WINE SMARTS
New Texas Hill Country wine selector helps find the perfect pour

A new scientifically backed tool takes the guesswork out of picking wines.
Consider it Bumble for Texas grapes. Texas wine industry advocacy group Texas Hill Country Wineries (THCW) just launched its latest online tool, a scientifically backed wine style selector that matches oenophiles with bottles they’re guaranteed to love — no awkward “first dates” required.
The nonprofit trade association partnered with Spring-based VineSleuth/Wine4.Me to create the handy tool, which narrows down options by type of wine (red, rosé, etc.) and eight taste profiles ranging from sweetness to minerality. A slider helps users further refine their selection, orchestrating meet-cutes with crisp, floral Rieslings or spicy, fruity Cabernet Francs.
The aim is to help wine lovers discover the more than 26 Texas-grown grape varieties grown by the organization’s 69 member wineries — a list that goes far beyond Pinot Noir. The selections are backed by sensory studies from Cornell researchers, winemakers, and wine educators, and draw from a thorough database of more than 180 wines.
“With so many grape varieties grown in Texas, and unique growing conditions shaping their flavors, understanding them all can be a challenge,” explains Amy Gross, CEO of VineSleuth/Wine4.Me, in a release. “This tool changes that and makes wine discovery simple and exciting for everyone.”
The launch of the selector comes as Texas Hill Country Wineries continues to invest in consumer-friendly innovations. In July, the organization launched its comprehensive Region Guide, which covers a broad range of topics like wines, wineries, terroir (growing conditions), history, region, and travel. The selector tool integrates into the guide. It’s like having a sommelier on a smartphone.
The tool will come in handy in October during Texas Wine Month, an annual celebration of the emerging viticultural region. To make the most of a Hill Country road trip, cork dorks can purchase a special passport for $85, granting them access to complimentary tastings, discounts, and more from more than 45 participating wineries.
