It was a good year for Texas Wines
Take a moment to look back at the past year in the Texas wine industry because it’s been a significant one, which has provided a great foundation for future success in 2011 and the new decade. We look forward to working with you next year on food and wine news and events.
· New Wineries – this year saw the establishment of the 200th winery in the Lone Star State. At this time, there are 217 wineries, creating a statewide economic impact of more than $1.35 billion.
· Record Harvest – the 2010 Texas harvest was one for the record books. Production for 2010 was 8,900 tons, up 44 percent from a year ago, making Texas the seventh-largest grape producing state in the nation.
· Expanding Wine Grape Acreage – The Texas Department of Agriculture has also helped increase wine grape acreage. The Texas Wine Grape Investment Grant Program has provided grants to farmers and the assistance has added nearly 400 new acres across the state.
· Tex-Med Varieties – Texas grape growers are seeing promise in Mediterranean varieties that enjoy Texas’ hot days and cool nights. Over the coming years, wine enthusiasts can expect to enjoy some spectacular Texas wines made from Italy’s Aglianico, Montepulciano and Dolcetto, and Spain’s Tempranillo, Albarino, and Grenache, as well as southern France’s Marsanne, Syrah and Mourvedre.
· Texas Winery Passport Program – the Texas Department of Agriculture expanded the rewards program and added gifts from winery partners. Since October 2008, more than 20,000 consumers have redeemed their passports to earn rewards, which equals more than 80,000 winery visits. More than 1 million tourists visit Texas wineries each year.
· Big Tex and Texas Wines – the State Fair of Texas Wine Garden featured Texas wines, offering a popular attraction to the fair's more than 3 million visitors. The Wine Garden created more than $100,000 in sales of Texas wines.
· Texas Wines & GO TEXAN Restaurants – for the third year, the GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up offered consumers a sampling of the state’s best food and wines from nearly 400 restaurants. It’s exciting to see more and more restaurants adding Texas wines to their wine lists.
· Enjoying the National Spotlight – from the Grape and Gridiron Classic where Texas wines were put to the taste test and prevailed against New York wines to the many highly respected wine competitions where Texas wines have brought home the gold, Texas continues to receive accolades for the quality of its wines.
The new year also marks a new decade for Texas wine. With exponential growth in the number of wineries, Texas Wine Country visitors and economic impact from the industry, the prospects are exciting for the coming years. In the meantime, Go Out. Go Eat. GO TEXAN.
Looking forward to sharing a glass of Texas wine with you in 2011.
Cheers!
Showing posts with label grapes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grapes. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Weather and Wine
For the past week, an icy situation has been worrying many growers in key
Argentinean wine valleys: the much feared zonda and later frost. According to
experts, this current climate event could generate losses in production of
wine grapes from 25% to 30%, reports AndesWines.com
The latest reports show that micro wine growing regions Agrelo, Sur de La
Consulta, Ugarteche y Altamira have resulted affected in specific areas.
This year’s frost has been the largest one in years, say local growers.
Nonetheless, AndesWines reports that enologists and wine producers are
expecting grape prices to stay below record levels because of last year’s
price spike, especially in the areas that produce Premium grapes.
Familia Catena’s chief enologist, Alejandro Vigil, explained to
AndesWines.com that the frost destroyed many recent sprouts and that the
weather conditions drew humidity of the zones, allowing the rime to stay
longer.
The CEO of Bodega Melipal, Santiago Santamaría, added that operations in
Agrelo, region with a small frost history and where the company’s head
operations are located, will register small losses in Merlot, while some
Malbec lots will also have to be downsized.
The chief enologist from Bodega Kaikén, Eduardo Alemparte, explained that
the current frost episode was more intense and longest than in previous
years, with temperatures dropping to -4°C in some areas.
Alemparte insisted that “the previous frost did not affect us so much,
because for many of the varieties , at least in the first region and in
the Uco valley, the vines hadn’t blossomed yet. I think there will not be
a setback to the sprouts, they will recover but we will have to wait to
see if there were any damages to the fruit. I do believe it’s highly
unlikable because they were in a pre-blooming state”.
BETWEEN 25% TO 30% OF ARGENTINEAN WINE GRAPE PRODUCTION COULD BE LOST TO FROSTY WEATHER CONDITIONS
http://www.andeswines.com
Grapes are good...wine even better!!
