Grape recommendations in central Texas?

Texas A&M University has agricultural extension offices in many Texas counties, and that's usually the first place to start.

Whites grown in the high plains and trans-pecos regions (Lubbock, Pecos, etc.) are starting to produce a significant number of award winners. Alas the reds not so.

Here's a link to the "Texas wine grape guide" produced by the Texas department of Agriculture:

-- Tom

It is a good idea to talk to your neighbors see what their experience has been with different varieties. Also how much experience and time do you have to manage the grapes? Some varieties i.e. viniferas need pretty intense management. Some people think the wine is made in the vineyard. Are you looking to sell the grapes to a specific market if so what are they looking for?

Joe

The vineyards around here either have varieties for sweet wines, or cabernet, merlot, etc. because that's what the consumer wants. From what I read, this weather is definitely too hot for cabernet, but the commercial vineyards do it anyway. I'm not constrained by market demands, so I can plant whatever I want. I'm not gonna sell the grapes. I will use them to make wine for my own consumption.

Tom's recommendations are good. Also contact the San Antonio Regional Wine Guild. You may want to join. they are the primary wine maker club of Texas. They can put you in contact with serious small vineyards and armatures in your area.

Ray

"San Antonio Regional Wine Guild". Thanks for that suggestion, Ray. I will get in touch with them. By the way, what is an armature?

Igor wrote"Does anybody have experience with Cynthiana (also called Norton)? It is cited as one of the varieties that are tolerant to Pierce's disease, but I dunno if it can make good wine."

Igor - Lots of Norton/Cynthiana is grown here in the Kansas/Missouri area. Makes great wine. If you can find it locally or if you can ship wine between states where you live buy a bottle of Stone Hill Norton. It's excellent wine. However, Norton is pretty tricky to make wine from. It's a high pH/high acid wine and you must let the grapes hang a long time to get the acid levels down. Then deal with pH. I've only tasted one or two well made Nortons here in the Kansas City area.

You can buy Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot at the store. Why not consider planting one of the viniferas that are happy with the hottest part of the Mediterranean area...Sardinia, Greece/Crete, Sicily or southern Spain. One of these varities might like the heat in Austin.

Bill Frazier Olathe, Kansas USA

Thanks for the reply, Bill. You said "Why not consider planting one of the viniferas that are happy with the hottest part of the Mediterranean area...Sardinia, Greece/Crete, Sicily or southern Spain."

Do you know which varieties do well in those places?

Igor - Here are two sites that may help. The Wine Info Site gives information about different grape growing regions, their climate and grapes that do well. The Winegrape Glossary gives information about different wine grape varities. Both are interesting and helpful.

The wine info site;

Consider Grenache and Carignan which can make fine red wines and do more research. You can spend a lot of time reading the Winegrape Glossary for grape variety info. Also, contact Vintage Nursery in California

Bill Frazier Olathe, Kansas USA

I thought it was perhaps an amateur who went around in circles.

This is Texas man, you should not that -- it is either a typo or an amateur armadillo! ;o)

Ray

I like your Carignan/Carignane suggestion.

I had one that was grown in Tunisia, and it was excellent...definitely some sun there !