Today, Lenoir is gaining favor among
vineyards and
wineries in the
Texas Hill Country, the
Rio Grande Valley, and in
North Texas where Pierce's Disease is a constant worry with vinifera grapes. A more
disease-resistant, black-skinned, red-wine hybrid of Lenoir crossed with Herbemont called "Favorite" was bred by John Niederauer of
Brenham, Texas, and introduced circa 1938 (Brooks & Olmo 3rd, 1997). As growers in Texas realize the risk and expense associated with growing vinifera grapes in a hostile environment, Lenoir and Favorite are gaining greater acceptance. Lenoir has been used for years in Texas
port-style wines and as a blending varietal for its earthy aroma and dark color. Now more wineries are starting to use it in single-variety
dry wines. Its taste has been described as completely different from European varieties, yet without the
Concord-like notes of other old-line American hybrid grape varieties bred as
table grapes from the wild
Vitis labrusca grape. Also, the taste of Lenoir wine is said to improve when the bottle is left uncorked or strongly aerated by
decanting, which suggests that reducing compounds are common in wines from the variety. Like the Virginia
Vitis aestivalis hybrid
Norton, Lenoir is gaining favor among wine enthusiasts who are looking for new tastes and locally sourced American products. ==See also==