CataVinos Wine Shoppe, 3063 N. Alvernon Way, location of first Taste of Arizona Wines, Sunday, April 3.

What’s your favorite Arizona wine?  What’s that you say? “Ewwww, you’ve got to be kidding, Arizona wines???” Time to be surprised, be VERY surprised—winemakers and grape growers have honed their trade and the state’s vineyards have matured; Arizona wines now rank among my favorites. I am constantly pleased and amazed by the quality of wines being produced throughout the state.

 This Sunday, April 3, 2:00pm-5:00pm, over 40 wines from 10 of those Arizona wineries will be showcased at the first ever Taste of Arizona Wines event at CataVinos Wine Shoppe & Tasting Room.

As I write this blog, an enormous outdoor tent is being constructed in the back parking lot of the wine shop at 3063 N. Alvernon Way and the pouring tables soon will be moved into place. Tasting sheets are being printed, food prepared, and last minute details are being tended. “It takes a village to put on an event of this magnitude,” claims shop owner Yvonne K. Foucher. But it will be worth the effort to silence those Negative Nans and Doubting Dans as to the quality and value of Arizona produced wines.

Bitter Creek Wines among those showcased at Taste of Arizona Wines in Tucson

Participating wineries will include Lightning Ridge Cellars (Elgin), Rancho Russo (Elgin), Canelo Hills (Elgin), Charron Vineyards (Elgin), Kief Joshua Vineyards (Elgin), Carlson Creek Vineyards (Willcox), Bitter Creek Winery, Jerome Winery, Dribble Creek Wines (Jerome), Arizona Stronghold (Cottonwood), Page Springs Cellars (Cornville), and Casavinos Winery (Phoenix).  Wines will include single varietals, amazing blends, whites, reds, sparkly, dessert, and after-dinner selections—something for everyone—many will be poured by the winemakers themselves.

The cost is only $15 per person (over 21 please), with discounts of $5 of $50 or more wine purchase and $15 off the purchase of a case.

The entertainment will only sweeten the event, as singer Anna Warr teams with Mike Kuhn on the sax to deliver incredible jazz and blues.

Speaking of sweet

Earlier in that same day, April 3, from 1:00pm-3:00pm, Taste of Chocolate will be held at the Doubletree Hotel on Alvernon, across from Reid Park. There will be 45 chocolatiers with their creations available for tasting and purchase, and Lightning Ridge Cellars from Elgin, AZ will be pouring several of their wines. The event benefits the Rincon Rotary Scholarship Program and PolioPlus. Entry fee is $10 per person.

Cheers to one great wine-ing weekend!

Page Spring Cellars was the first stop for the 'four Tucson women who spit.' L-R: Kristin Little, Yvonne K Foucher, Bonnie Lewis, Debbie Gerbo

My maiden wine-tasting trek up the Verde Valley Wine Trail is a reported success.

Guided by the latest edition of Vines & Wines, we were blessed by endearing people, amazing food, decent weather, and of course, good wines. Thanks to everyone for enduring our need to discover and document the best wines to blog about and/or introduce to Tucson. Mostly, I appreciate each tasting room host (grapistas) who entertained endless questioning as we tasted, spit wines, poured them out, and feverishly logged in our notebooks.  

Russ chats with grapista after leading a tour of the Javalina Leap winery.

We began our northern Arizona wine region tour at Page Springs Cellars, buzzing with a members’ club tasting, and Javelina Leap Winery—complete with character(s) and charm.

We then traveled into Old Town Cottonwood to visit Kevin Grubbs at the Arizona Stronghold tasting room. I applaud him for his knowledgeable and thorough presentation of the amazing Arizona Stronghold portfolio.

Gratitude is likewise extended for the tolerant and exuberant hospitality of J.B. Turner at the Pillsbury Wine Company tasting room—we happened upon the tasting room as he was locking up, but he had a hunch and invited us in. It was an added delight to discover that J.B. may have evolved from California wine majesty—stay tuned as that tale unravels.

Jerome highlights

Did the phone lines heat up across Jerome on Sunday, warning that the “four Tucson women who are spitting are on their way”–or perhaps the word was spread by those infamous Jerome ghosts? I understand you never know for sure in Jerome.

Thanks to Melanie Sepulveda at the Jerome Winery tasting room for her gracious indulgence as we shared tastings of all the Jerome wines—and mostly for introducing me to a book called Lady Lost: The Story of the Honeymoon Cottage in Jerome Arizona, written by Margaret Graziano, mother of Melanie, and Bitter Creek winemaker John McLoughlin. I learned Graziano still “can out-pick anyone when it comes to harvesting grapes.” I devoured the book on the ride home—watch for the book review in this blog soon.