Argentinean wine valleys: the much feared zonda and later frost. According to
experts, this current climate event could generate losses in production of
wine grapes from 25% to 30%, reports AndesWines.com
The latest reports show that micro wine growing regions Agrelo, Sur de La
Consulta, Ugarteche y Altamira have resulted affected in specific areas.
This year’s frost has been the largest one in years, say local growers.
Nonetheless, AndesWines reports that enologists and wine producers are
expecting grape prices to stay below record levels because of last year’s
price spike, especially in the areas that produce Premium grapes.
Familia Catena’s chief enologist, Alejandro Vigil, explained to
AndesWines.com that the frost destroyed many recent sprouts and that the
weather conditions drew humidity of the zones, allowing the rime to stay
longer.
The CEO of Bodega Melipal, Santiago Santamaría, added that operations in
Agrelo, region with a small frost history and where the company’s head
operations are located, will register small losses in Merlot, while some
Malbec lots will also have to be downsized.
The chief enologist from Bodega Kaikén, Eduardo Alemparte, explained that
the current frost episode was more intense and longest than in previous
years, with temperatures dropping to -4°C in some areas.
Alemparte insisted that “the previous frost did not affect us so much,
because for many of the varieties , at least in the first region and in
the Uco valley, the vines hadn’t blossomed yet. I think there will not be
a setback to the sprouts, they will recover but we will have to wait to
see if there were any damages to the fruit. I do believe it’s highly
unlikable because they were in a pre-blooming state”.
BETWEEN 25% TO 30% OF ARGENTINEAN WINE GRAPE PRODUCTION COULD BE LOST TO FROSTY WEATHER CONDITIONS
http://www.andeswines.com
Grapes are good...wine even better!!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My next career: Winemaker
My next career: Winemaker
by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
There is probably nowhere better to learn to be a winemaker than Chile: Wonderful climate, great grapes and an innovative state of mind that is based on tradition but open to experiment.
This innovative state of mind is best exemplified by the fact that I was given a chance to blend my own wine. Recently I explored wineries within 90 minutes of Santiago with a group of four other journalists, I was offered the opportunity to blend my own wine. Each of the other writers was definitely more knowledgeable, while I could barely spell and pronounce the varietals.
The process and procedure
Our first visit was to the amazing Undurraga Winery, one of the oldest winery in Chile that produces more than 20 million liters per year
After touring the grounds of Undurraga Wine of Chile, we went into a spacious room set with a table of beakers, funnels and four wines to create our own special blends.
First we tasted the Cabernet/Syrah Aliwen 2009 for inspiration. Actually, I did not find it very inspiring. It tasted weak and flat. I knew right away that I wanted to create something different. So perhaps it was inspirational in that it motivated me to do something different.
Then we tried out four varietal wines that would be the ingredients of our own personal blends. The 2010 Merlot was fruity, but had a leathery taste. The 2010 Carmenere was my favorite. I knew that it would be the major part of my blend. I hated the 2010 Syrah-- it had a sulphurous smell that I found very off-putting. I was certain it would not be part of my final product. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was pleasant, so I decided to go with a half and half blend of my two favorites.
My own winemaking technique
Everyone else deliberated greatly before filling their beaker with wine. I just poured both my wines right in. I was the first one done.
Just for fun, I asked the winemaker , Carlos Concha, to taste my wine. Obviously he has a sophisticated and sensitive palate, because he had the nicest things to say about my blend. In fact, the tasting notes for my wine were the most positive of the group.
Here is what Carlos had to say,” Nice aroma. Good fruit. Well-blended, spicy, smooth, silky, not dry. His only suggestion was that it needed more complexity. (I guess when it comes to wines, I may be simple minded. But then I only blended two wines—everyone else got more complex) Carlos acknowledged that there was lots of Carmenere.
At the bottom of my wine-blotted placemat, he wrote, “Congratulations. Nice Blend.” I felt that I had gotten an A on a very important paper. (insert jpg of his notes)
I didn’t just blend. I also got to bottle my own wine and name and label it.
I brought the wine home and am waiting for the perfect opportunity to share it.
Some perfect pairings with Undurraga
If you would like to try to simulate this experience at home, you can at least get the Undurraga wines and make dishes similar to the menu we enjoyed
APERITIF
Goat cheese Brochettes
Undurraga Brut Royal N.V.
