texas. Continue »
Aug 19, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Permalink
TWC Vineyard Grape Harvest
Those of you who have visited or even driven by Texas Wine Collective probably noticed grape vines growing near Hwy 290, in front of the three Logo tanks at the entrance to the tasting room and patio area. These are mostly Black Spanish, or Lenoir, vines, a hybrid grape that grows well in the hot, more humid climates of Texas. The vines were planted in 2013 by folks from Lost Oak Winery, one of our partner/owners, and were intended to be a “show” vineyard, a garden really, so that visitors could see and appreciate grapevines. Continue »
Aug 7, 2021 at 3:24 PM
Permalink
Back to School…It’s Coming Soon!
Intro: Here at TWC, we’re all about helping you get back into the swing of school. Read on to find out what we’re up to as the summer begins to wind down. And add your favorite Little Debbie snack in the comments below because, after all, it’s getting to be that time of year when we parents start to sneak our kids’ snacks! Continue »
Jul 29, 2021 at 2:28 PM
Permalink
Italian Grape Varieties for Texas
Two sessions of an Italian-origin grape variety wine pairing are scheduled for August 22, 2021 – 12:30 and 2:30 pm. McPherson Cellars Reserve Sangiovese, Brennan Vineyards Super Nero, and Lost Oak Winery Montepulciano will be paired with comparable wines from the appropriate regions in Italy accompanied by tasty Italian food bites. It will be a lot of fun to develop this pairing, and it should be a lot of fun to attend and learn more about these grape varieties. Continue »
Jul 22, 2021 at 10:42 AM
Permalink
Join Us at TWC as We Begin Paying It Forward
We’re launching a new program to expand our impact in our local community. We’re excited to do more for others, and we hope you’ll join us! Continue »
Jul 15, 2021 at 1:38 PM
Permalink
Sparkling Wines – Ways and Styles
This edition of Carl’s Corner was inspired by McPherson Cellars Sparkling Wine currently available and often enjoyed at the Texas Wine Collective tasting room. Sparkling wines are very popular in the wine world today, including Texas. Making sparkling wines can be technically challenging and time-consuming, but for those who enjoy the final product, it certainly seems worthwhile. There are actually a number of methods used to produce sparkling wines, and this post will explore five (5) primary methods, each providing a level of carbonation and a particular style of wine. Continue »
Jul 7, 2021 at 2:25 PM
Permalink
Cinsault – A Blending Specialist
Cinsault (sin-SOH or san-SOH) or Cinsaut (without the “l”) is a common red grape in the Rhône Valley of southern France. Because Cinsault is heat and drought tolerant, it is also important in the southern French region of Languedoc-Roussillon and former French colonies of Algeria and Morocco. The origin of the grape is uncertain, but it likely came from some place along the eastern Mediterranean. Cinsault produces brightly colored red wines with a softer, less tannic character, and is often blended with grapes like Grenache, Carignan (care-in-yawn) and Syrah to impart softness, spicy flavors, and fresh fruit aromas Continue »
Jun 20, 2021 at 11:45 AM
Permalink
Roll Out the Barrel, We’ll Have a Barrel of Fun
Confession: I haven’t always known much about wine. And to be clear, I still have lots to learn. For many years (let’s say beginning in college), I was primarily a beer drinker, with some tequila thrown in here and there. I do recall hosting a dinner for friends during my Junior year and serving up some pink, boxed wine with the spaghetti meal. We thought we were so classy. And didn’t Mad Dog count as wine at that time? Continue »
Jun 16, 2021 at 9:43 AM
Permalink
Blanc du Bois – For the Hot & Humid
Blanc du Bois is a hybrid grape generated by Professor John Mortenson (a Texan) at the Univ of Florida in 1968, by crossing another hybrid, Florida D 6-148 with Cardinal, a CA table grape. The variety 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 can be used to produce dry, off-dry, sweet, sparkling and even fortified dessert wines, such as in the style of Madeira. Continue »
Jun 8, 2021 at 9:28 PM
Permalink