Chairman: The
Texas – Virginia Wine Summit will now come to order. After
years of jostling for the honor of joining California,
Washington, New York,
and Oregon as
the fifth of the future “Big Five,” we have decided to put this question
to you,
the panel, for reconciliation. We have to my left, representing the
great state
of Texas, Ben
Simons, the notable Texan of Vinotology fame. To my right is Joshua
Sweeney,
the man behind Wine(Explored), representing his home state of Virginia.

Both men are very proud of their home states’ wine
industries.  They have battled each other from year to year to try to
gain
entry into the top tier of wine regions, and at present remain neck and
neck in
the push to become the next heralded wine state.  The time has come for
the battle to end. The time has come for cooperation within the states
known as
"The Other 46".  The time has come to share our wine. Let us
enter into this new era of cooperation with glasses raised.  With this
goal in mind, I now yield the floor to the good gentleman from the state
of
Virginia, Mr. Joshua Sweeney, for opening remarks.

 —-

Josh: Thank you,
Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen of the panel, I present
to you my opening evidence for consideration for recognizing Virginia as
a premier wine-producing region.

First, Virginia
has, by all rights, the longest history of agriculture in the nation.
We’re
entering our fifth century of production, giving us incredible insight
into our
geologic profile. Our viticulture thrives on a variety of growing
regions
similar to those of Alsace, France:

- areas of soils formed by a combination of rich
carbonate sediment and slate

- highly acidic soil from natural erosion of
granite
and limestone in the Blue Ridge Mountains

- a sandy, clay-minerals-heavy coastal region

These lead to a variety of wine-growing regions
suitable for many different varietals.

Second, the culture here is still predominantly
farm-oriented. Families founded farms and plantations here centuries
ago, and
their descendents still work the same soil. This leads to an immaculate
knowledge of the lay-of-the-land, as it were, and carefully developed
farmland.
Many of these farmers either turned their knowledge of the soil into the
cultivation
of ideally-suited varietals or sold their land to vintners who had a
similar
goal in mind. The result is a rapidly-growing variety of quality wines
produced
to rival any other wine-producing region.

Chairman: Thank you, Virginia.
We will now hear opening remarks on Texas from Ben Simons.

—

Ben: Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you to my esteemed colleague from the state of Virgina. Ladies and gentlemen of the panel, I submit for your consideration the evidence for my state's inclusion among the ranks of the premier wine regions in the United States.

Texas has a long history of wine production, dating back to when Franciscan priests established a vineyard and winery at the Mission of
Ysleta in 1662.  Despite the fact that wine has been made in Texas for such a great length of time, it has only really been in the last 20 years or so that the Texas has been seriously involved in wine production, which means that much of our best days in wine are still ahead of us.  The size of the state allows for a broad variety in terroirs within our borders.  

Texas has a thriving wine tourism destination in the Texas Hill Country.  The area around the town of Fredericksburg is scenic, especially when the wild flowers are blooming, and there are many great wineries and other attractions in the area for visitors to see and experience. 

Texas has recently started to focus on the production of some unique varietals that are performing well, including Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and Viognier.  These wines show the potential to give Texas some signature varieties that will differentiate the state from other wine states, and will really demonstrate the quality of Texas wine, and will be expressive of a unique Texas terroir.

Chairman: Thank you Texas.  We will now recess for the day, but will return tomorrow with a presentation of wines from both states.  Our session tomorrow will meet at the Wine(Explored) blog.  This meeting is adjourned.