STARTER
Avocado Mousse on a Bed of Greens
T.H. Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2009
MAIN COURSE
Patagonian Lamb Chops in Morello Cherry Sauce
Served with Caramelized Onions
Quinoa and Fine Herbs Risotto
Altazor 2007
DESSERT
4 Course Dessert – Chilean Delights
Quince Mille Feuilles with Murtilla Sauce
Sopaipillas with Brown Molasses
Papaya Mousse
San Juan Little Pears in a Wine Sauce
Undurraga Late Harvest
More about the Winery
Don Francisco Undurraga, an enterprising man in the 19th century, was one of the pioneers of winemaking in Chile and founder of Viña Undurraga. With plants he brought over personally from France and Germany and under the supervision of the renowned French viticulturist M. Pressac, he developed the first vineyards in the Santa Ana Estate, which was named in honor of his wife Doña Ana Fernández Iñiguez. This estate, located in Talagante, 34 kilometers from Santiago, in the heart of the Maipo Valley, received its first plantations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer in 1885 and by 1903, the first shipments were being made to the USA.
Phone: (56-2) 372-2900 Fax: (56-2) 372-2946 Url: www.undurraga.cl
Address: Av. Vitacura 2939 piso 21, Vitacura, Santiago - Chile
Take a tour
It is easy to book a tour to Undugarra Winery. Depart from the hotel in Santiago and as you drive towards the Maipo Valley enjoy beautiful countryside landscape until you arrive at the Undurraga Winery. It was founded in 1885 and has been nurtured by five generations.
Admire the great park that this winery has with trees that are 150 years old or even more. Undurraga Winery produces more than 15 millions of litres per year in its 140 hectares, being one of the oldest and more important wineries in Chile.
It is an excellent tour for learning how the wines are produced and how the winery works, with the chance of tasting some of its final products.
Return to the hotel in Santiago.
Includes
- Entrance Fee
- Wine tasting
- Driver/guide
Excludes
- Meals and drinks (unless specified)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
http://www.undurraga.cl/Sitio/en/visitus.html
For reservations, please contact the following numbers: (56-2) 372-2850 / (56-2) 372-2865. Or send an e-mail to visit@undurraga.cl.
Other wineries to visit (all within about 90 minutes of Santiago)
Casas del Bosque:
http://casasdelbosque.cl/
Matetic:
http://www.matetic.cl/
Altair:
http://www.altairwines.com/
Haras de Pirque:
http://www.harasdepirque.com/
Concha y Toro:
http://www.conchaytoro.com/
Winery at the top of my list for next time is Emiliana because they have a wine and chocolate tasting.
I did a tasting of their wines at Valley Nevado.
http://www.emiliana.cl/
For More Information on Wines of Chile
Wines of Chile
www.winesofchile.org
Wines of Chile - Main Office - Chile
Phone: (56-2) 218 0600
Address: Luis Pasteur 5280, Oficina 402,
Vitacura, Santiago, Chile
Background reading to get Ready for your Trip
Red Grapes, Hidden treasures
THE CARMENERE WINES OF CHILE from the Cachapaol Valley
The VIVA list LATIN AMERICA
333 Places and Experiences that People Love
Madelyn Miller is a travel and food and wine writer who loved Chile.
Her fantasy is to a winemaker at a gorgeous estate winery. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com
Send this page to a friend.
by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
There is probably nowhere better to learn to be a winemaker than Chile: Wonderful climate, great grapes and an innovative state of mind that is based on tradition but open to experiment.
This innovative state of mind is best exemplified by the fact that I was given a chance to blend my own wine. Recently I explored wineries within 90 minutes of Santiago with a group of four other journalists, I was offered the opportunity to blend my own wine. Each of the other writers was definitely more knowledgeable, while I could barely spell and pronounce the varietals.
The process and procedure
Our first visit was to the amazing Undurraga Winery, one of the oldest winery in Chile that produces more than 20 million liters per year
After touring the grounds of Undurraga Wine of Chile, we went into a spacious room set with a table of beakers, funnels and four wines to create our own special blends.
First we tasted the Cabernet/Syrah Aliwen 2009 for inspiration. Actually, I did not find it very inspiring. It tasted weak and flat. I knew right away that I wanted to create something different. So perhaps it was inspirational in that it motivated me to do something different.
Then we tried out four varietal wines that would be the ingredients of our own personal blends. The 2010 Merlot was fruity, but had a leathery taste. The 2010 Carmenere was my favorite. I knew that it would be the major part of my blend. I hated the 2010 Syrah-- it had a sulphurous smell that I found very off-putting. I was certain it would not be part of my final product. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was pleasant, so I decided to go with a half and half blend of my two favorites.
My own winemaking technique
Everyone else deliberated greatly before filling their beaker with wine. I just poured both my wines right in. I was the first one done.