We agreed that the Jerome wine labels feature old family photos were most fascinating. Melanie’s face lit up, as she lovingly introduced family members each time she presented a new wine.

Melanie’s husband Isaiah then entertained us a couple hundred stairs down the hill, as he introduced the Dribble Creek line-up of wines. Isaiah, we learned, was the jack-of-all-Jerome-trade, most proud to be part of a family that professes a 24/7 work ethic.

As we ending our tastings at the Cadeucus tasting room, there was actually a person trying to book his “flight” on the phone, while the tasting room hostess patiently explained that it was not a flight that would transport him anywhere…I kid you not.

Quince Cafe, Jerome AZ

Thanks to Isaiah’s generous guidance to Jerome’s new Quince Café—it provided the perfect Sante Fe-spiced fare for an overcast day filled with wine tasting. A couple of enthralling hours was enjoyed exploring the many art studio and local businesses, just to walk as many stairs as possible to work off the meal.

Back in the hotel room after a long two days of reviewing wines, we at last enjoyed our first real glass of wine of the weekend; no spitting required.

 We did not make it to each Verde Valley wineries due to time constraints; but there’s always ‘next time’—and I definitely intend to make that sooner than later.

For me, this was a record spitting and dumping wine tour—I exhausted my palate both days; yet I feel gratified to have tasted and discovered so many of northern Arizona’s best wines. We enjoyed fine dining at The Tavern Grille in Cottonwood, as well as breakfast (twice) at the Crema Cafe. Last, but not least, thanks for the hospitality at the Little Daisy Motel in Cottonwood.

My traveling companions and I also tested Wine Wipes, the ‘revolutionary’ way to prevent purple tasting teeth while wine tasting. A full report to come.

Stay tuned for more discoveries from this experience…

Cheers.

Come meet me at the Tucson Festival of Books TucsonCitizen.Com booth—I’ll be there about 10am both days, March 12 and 13.

Arizona wines have come a long way, baby. Several amazing wines from around the state have made their way to high honors and recognition, and certainly into my home this year … and my glass. Any of these would all make great gift selections, as well as good cheer for sharing with family and friends.

Vignerons Eric Glomski and Maynard Keenan of Arizona Stronghold Vineyard in Cochise County, AZ, offer up Nachise – a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre aged in French oak. The 2009 release has a beautiful nose of concentrated dark fruit, mocha, tar, sweet cigar smoke, and hints of pumpkin spice. The hearty and textured mouth-feel is full-fruit jammy but balanced, with a multi-layered finish. This one will be super with that hearty holiday meal featuring roast lamb.

This wine commemorates Nachise, the youngest and fiercest of Cochise’s sons. After the death of his older brother Tazi, Nachise became leader of the Chiricahua Apache and resumed raids to reclaim his ancestral homeland alongside Geronimo.

Charron Vineyards, Vail, AZ, has added two new wines to its line-up. First, is the Merlot Blanc De Noir — another white wine from black grapes. This one is a drier version of the White Merlot, made by fermenting out more of the natural sugars. It pairs well with chicken, seafood, and pasta dishes.

At last, Charron now offers a 100% red Merlot, just in time for the holidays. This medium-bodied, well-balanced wine offers good structure and refined tannins. The delicious wine is easy to enjoy on its own or pairs well with grilled or smoked red meat and fish.

The Fool by Bitter Creek Winery is a blend of grapes from Jerome, AZ, and Willcox, AZ — 33% Cabernet, 33% Syrah, and 34% Zinfandel. Its smoky nose gives way to a zesty ripe berry taste with a smooth finish – another wine that will stand up to the strongest of cheeses and meats.

Bitter Creek wine labels feature Tarot card characters, created by popular Verde Valley artist Rick Wyckoff. I love the saying on the back of the bottle: “Going through life without a care, Just one step ahead of life’s challenges.” I believe I identify way too much with that sentiment; does that make me a fool? No, just a fool for a good wine, so I chose this one.

I’ve discovered the best way to finish off any holiday meal or gathering is Lightning Ridge Cellars 2007 Afterglow. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this dessert wine is only slightly sweet with a subtle cinnamon taste and finish. Its light style can be savored as the perfect finish to a perfect meal – you’ll likely want more than one glass of this one.  It’s even better paired with dark chocolate or fudge.

If you’re in the Sonoita area over the holidays, stop by the winery. Winemaker Ann Roncone will serve you up some of her own personal fudge recipe to demonstrate the power chocolate adds to this wine. Priced at only $15 per bottle, Afterglow makes a great hostess gift.

I wish to thank my newfound Arizona wine friends for introducing me to many magnificent wines, pleasant times, and good cheer. I look forward to pouring many more glasses of your grapes in the coming year.

Cheers to a weather-friendly 2011 for winegrowers everywhere!