Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
In the High Country in Cottonwood, AZ, a new winery opened up about a month ago. It is, by far, my favorite winery in Arizona (so far!). Called The Wine Cellar, this new location offers oversized bottles of delicious wine made right here in our great desert state.
Inside the tasting room, they offer their own wines called Dionysian Cellars, after Dionysus, the Greek God of Wine. Their logo is beautiful and intricate, reflecting the past wine making process and the enjoyment had by all.
Of the wines offered, there were none that I didn't enjoy. The Chardonnay was great (even though I don't really like Chardonnay all that much), and the Pinot Noir and Tempranillo were great as well. But none compared to their Malbec. Oh holy crap, it was amazing. Full bodied, with a bit of the traditional Malbec taste and some jammy fruit flavors, the wine actually reminded me of Christmas, as I could taste almond on the finish really strongly.
The Malbec was going for about $50 per bottle, but is of high quality and can be cellared easily. And they are currently bottling their Barbera, which I cannot wait to taste.
Not only is the wine amazing, but the tasting room at The Wine Cellar has a cool, hip atmosphere where you can hang out and relax while enjoying the most delicious wine in Arizona. And they are going to be expanding as well, allowing for their fermentation barrels to be inside the tasting room, and wine tasters will be able to walk up to the barrel and take wine right out of it for their tasting. This is sure to be a great experience.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Tasting Room - Samples Your Wine Before Your Buy
Earlier this year, I was introduced to a very interesting new website called Tasting Room through a group buying deal on Living Social. Obviously it was about wine, of course, but the concept is something that I find unique, useful and enjoyable.
Tasting Room allows wine fans to sample each wine before they buy a whole bottle! In order to alleviate any frustration felt when purchasing a bottle that didn't live up to expectations, Tasting Room creates sampler packs so you can choose the best wine for you.
The process is simple: You buy a sampler pack for as low as $20. There are over 20 samplers to choose from, ranging from varietals samplers to winery samplers and everything in between. You may be thinking "Why do I have to buy my wine to sample it?" Well, don't worry, you get your money back, I promise.
Once the sampler is delivered to you, you will see 6 tiny little bottles of wine, complete with tasting notes and a ratings card. Each little bottle is made of glass, and includes a label that is the exact replica of the label used on the regular sized bottles. Go through your list, read the notes, taste the wines, and rate them. You can even include notes on how each wine tasted to help you make a decisions.
And here is where you get your money back: Inside each wine sampler is a coupon code for $25 off your purchase of 2 bottles of wine from the sample itself. So, once you've chosen the wines you want to buy, go back to TastingRoom.com, order them, input your coupon code and see the discount applied immediately. Your sampler is essentially free!
Plus, the experience of tasting the wines with your partner or by yourself is just fun. I was able to find some fantastic wines this way, with my favorite being the Christopher Creek Reserve Petitie Syrah.
I can't wait to buy my next sampler and enjoy some fabulous new wines!
Tasting Room allows wine fans to sample each wine before they buy a whole bottle! In order to alleviate any frustration felt when purchasing a bottle that didn't live up to expectations, Tasting Room creates sampler packs so you can choose the best wine for you.
The process is simple: You buy a sampler pack for as low as $20. There are over 20 samplers to choose from, ranging from varietals samplers to winery samplers and everything in between. You may be thinking "Why do I have to buy my wine to sample it?" Well, don't worry, you get your money back, I promise.
Once the sampler is delivered to you, you will see 6 tiny little bottles of wine, complete with tasting notes and a ratings card. Each little bottle is made of glass, and includes a label that is the exact replica of the label used on the regular sized bottles. Go through your list, read the notes, taste the wines, and rate them. You can even include notes on how each wine tasted to help you make a decisions.
And here is where you get your money back: Inside each wine sampler is a coupon code for $25 off your purchase of 2 bottles of wine from the sample itself. So, once you've chosen the wines you want to buy, go back to TastingRoom.com, order them, input your coupon code and see the discount applied immediately. Your sampler is essentially free!
Plus, the experience of tasting the wines with your partner or by yourself is just fun. I was able to find some fantastic wines this way, with my favorite being the Christopher Creek Reserve Petitie Syrah.
I can't wait to buy my next sampler and enjoy some fabulous new wines!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Page Spring Cellars
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
The third of Maynard James Keenan's wineries in Northern AZ is the one I found the most delightful. As with Caduceus Cellars and Arizona Stronghold, the tasting room at Page Springs Cellars was beautiful, welcoming and had a bit of outdoorsy cowboy class that is unique to this part of the desert. But the wines were, of course, the best part.