Just for fun, I asked the winemaker , Carlos Concha, to taste my wine. Obviously he has a sophisticated and sensitive palate, because he had the nicest things to say about my blend. In fact, the tasting notes for my wine were the most positive of the group.
Here is what Carlos had to say,” Nice aroma. Good fruit. Well-blended, spicy, smooth, silky, not dry. His only suggestion was that it needed more complexity. (I guess when it comes to wines, I may be simple minded. But then I only blended two wines—everyone else got more complex) Carlos acknowledged that there was lots of Carmenere.
At the bottom of my wine-blotted placemat, he wrote, “Congratulations. Nice Blend.” I felt that I had gotten an A on a very important paper. (insert jpg of his notes)
I didn’t just blend. I also got to bottle my own wine and name and label it.
I brought the wine home and am waiting for the perfect opportunity to share it.
Some perfect pairings with Undurraga
If you would like to try to simulate this experience at home, you can at least get the Undurraga wines and make dishes similar to the menu we enjoyed
APERITIF
Goat cheese Brochettes
Undurraga Brut Royal N.V.
STARTER
Avocado Mousse on a Bed of Greens
T.H. Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2009
MAIN COURSE
Patagonian Lamb Chops in Morello Cherry Sauce
Served with Caramelized Onions
Quinoa and Fine Herbs Risotto
Altazor 2007
DESSERT
4 Course Dessert – Chilean Delights
Quince Mille Feuilles with Murtilla Sauce
Sopaipillas with Brown Molasses
Papaya Mousse
San Juan Little Pears in a Wine Sauce
Undurraga Late Harvest
More about the Winery
Don Francisco Undurraga, an enterprising man in the 19th century, was one of the pioneers of winemaking in Chile and founder of Viña Undurraga. With plants he brought over personally from France and Germany and under the supervision of the renowned French viticulturist M. Pressac, he developed the first vineyards in the Santa Ana Estate, which was named in honor of his wife Doña Ana Fernández Iñiguez. This estate, located in Talagante, 34 kilometers from Santiago, in the heart of the Maipo Valley, received its first plantations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer in 1885 and by 1903, the first shipments were being made to the USA.
Phone: (56-2) 372-2900 Fax: (56-2) 372-2946 Url: www.undurraga.cl
Address: Av. Vitacura 2939 piso 21, Vitacura, Santiago - Chile
Take a tour
It is easy to book a tour to Undugarra Winery. Depart from the hotel in Santiago and as you drive towards the Maipo Valley enjoy beautiful countryside landscape until you arrive at the Undurraga Winery. It was founded in 1885 and has been nurtured by five generations.
Admire the great park that this winery has with trees that are 150 years old or even more. Undurraga Winery produces more than 15 millions of litres per year in its 140 hectares, being one of the oldest and more important wineries in Chile.
It is an excellent tour for learning how the wines are produced and how the winery works, with the chance of tasting some of its final products.
Return to the hotel in Santiago.
Includes
- Entrance Fee
- Wine tasting
- Driver/guide
Excludes
- Meals and drinks (unless specified)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
http://www.undurraga.cl/Sitio/en/visitus.html
For reservations, please contact the following numbers: (56-2) 372-2850 / (56-2) 372-2865. Or send an e-mail to visit@undurraga.cl.
Other wineries to visit (all within about 90 minutes of Santiago)
Casas del Bosque:
http://casasdelbosque.cl/
Matetic:
http://www.matetic.cl/
Altair:
http://www.altairwines.com/
Haras de Pirque:
http://www.harasdepirque.com/
Concha y Toro:
http://www.conchaytoro.com/
Winery at the top of my list for next time is Emiliana because they have a wine and chocolate tasting.
I did a tasting of their wines at Valley Nevado.
http://www.emiliana.cl/
For More Information on Wines of Chile
Wines of Chile
www.winesofchile.org
Wines of Chile - Main Office - Chile
Phone: (56-2) 218 0600
Address: Luis Pasteur 5280, Oficina 402,
Vitacura, Santiago, Chile
Background reading to get Ready for your Trip
Red Grapes, Hidden treasures
THE CARMENERE WINES OF CHILE from the Cachapaol Valley
The VIVA list LATIN AMERICA
333 Places and Experiences that People Love
Madelyn Miller is a travel and food and wine writer who loved Chile.
Her fantasy is to a winemaker at a gorgeous estate winery. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com
Send this page to a friend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)