Wine for the confused: Texas wines and how a Texan saved the worlds vineyards

The Texas wine industry is producing more and better wines every year. Today, over 180 wineries employ 9000 Texans generating 1.35 Billion dollars yearly. It began with the Spanish Missionaries in 1600. The European immigrants followed in the 1800's with vine cuttings brought from their homelands. By 1883, Val Verde, Texas oldest winery is established. At the same time the Phyloxera epidemic was destroying the majority of all vineyards in the world. A man called Thomas Munson from Dennison develops disease resistant American root stocks. They are shipped around the world and become the rootstock for almost all the wine grapes grown in the world. The French rewarded him with the Legion of Honor Chevalier Medal for saving the entire industry. Texas has the climate and soils to grow fantastic grapes, but the high cost of running a winery and marketing pressures encourage high volume, not high quality. Thankfully, there are some real artists here trying to make the best wine possible. If you want to make a million dollars with a winery, start with two million. Confused? Come join us at Cork & Co. for our 3rd wine class of 2013 series and enjoy 4 top Texas wines with some yummy cheese trays. Your Austin Wine Taster member Sommelier Aaron (Penguin) will be pouring. Cost is $25 and seating is limited to 12. Pay at the official link below to guarantee a seat, or RSVP here and pay at the door.
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