Sister Creek 2010 Muscat Canelli, Texas Appellation: The Original’s Back

Sister Creek 2010 Muscat Canelli, Texas Appellation: The Original’s Back

It’s been a rough few years for the Texas wine industry and especially the grape growers. Late spring freezes, untimely rain and episodes hail. That’s been most of the story line from the 2007 through 2009 vintages in Texas. As a consequence, many wines that historically have been made from enough Texas grapes to be classified Texas Appellation and entitled to wear “Texas” on their label, have had to be made from grapes sourced from out of state vineyards.

Both red and white grapes in Texas have been hurt by these weather events, but it seems like white grape varieties and the white wines made from them have suffered most. The most horrific event was the spring 2009 freeze that spun across the state.

In 2010, it was different. The year started with a deep cold winter and a slow warm-up through March and April without as killing freeze. By June, many growers were optimistic for a good year, but they still had to get through May and June: the hail season for most of Texas. The early summer was cool and wet, but around mid July, to the delight of wine growers, the summer finished hot and dry. The end result was a 40 percent increase in Texas grown wine grapes.

On my most recent trip to the local wine shop in Houston, I noticed an “old friend” on the shelf: Sister Creek Vineyards, Muscat Canelli. While in one respect, the wine it never left the shelves, the wine in the bottle in previous years, wasn’t Texas Appellation. However, the good news is that the 2010 Sister Creek Muscat Canelli IS made from enough Texas grapes to proudly carry the the words “TEXAS” again.

This semi-sweet wine has been a perpetual favorite. Rich in aromatics of citrus, jasmine and honeysuckle, the wine titillates the senses and bathes the palate in crisp sweetness with a hint of carbonation to give it a tickle, as well.

Welcome back, Sister Creek Muscat Cannelli (Texas Appellation).