Offering tasting menus to meet everyone's' tastes, Page Springs is sure to have something for even the most picky wine drinker. Just as at Arizona Stronghold, you can choose a white tasting, a red tasting or a combination. The wines taste very carefully crafted, as if the wine maker put much care into the wine itself. Which, of course, he did, I'm sure.
Unfortunately for me, I'm not a big giant fan of the Keenan wines. However, at Page Springs, we were able to enjoy a nice rose, and take a bottle home with us. And there is a fabulous white blend that I didn't taste, but I bought a bottle because I just knew I'd like it.
It's also gorgeous on the property as well. The tasting room is right in the vineyard, and you get to see the beautiful bright greens of the grape vines, being shined down upon by the hot Arizona sun. It's just amazing.
Swing by Page Springs, and the rest of the Keenan wineries for some of the most unique and outstanding Arizona wines available.
The third of Maynard James Keenan's wineries in Northern AZ is the one I found the most delightful. As with Caduceus Cellars and Arizona Stronghold, the tasting room at Page Springs Cellars was beautiful, welcoming and had a bit of outdoorsy cowboy class that is unique to this part of the desert. But the wines were, of course, the best part.
Offering tasting menus to meet everyone's' tastes, Page Springs is sure to have something for even the most picky wine drinker. Just as at Arizona Stronghold, you can choose a white tasting, a red tasting or a combination. The wines taste very carefully crafted, as if the wine maker put much care into the wine itself. Which, of course, he did, I'm sure.
Unfortunately for me, I'm not a big giant fan of the Keenan wines. However, at Page Springs, we were able to enjoy a nice rose, and take a bottle home with us. And there is a fabulous white blend that I didn't taste, but I bought a bottle because I just knew I'd like it.
It's also gorgeous on the property as well. The tasting room is right in the vineyard, and you get to see the beautiful bright greens of the grape vines, being shined down upon by the hot Arizona sun. It's just amazing.
Swing by Page Springs, and the rest of the Keenan wineries for some of the most unique and outstanding Arizona wines available.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Oak Creek Vineyards
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
Along one road in Cornville, AZ are three fantastic wineries and tasting rooms, complete with vineyards on the grounds. If you're looking for a fun afternoon, definitely take a drive to these vineyards.
One of my favorites, and definitely "Verde Valley's Best Kept Secret" is Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery. Making most of their wines on site, they've got a delicious tasting menu and fabulous grounds. Take your wine and sit outside on their patio for beautiful views across the vineyard and the neighboring mountains.
The wines produced were all delicious. The favorite red was definitely Oak Creek's Zinfandel. It had some jammy, fruity flavors that my husband enjoyed, and it was full-bodied enough for me, even on a hot summer day.
One white wine that caught my attention, however, was their featured Sunflower blend. 50% Chardonnay and 50% Roussanne, this wine had the most interesting flavors. because of the blend, it smelled of honey. However, tasting the wine, you get the distinct flavor of sunflower seeds. It was one of the most unique wines I've ever tried, so I had to take home a bottle.
make sure you swing by Oak Creek Vineyards for some delicious wines and a beautiful afternoon the next time you're in Arizona.
Along one road in Cornville, AZ are three fantastic wineries and tasting rooms, complete with vineyards on the grounds. If you're looking for a fun afternoon, definitely take a drive to these vineyards.
One of my favorites, and definitely "Verde Valley's Best Kept Secret" is Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery. Making most of their wines on site, they've got a delicious tasting menu and fabulous grounds. Take your wine and sit outside on their patio for beautiful views across the vineyard and the neighboring mountains.
The wines produced were all delicious. The favorite red was definitely Oak Creek's Zinfandel. It had some jammy, fruity flavors that my husband enjoyed, and it was full-bodied enough for me, even on a hot summer day.
One white wine that caught my attention, however, was their featured Sunflower blend. 50% Chardonnay and 50% Roussanne, this wine had the most interesting flavors. because of the blend, it smelled of honey. However, tasting the wine, you get the distinct flavor of sunflower seeds. It was one of the most unique wines I've ever tried, so I had to take home a bottle.
make sure you swing by Oak Creek Vineyards for some delicious wines and a beautiful afternoon the next time you're in Arizona.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Alcantara Vineyards
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
With many of the Arizona wineries and vineyards being in the southern part of the state, it's unique to find an estate vineyard right off the highway in the north. But that is exactly what you find at Alcantara Vineyards.
