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Train l-r: Jimmy Stafford, Pat Monahan and Scott Underwood
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Exciting news!
Tonight I am pleased to be meeting with Train's Jimmy Stafford and sampling the band's Soul Sister Pinot Noir crafted at their winery Save Me Sanfrancisco Wine Company before their concert at Isleta Amphitheater. I will write all about the wine and my experience in my next blog and in an article on Examiner.com.
We seem to be extending the monsoon season into August, which is good news for our drought-ravaged state. The cool respite of rain-driven lower temperatures is appreciated as is the evening schedule of rain. It was very thoughtful of Mother Nature to arrange it that way. The biggest fear for grape growers is the possibility of hail damaging the vineyards. Hail has wrecked gardens and vineyards in the northern part of the state and blasted two of my skylights in the southern part. I'm not thanking Mother Nature for that one.
I'm even less happy with her for dropping hail on some of Milagro Vineyard's grapes. My friend, Rick Hobson works tirelessly at making great wines and hardly needed the impact of the July 26th storm that uprooted a tree and damaged his most coveted grapes. Should I mention again that growing grapes and making wine in New Mexico is not for wimps? Milagro Vineyards will be open the weekend of August 10 and 11 for wine tasting, which includes an offering of their library selections. I'll also be mentioning this is my Examiner.com column.
Corrales Winery was somewhat luckier than Milagro and Keith and Barbara Johnstone treated us to a wonderful dinner the next evening on the lawn next to their winery. If it had been a day earlier we would have had a very soggy time. Corrales was hit pretty hard by the weather that included winds at near 90 miles an hour. I witnessed two huge branches torn from my weather-ravaged cottonwood tree land on top of my new patio suite. Fortunately the damage was minor, but many in the village suffered from the severe weather. I guess New Mexico is not for wimps, period!
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Dinner at Prairie Star with friends.
l-r: Sue and Nim Evatt, Susan and Larry Ahrens
and Barbara Kline
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I was on Larry Ahrens' Morning Brew show  last month and thoroughly enjoyed being on camera. I hope to return soon for tastings of New Mexico wines with Larry and Erin, his co-host. Larry and his wife, Susan also joined my wife, Barbara and I along with our friends Nim and Sue Evatt at Prairie Star for a fantastic dinner that I reviewed for Albuquerque Arts & Entertainment magazine.That will be in the September issue. Part of what made it fantastic was the service of Samuel McFall, the sommelier of Prairie Star and one of the reasons for the restaurant's success. Later in the newsletter I answer the question, "Why do I need a sommelier?"
I am presenting two private wine events, one on August 24 and another September 19 and in between, I will be investigating the wines of Hawaii next month. Actually, the wines will be from somewhere else. I did try pineapple wine on Maui (shudder) many years ago but will put my trust in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Argentinean Torront�s to go with my seafood.
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Winery of the Month: Chateau Ste. Michele Winery
I don't always pick a New Mexico winery to spotlight and one of the best out-of-state wineries is one whose wines I have enjoyed for several years now. Chateau Ste. Michele Winery is Washington State's first winery and their most prestigious. I recently enjoyed a bottle of their 2011 Columbia Valley Riesling with a semi-blackened Mahi Mahi in a zesty basil butter sauce. This one goes for under seven bills at Total Wines and is one of the best Riesling buys out there. I do prefer the Columbia Valley Dry Riesling, but this off-dry beauty went perfectly with the fish.
The winery offers several families of wines, including Ethos Reserve, the Artist series, single vineyard varietals, Columbia Valley and Indian Wells regional wines. The Eroica series comes from the decade long association of Ernst Loosen, famed Mosel winemaker and Bob Bertheau, winemaker of Chateau Ste. Michele.
The Eroica Rieslings alone would put the winery on the map, but they have so much more. I particularly enjoy their Indian Wells series. The grapes are sourced from a collection of warm-climate vineyards that range from the Wahluke Slope to Cold Creek Vineyard, and include the namesake Indian Wells Vineyard. The Alto Lakes Golf Club in Lincoln County, New Mexico keeps the Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon on hand and I always order a bottle with their prime rib or tenderloin.
Consistency, quality and good price performance make many of their wines a must-buy. Chateau Ste. Michelle has received some of the highest accolades in the industry, including "Wine Brand of the Year 2008," by Market Watch Magazine, "American Winery of the Year 2004" from Wine Enthusiast and "2005 Winery of the Year" by Restaurant Wine. I toured the facility in Woodinville some years ago with good friends Jean and Steve Deluca, and was hugely impressed. Do arrange for a tour if you are in the Seattle area. You will not be disappointed.
