When local wine isn't appropriate for a local food event

The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, in its 26 years of existence, has done epic work in bringing Texas wine to the people. At one time, it was about the only major wine festival in the state that paid attention to Texas wine, and its efforts have played a key role in improving the quality of Texas wine.

So why, for this weekend's Wine and Swine Culinary event, which is one of the festival's major fundraisers, are no Texas wines being served? There are Texas chefs. But the wines are from Australia, California and South Africa. I have an email in to the event organizers, and if I hear anything, I'll update this. Maybe there's a good reason, like no Texas winery wanted to participate. Yes, I'm being facetious.

Update: Erika White, the festival's executive director, replied to my email: "Peregrine Hill will be there and they are from Texas. We continue to support Texas wineries of course and are working on a few Texas Wine Signature events during the Festival."

Which is all well and good, of course, though it would have been be nice to see Peregrine Hill listed in the publicity. But it still doesn't address the question of why a major Texas food event is skimping on Texas wines.

Comments

[Russ Kane]

Go Jeff....great comments.

But, it could be that Texas wineries are in such a fight for credibility that they didn't want their names associated with an event that might brand them as "Swine Wine" or "Swill".

I once asked a Texas winemaker if he would consider putting his wine in one of those new-fangled boxes to sell. He replied that Texas wines are fighting for credibility and Texas wine in a box just didn't further that cause.

What do you think? That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

[Denise]

It's too bad that Texas wineries aren't involved...many Texas wineries have done wine and pork pairings during wine trails, etc.

[JFTxWino]

If you have never tried it...pair a Lenoir Blush with Pork Loin...Unbelievable.... see what they are missing out on!

[Jeff Siegel]

I'm a huge Lenoir/Black Spanish fan, and wish more Texas wineries made wine with the grape.