So many great wines, so hard to choose! That’s what it’s like when planning a Texas wine tasting so I decided to turn to some prestigious wine competitions for help. Texas really shined in the recent San Francisco International, San Francisco Chronicle and TEXSOM International wine competitions.

Before sharing the award-winning wines with a group of 30 wine enthusiasts, I selected two hugely popular sparkling wines – each made in a different method, but equally delicious and fun. Pop the bottle top on both of these bubblies to kick off any party!

William Chris Winery

2019 Pétillant Naturel Sparkling Rosé of Sangiovese, Malvasia, Mourvèdre. I got my hands on a few, still-unlabeled bottles of the new 2019 vintage of Pet-Nat from William Chris to explain the Methode Ancestral winemaking technique and to share this bubbly with notes of grapefruit and tart berry.

Bending Branch Winery

After last year’s inaugural Frizzante from Bending Branch that was sold out before you knew it, I was ready for more! The 2019 Texas Frizzante sparkling rosé of Tannat is as delightful as last year with notes of ripe strawberry.

Duchman Family Winery

Winning Gold at San Francisco International and probably Texas’ most popular white wine in restaurants, the 2017 Duchman Vermentino from Bingham Family Vineyards in the Texas High Plains is bright with notes of citrus and pear.

McPherson Cellars

McPherson’s 2018 Les Copains White also brought home gold at San Francisco International, with its notes of citrus and peach. Meaning “the friends,” Les Copains is a blend of Viogner, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Piquepoul Blanc.

Rancho Loma Vineyards

Texas Monthly referred to this 2017 Cinsault Rosé as a “stunner, stunner, stunner!” This is a really nice rosé with raspberry and strawberry notes.

Lost Draw Cellars

Winning Judges’ Selection at TEXSOM International is huge and this year, the Texas red went to Lost Draw for its 2018 Texas Sangiovese. Anyone who knows me knows I love Sangiovese and the Lost Draw wine is exceptional with cherry, red earth, leather and herbal notes.

Spicewood Vineyards

Ron Yates got his love for Tempranillo while visiting Spain in college. His hard work to make fine Texas Tempranillo has paid off, with a Best of Class for Tempranillo at San Francisco Chronicle and a Gold at San Francisco International for his 2017 Texas High Plains Tempranillo, with notes of cherry, leather and hint of cedar.

Ron Yates Wines

Whoever says you can’t make great Cabernet in Texas needs to talk with Ron Yates. His 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Friesen Vineyard brought home Double Gold at San Francisco International and Gold at San Francisco Chronicle. This exceptional red offers notes of red and black fruit, leather, coca and black pepper.

Bending Branch Winery

The signature red from Bending Branch, Tannat is considered one of the “healthiest” reds and it keeps bringing home the medals. Winning Gold at San Francisco International, the 2017 Texas Tannat offers notes of black plum, cocoa, spice and smoke.

Cheers,  Denise

Certified Wine Educator, WSET Advanced, Certified Sommelier, French Wine Scholar, Les Dames D’Escoffier Austin
Phone: (512) 587-5879
Email: denise@deniseclarkepr.com