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Wine Question of the Month:
Why do I need a wine sommelier?
The wine sommelier is one of the most challenging jobs in the restaurant  industry. Here in New Mexico, one of the best sommeliers is Samuel McFall. I first met Samuel at a wine dinner he organized around Milagro Vineyards wines. He shares my love of wines and exhibits passion, enthusiasm and expertise wrapped in a warm friendly personality. He's someone you'll want to get to know when you go to the Prairie Star Restaurant in Bernalillo.
Prairie Star has some of the best wine dinners in New Mexico and that is due in no small part to Samuel's experience and imagination. What brought about the idea for this month's wine question was dining at Prairie Star at the end of July with good friends. I was doing a restaurant review for Albuquerque Arts & Entertainment magazine and Samuel took charge as only he can. He provided knowledgeable and tempting summaries of the specials and made sure we had everything in place for a great time.
Opening the very impressive wine book - this is far more than a wine list - I selected a Salomon 2005 Riesling from Austria. Good choice, Samuel said as he headed for the wine cellar. The first bottle went down fast so I ordered a second one, their last of that vintage. It seemed a bit younger than the first, which certainly happens with older wines. Samuel asked, "Do you want separate glasses for this wine?" I decided we did and appreciated his recommendation.
The result was we enjoyed two different wines, each unique, each good in its own way. If there was no sommelier, how many waiters would have known enough to suggest a new tasting? And how many would have poured the new wine into the remainder of the first one? (I've even had a sommelier make that mistake, with disastrous consequences.)
After the appetizers we ordered our entr�e choices and three of our six diners ordered the tenderloin. I realized my idea of bridging the scallops and salmon with Pinot Noir would not work with the heartier fare and we needed something more substantial.
Samuel and I conferred and I went with his recommendation. Not surprisingly, we were all blown away by his choice. Vespres is an old-vine blend of Garnacha (80 %) and Mazuelo (20%) by Celler Dosterras, a winery of northern Spain. One bottle led to a second and we were still exclaiming its virtues as we took our last sips.
Samuel makes up the wine list, constantly samples wines to find the best for the cellar and creates wonderful wine dinners using his knowledge of what is in the cellar. His wine-by-the-glass list is second to none in educating the diner on a myriad of wine choices, complete with intriguing summaries. This is the only place I know where I'm always in a quandary over choosing between a bottle or wine by the glass.
In case you think this could be your day job, keep in mind a sommelier has other duties including waiting on tables, training the waiter staff and consulting with the chef on wines and food pairing. He or she must possess an abundance of wine knowledge, have an experienced wine palette and constantly update that knowledge. It isn't an easy job at all, but seeing the joy Samuel takes in helping diners get the most out of their dinner, one could easily think its all fun.
And that is why you need a wine sommelier and why you should applaud them most roundly when they come to your aid.
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Jim's Picks of the Month
You might think I'm still on a Riesling kick after my winery and restaurant choices and you'd be right, but there are many more white wine choices these days and many of them will lead one on a wondrous tasting adventure.
Spotlight on a wine shop:  There are many good wine stores in the Albuquerque area. Jubilation Wine and Spirits, located at 3512 Lomas Blvd. NE on the SW corner of Lomas and Carlisle, has one of the best selections of wine and offers good discounts including Super Wine Savings on Thursdays (12% off six bottles) and a friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Torront�s is the white wine grape of Argentina and many are under ten bills. And this is one grape you won't find anywhere else, although I'm sure a number of winemakers are considering or already experimenting with it. However, like the country's Malbec, it is hard to top these wines at their price point.
Mendoza Station Torront�s Magnum (1.5L) goes for seven bills at Total Wines. That's almost the 3-buck Chuck range.
Crios de Susana Balbo Torront�s goes for $12 to $14 and really displays the power of this grape, and is one of my favorites.
Viognier is very popular and often touted as a Chardonnay replacement. The Torront�s grape has also been compared to this grape's characteristic flavors. This is also a good New Mexico grape. Try local and buy local!
Rhone whites are reasonably priced other than the Ch�teauneuf du Pape Blanc. Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier are some of the grapes used to make these very refreshing white wines. The Cotes du Rhone Blanc is a good place to start. Much like the red Cote du Rhone it is the poor man's Ch�teauneuf du Pape.
