Though it may sound like more Texan bravado, the southwest, from west Texas through New Mexico and even into Arizona, is actually capable of producing decent wines. The Texans are centered in the famous hill country west of Austin. The dry, hot, arid climate is perfect for grapevines, with little threat of inopportune freezes, problematic humidity, or rain at harvest.

This makes for big, ripe, and the uncharitable would add occasionally roasted, wines. The industry has really just gotten going, and there's lots of land out there, so it's difficult to make generalizations, but there are some promising reds being produced, and the ubiquitous Chardonnay makes an appearance as well, confirming its well deserved moniker as the "weed" of the wine world. (Wine/Appellations)