Wine is made, one way or another, in every American state.
That said, it should be apparent that some states produce better wines than others.
California would be at the top of the list, of course, closely followed by Oregon and Washington.
One tier down, you’ll find New York, Virginia and Texas.
All of those states have success with the better known grape varieties, while mixing in a few “under the radar” grapes of their own.
In most other states, you’re more likely to encounter hybrids than vinifera varieties, as the growers and winemakers understand that it’s important to match the variety to the climate.
If you’d like to sample a mix of “usual suspects” and lesser known wines, consider attending the 2010 Southern New Mexico Wine Festival.
It’s scheduled over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31), and will take place at the Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds, located about 11 miles west of Las Cruces alongside Interstate-10.
The $15 entrance fee includes a souvenir glass, wine tasting and music. The Sunday headliner is Tribute2Tim, which is a Tim McGraw cover band.
To learn more about the festival, visit www.snmwinefestival.com or call 575-522-1232.
And we’ll have much more on the New Mexico wine scene in an upcoming issue of The Grapevine, which will be available at www.vinesse.com/grapevine
