We read the studies, we see the research, and it’s hard to deny that there are benefits to drinking red wine. A good bottle of red wine doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are three Texas red wines that are inexpensive and great for everyday consumption. Although Texas has a long way to go to catch up to California, there are plenty of Texas wineries – especially in the Texas Hill Country – offering good wines at good prices with all the benefits of red wine.
Becker Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon
I love this little wine. It retails for a little over $10, and I think it’s one of the best everyday consumption reds in Texas. If you’re trying to reap the benefits of red wine, this one’s worth it. It goes well with the usual food fare, but I’ll open a bottle and drink it with just about anything I place on the dinner table. It’s not too heavy, but it doesn’t taste mass produced. I like a dry red wine, and this one achieves more than a suitable approach to a big red cab. If you’re hosting a party and you want to impress without breaking the bank, try this Texas red wine. Your guests will think you splurged. Before I move onto the my next recommendation, I should let the reader know that most good Texas red wines come from Texas wineries in the Texas Hill Country. The rugged beauty and loamy soil are good for grapes, so you can make a super vacation by taking a tour of the Texas Hill Country and its Texas Wineries.
Texas Hills Vineyard Kick Butt Cab
This is my all time favorite Texas Red Wine. Save your change and get the Newsome Vineyard version of this Texas red wine. It will take on even the best in California. It is everything a big red should be. Buy a few bottles and save them for a special occasion or a perfectly cooked meal. However, the benefits of red wine can be had by purchasing the less expensive, Texas Hill Country label of the same wine. Notably less worthy of the name Kick Butt Cab, but still very, very fine for everyday red wine consumption. While on that tour of Texas Wineries, make sure you stop by this vineyard. It’s in President Lyndon B. Johnson’s home town; Johnson City. So you can check out his stompin’ grounds while you’re sampling one of the prides of Texas.
Messina HofPrivate Reserve Shiraz
Paul and Merrill Bonarigo didn’t pick the Texas Hill Country for their Texas winery, but that’s O.K. They still produce one fine Texas red wine. In Texas, Messina Hof reds are easily acquired at just about any grocery store at a really accessible price. Those aren’t necessarily the best representations of what the Bonarigos can do. I recommend Private Reserve Shiraz. I didn’t even know it existed until a friend suggested I buy myself a bottle. What a great recommendation. I suspect the grapes come from the Texas High Plains, but the wine master is in Bryan, Texas; which is a long way from the Texas Hill Country. For everyday use, when going for the benefits of red wine, pick up a Messina Hof Texas red off the grocery store shelf, but for a serious drinking experience, order the Private Reserve Shiraz.
Wineries that embody Texas Pride
Yup. Texans are obnoxiously proud. We’ve got a big, diverse, beautiful state capable of producing some outstanding red wines, and we get better at it every day. The world really hasn’t caught on to what we’re doing in the Texas Hill Country, so look up one of our Texas Wineries, and get yourself a bargain on Texas red wine. You’ll reap the benefits of red wine without breaking the bank.
References
www.texasredwines.com
www.beckervineyards.com
www.texashillsvineyard.com
www.messinahof.com