Located 1 mile off highway 260, Alcantara boasts a beautiful house and 13,000 vines, on which grow 12 different varietals. Driving through the vines to get to the house, the property is nothing less than stunning. The beautiful Verde River runs right through the land, so tasters can bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon in paradise.
The wines are fabulous as well. They are made in more of a traditional Bordeaux style which brings out the fruity side of the red.
Alcantara also hosts a variety of events and parties on their property, including their bottling parties and being the drop off point for a River and Wine tour.
Such a fun location needs to be shared, and try to make sure you have time to enjoy all the beauty offered by Alcantara Vineyards.
With many of the Arizona wineries and vineyards being in the southern part of the state, it's unique to find an estate vineyard right off the highway in the north. But that is exactly what you find at Alcantara Vineyards.
Located 1 mile off highway 260, Alcantara boasts a beautiful house and 13,000 vines, on which grow 12 different varietals. Driving through the vines to get to the house, the property is nothing less than stunning. The beautiful Verde River runs right through the land, so tasters can bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon in paradise.
The wines are fabulous as well. They are made in more of a traditional Bordeaux style which brings out the fruity side of the red.
Alcantara also hosts a variety of events and parties on their property, including their bottling parties and being the drop off point for a River and Wine tour.
Such a fun location needs to be shared, and try to make sure you have time to enjoy all the beauty offered by Alcantara Vineyards.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Pillsbury Wine Company
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
Not only is there a singer who owns wineries in Arizona, but a filmmaker as well. An also, some more delicious wine to boot.
Pillsbury Wine Company is owned by Sam Pillsbury, and specializes in (almost) 100% Arizona Grown grapes. Their vineyard is located in the southern part of the state, but their tasting room is in Cottonwood, AZ (directly across the street from Arizona Stronghold). And they have many fantastic wines to talk about.
Their Roan Red was scored 90 points by Wine Spectator, and is simply divine. Their Diva red blend is bold, strong and sassy. And my personal favorite, their Wild Child Red, is 100% from Arizona and came from a neighborhood wild vineyard they found dotted with crop circles. Totally incredible.
You most definitely need to pick up these fantastic wines next time you're in the area. And make sure you say hi to the cute redhead who works there (her name is Dana too!).
Not only is there a singer who owns wineries in Arizona, but a filmmaker as well. An also, some more delicious wine to boot.
Pillsbury Wine Company is owned by Sam Pillsbury, and specializes in (almost) 100% Arizona Grown grapes. Their vineyard is located in the southern part of the state, but their tasting room is in Cottonwood, AZ (directly across the street from Arizona Stronghold). And they have many fantastic wines to talk about.
Their Roan Red was scored 90 points by Wine Spectator, and is simply divine. Their Diva red blend is bold, strong and sassy. And my personal favorite, their Wild Child Red, is 100% from Arizona and came from a neighborhood wild vineyard they found dotted with crop circles. Totally incredible.
You most definitely need to pick up these fantastic wines next time you're in the area. And make sure you say hi to the cute redhead who works there (her name is Dana too!).
Friday, July 1, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Arizona Stronghold
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
As mentioned in a previous post, Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of the band Tool, owns 3 wineries in our great state. The one that is most generally popular is Arizona Stronghold. While the vineyard is located in the southern part of Arizona, the tasting room is located up north in Cottonwood.
The tasting room is one to be admired. Not only can a customer come in and taste (a lot of) delicious wines, but they are encourages to pull up a chair or grab a seat on the couch and hang out for a while. Play a couple board games or chat with friends.
And definitely try the wine. They've got a lot of different varietals and blends to choose from, available in different tasting flights to fit your palette. And again, many of these wines weren't for me. They either didn't have enough flavor, or the flavor was too intense for my liking. My husband and I did take home a bottle of their rose, which was pretty delicious.
One of these wines that is a stand out, however, is their chupacabra. This is a blend of 18 different wine varietals and the flavors are so plentiful that one couldn't be pressed to list them all out. Definitely something to try.
If you're passing through northern Arizona and need a place to stop, relax, and have a drink, Arizona Stronghold is the place to do it.
And, Arizona Stronghold was recently announced as the official wine of the Arizona State Centennial in 2012.
As mentioned in a previous post, Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of the band Tool, owns 3 wineries in our great state. The one that is most generally popular is Arizona Stronghold. While the vineyard is located in the southern part of Arizona, the tasting room is located up north in Cottonwood.
