Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/331901
W i n e s & V i n e s J U LY 2 0 1 4 75 WineEast N E W S O F G R A P E S A N D W I N E S I N E A S T E R N N O R T H A M E R I C A I N T H E N E W S p 7 5 W I N E M A K I N G p 7 7 Old World Inspires Future of Texas Industry Winemakers discuss Tempranillo and state wine style at annual conference P lains, Texas—In an ironic twist, grapegrowers in Texas are looking to central Spain for inspiration and guidance for their state's fast-growing wine and grape industry. The future of winemaking in Texas appears closely linked to the Tempranillo grape, and in 2010 up to 89% of the world's Tempra- nillo acreage was planted in Spain. Dr. Ed Hellman, viticulture professor at Texas Tech University and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, spoke about the grape variety May 9 at the annual Newsom Grape Day held in Plains. According to Hellman, the central Spanish regions of Extremadura and Castile-La Mancha—are the most simi- lar to Texas' High Plains in terms of elevation, growing degree-days and precipitation. While Spain can provide some guidance about cultivation practices, vineyard development and winemaking, Hellman also stressed that Texas can't simply copy how it's done there. "I think it's a big mistake to totally emulate another wine region of the world," he said. "We're not making Spanish Tempranillo, we're making Texas Tempranillo." Yet the state's style is still very much open to debate. Jim Johnson, founder of Alamosa Wine Cellars in San Saba, Texas, said the state's wineries should be focusing on making the best possible wines rather than trying to create a state style. "I think each winery is best served by making its best style and sticking with it," he said. Texas' total wine grape vineyard acre- age is currently estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 acres of all varieties. Most of the state's new, large vineyard plantings are going in the High Plains. According to Wines Vines Analytics, Texas is home to 205 wineries. —Andrew Adams winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keywords "Texas Tempranillo." Vines are planted closer at Bayer Family Vineyards than its High Plains neighbors. Case By Case Wine and Grape Supplier Your Source for World Class Wine Grapes and Bulk Wines Serving wineries nationwide on a Case By Case basis East and West Coast varieties available: R Winegrapes R Bulk Wine R Juice R Shiners Jim, Owner Northern California Office (707) 671-4126 • jim@casebycasebrokers.com Tom, Domestic and International Sales Southeast Office (864) 401-2297 • tom@casebycasebrokers.com www.casebycasebrokers.com - B E C O PA D - Y E A S T & E N Z Y M E S - C R U S H PA D E Q U I P M E N T - S T E R I L E F I LT R AT I O N - W I N E R Y H O S E - O A K A LT E R N AT I V E S