By Austin Powell

At Asatte Press we take our wine and beer seriously. However, since we are a Texas-based company we hold Texas-produced wine and beer very dear. “Texas wine and beer?” you ask. Yes, our Lone Star State has slowly become a national contender in volume of wine and craft beer produced. Texas wine and beer is pretty damn good, too. In this two-part blog post we will discuss the Texas craft beer and wine culture and go into detail about what makes both authentically Texan.

Texas wine has a history that dates back to the 17th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards near El Paso. Today the Texan wine industry is thriving. According to a study by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, in 2011 the Texas wine industry contributed $1.83 billion to the Texan economy.

The first step in identifying a good Texan wine is to determine what region of Texas the wine originated. The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association says that the state has 420 growers and 273 wineries. The state has eight American Viticultural (grape growing) Areas. Below is a table breaking down each region by the types of grapes that are grown in the area. Both the Texoma region to the north and the Mesilla Valley to the west are excluded from the table.

As you can see the state offers numerous different varietals of wines to choose from with Hill Country and the High Plains offering the most options.

Chris Hull is the winemaker for Llano Estacado winery in Lubbock. He says that despite the heat in the High Plains region, the dry climate still allows the grapes to retain their flavor.

“The warm weather and heat preserve the white aromatic varietals that produce your typical whites, like chardonnay,” he says.

The west Texas climate contrasts with the conditions in the northeastern part of the state where growing seasons are longer and the weather if often much more humid. This allows for red grapes to flourish.

Michael Watkins is the owner of the soon to open Wise Acres Vineyard in northeast Texas.

“The wines in the northeast Texas generally have a taste that is bitter and spicier than the western part of the state. Grapes grown in this part of the state tend to be more of the Côte de Rhone varietals from France but also are of Mediterranean Europe origin,” Michael Watkins says.

Texas will continue to be a growing market in the American wine industry as growers begin to have a better understanding of the state’s climate and growing seasons. According to a study published by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, Texas is the third largest wine producing state in the union.

Continue to follow our blog as this is the first in a two-part series about Texas wine and craft beer. Our next blog post will focus on the explosion of Texas craft beer and what kind of beer you should be drinking if you already aren’t.

By Austin Powell

Jeans are a staple of every man’s wardrobe and they can be incredibly versatile in any given situation.  Match a good pair of jeans with a blazer and tie for a night out and you’ll be surprised to see the number of eyes that follow you as you walk into the bar.  Or slide on your trusty, ol’ faithful pair with a t-shirt to go see some friends.  But what makes a good jean?  Is it the label, the fit, or the material? A good jean is all of these components rolled into one.  But fear not as we will go into detail below to help you find the perfect jean for you.

Aside from his stirring appearance on screen, James Dean also grabbed girls’ hearts through his mix of style, look, and attitude. We can’t promise you’ll look like him, but by the end of this article you’ll learn what it takes to wear jeans like the original American rebel.

The Fits

Fit is without a doubt the most important part when considering what jean to buy.  “Know thyself” as the ancient Greek aphorism says when deciding what fit is right for you.

Straight leg:  The straight leg is a classic cut that any man – no matter his waist size – can wear.  The fit is the same from the waist down so the jean can be worn with anything in your wardrobe.

Slim fit:  With a cut that tapers from the waist on down the leg, the slim fit (or skinny fit) is an ideal cut for slender men who like to show off their form.  The slim fit is also a jean that is ideal for any man who likes to dress fashionably.

Boot cut: The boot cut is the perfect fit if you have a pair of boots or high top shoes.  The boot cut can come in both slim boot and straight boot.  However, we recommend the slim boot to accentuate your boots or shoes.

The Colors and How to Wear Them With Your Wardrobe

‘Why can’t I just stick with the traditional blue and call it a day?’ you ask.  Diversity.  Adding color to your jean collection is essential.  Different jean colors adds more pop to your wardrobe.  New colors will also let you try new color combinations that will give a new dimension to your wardrobe.

Indigo:  Indigo-wash jeans go best with light colors.  Remember, the key to showing off your wardrobe is to contrast colors that add personality to what you’re wearing.  It’s best to turn these jeans inside out when washing them to preserve the jean color.  Hang dry after.

Washed:  this is a versatile wash that can be worn with any color since it’s pretty basic.

Brown or gray:  like indigo, brown and gray should be worn with light colors.  A pair of brown jeans with a denim shirt will turn heads wherever you go.  This combination is effortless and chic at the same time.

The Brands and Why You Should Care About them

Double RL:  Double RL is a label within Ralph Lauren that takes its name from Ralph’s 17,000-acre ranch in Colorado.  It’s no coincidence that these jeans have a rugged look.  Make no mistake, this denim uses the finest material in the world for jeans: Japanese selvedge. Who would wear this brand of jean?  While the Double RL line draws inspiration from Americana, any man looking to add a bit of flair to his denim collection can wear this jean.  Double RL has also been a hit among celebrities like Ben Affleck, Kanye West, Tom Cruise.   Prices range from $220 to $360.

Levi’s:  As the original producer of denim, Levi’s is still an icon in the denim industry.  Men looking for a classic look and a medium price point can’t go wrong with Levi’s.  The San Francisco-based company offers the traditional cuts that remind us of what jeans used to look like before American manufacturers switched from 30-inch wide cloth to 60-inch wide cloth.  Who would wear this brand of jean?  The man looking for a solid, durable jean but who does not want to spend a lot of money.  Prices range from $48 to $98.

True Religion:  True Religion denim is a different beast.  Rather than opt for a classic look like Levi’s and RRL, True Religion has selected a louder and more adventurous design.  True Religion is a Los Angeles-based company that produces all of its jeans in the US,  which partly explains the high cost.  Another cost driver is the use of selvedge in its denim.  Who would wear this?  Men looking for denim that immediately stands out from everyone else’s jeans in the room and are willing to pay for it.  Prices range from $172 to $400.

Armani Jeans:  Giorgio Armani has been designing clothes since the 1970s so it’s only natural that the Italian designer has a luxury denim line.  Armani Jeans sport a much more subdued look than True Religion jeans but don’t let that turn you away from giving Armani a shot.  Given that Armani is an Italian line, the jeans’ fit tends to be of the slimmer cut around the waist and seat.  Who would wear this?  Armani Jeans are recommended for young professionals looking for a jean that can be worn in the office and for nights out on the town.  Prices range from $140 to $440.

7 For All Mankind:  Another Los Angeles-based denim producer makes our list for jeans you should take a look at.  7 for all Mankind jeans, or 7FAM, are usually tight-fitting with a low rise.  The jean is marked by unique pocket stitching that varies depending on the fit.  Who would wear this?  The same man who would wear Armani Jeans would wear 7FAM.  Prices range from $169 to $298.

What to look out for

Be very careful when buying from sites like eBay because often these jeans are reproduced fakes and are not the true product.  Always buy from the label directly if your budget can support it.

Don’t assume your jean size is the same for every brand.  Each brand is different in fit regardless of how the tag is marked.  For example Double RL jeans sometimes have different fits for the same type of denim.  Each jean is crafted differently, so a 32 X 32 slim fit may be slightly different from another 32 X 32 slim fit.

The material of the jean will determine how you take care of it.  Imagine dating Katy Perry.  Would you treat her like any other woman?  Of course not!  The same principle should be followed when dealing with jeans.  For instance, don’t rush to throw Double RL jeans in the washer after one wear.  Jeans like Double RL and the ones listed above should be broken in and washed after months of wear to preserve the fit and quality of the denim.

Above: Japanese selvedge denim. This type of denim should be broken in and washed sparingly.