The tasting room is one to be admired. Not only can a customer come in and taste (a lot of) delicious wines, but they are encourages to pull up a chair or grab a seat on the couch and hang out for a while. Play a couple board games or chat with friends.
And definitely try the wine. They've got a lot of different varietals and blends to choose from, available in different tasting flights to fit your palette. And again, many of these wines weren't for me. They either didn't have enough flavor, or the flavor was too intense for my liking. My husband and I did take home a bottle of their rose, which was pretty delicious.
One of these wines that is a stand out, however, is their chupacabra. This is a blend of 18 different wine varietals and the flavors are so plentiful that one couldn't be pressed to list them all out. Definitely something to try.
If you're passing through northern Arizona and need a place to stop, relax, and have a drink, Arizona Stronghold is the place to do it.
And, Arizona Stronghold was recently announced as the official wine of the Arizona State Centennial in 2012.
Monday, June 27, 2011
What do you mean Box Wine?
Yup,in May, the WineTimers had an evening of box wine. As you know, wine snobs everywhere turn up their noses to box wines, but Anna and Blair provided a great evening of these poorly accepted wines, that turned out to be great selections.
From the standpoint of wine flavor and freshness, wine boxes have several advantages over traditional wine bottles. First, there is no possibility of a wine becoming corked", i.e. spoiled by a deteriorated cork. Wine boxes also keep air away from wine, even after partial consumption. (Granted, the WineTimers rarely have a problem with partially consumed bottles, but just in case...)
The first selection of box wine was the Fisheye Moscato. This is a light bodied and delightfully sweet, fruity wine with flavors of juicy peach, pineapple abd tropical fruits with hints of honey on the nose. Fisheye wines are born in South Eastern Australia, where the beaches are bigger and the sun shines brighter; where the land is larger than life, and the fish are measured in feet, not inches.
The next selections were from Bota Box, Old Vine Zinfandel and Malbec. The Malbec is a plush, medium bodied wine with aromas of ripe plum and blackberry with a touch of roasted coffee.
The Zinfandel especially pairs with picnic foods such as natural cased weiners, baked beans and homemade potato salad-- all of which we had at this gathering, many thaks to Anna and Blair for a fabulous picnic dinner, despite the cold, rainy weather.
FYI, Bota Box is green! The box is 100% recyclable.
Whew-- now the Winetimers have caught up! Pam and Scott will host the first gathering of the new season in September. Stay tuned!
From the standpoint of wine flavor and freshness, wine boxes have several advantages over traditional wine bottles. First, there is no possibility of a wine becoming corked", i.e. spoiled by a deteriorated cork. Wine boxes also keep air away from wine, even after partial consumption. (Granted, the WineTimers rarely have a problem with partially consumed bottles, but just in case...)
The first selection of box wine was the Fisheye Moscato. This is a light bodied and delightfully sweet, fruity wine with flavors of juicy peach, pineapple abd tropical fruits with hints of honey on the nose. Fisheye wines are born in South Eastern Australia, where the beaches are bigger and the sun shines brighter; where the land is larger than life, and the fish are measured in feet, not inches.
The next selections were from Bota Box, Old Vine Zinfandel and Malbec. The Malbec is a plush, medium bodied wine with aromas of ripe plum and blackberry with a touch of roasted coffee.
The Zinfandel especially pairs with picnic foods such as natural cased weiners, baked beans and homemade potato salad-- all of which we had at this gathering, many thaks to Anna and Blair for a fabulous picnic dinner, despite the cold, rainy weather.
FYI, Bota Box is green! The box is 100% recyclable.
Whew-- now the Winetimers have caught up! Pam and Scott will host the first gathering of the new season in September. Stay tuned!
Catching up
Many thanks to Dana for filling in for WineTimers!
Now time to catch up on what the WineTimers have been doing in Superior as the 2nd season came to a close. Debi and Rick hosted the April event and we were treated to a variety of fabulous wines as only the WineTimers can do. The first, was as Debi put it "the best wine we never had". This was the Mezza Corona Moscato. Sadly, Debi had tasted it, and then was unable to find it for the April gathering. She assured us that it was fabulous and then substituted Twisted Moscato from California. This variety orders up a swirl of apricot and prach pie flavors with a dollop of creamy vanila and crisp acidity for a reviving finish. Good to pair with chopped salad, chicken terriyaki, or even a fruity dessert.
As we moved from the sweet white to the reds, we started with Running with the Bulls Cabernet Sauvignon. This Salvatore Principe's series collection embodies the essence of Salvatore's work. It's rich intricacies and subtle nuances showcase dark berry fruits and casis flavors accentuated by layers of chocolate and vanilla.
