TEXAS, USA — Texans know the scenic Hill Country is the place to go for wine. But now the area is in the running for the title of Best Wine Region in North America.
The Texas Hill Country is one of the nominees for the Best Wine Region category of USA Today's 10 Best Readers Choice contest. There are 20 total nominees, including the Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast in California, Monticello in Virginia and the Niagra Peninsula in Ontario, Canada.
According to the Daily Trib newspaper – which covers parts of the Hill Country and all of the Highland Lakes – earlier this week, the Hill Country was in third place in the competition, behind the Walla Walla Valley of Washington and the Finger Lakes of New York.
Kate LaFleur, communications coordinator for Texas Hill Country Wineries, told the Daily Trib that while some may think of the region as a newcomer to the winery scene, that isn't the case.
"While some may think of the Texas Hill Country as an ‘emerging’ wine region, professionals and dedicated winemakers have been doing great things in the area for a long time now, and it’s a great time for people to check out what Texas wines have to offer,” LaFleur said.
She also said that a strength of the region is the variety of wineries in the area.
USA Today reports that the region is the second-largest American Viticulture Area in the U.S. with more than 50 wineries, and Hill Country varietals include Viognier, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Aglianico, Sangiovese and Mourvèdre.
According to USA Today, there are more than 250 grape-growing regions in North America.
If you'd like to vote for the Texas Hill Country as the Best Wine Region, you can do so here. Voting ends Monday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m. CST.
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