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.
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