Next, we tried Grand Noir Cabernet-Shiraz . This wne is billed as being unique. When they blended the blackcurranty Cabernet grapes with the spicy Shiraz, they weren't following anyone else's recipe. Whatever they did works. This is a wonderfully smooth red and quite inexpensive. A great wine for every day dijnner!
The last selection of the evening was the Greg Norman Shiraz. This Shiraz is from Australia's Limestone Coast and is made from vineyards grown on shallow red soils overlying hard limestone. Dark plum, blueberry and black cherry are enhanced with a touch of spicy oak and followed by subtle yet supportive tannins.
Thanks to Debi and Rick for hosting a wonderful evening for the WineTimers, complete with superbly grilled bratwurst on the grill!
Now time to catch up on what the WineTimers have been doing in Superior as the 2nd season came to a close. Debi and Rick hosted the April event and we were treated to a variety of fabulous wines as only the WineTimers can do. The first, was as Debi put it "the best wine we never had". This was the Mezza Corona Moscato. Sadly, Debi had tasted it, and then was unable to find it for the April gathering. She assured us that it was fabulous and then substituted Twisted Moscato from California. This variety orders up a swirl of apricot and prach pie flavors with a dollop of creamy vanila and crisp acidity for a reviving finish. Good to pair with chopped salad, chicken terriyaki, or even a fruity dessert.
As we moved from the sweet white to the reds, we started with Running with the Bulls Cabernet Sauvignon. This Salvatore Principe's series collection embodies the essence of Salvatore's work. It's rich intricacies and subtle nuances showcase dark berry fruits and casis flavors accentuated by layers of chocolate and vanilla.
Next, we tried Grand Noir Cabernet-Shiraz . This wne is billed as being unique. When they blended the blackcurranty Cabernet grapes with the spicy Shiraz, they weren't following anyone else's recipe. Whatever they did works. This is a wonderfully smooth red and quite inexpensive. A great wine for every day dijnner!
The last selection of the evening was the Greg Norman Shiraz. This Shiraz is from Australia's Limestone Coast and is made from vineyards grown on shallow red soils overlying hard limestone. Dark plum, blueberry and black cherry are enhanced with a touch of spicy oak and followed by subtle yet supportive tannins.
Thanks to Debi and Rick for hosting a wonderful evening for the WineTimers, complete with superbly grilled bratwurst on the grill!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Caduceus Cellars
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
Something that draws the attention of a lot of people is when celebrities own wineries. It's become a somewhat acceptable and almost expected second (or thirs or fourth) career for celebs these days. And Jerome, AZ is home to one of them.
Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of the band Tool, has his hands in 3 different wineries in Arizona. The most well respected winery of them all is Caduceus Cellars. With a tasting room located between Jerome Winery and Bitter Creek Winery in Jerome, AZ, Caduceus gets a lot of traffic because of its celebrity... and because it's delicious.
The wines offered at Caduceus are some of the more higher end wines you'd find in northern AZ, but they have decent flavor to help back up the large prices. And the tasting room is just beautiful. With granite countertops, dark wood and a lot of light, your tasting glasses sparkle as you try some strong, bold flavors that are native to Arizona wine grapes.
While all of the wines were fantastic, though a bit too intense for me, i was blown away by their Primer Paso. A blend of 88% AZ Syrah and 12% Malvasia Bianca, this wine was delicious, fruity and bold with an interesting crisp finish. Despite the larger price of a bottle, I took one home. I think it's insanely good, and I can't wait to pop open that bottle and enjoy the evening.
If you are a big Maynard fan, or just a fan of interesting, intense wines, stop into Caduceus Cellars for some fun and fabulousness.
Something that draws the attention of a lot of people is when celebrities own wineries. It's become a somewhat acceptable and almost expected second (or thirs or fourth) career for celebs these days. And Jerome, AZ is home to one of them.
Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of the band Tool, has his hands in 3 different wineries in Arizona. The most well respected winery of them all is Caduceus Cellars. With a tasting room located between Jerome Winery and Bitter Creek Winery in Jerome, AZ, Caduceus gets a lot of traffic because of its celebrity... and because it's delicious.
The wines offered at Caduceus are some of the more higher end wines you'd find in northern AZ, but they have decent flavor to help back up the large prices. And the tasting room is just beautiful. With granite countertops, dark wood and a lot of light, your tasting glasses sparkle as you try some strong, bold flavors that are native to Arizona wine grapes.
