Wine Grape Plants in Texas

Black Spanish

• The Black Spanish grape, also known as the Lenoir grape, was once used in the south of France for winemaking, but now the Black Spanish is primarily an American variety. Its popularity in Texas sprung from its apparent resistance to a bacterial disease known as Pearce's Disease that can kill an entire vineyard. This dark-colored grape is typically used to produce red table wines in Texas.

Blanc du Bois

• The Blanc du Bois grape is an American hybrid variety of the Italian Muscat. The Blanc du Bois grape is grown in the southeastern portion of Texas and is used to produce popular white table wines. This variety is sweet like its Muscat ancestor and is also resistant to Pearce's Disease.

Muscadine

• Muscadine grapes grow all over the southeastern United States, from Maryland all the way south to the tip of Florida and as far west as East Texas. The muscadine is sometimes eaten as a raw fruit and is used to produce jelly and juice as well as wine throughout the region. The muscadine is technically a grape, but it is different than other varieties used in winemaking. It has a different number of chromosomes and it is well suited to grow in the high humidity of coastal Texas. Muscadine typically have a somewhat sour taste.

Cabernet Sauvignon

• The Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular grape throughout the world of winemaking. In Texas, it is the primary ingredient in many of the state winery's best selling red wines. This dark purple grape grows successfully in many different parts of Texas, but it is most successful in higher elevations. According to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association website, the Cabernet Sauvignon produces best above 3,000-foot elevations.

Sauvignon Blanc

• While Cabernet is the king of the red wine grapes, its cousin is not so successful. Sauvignon Blanc is grown successfully at times in Texas, but it does face some problems. This variety of grape is grown successfully in West Texas vineyards, but the tasty wine it produces is not in high demand. The variety often suffers from bunch rot and is susceptible to Pearce's Disease.