Wine Books

Along with being a wine columnist and wine blogger, Jim is writing a series of wine guides to southwestern wines. He has extensive experience with the wines of Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific, and today he is concentrating on the wine of the Southwestern US and California.

Jim lives in New Mexico, so, naturally, his first book in the series is Wines of Enchantment: A Guide to Finding and Enjoying the Wines of New Mexico. And with New Mexico's wine industry growing so quickly Jim decdided he needed to publish a 2nd edition - the "Centennial Edition". This informative book provides readers a gateway to New Mexico’s rapidly growing and award winning wine industry. More than 30 wineries and 5 tasting rooms in New Mexico are described in vivid detail and with photos. The book also contains information about how to store, prepare and pair wine with food and wine tasting tips. Both novices and connoisseurs will find an unexpected adventure in wine tasting by following Hammond’s guide. 

Softcover $12.95
198 pp.
ISBN 978-1466453432

>bulk orders (free shipping with orders over 15 books)

For personally autographed copies or bulk orders, contact Breakthru Communications: 505-899-8578 or adonahue@breakthrucom.com

Answer to the Wine Trivia Question

April 2013 Issue: All of Casablanca Valley is coastal and influences the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from this region. Only the Lolol region of Colchagua Valley receives significant influence from the Pacific Ocean to be defined as Costa.

The Bío- Bío Valley is in the Entre Cordilleras area. The Curicó Valley and Maipo Valley straddle the Entre Cordilleras and Andes areas.

March 2013 Issue: The answer is Manzanilla, a dry Sherry. Fino Sherry is also dry and Amontillado and Oloroso are dry to medium-dry. Most Sherry drinkers prefer these to the much sweeter cream Sherries. The principal grapes used are Palomino and Pedro Ximénez. The much sweeter Pedro Ximénez grape was named after Peter Siemons who brought the grape from Germany to Spain. This is the primary grape for Cream Sherry.

February 2013 Issue: a. Burgundy: 1.Chardonnay and 2.Pinot Noir b.Champagne: 1.Chardonnay and2. Pinot Noir Loire Valley: Sauvignon Blanc c.Bordeaux: 3.Cabernet Sauvignon,4. Merlot and 5.Sauvignon Blanc Languedoc-Roussillon: 3.Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.Merlot, 1.Chardonnay and 5.Sauvignon Blanc

Janurary 2013 Issue: The answer is C: New Mexico was the first state to successfully make wine from Vitis vinifera cuttings smuggled from Mexico as King Philip forbid winemaking in the New World. In both Virginia and Florida it was local grapes; Vitis rotundifolia in Florida, Vitis riparia most likely in Virginia. Winemaking in California began in 1759, a relative newcomer. The native grapes made very poor wine and it was abandoned in both Florida and Virginia until much later than New Mexico began making wine. Nonetheless, both Florida and Virginia claim to be the first state to make wine. Even though no one could stand the stuff they made.

December 2012 Issue: the answer is B: The much higher tannins of Bordeaux wines and the throwing off of sediment required a different bottle design. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are the principal red wine grapes of Bordeaux. Pinot Noir is the Burgundy red wine grape and is very low in tannins and undergoes less extraction than its Bordeaux equivalents.

November 2012 Issue: the answer is D. The wine comes for Montalcino, uses a clone of Sangiovese and must be aged a minimum of five years.

July 2012 Issue: the the most fun answer is D - and if you'd like to see how it's done you'll have to contact Jim and ask him to demonstrate, or better yet, sign up for one of his Road Scholar Classes - but B and C will also work if necessary. Don't do A, it's such a waste!

June 2012 Issue: the answer is E. Did you get it right?

For more interesting trivia and good solid information, consider buying Jim's new book above! If you got it wrong, well Jim's book could be quite helpful--at least for getting to know New Mexico Wines.