Alice Feiring, leading advocate for natural wines, will present her book, NAKED WINE: Letting Grapes Do What Comes Naturally, at the Tucson Festival of Books culinary stage, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. I will be moderating a cast of local wine experts gathering to discuss her challenge for winemakers to produce wines without over-processing.

Naked wine is defined as stripped down to the basics—wine that represents the terroir, as it was meant to be. Feiring calls naked wines wholesome, exciting, provocative, living, sensual, and pure. This is quite the opposite of many of today’s new world-style wines being produced—which she describes as “over-ripe, over-manipulated, and over-blown.”

In this book, described as her “personal journey into the new (but centuries old) world of natural wine,” Feiring takes the dare to try her hand (and feet) at natural winemaking—making wine with nothing more than crushed grapes. She learns that it isn’t all that easy, but she remains steadfast in her belief that additives and chemicals used in the process should be used only when necessary. This includes the addition of yeasts, enzymes, and processes that use machines to alter alcohol level, flavor, or texture, or that promote premature aging.

Meet Alice Feiring, Author of “Naked Wine” at Tucson Festival of Books, Sunday, March 10, 2:30 p.m.

In her first book, THE BATTLE FOR WINE AND LOVE or How I Saved the World from Parkerization, Feiring fearlessly takes on Robert Parker, whose rating system she believes set the stage to tempt winemakers into produce fruit-bomb, over-processed wines to score his approval. Both of Feiring’s books are fascinating fodder for anyone interested in wines.

Alice Feiring is a James Beard Foundation Award-winning journalist whose blog, alicefeiring.com, was named one of the seven best by Food & Wine. Formerly the wine/travel columnist for Time, she has written for the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times Magazine. She lives in New York City.

She will be on-hand to sign her books immediately following the presentation.

Cheers to Tucson Festival of Books!

Bear Track Bistro and Winery Welcomes You!

A brand-new exclusive wine bistro has quietly opened its doors in Northeast Tucson this week, and I suggest you make tracks to try it out before it gets so busy you can’t get through the doors.

At the Bear Track Wine Bistro, located on the northeast corner of Sunrise at Swan, you’ll be greeted by an 8-foot friendly wooden bear just outside the door. Once inside, you’ll enjoy a wine experience like no other in Tucson.

Choose for wine selections that were personally gathered and/or produced by proprietor Rick Riddle, a sommelier, New Mexico winery owner, professional golfer (also UofA team), and all-around ingenious guy. His dream of such an establishment has morphed into many layers of engagement for Bear Track customers. His sister Celia will manage the shop.

Patrons will enjoy tasting a highly selective repertoire of fine wines from California, New Mexico, Arizona, and all around the world,  including many from Riddle’s own New Mexico winery. Customers will be able to blend their own wines here as well.

Select from an upscale European-style menu featuring homemade bread sticks and ciabatta made by Mona’s Danish Bakery (just a few doors down from Bear Track) for dipping in the fine olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Accompany this with all-natural artisan-cured meats seasoned with organic spices, smoked oysters, stuffed olives, and an amazing selection of cheeses.

Ah, the cheeses—these are all-exclusive too. Riddle has been working with an award-winning fourth-generation Wisconsin cheese maker to create incredible combinations.

Over a bottle of Riddle’s hand-crafted 2010 Montepulciano, we shared a sample of green chili with roasted garlic cheese, and some cheddar made with Chimayó chiles and El Patrone tequila. The groupings enjoyed a party courtesy of my palate.

Bear Track will offer all wine and cheese products retail, plus olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and Sabino Artisan Chocolates. As Riddle puts it, “You won’t find these wines at BevMo or Total Wines.”

This is going to be some fun, especially if you’re willing to play along with all that Bear Track has to offer. It will become a favorite place to find special gifts for any foodie or wine-lover you might need to please. Riddle intends to make Bear Track a totally green operation as well.

Cheers to Rick Riddle’s new adventure with Bear Track Wine Bistro!

“Arizona vineyards provide the state not only with excellent, well-regarded wines, but also with fascinating and scenic opportunities for tourism and rural economic development that create quality jobs and generate revenues in some of Arizona’s most beautiful areas,” said Governor Jan Brewer as she proclaimed November 11-17 to be Arizona Wine Week.

Over 30 wineries will celebrate the best Arizona wines on Sat., Nov. 17, at the fourth annual Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) Festival at The Farm. Shake hands and drink the wine of Arizona’s own grape farmers and wine producers in the picturesque and peaceful pecan groves of Phoenix’s intimate The Farm at South Mountain

Participating wineries will represent growing regions from the Verde Valley in the north, Sonoita and Elgin in the south, and Willcox in southeastern Arizona.

As a nod to Arizona wine’s rich history, the festival is an officially-sanctioned Arizona Centennial event. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and is limited to 1,000 guests. Adult guests over 21 with I.D. only, please.

The festival will include:

• Wine tasting with 31 participating Arizona wineries
• Picnic lunch prepared by The Farm Kitchen; tasty treats from other local Arizona favorites
• High-energy live auction for great prizes
• Educational seminars including food & wine pairing with Chef LaPrad from Quiessence and Curt Dunham, winemaker from Lawrence Dunham Vineyards

The festival will be preceded by a special event on Friday, Nov. 16. The Celebration of the Arizona Wine Growers is an opportunity to mingle and meet winemakers from across the state. The event is 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Quiessence Restaurant at The Farm at South Mountain.

The winemaker celebration is open to the public but capped at 150 guests. This special evening includes an awards reception followed by a specially prepared appetizers using local produce by Quiessence Executive Chef Greg LaPrad. Each course, from appetizers to desserts will be paired with the winning wines from the 2012 Arizona Grower’s Cup and Winemaker’s Medal competition. Each of the winning wineries will be present to discuss their wine and wine-making philosophy.

Ticket information for both the Celebration and Festival is available online.

“Novice or aficionado, this is a can’t-miss event for wine lovers to meet the folks behind the rising Arizona wine movement,” said Peggy Fiandaca, president of AWGA. “Come sip the juice from our state’s beautiful wine regions all in one place, in one of the most wonderful settings Phoenix has to offer.”

This Festival at The Farm is widely considered to be Arizona’s best showcase for its fine wines. Arizona is home to 63 licensed and bonded wineries operating throughout the state, and vineyards represent small, family-owned, low-water-use agriculture. The money raised from the festival goes to the AWGA’s commitment to advancing with integrity the sustainable growth and production of authentic Arizona wines. The industry creates jobs and keeps dollars in Arizona.

“The Arizona wine industry continues to grow and expand at a rapid rate despite the sluggish economy. Every year, more Arizona wines are being recognized for their outstanding quality and uniqueness. There is a growing buzz that Arizona is becoming the next great wine region in the U.S.” concludes Fiandaca.

Cheers, see you at The Farm!