I love wine, and I love wine from Texas.With more than 215 wineries, Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state and seventh-largest grape producer. In the first-ever Texas Sommelier Tasting, nearly a dozen sommeliers and wine experts blind tasted more than 100 Texas wines to select their favorites. The cool thing about Texas wines is that the winemakers are not afraid to experiment and play around with atypical varieties.

“While Texas makes some outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and Chardonnays, winemakers across the Lone Star State are not afraid to introduce wine consumers to new wines well-suited for our climate and our Southwestern foods,” said Robert Champion, state coordinator of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Wine Marketing Program.

Here are the favorites … looks like I need to get myself on a wine tour stat, I’ve only tried wine from a few of these winners! I’m particularly loving the sound of the Brennan Vineyards wines!

Merlot:
Grape Creek Vineyards, 2008 Merlot
Pedernales Cellars, 2008 Merlot

Syrah:
Brennan Vineyards, 2007 Syrah

Petite Syrah:
Torre di Pietra Vineyards, 2008 Petite Syrah

Tempranillo/Tempranillo Blends:
Inwood Estates Vineyards, 2008 Cornelius
Inwood Estates Vineyards, 2007 Tempranillo-Cabernet
Pedernales Cellars, 2008 Tempranillo
Red Caboose Winery and Vineyard, 2007 Tempranillo
La Buena Vida Vineyards-Springtown, 2005 Smith Estate Tempranillo

Cabernet Sauvignon:
Crump Valley Vineyards, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Brennan Vineyards, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Kiepersol Estates Winery, 2007 Texas Cabernet Sauvignon

Rhone and Bordeaux Blends:
Becker Vineyards, 2009 Prairie Rotie
Inwood Estates Vineyards, 2006 Magellan
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, 2006 Paulo Bordeaux Blend

Red Blends:
Brushy Creek Vineyards, NV Trois Amis
Pedernales Cellars, 2008 Kuhlken Vineyards Reserve
Red Caboose Winery and Vineyard, 2008 Lenoir/Tempranillo
Sandstone Cellars, 2009 X
Llano Estacado, 2007 Viviano
Fall Creek Vineyards, 2006 Meritus

Other Reds:
Duchman Family Winery, 2009 Dolcetto
Duchman Family Winery, 2009 Montepulciano
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, 2009 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc
Sandstone Cellars, 2009 VII

Rosé:
Driftwood Estate Winery, 2010 Dry Rosé
McPherson Cellars, 2009 Rosé of Syrah
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, 2010 Sophia Marie Rosé

Chardonnay:
Llano Estacado, 2009 (this is a great, cheap bottle)

Unoaked Chardonnay:
Fall Creek Vineyards, 2009 Chardonnay

Viognier:
Lone Oak Winery, 2010 Viognier
Brennan Vineyards, 2009 Viognier

Blanc du Bois:
Haak Vineyards and Winery, 2010 Dry Blanc du Bois
Lone Oak Winery, 2010 Blanc du Bois
Enoch’s Stomp, 2009 Off-Dry Blanc du Bois
Haak Vineyards and Winery, 2010 Semi-Sweet Blanc du Bois

Pinot Grigio:
Texas Hills Vineyard, 2008 Pinot Grigio

Riesling:
Bell Mountain Vineyards, 2007 Late Harvest Riesling

Other Whites:
Duchman Family Winery, 2009 Vermentino
Llano Estacado, 2009 Viviana
Landon Winery, 2010 Gewurztraminer

Dessert/Port:
Enoch’s Stomp, 2009 Sweet Lenoir
Grape Creek Vineyards, NV Port
Pleasant Hill Winery, NV Tawny Rosso Forte
Texas Hills Vineyard, 2008 Moscato
Stone House Vineyard, NV Scheming Beagle Port
McPherson Cellars, NV Chansa Solera Reserva Sherry
Enoch’s Stomp, 2009 Ellen’s Sweet Song

***If your fave Texas wine wasn’t mentioned, leave it in the comments!***