Are you familiar with AZ Stronghold wine company and/or Mangus Cabernet, Nachise Blend Dala Chardennay Pazzi Pinot Grigio? Do you have any great Arizona wines that you would recommend? The Pazzai I understand to be sold at Seasons 52
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I have to say that I have not had an opportunity to taste Arizona wines, which is just a reminder of how many new and exciting discoveries there are in the rapidly expanding world of wine! There are vineyards everywhere in the United States, even in places which might seem unlikely to most wine drinkers. Arizona Stronghold seems to enjoy a good reputation, and their wines are in reasonably good distribution outside of Arizona (and even on the East Coast). Many others seem to be available within the state, but may ship elsewhere. For anyone curious about AZ wines, the website of the growers (arizonawine.org) is an excellent resource. There are details about wineries, with contact information and web addresses as well as a calendar of events. I learned that there are three main growing regions in what is called the high desert and that, among them, the Verde Valley (near Sedona, a very popular tourist destination) is planted at elevations up to 6,000 feet. That makes me think in particular about Argentina, with its many high-altitude vineyards. Looks as if there's an active local wine scene in Arizona!
