Viognier, BECKER, Texas

March 2013 at the Lyon International Wine Competition Becker Vineyards received the silver award for this 2012 Viognier!!!  A testament to how well this grape vine grows in Texas.  But do not take my word for it, go to the Vintage Texas blog where Dr. Kane reports the dramatic results of a recent blind tasting: Vintage Texas Blog.

• LUXURIOUS
• Yellow Peaches
• Mango
• Vanilla 
• Creamery Butter
• Rose Petals

The fruit for Becker’s Viognier is sourced from three vineyards, Bingham, Martin, and Reddy. Each of them surrounds the Texas High Plains, an area where the vineyards are typically planted between 3,300 and 3,500 feet elevation.  The Beckers pioneered this wine for Texas.  Andrea Immer Robinson, Master Sommelier, has been a big fan of the Becker Vineyards' Viognier. "One of the best Viogniers made in America, so it's worth the search. Gorgeous white peach and floral scents and tangerine-mango flavors," Andrea said.  And when reviewed by Wine Spectator Magazine, Matthew DeBord said;"Bunny and Richard Becker have raised the bar in Texas by producing wines that have achieved regional character."

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Blanc du Bois, DRY, HAAK, Texas

Pronounced “Blahnk-Du-Bwah”, a hybrid grape with characteristics of early ripening and importantly Pierce’s Disease resistance; making it ideal for growing in the Gulf Coast region. Blanc Du Bois originated from the grape breeding program at the Central Florida Research and Education Center.   Haak Vineyards was one of the first wineries in the country to cultivate Blanc du Bois. Now with 3 acres filled with 1800 vines this wine is history in the making. And history tastes great...

• REFRESHING
• Fresh Citrus 
• Grapefruit
• Green Apple
• Floral
• Herbal Notes

Texas is leading the wine industry in production of Blanc Du Bois with more than 150 acres in production (in 2012) in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state and more than 20 commercial wines.  Much of this success can be credited to Raymond Haak.  Grape growing started as ahobby for him in 1969 and grew into what is today a destination for many locals and a major tourist attraction for Santa Fe, Texas and Galveston County on the Texas Gulf Coast.   The winery consists of more than 25,000 sq. ft., including an 1,800 sq. ft. cellar, which is used for storing and aging wines in oak barrels. Artwork throughout the winery is reminiscent of Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal with many angels watching over and protecting the vines and grapes.

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White Zinfandel, BERINGER, California

Beringer’s California Collection boasts some of the best-selling wines in the country. Fruit-forward and smooth, these wines offer dependable taste for casual drinkers.  Beringer White Zinfandel is known as “America’s favorite White Zinfandel” and to appreciate what that means understand that Sutter Home says: "One out of every ten bottles of table wine opened in America is white zinfandel."  This is a VERY popular wine category.

• FRUIT-PUNCH
• Red Berry
• Citrus
• Melon
• Subtle Nutmeg
• Hints of Clove

The grapes selected for Beringer's California Collection wines are from prime locations bathed in warm sunshine the majority of the day, to yield the most ripe, sun-kissed fruit flavors in the grapes.  By keeping the juice in contact with the grapes’ red skins for approximately three hours (a very short time,) a light blush color was retained. Beringer’s winemakers then used slow, cool fermentations to preserve the vibrant, fresh strawberry, honeydew, and citrus aromas and flavors.

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