Wine Fest

 

Coming from Colorado, our wine country was pretty much the most western part of the state, 4 hours away from Denver. There were wineries in the Denver area, but most of them were tasting rooms, and those that made wine had the grapes brought in from Western Colorado, and even some from California. So, being in New Mexico I find it fascinating how there are wineries and more importantly vineyards throughout the entire state. In the northern part of the state like Taos, the southern most part in Las Cruces, and everywhere in between including the Albuquerque area. With so many wineries, and the state being so big, it can be difficult to try most. Thankfully, every year on Memorial Day Weekend these wineries come together to pour their offerings to the masses. I was lucky enough to be able to attend this years New Mexico Wine Festival. 

Balloon Fiesta Park was the setting for the festivities, the sun was out, and it was a gorgeous day to sample some wine, ciders, and everything in between. Throughout the tastings it was very enlightening to sample the same grape, from the same state, but in different regions and have a side-by-side comparison of how the difference in climate changed the profile of the wine. It is also always fun to have the opportunity to talk to the winemakers, and hear about their passion for the industry, and how much love and work goes into each bottle they make. While there were too many good wines, and other drinks to try some did stand out more than others and were my favorites of the festival. 

Sheehan Winery always produces great wines, but for the festival they released their 3 new wines called Vinos Unidos that partnered the New Mexico United, and the Somos Unidos Foundation. The white blend, rose, and cabernet sauvignon were all very good glasses of wine, exactly what you expect from such a great winery, and now they are giving back to the community with these 3 great bottles. I was glad to get to try them. From outside Silver City was a winery I had never even heard of, but was glad that I stopped by their tent, and that was La Esperanza. The two best from here were the Malvasia Bianca dry white which was perfect for a hot day, and the Pinot Noir which was more dry than I am used to, but I enjoyed it very much. 

However, there were two booths that both offered wines that are very historic, which is saying a lot considering how rich New Mexico’s wine history is. The first was a small winery out of Mora called Las Nueve Ninas. This is a 5^th generation winery that was pouring delicious sangria, but talking to the winemaker I learned that in the 1600s around the same time the mission grape was being cultivated they were making what is called Chokecherry Wine. This will be unlike any wine you have ever had, and unlike any wine you will ever have in the future. It was so unique, with a complex flavor and it is one I highly recommend you taste if you see them at any event in the future. The other wine with a historical background to it came from Jaramillo Vineyards in Belen, where they were pouring what is called the Norton grape. Talking to the staff member pouring my tasting the Norton grape is considered the only indigenous American grape to produce good wine, where most grapes are brought in from Europe. The wine itself was very rich, full bodied, with a subtle spice, and strong berry flavor. 

I think it goes without saying that this was a very enjoyable time, and a very enlightening experience. I feel more educated one the wine industry in New Mexico and feel that I only scratched the surface of what more I could learn about it. Thankfully, there is another wine festival over Labor Day weekend which I will be attending and can’t wait to try more wines from the Land of Enchantment. I would recommend to any wine lover that this a must go to event, just pace yourself and have a great time. 

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