Monday, May 7, 2012

Italy or Texas?


As a follower, you know I live in Texas....and you would be correct, the grapes are in my garden. This is the Black Spanish Grape that does so well in Texas. It is great for making wine or jams.







Although I planted grapes last year, this is my first year to have grapes growing on the vines. Last year, was a terrible drought and I lost several plants.





Here are some interesting facts about Texas Wineries:

190 Wineries
America's No. 5 wine and grape producer
220 family-owned vineyards covering 3,700 acres

Texas is the site of the first vineyard established in North America by Franciscan priests, circa 1662.

I don't believe I will get a bottle of wine out of my grapes this year, but I will definitely have a few jars of jam to use with my breakfast biscuits.....

Meggie Mac

21 comments:

  1. Oh so nice to have grapes. I didn't know about Texas and winery so that was news for me. Have a nice day.

    Hugs
    Elna

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    Replies
    1. Hello Elna...I'm learning a lot this year about grapes.

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  2. Here in Washington, wineries make up a lot of the state. My mother grew concord grapes for jelly/jam, but I've never attempted them. I love the interesting facts you listed for Texas wineries--something to keep in mind the next time I travel there to teach. XOXO

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    Replies
    1. Hello Susan....I also have couple other varieties, plus I have the wild mustang grape growing on the farm.

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  3. Replies
    1. Hello...I would share if we were neighbors!

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  4. I didn't realize there were so many wineries in Texas. Very interesting info. Nice pics, too.

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    1. Hi Cheryl...there is one only a few miles from me. I will probably do a post on it with photographs.

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  5. I must admit to my complete ignorance about there being any wineries or vineyards in Texas. I shall have to squirrel away those facts and dazzle people with my new knowledge! I love the photographs.

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    1. Hello Elaine....Just another little tidbit: I also have an olive tree. They are grown commercially in some parts of Texas.

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  6. I'm looking forward to seeing the bottles that come from these grapes later in the year! Jx

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    1. Hello Jan....I'm thinking it will take another year before they produce enough to make wine. I still can make jam in a small batch.

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  7. Your grapes look fantastic, Meggie!

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    Replies
    1. Hello and thanks. Later today, I will take a look at your post on barns...

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  8. Sweet! Are they easy to grow (with the exception of dealing with a drought)? I drive by a number of vineyards in my area of Texas.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Janet...I know this variety is easy, but it needs well draining soil.

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  9. Fab that you can grow your own grapes! I have seen them grown here in England but indoors only and I dont know how they would taste.All the sunshine you get over in Texas must make them really sweet.
    P.S. thank you for the lovely comment over on my blog and the song by sinatra is one of our favourites XX

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    Replies
    1. Hello Anne, the sunshine here does help and the long summers. I really did enjoy your last two post about your wedding in the states. I'm glad you liked the sinatra song. First, I hesitated about it and then, I said, "Go ahead, she will like it"

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  10. Replies
    1. You are right....so tasty and great jam or jelly!

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  11. I'd much prefer to grape jam to wine! Good luck with your crop this year.

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