It is not well known that Texas viticulture had a tremendous, historic impact on the European wine industry. Thomas Volney Munson and the Texas rootstocks literally saved the devastated French vineyards from phylloxera at the end of the 19th century. His solution – grafting French vines onto resistant native rootstocks from Texas – awarded him the Chevalier du Merite Agricole from the French Legion of Honor, the highest recognition given to foreign nationals. He was also honored by a number of viticultural and scientific associations. Grafting vines on resistant rootstocks is still an essential element of modern viticulture and research today. In 1992, for the centennial celebration of his monumental contribution to the French wine industry Munsons' hometown of Denison Texas, and Cognac France became sister cities. [References]