Wine Matters: Texas Tech viticulture program first in state
The Texas High Plains has 9 million acres that could be planted to grapes. Talk to some of the local farmers now growing everything from grenache to viognier, and you'll wonder why the entire area isn't completely covered with vines.
Prices for High Plains grapes are healthy, much stronger than prices for other crops produced in the area, from cotton to watermelon. "Our soils are very well suited for vineyards," said Ed Hellman, who teaches viticulture at Texas Tech University and Texas Agrilife Extension.
Good Color. Not only that, the days are long and warm with contrasting cool nights, which helps grapes mature more slowly while developing needed acid and structure. "A lot of sunlight means good color," he said.
Yet ties to tradition are hard to cut; so are memories of the 1990s when the market for grapes fell flat. There's also a concern about discerning which grapes are the best for the various climates within the region. Rhone varieties, such as grenache, cinsault and mourvédre, have done well, while Spanish and Italian grapes, from tempranillo to pinot grigio, are also proving compatible.
But some grapes won't flourish in all areas, which is why Hellman knows that "we need a better understanding of how grape varieties grow in this environment." He's hoping to get some answers with the help of the new enology program starting this fall at Texas Tech. It's the first undergraduate wine program in the state. "We're real excited about that," he said.
Viticulture Degree. The new viticulture degree is being offered to students who are pursuing a degree in horticulture and turfgrass sciences. Classes in winemaking and wine tourism will also be included. By next year, the program should grow to include courses on business planning for wineries, marketing wine and vineyard management.
The program is being embraced by wineries in the High Plains, which are always on the lookout for more fruit. Yet quality has to be emphasized, said Mark Hyman, president and chief operating officer of Llano Estacado Winery. "This industry could be huge, but it's got to be done in the vineyards," he said. Hellman has seen the potential for growth explode in just a short period of time.
"The wine industry has expanded rapidly in the past five years or so, and not just in Texas," he has said. "You look at states like Oklahoma, New Mexico "" even Nebraska and Kansas "" and there are burgeoning industries there. This has created a need for graduates, which is why we can offer this new degree specialization. Even eight years ago, we couldn't have been teaching these subjects; we didn't have the faculty to teach them."
Written by John Griffin - San Antonio Express-News Food Editorhttp://www.mysanantonio.com/life/food/45469092.html
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