New Mexico Wines - From T. Mullen
New Mexico is not part of Mexico.
It is one of the fifty states within the United States of America. It borders the states of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, and also borders the country of Mexico. The population is 2.1 million and the population density is sparse—only about 18 persons per square mile (compare that to New York city: 11,000; California: 252; England: 1,124; Netherlands: 1,400).
The first wines produced in the U.S. were at missionaries in New Mexico in the 1600's. Today, a total of about 60 wineries in New Mexico produce less than 1% of the U.S. wine output. During the past decade, the quality has improved notably.
Italian and French families within the state have influenced which grapes are grown. While there, I sampled wines made from the following grapes:
Whites—
- Gewürtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc.
Reds—
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Syrah, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Aglianico, Refosco, Chambourcin, Zinfandel, Mourvèdre, Petit Syrah.
Video—
This Vino Voices Video is from Old Town, Albuquerque—telling of tasting New Mexico wines at three wineries and a restaurant.
2 Minute Video overview of wine tasting in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Insider Insights—
I tried the following food wine pairings while in New Mexico.
At La Plazuela at La Fonda in Old Town, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Salmon, Risotto and Broccolini paired with a Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Loire Valley (not quite New Mexican, but, hey ...)
- Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding—which pairs well with a New Mexico Gruet sparkling wine.
At Lescombes Family Vineyards in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Schnitzel with Jaeger Sauce, Yukon Gold Mash Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables paired with a flight of red New Mexico wines that included Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese blend.
- House made Crème Brûlée with Kiva Wine, Custard and Caramelized Sugar, paired with a red blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec.
Recipe—
From my cookbook The Winemakers' Cooking Companion, you can download this free recipe for Balsamic Asparagus, from Stone Pillar Vineyard in Kansas, USA. Simple, nutritious and tasty!
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