While all of the wines were fantastic, though a bit too intense for me, i was blown away by their Primer Paso. A blend of 88% AZ Syrah and 12% Malvasia Bianca, this wine was delicious, fruity and bold with an interesting crisp finish. Despite the larger price of a bottle, I took one home. I think it's insanely good, and I can't wait to pop open that bottle and enjoy the evening.
If you are a big Maynard fan, or just a fan of interesting, intense wines, stop into Caduceus Cellars for some fun and fabulousness.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Bitter Creek Winery
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
Two blocks away from Jerome Winery sits their sister tasting room Bitter Creek Winery. Another great option for those looking for delicious, refreshing wines to help beat the Arizona heat, Bitter Creek offers wine blends. Blending up to 4 grape varietals per bottle, these wines have distinct flavors that are unique to the winery itself.
And just for a bit of entertainment, the Bitter Creek wines are labeled with Tarot cards, each representing the style of the wine bottled. These Tarot card labels give great color to your wine rack at home, and you can learn a bit about what each card represents as well.
My mom and dad LOVED The Magician (35% Zin, 35% Cab, 25%Barbera & 5% Petite Syrah), and I was a big fan of the Joan of Arc (three equal parts of Sauv Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chennin Blanc)
Definitely stop by Bitter Creek and give these lively blends a try.
Two blocks away from Jerome Winery sits their sister tasting room Bitter Creek Winery. Another great option for those looking for delicious, refreshing wines to help beat the Arizona heat, Bitter Creek offers wine blends. Blending up to 4 grape varietals per bottle, these wines have distinct flavors that are unique to the winery itself.
And just for a bit of entertainment, the Bitter Creek wines are labeled with Tarot cards, each representing the style of the wine bottled. These Tarot card labels give great color to your wine rack at home, and you can learn a bit about what each card represents as well.
My mom and dad LOVED The Magician (35% Zin, 35% Cab, 25%Barbera & 5% Petite Syrah), and I was a big fan of the Joan of Arc (three equal parts of Sauv Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chennin Blanc)
Definitely stop by Bitter Creek and give these lively blends a try.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Northern AZ Wine Tour: Jerome Winery
Pam and Scott's daughter Dana is living in Phoenix, AZ these days, and has been doing some winery touring of her own. The following series of guest posts are from Dana as she tours and tastes at some of Arizona's local wine destinations.
Head north of Phoenix about 2 hours and you'll hit a surprising mix of mountains, friendly hippies, and part of Arizona's wine country. Wait, wine? Did you say wine? Why yes, yes I did. The climate in the northern and southern parts of the state is actually quite suitable for wine grapes, and some delicious wine comes out of these regions.
One of the best places to head for wine is the small ghost town of Jerome, AZ. Jerome, it seems, is haunted by spirits of old copper miners and this, somehow, equates to delicious wine tasting rooms in the downtown area.
The first of the 3 we'll talk about is Jerome Winery. From their website: "Our vintner's philosophy is very spartenistic; create wines that are enjoyable for the novice and the connoisseur alike." And they do just that.
The wines offered at Jerome Winery are straight varietals ranging from a fruity white Zinfandel to a deep, rich Syrah. They've got a couple Italian wines I hadn't tried before, such as the Charbono and the Dolcetto. Both are great, and my favorites from this winery.
To top it all off, Jerome Winery only adds to its charm by labeling all their bottles with old family photos. You can see the owner's grandparents on their wedding day, and take a look at a goofy uncle as he travels the United States.
If you're in Arizona, and would like to taste some of the most charming wines the state has to offer, you need to check out Jerome Winery.
Head north of Phoenix about 2 hours and you'll hit a surprising mix of mountains, friendly hippies, and part of Arizona's wine country. Wait, wine? Did you say wine? Why yes, yes I did. The climate in the northern and southern parts of the state is actually quite suitable for wine grapes, and some delicious wine comes out of these regions.
One of the best places to head for wine is the small ghost town of Jerome, AZ. Jerome, it seems, is haunted by spirits of old copper miners and this, somehow, equates to delicious wine tasting rooms in the downtown area.
The first of the 3 we'll talk about is Jerome Winery. From their website: "Our vintner's philosophy is very spartenistic; create wines that are enjoyable for the novice and the connoisseur alike." And they do just that.
The wines offered at Jerome Winery are straight varietals ranging from a fruity white Zinfandel to a deep, rich Syrah. They've got a couple Italian wines I hadn't tried before, such as the Charbono and the Dolcetto. Both are great, and my favorites from this winery.
