COMMITMENT TO TEXAS WINE
The Newsom’s are pressing to be one of the top wine grape growers for Texas wineries. They truly believe in the future and superiority of Texas wine and wine grape production. The High Plains consistently produces the finest quality wine grapes and the wineries of Texas know this and continue to look to the region for more of its grapes.
Albariño
White Wine GrapeAlbariño
The grape is noted for its distinctive botanical aroma, very similar to that of Viognier, Gewurztraminer, and Petit Manseng, suggesting apricot and peach. The wine produced is unusually light, and generally high in acidity with alcohol levels of 11.5–12.5%. Its thick skins and large number of pips can cause residual bitterness.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. The product of a crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon blanc during the 17th century in southwestern France, the classic profile tends to be full-bodied with high tannins and noticeable acidity that contributes to the wine’s aging potential. In Texas, the notes of blackcurrant are often seen with black cherry and black olive.
Malbec
Red Wine GrapeMalbec
Malbec grapes tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins, and are known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. The Malbec grape is a thin-skinned grape and needs more sun and heat than either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to mature.[5] It ripens mid-season and can bring very deep color, ample tannin, and a particular plum-like, rich, dark and juicy wine.
Merlot
Red Wine GrapeMerlot
Merlot is a dark blue-colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and “fleshiness”, combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Montepulciano
Red Wine GrapeMontepulciano
The Montepulciano grape likely originated in Tuscany and may be related to Sangiovese. Montepulciano ripens late and has a tendency to favor producing large yields. The skin has a fair amount of pigmented tannins and color producing phenols that with maceration can produce a deep ruby colored wine with moderately low acidity.
Moscato Giallo
White Wine GrapeMoscato Giallo
Moscato Giallo is a white Italian wine grape variety that is a member of the Muscat family. Moscato Giallo tends to produce deeply colored, golden wines that have moderate acidity levels that are highly aromatic. The grape is often used to produce sweet dessert wines. It is often produced as a varietal or blended with other Muscat varieties.
Mourvèdre
Red Wine GrapeMourvèdre
Mourvèdre is grown around the world including in Texas. In addition to making red varietal wines, Mourvèdre is a prominent component in “GSM” (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre) blends. The variety is also used to make rosé and port-style wines. It provides a medium body structure with cherry fruit flavors as well smokey, spicy and gamy notes.
Picardan
White Wine GrapePicardan
Picardan or Picardan blanc is a white wine grape which is one of 13 permitted blending grapes within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC in Rhône wine region in France. Picardan gives a wine which considered to be light and rather neutral in character. It is supposed to have been produced from the varieties Clairette blanche and Piquepoul blanc.
Roussanne
White Wine GrapeRoussanne
Roussanne is a white wine grape grown originally in the Rhône wine region in France. The berries are distinguished by their russet color when ripe — roux is French for the reddish-brown color russet, and is probably the root for the variety’s name. The aroma of Roussanne is often reminiscent of a flowery herbal tea. In warm climates, it produces wines of richness, with flavors of honey and pear, and full body.
Sagrantino
Red Wine GrapeSagrantino
Sagrantino is an Italian grape variety that is indigenous to the region of Umbria in Central Italy. The grape has one of the highest tannic levels of any variety in the world, and creates wines that are inky purple with an almost-black center. The bouquet is one of dark, brooding red fruits with hints of plum, cinnamon, and earth.
Tempranillo
Red Wine GrapeTempranillo
Tempranillo is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines. It grows best at relatively high altitudes, but it also can tolerate a much warmer climate. Tempranillo wines are ruby red in color, while aromas and flavors can include berries, plum, tobacco, vanilla, leather and herb.
Teroldego
Red Wine GrapeTeroldego
Teroldego is a red Italian grape variety grown primarily in the northeastern region of Italy. Teroldego is often compared to Zinfandel, with its spicy red fruits, and hints of tar, pine, and almond, but few tasters would confuse the two varieties in a blind tasting. Its snappy acidity makes it a versatile food wine.
Trebbiano
White Wine GrapeTrebbiano
Trebbiano is an Italian wine grape, one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. It gives good yields, producing wines that can be fresh and fruity. Also known as Ugni blanc, in France, its high acidity makes it important in Cognac and Armagnac productions. The vine is vigorous and high-yielding, with long cylindrical bunches of tough-skinned berries.
Viognier
White Wine GrapeViognier
Viognier is a white wine grape variety. Like Chardonnay, Viognier has the potential to produce full-bodied wines with a lush, soft character. In contrast to Chardonnay, the Viognier varietal has more natural aromatics that include notes of peach, pears, violets and minerality. The grape requires a long, warm growing season in order to fully ripen.