Vinho Verde is another reasonable priced wine, often well under ten dollars. This Portuguese white, although the name suggests green, also features a prickle. Not to worry, this is a good thing. The wine typically has a partial second fermentation and the slight carbonation adds to the charm of the wine.
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde is a consistently good, crisp, wine with nice minerality. Its price ranges from $8 to $10 at most wine shops.
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 The 2013 Winemakers Cruise of the Caribbean is taking reservations!
Combining the delights of a sea cruise of the romantic waters of the Caribbean with a profusion of wines usually only found on dry land, the 2013 Winemakers Cruise is your ticket to culinary delights, a relaxing sea cruise, intimate contact with winemakers from across the United States, and me.
The 2013 cruise begins and ends at the port of Fort Lauderdale. This a regular stop of Southwest Airlines making access to the port easy and affordable from many US locations. The cruise begins on November 17 and ends back at Fort Lauderdale on November 24. The Holland America cruise ship is loaded with amenities and activities besides the special wine events that only Winemaker Cruise members enjoy.
There are four ports of call. The first is storied and historical Grand Turk; a haven for snorkeling and deep sea fishing. Here the sea drops 7,000 feet into the deep. San Juan Puerto Rico is the oldest city in US territory; founded in 1521 by Juan Ponce de Le�n. Boasting one of the largest natural harbors in the Caribbean, visit the natural wonders of El Yunque Rain Forest, or walk the Camitillo Trail through the Palo Colorado forest. Explore Old San Juan of bike the Pi�ones Reserve.
The third port of call is Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas for sailing, relaxing or sightseeing. Browse the shop-lined streets of Charlotte Amalie which is called the "duty-free shopping capital of the world." The fourth port of call is Half Moon Cay. Visit Stingray Cove or ride a horse to a deserted beach and into the surf.
Mention you heard about the cruise here and you'll receive a personally autographed copy of Wines of Enchantment: 2012 and a guaranteed seat at the Southwestern Wine Guy's table for one night of the cruise and a champagne reception where your copy of the wine book is presented. You will also be on hand to celebrate the wine guy's first non US Navy cruise!
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August Events
In addition to all the wonderful wine events going on around the state, I am presenting two private wine events, one on August 24 and another September 19.
August 10 & 11:
Milagro Winery Open House
The Milagro open house is at the winery/tasting room at 985 West Ella in Corrales. The hours are 11am to 4pm on Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday. The Milagro contact number is (505) 898-3998.
August 17:
Annual Vine and Wine Society Annual Picnic
I'm a member of this organization that provides great support to amateur and professional winemakers. We also do the wine judging for the New Mexico State Fair wine competition.
August 24:
CorralesBike & Wine Tour
The tour is held bi-annually. The 12-mile tour visits four wineries: Corrales Winery, Acequia Vineyards & Winery, Pasando Tiempo Winery and Matheson Winery. Not necessarily in that order. If you see a rider in a really big red Stumpjumper, that'll be me.
August 31:
Bernalillo Wine and Harvest Wine Festivals
Labor Day weekend includes two wine festivals. The 26th Annual Wine Festival in Bernalillo and the 2013 Harvest Wine Festival in southern New Mexico at the Southern NM State Fairgrounds. The Bernalillo festival continues to offer online ticketing for those that want most of their waiting to be inside at a winery booth. Drink lots of water at these wine events; you'll thank me later.
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The dog days are upon us! Sweltering in humid, monsoon heat doesn't sound like much fun so I suggest pouring a glass of crisp chilled Pinot Grigio, inside with the air conditioning and checking out my website or blog.
Happy Trails!
Your Southwestern Wine Guy
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 Enchantment the Centennial Edition"
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Wines of Enchantment, 2nd Ed
ISBN # 978-1466453432
$12.95
Available through Amazon.com
Please do me the favor to go to Amazon and rate my book.
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Good News
Beginning in September I'll be writing for New Mexico Magazine. I will be adding wine commentary to the recipes created by the magazine's contributing culinary editor Cheryl Alters Jamison.
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A Unique Party Idea
Spend an entire evening with Jim, the Wine Maestro, and 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.
You and your guests will delight in Jim's light humorous and information-packed style when you include a Wine Maestro presentation in your
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Wine Trivia
Which of the following wines does not belong in the list?
- Montrachet
- Chablis
- Pouilly-Fume
- Pouilly-Fuisse
- Meursault
To find the answer,
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Links to Articles, Blogs and other Writings
Examiner.com
Southwestern Wine Guy Blog
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