Loved the show. Glad to see you do Texas wines. There are very few great wineries in Texas but one of the ones close to where I live (Houston) actually grows grapes that thrive in Humidity (blanc du bois and the Spanish Red). He imports all the rest of his grapes but grows those two types. I for one am glad to see the texas wine industry growing…it’s a challange and I really wonder where it will head.

Texas? Please. Puhleeze. Not to discourage anyone who is trying to make good wine in Texas.

QOTD: No favorites outside of those 4 states. My husband thinks there may be an ice wine in Idaho that’s good.

QOTD: Cabernet Franc 03′ 04′ 05′ blend Laurello Vineyards Ohio

2006 Sugarleaf Vineyards Viognier

My review from Cellartracker.com
“83 points: This was not very good. Fairly sweet with a strange aftertaste. AMM”

Maybe it should have been lower, not sure. Don’t try the Sugarleaf Cab.Franc whatever you do…AMM

QOTD: 2002 Arena Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Snake River Winery

I eat/drink local any time I can and I’m fortunate to have access to some great wine nearby.

QOTD: I can’t remember much about it anymore, but it was a claret style from Missouri. C

Cool show today.

QOTD: Sharpe Hill Dry Summer Rose from Pomfret, Connecticut. It’s made primarily from a red grape widely grown in Michigan. I think it’s called St. Croix. Strawberries for days on the nose, tons of fruit on the palate and a dry, crisp finish. Yummy!

They also make some great Burgundian style Chards and Alsatian style Rieslings. What they are most well known for though is their “secret” white blend (10 grapes, I think) called the Ballet of Angels. There is a little residual sugar, but because of all the acidity (it can get pretty cold in Ct) the balance is good. Fun summer sipper!

QOTD – Gruet sparking wines are pretty good. Also, I had an Apple wine from Michigan that was delicious – PENINSULA CELLARS KROUPA ORCHARD OLD MISSION was the name…

Nothing outside of California, Oregon and Washington I have to say.

Aloha!!! Yes Maui has a winery out of Pineapples. There passion fruit
is fun and not serious

The Cowboys rock…. nuff said.

Keep tryin Texas.

I dont know, I have a bottle of Chardonnay from Williamsburg Winery that I havent opened yet…I will get back to you on this one

Calling it out…

…Yesterday’s episode mentioned that any time you awarded an 85 point to a wine, Mott would point the cam to the shirt to the shirt behind you. You awarded the 85 point and there was no pan…

QOTD: No idea, I have only had Cali, Wash and Oregon wines from the states.

First of all, congratulations to all those who commented in the top ten. I’m glad it means so much to you. I’ll stop there.

QOTD: Linden Hardscrabble Chardonnay, hands down. I have had the privilege of trying quite a few Virginia wines, and Jim Law at Linden has been one of the most consistent winemakers in the state. The vast majority of his wines are shockingly true to the varietal’s style (after you’ve tried the other side of Virginia wines.) The growing seasons are so drastically different from year to year here in VA, but Linden takes it in stride. They also make a Sauvignon Blanc that comes pretty darn close to standing up to some Sancerres for the same price.

First of all, congratulations to all those who commented in the top ten. I’m glad it means so much to you. I’ll stop there.

QOTD: Linden Hardscrabble Chardonnay, hands down. I have had the privilege of trying quite a few Virginia wines, and Jim Law at Linden has been one of the most consistent winemakers in the state. The vast majority of his wines are shockingly true to the varietal’s style (after you’ve tried the other side of Virginia wines.) The growing seasons are so drastically different from year to year here in VA, but Linden takes it in stride. They also make a Sauvignon Blanc that comes pretty darn close to standing up to some Sancerres for the same price.

Really enjoyed the show today, and while the Texas wines virtually sucked, I don’t really think our expectations were high to begin with. On the other hand, I’m sure our wines in Virginia will fare well when you do our state. Having said that…………..QOTD……………..? No favorite outside of the “final four”.

Yo G-man!

Nice show…I’ve not had much wine out of Texas that did it for me. Here in New Mexico, we really have some excellent wine. I’d say my favorite I’ve had would probably be a Sangiovese or a Tempranillo from Tularosa Vineyards in Tularosa, New Mexico, but then my real good freind is the owner/vinter/wineboy there. So I’m biased. Outside of lots of really amazing New Mexico wine, I’ve had some really amazing stuff out of Virginia, a place called Keswick Vineyards comes to mind, they had a Bordeauxesque blend called Trevillian, that knocked my socks right off. Cab, Cab franc, Toriga National, Merlot, possibly petit verdot…it was very rad, made Paryb happy.

