TEXAS TOAST: WHAT GROWS TOGETHER GOES TOGETHER
The Texas Hill Country is the hottest wine-growing region in the world. We mean that in a very literal sense. Our job as winemakers is to translate the unique character of our environment via the flavors expressed in grapes, and we have long held that fermenting the grape skins (which absorbed all that sun abuse) in contact with the juice will express more of our uniquely blazing hot terroir. There are techniques that allow this skin contact to lend texture and length to the wine without losing the joy and refreshment of being a thirst-quenching, zippy white wine. We believe we have truly found that balance in our new sparkling wine, the "Texas Toast."
Grown right down the road at Paradis Vineyards in San Marcos, this wine is 100% Viognier. It is grown on incredibly rocky limestone soils that express great salinity and flinty character in the wine. It was hand-harvested on July 12th, destemmed, and fermented naturally in open-air bins for one week before being pressed into Flextank, where it was aged on lees for 7 months. It was given a small dosage (about half of a typical Champagne level) to provide a light bubble that lifts the palate and remains thirst-quenching without being a challenging CO2 bomb. We like to call it "chuggy bubbles."
We feel like this is a perfect buddy for these heat dome days. In addition to bringing reprieve from the heat and offering a tasty beverage at the end of your day, keep in mind that when you buy wine that was locally grown, your money stays in the neighborhood. It supports the farm that grew it, the winery that made it, and all of the jobs associated with those businesses. It also means it wasn't put on a truck and shipped across the country or a tanker crossing oceans, so its carbon footprint is very, very low. Good on you. Good for your local economy, the environment, and a great treat to round off a hard day's work. Toast to Texas!
Just 90 cases produced. Due to massive hail damage, there will be no 2024 vintage of this wine, so keep in mind how precious and limited it is when you open a bottle. Share it with people who care!
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