To top it all off, Jerome Winery only adds to its charm by labeling all their bottles with old family photos. You can see the owner's grandparents on their wedding day, and take a look at a goofy uncle as he travels the United States.
If you're in Arizona, and would like to taste some of the most charming wines the state has to offer, you need to check out Jerome Winery.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
WineTimers March On!
The WineTimers did not have an official meeting in March, instead, meeting for an evening of wine tasting at Bellisio's in Duluth, MN. Bellisio's has arguably the best wine list in the upper midwest and on Mondays, boasts half price bottle of wine night! Seven of us attended and purchased several of the recommended wines for half the price. We passed the bottles and enjoyed brands and varieties that we otherwise wouldn't have tried. Also of note are the fabulous appetizers and great staff that accommodated us for this impromptu gathering.
Also fun in March and April, have been several local wine tasting events. The wine tasting at Nemadji to benefit WITC scholarships has become a wonderful, well attended annual event with many fine wines beautifully presented by the folks at Belknap Liquor. The following week, the annual Evening of Wine and Jazz took place at UWS. As usual, it was a wonderful event with good wine (as presented by the Keyport), good music and fabulous food. Then, just this past week, the Minnesota Ballet hosted their annual wine tasting event at the Depot in Duluth. This too is a wonderful, well attended event each year with a great silent and live auction. This year we were also treated to a live arial performance that provided the audience the opportunity to ooh and ahh as the arial performer twisted and turned his way around the ceiling of the Depot Great Hall. A fabulous wine event as the wine tasting season winds down for the year. One more event coming up on May 13th at Clyde-Iron to benefit Choice Unlimited.
Also fun in March and April, have been several local wine tasting events. The wine tasting at Nemadji to benefit WITC scholarships has become a wonderful, well attended annual event with many fine wines beautifully presented by the folks at Belknap Liquor. The following week, the annual Evening of Wine and Jazz took place at UWS. As usual, it was a wonderful event with good wine (as presented by the Keyport), good music and fabulous food. Then, just this past week, the Minnesota Ballet hosted their annual wine tasting event at the Depot in Duluth. This too is a wonderful, well attended event each year with a great silent and live auction. This year we were also treated to a live arial performance that provided the audience the opportunity to ooh and ahh as the arial performer twisted and turned his way around the ceiling of the Depot Great Hall. A fabulous wine event as the wine tasting season winds down for the year. One more event coming up on May 13th at Clyde-Iron to benefit Choice Unlimited.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
WineTimers in February
The WineTimers met on Friday February 25th for our monthly meeting of the wine minds at Bobbie and Frank's. The winter blahs have settled in and a fun wine and food filled night was definitely called for. All WineTimers were in attendance except for Rick who was in Orlando, soaking up sunshine-- What's up with that!
The first wine presented for the evening was a 2008 Principessa Gavia Gavi. This is the premier dry white wine of Italy, pale straw in color with an intense, fresh and fruity bouquet with hints of pineapple and green apple. Along with the wine notes came the "Legend of Principessa Gavia" whose story was about a beautiful princess who fell in love with a guard in her father's court. She married him and lost favor with the King, however was eventually forgiven for marrying out of her class and given the town they chose to live in, named Gavi. Alas, true love and romance in this wonderful light wine selection.
The next wine presented was a 2009 Folie a Deux Manage a Trois Rose. Manage a Trois examines what happens when you put 3 attractive, single young grapes into 1 exquisite bottle-- probably illegal in most states! This rose` is the epitome of a good rose` No pretense, just a fruit laden roller coaster ride of raspberries, strawberries, lychee nuts and flowers. A virtual carnival in your mouth!
Last and surely not least, we were treated to Francis Ford Coppola's 2008 Claret Black Label Diamond collection. Claret is a term originally coined by the British to describe Cabernet based wines. This Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins, and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise. WineTimers are no strangers to this selection as it has been available at several wine tastings this season. Karen and Jeff, being good sports were able to "get back on the horse" and actually try this excellent wine again, following a rather adverse experience last month-- good job!
Not to be left unsaid, Bobbie and Frank went over the top with appetizers followed by 4 large VIP pizzas to keep the hungry WineTimers satisfied (and soak up a little wine for the drive home). A fabulous evening enjoyed by all. We look forward to our next gathering and whatever wine adventure might be planned!