Yo G-man!

Nice show…I’ve not had much wine out of Texas that did it for me. Here in New Mexico, we really have some excellent wine. I’d say my favorite I’ve had would probably be a Sangiovese or a Tempranillo from Tularosa Vineyards in Tularosa, New Mexico, but then my real good freind is the owner/vinter/wineboy there. So I’m biased. Outside of lots of really amazing New Mexico wine, I’ve had some really amazing stuff out of Virginia, a place called Keswick Vineyards comes to mind, they had a Bordeauxesque blend called Trevillian, that knocked my socks right off. Cab, Cab franc, Toriga National, Merlot, possibly petit verdot…it was very rad, made Paryb happy.

Does CheerWine count? 😉

I have to give some props to my home state of Virginia. There are two wines that I really enjoy.
Cardinal Point A6 (Chardonnay/Viognier)
Naked Mountain Chardonnay

I haven’t come across any life changing reds yet.

Guess I’ll be the only one to defend Texas wines. The few wines that are widely available in stores are not usually that good. I have had some excellent Texas wines that are only available at the wineries. The Becker Cab Sav Reserve is outstanding. McPherson makes good wine. Dry Comal Creek makes a wonderful Hungarian style red and a Black Spanish that is exceptional. Llano Estacado’s Viviano is super. Grape Creek makes great wines. Lone Oak makes wonderful Rhone style reds and so on and so on. The Texas wine industry is in its infancy. Yes, the weather is a major challenge. Too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, late freeze, hail, etc. In some years there are just not enough Texas grown grapes to make decent wine. It takes years for a winery to figure out what grows the best in their area. Texas is a big place, and what grows well in the Panhandle may not grow that well in the Hill Country or North Texas. And of course the weather will throw you a curve ball in the middle of it. I think Gary is correct when he says that in the next 20 years Texas will be a “player” in the wine world. When Texas wine is really good it is REALLY GOOD, but when it is bad, it’s…..well…..:) If you get a chance to come to Texas, try to go to the wineries and taste what they have to offer. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Guess I’ll be the only one to defend Texas wines. The few wines that are widely available in stores are not usually that good. I have had some excellent Texas wines that are only available at the wineries. The Becker Cab Sav Reserve is outstanding. McPherson makes good wine. Dry Comal Creek makes a wonderful Hungarian style red and a Black Spanish that is exceptional. Llano Estacado’s Viviano is super. Grape Creek makes great wines. Lone Oak makes wonderful Rhone style reds and so on and so on. The Texas wine industry is in its infancy. Yes, the weather is a major challenge. Too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, late freeze, hail, etc. In some years there are just not enough Texas grown grapes to make decent wine. It takes years for a winery to figure out what grows the best in their area. Texas is a big place, and what grows well in the Panhandle may not grow that well in the Hill Country or North Texas. And of course the weather will throw you a curve ball in the middle of it. I think Gary is correct when he says that in the next 20 years Texas will be a “player” in the wine world. When Texas wine is really good it is REALLY GOOD, but when it is bad, it’s…..well…..:) If you get a chance to come to Texas, try to go to the wineries and taste what they have to offer. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Being from the Old Dominion I have tried numerous wines at wineries, tastes of Va, and other tastings throughout the state as well as various NC wines. Nothing I have tasted has warranted being classified as good, the best was the Octagon blend, but it is grossly overpriced.

QOTD: Nothing end of story.

I am from Texas and was really looking forward to this episode. However, I was really disappointed with the 4 selections. Never heard of that Texas Hills winery and there are probably less than 100 down here. I am partial to Llano Estacado Riesling and the Viviano Super Tuscan.

manonthemoon,

QPR is pretty much nonexistent in Virginia wines, at least at this point. Have you seen the facilities all these places are building that they have to pay for? It is much more of a tourism industry at this point.

I say give reds 10 years, and while you’re at it some Linden might be worth a shot.

Nashoba Valley Winery, Bolton,Massachusetts. Blueberry wine, and Raspberry Wine. http://www.nashobawinery.com

They make many fine fruit wines. None from grapes.