{"id":15451,"date":"2023-08-26T00:03:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-26T06:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/losfresnosnews.net\/?p=15451"},"modified":"2023-08-24T14:05:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T20:05:21","slug":"texas-wine-down-to-a-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/losfresnosnews.net\/?p=15451","title":{"rendered":"Texas Wine: Down To A Science"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Texas A&M scientists and AgriLife Extension specialists help fine tune the Texas wine industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Did you know the \u201cgrape\u201d State of Texas has changed wine as we know it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many grapes used across the world for wine, including those from centuries-old European vineyards, have Texas roots, literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vineyards throughout France\u2019s famed appellation system and beyond boast distinct regional features and terroir, the environmental conditions that give wine grapes their taste. But they could not grow without rootstocks from native Texas grapes identified and studied by T.V. Munson, a 19th century Texas scientist and horticulturist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Munson\u2019s work with several native Texas grapes eventually saved European wines from the pest insect phylloxera. This pest devastated millions of acres of European grapes, causing enormous losses in the European wine industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution was grafting European grapes like Merlot, Sangiovese and even thousand-year-old varieties like Pinot Noir on top of phylloxera-resistant Texas grape rootstocks collected and studied by Munson. Munson\u2019s efforts saved and continues to protect wine production in Europe and around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this day, Texas A&M AgriLife<\/u><\/a> carries on Munson\u2019s belief that study and science provide solutions. Scientists and educators continue to build comprehensive research, education and outreach programs to guide and support the expansion of Texas horticulture and the wine industry as it continues to grow in output and reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[VIDEO: The Grape State of Texas<\/u><\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wine science leads the way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences<\/u><\/a> in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<\/u><\/a>, said Texas A&M horticulturists and scientists across Texas are following and expanding on the principles that led to Munson\u2019s historic influence on global wine. Even today, science continues to fuel the wine industry, significantly bolstering the Texas wine industry\u2019s recent and rapid expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can safely say that \u201cwine science\u201d will continue to lead vineyards, winemakers and wine drinkers into the future, Dhingra said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dhingra was appointed by the Texas Department of Agriculture<\/u><\/a> to lead the scientific delegation to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine<\/u><\/a>, an intergovernmental organization that deals with technical and scientific aspects of viticulture and winemaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service<\/u><\/a> has expanded its expertise over the last decade to provide support for vineyards and winemakers as the industry expanded, Dhingra said. The agency now has 13 specialists and researchers dedicated to viticulture and enology on campus and regions across the state, including the Gulf Coast, Hill Country, North Texas and High Plains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the Department of Horticultural Sciences is expanding its faculty and curriculum to provide expertise and education to next-generation vine and wine professionals, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very excited about where the Texas wine industry is today and our position to serve our growers and winemakers and to help the industry continue to grow and evolve,\u201d Dhingra said. \u201cWe want to embrace the legacy of T.V. Munson because of the impact his work has had over the globe and because we believe Texas A&M is the natural place to develop the next generation of solutions and problem solvers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas produces 10,000 different wines every year using around 80 different grape varieties. We have endless opportunities for wine lovers to explore the state and experience these wines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justin Scheiner, Ph.D.<\/strong>
Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist
Department of Horticultural Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Texas wine boom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although the Texas wine industry has a long legacy within the state, it is relatively young in the wine world, Dhingra said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Texas, wine grapes are an agricultural crop that directly impacts every part of the state. In total, the Texas wine industry has a $20.35 billion economic impact, from tourism to more than 100,000 jobs that inject around $1 billion in taxes to localities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas has more than 1,300 soil types in a range of distinct regions with quality wines that feature regional characteristics based on localized microclimates. All in all, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau<\/u><\/a> of the U.S. Department of Treasury<\/u><\/a> has designated eight American Viticultural Areas<\/u><\/a> in the state so far, with two new AVA\u2019s pending final approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Texas Hill Country is already among the most-visited winemaking region in the U.S., drawing over 1 million visitors annually. And while the Texas Hill Country may be the most toured wine and viticulture area in the state, 80% of the state\u2019s wine grape production occurs in the higher elevations and drier air of the Texas High Plains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Areas within these designated American Viticultural Areas, like Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, are known for their distinct production qualities. Other areas with more localized climactic and soil characteristics, like the Llano Uplift \u00adin Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, McCulloch and San Saba counties, are not yet official viticulture areas but are quickly becoming known for microclimates that produce award-winning wines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople ask, \u2018What will be the grape variety that will define Texas?\u2019\u201d Dhingra said. \u201cBut Texas is as large as France, with 11 different growing regions and even more subregions. Texas has an incredible potential to develop unique varietals and terroir that wine lovers can only experience with Texas wine grapes and wines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Texas wine production, reputation growing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences and AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist, Bryan-College Station, said the Texas wine industry has rapidly expanded in recent decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2000, there were 40 licensed vineyards, and by 2010, there were 200. Today, there are 806 active winery permits for operations around the state, which now ranks second behind California for wine grape and wine production. More than half of the 254 Texas counties boast a commercial vineyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quantity is one thing, but wine is about quality, Scheiner said, and Texas consistently ranks high in national and international blind-taste competitions. However, Texas vineyards and winemakers may be lesser known at the national level because the industry is relatively young, but its reputation is growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth is good for vineyards, winemakers and consumers, he said. Most wineries in Texas are small and sell directly to consumers, emphasizing tasting rooms and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have more than 800 wineries, and every winery produces a minimum of 10 wines,\u201d Scheiner said. \u201cTexas produces 10,000 different wines every year using around 80 different grape varieties. We have endless opportunities for wine lovers to explore the state and experience these wines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are the world\u2019s laboratory for any kind of research because we have the microclimates and the soil types. You can see how the puzzle is coming together, where all the pieces are in place. This really puts Texas wine in a unique position globally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D.<\/strong>
Head, Department of Horticultural Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking long-term for Texas wine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This massive boom within the Texas wine industry required a lot of expertise and knowledge-sharing<\/u><\/a> to maintain its momentum in a lasting, sustainable way. Texas A&M viticulturists have been ever-present partners with Texas vineyards and winemakers for decades, working hand-in-hand to identify research-backed solutions<\/u><\/a> and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of what Scheiner and other specialists have done over the past decade is provide guidance to prospective wine grape producers and work with established vineyards to mitigate production challenges and conduct research that has propelled the industry forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Texas is so geographically and climatically diverse, Scheiner said producers face a range of challenges, including plant diseases, insect pests, and extreme weather and drought, that are distinct to their location. For example, a vineyard in the Texas Hill Country will face a drastically different climate than a Gulf Coast vineyard. By design of AgriLife Extension, these grape and wine specialists<\/u><\/a> are available to help growers in all corners of the state, with science-based recommendations and options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AgriLife Extension specialists played significant roles in helping wine grape growers overcome major production hurdles like Pierce\u2019s disease. Viticulture and enology specialists continue to seek new ways to improve wine grape production, from protecting fruit from drought, hailstorms and other extreme weather, to eliminating cork taint, a global problem for winemakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are the direct contact with grape growers, especially those who are just beginning to grow, but also with experienced growers who collaborate with us on applied site research or demonstration projects,\u201d he said. \u201cTexas boasts a lot of smart, savvy growers who are finding solutions. Vineyards are a serious investment, and there are a lot of mistakes that can be made along the way. We\u2019re there to pass along knowledge and trade tips to save growers a lot of money and heartache.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wine expertise across the state<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Texas is big. Because of the state\u2019s wide range of microclimates, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has experts embedded around the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n