The first wine presented for the evening was a 2008 Principessa Gavia Gavi. This is the premier dry white wine of Italy, pale straw in color with an intense, fresh and fruity bouquet with hints of pineapple and green apple. Along with the wine notes came the "Legend of Principessa Gavia" whose story was about a beautiful princess who fell in love with a guard in her father's court. She married him and lost favor with the King, however was eventually forgiven for marrying out of her class and given the town they chose to live in, named Gavi. Alas, true love and romance in this wonderful light wine selection.
The next wine presented was a 2009 Folie a Deux Manage a Trois Rose. Manage a Trois examines what happens when you put 3 attractive, single young grapes into 1 exquisite bottle-- probably illegal in most states! This rose` is the epitome of a good rose` No pretense, just a fruit laden roller coaster ride of raspberries, strawberries, lychee nuts and flowers. A virtual carnival in your mouth!
Last and surely not least, we were treated to Francis Ford Coppola's 2008 Claret Black Label Diamond collection. Claret is a term originally coined by the British to describe Cabernet based wines. This Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins, and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise. WineTimers are no strangers to this selection as it has been available at several wine tastings this season. Karen and Jeff, being good sports were able to "get back on the horse" and actually try this excellent wine again, following a rather adverse experience last month-- good job!
Not to be left unsaid, Bobbie and Frank went over the top with appetizers followed by 4 large VIP pizzas to keep the hungry WineTimers satisfied (and soak up a little wine for the drive home). A fabulous evening enjoyed by all. We look forward to our next gathering and whatever wine adventure might be planned!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wine Tasting at Grizzly's
I just want to mention that our local Grizzly's Grill N' Saloon hosted a fabulous wine tasting on Monday February 21st. Sara and "wine guy" Jeremy Olson of Johnson Brothers Beverages Inc. presented the featured wines for the evening (about 23 of them)! They gave us the chance to sample wines already on the Grizzly's wine list as well as many others for our enjoyment, opinion and comparison. As is true for all wine tastings, what one discerning wine lover enjoys is not what all wine lovers enjoy. This is a very individual sport, but always fun to hear everyone's take on the wines offered. Along with great wines, Grizzly's also served up a wonderful variety of appetizers. Rick promises more events like this one and hopes for a few more wine tasters. This would be a great event to have a group of friends at a table for a very enjoyable evening of wine and friends.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
WineTimers One Year Anniversary
WineTimers are still here! It's been awhile since the last post. We took the holidays off and then resumed our wine adventure on January 14th, exactly 1 year after we started this fabulous wine group. All the WineTimers were present for a great night of wine, food and socializing, as we like to do on a monthly basis. We were entertained by Mike and Nancy for the evening's festivities. The first selection of the night was a 2008 Joseph Masbon Vouvray. This was a dry to soft wine that came from the area of Vouvray in the heart of Touraine (Central Loire Valley). Excellent with fish, seafood, or poultry. I believe this was the second time we had a Vouvray served for WineTimers.
Next we had a 2009 A by Acacia Pinor Noir. Acacia has 25 years experience with the Pinot Noir grape that resulted in an elegant wine with strong black cherry flavors and an unexpected hint of violet and spice that conveys the essence of California Pinot Noir.
The last selection for the evening was a 2008 Sterling Vintner's Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. In this Cabernet, you will find lush blackberry, cherry and black currant flavors wrapped with vanilla and spice from barrel aging. These characteristics come from California's Central Coast, the most diverse appellation in the State. There you will find both cool foggy nights and sunny warm days that lead to fresh, bright and fruit forward wines. This selection pairs well with grilled steak, roasted lamb or pork, and mellow cheeses.
As always a great time was had by all. Thanks to Mike and Nancy for a wonderful evening as WineTimers enter the second year! Looking forward to our February "meeting" at Blair and Anna's.
Next we had a 2009 A by Acacia Pinor Noir. Acacia has 25 years experience with the Pinot Noir grape that resulted in an elegant wine with strong black cherry flavors and an unexpected hint of violet and spice that conveys the essence of California Pinot Noir.
The last selection for the evening was a 2008 Sterling Vintner's Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. In this Cabernet, you will find lush blackberry, cherry and black currant flavors wrapped with vanilla and spice from barrel aging. These characteristics come from California's Central Coast, the most diverse appellation in the State. There you will find both cool foggy nights and sunny warm days that lead to fresh, bright and fruit forward wines. This selection pairs well with grilled steak, roasted lamb or pork, and mellow cheeses.
As always a great time was had by all. Thanks to Mike and Nancy for a wonderful evening as WineTimers enter the second year! Looking forward to our February "meeting" at Blair and Anna's.
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