| Jim Hammond |
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Jim Hammond has been exploring wines in North America, Europe and Australia for more than 20 years. A published author, he includes information about wine in every book.
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| "Wines of Echantment" Available at the Following Locations |
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Wines of Enchantment
ISBN# 0-9709878-0-3
$7.95 Available through Amazon.com
and at
Bookworks
4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM
Madeleine's Place
3824 Corrales Road
Corrales, NM
Tularosa Winery
23 Coyote Canyon Road
Tularosa, NM
La Vi�a Winery
4201 S Highway 28
La Union, NM
La Vinca Winery
4201 Highway 28
Anthony, NM
Chocolate Turtle Bed & Breakfast
1098 W. Meadowlark Ln.
Corrales, NM
Frontier Mart
3677 Corrales Road
Corrales, NM
Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
9201 Balloon Museum Dr.
Albuquerque, NM
Hacienda Manzanal Bed & Breakfast
300 W. Meadowlark Ln. Corrales, NM
End of the Vine Winery 2801 Sudderth Dr # D
Ruidoso, NM 88345
You can order the e-version by clicking on the book cover.
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| Looking for Unique Party Ideas?
Spend an entertaining evening with Jim while you learn fun facts, such as the difference between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy, or what the ritual of tilting, swirling, and sniffing a wine before taking the first sip is all about.
By adding one of Jim's Wine Maestro series of presentations and events, you and your guests will delight in Jim's light humorous, and information-packed style.
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| The Southwestern Wine Blog |
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Check out my blog for these and other topics
Barbeque Wines and Celebrations
Santa Cruz Mountain Ramblings
Atop St. Helena
Who Criticizes the Critic?
Bottle Shocked; or Who Was that Guy?
The Pope's New House is All About Wine
French Wines with a Southern Exposure
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| News from the Southwestern Wine Guy |
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Wine of the Month
The wine of the month is the Porter Family Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. I should also dub Porter the winery of the month for the innovation, imagination, and artistic vision that went into its creation. The website also rocks, with fascinating stories about the geologic past of this area, and details of the 17,000 square foot winery built into the hillsides, which looks like something out of a James Bond movie.
Let me describe the setting first. We have been touring the winery, which is over 500 feet in length and now come to the library/tasting room, a large circular room with indirect lighting and a huge round table on which the 2005 Cabernet and glasses are arranged. A cloistered, subtly sepulchral feel lends a sense of expectation, and dare I say, reverence, to the tasting. They designed this room well.
Wine Spectator gave this wine 91 points. Not nearly enough in my opinion, more like 94 points. The Coombsville rolling hillsides of this 14 acre site are farmed for low-yield high-quality fruit. The intense small berries yield notes of violet, cedar, and Thai basil (well, basil, anyway). The rich layered fruit sports - blackberry, black currant and plum. The aging in oak provides a touch of vanilla bean and cocoa. The tannins are thick but smooth, providing an inviting mouth feel. At $95 this is not an everyday wine, but worth every penny. If this does become your everyday wine, please invite me over for a taste.
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Coombsville or Tulocay:
What's in a Name
Once again, Judy Diaz has provided a set of not-to-be-missed wineries for me to sample. This time, we're in Coombsville, a wine district with distinct terroir, but without an AVA (American Viticultural Area). There was some debate as to what name to use. The submitted and rejected choice was Tulocay, but as this is also the name of the local cemetery, it did not have a lot of support. "Try the wines of Tulocay, they're dry as dust", just brings in the wrong connotations, don't you think?
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Activities and Events
I will be doing a wine presentation for a private wine dinner party in Connecticut this month.
As the Wine Maestro I orchestrate wine dinners, selecting a caterer, or working with a restaurant to stage one.
Elderhostel August/September 2009
I'll also be giving another wine class, Wines of New Mexico for Elderhostel at the Holiday Inn in Santa Fe on Wednesday August 12 from 8:30 - 11:00 AM. On Wednesday, September 6 from 9 - 10:30 I'll be leading a Road Scholar wine class in Santa Fe, the Hotel to be determined.
Don't forget to check out my column in the July issue of Albuquerque Arts! Willmon's Prime Grille in Ruidoso has an atmosphere of refinement like that of a Left Bank caf� in Paris (without the attitude) surprising coming out of a place known for its rustic style.
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ANCIEN WINES: VINTAGE PINOT NOIR
It's common knowledge that some of the best Pinot Noir receives generous assistance from coastal winds and fog. So why is Ken Bernards, the winemaker of Ancien Wines, choosing the lower Napa Valley? The close proximity to San Pablo Bay is a partial answer, as is the higher elevation here in the shadow of Mt. George. Actually, I'm not sure how much shadow the mountain provides, but it makes for a nice poetic image, don't you think?
Click here to find out
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Ahh, the dog days of summer are upon us. Good time to take a wine tasting vacation! Don't forget to check out my website and my blog!
Sincerely,
Your Wine Guy
Jim Hammond |
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