White Wine

Central Bistro's Andrea Volpi Offers Tips on Cooking with Wine

You've probably seen the meme about wine and cooking: "I tried cooking with wine for the first time last night. After 5 glasses, I forgot why I was in the kitchen." Even if this is you, have no fear. General "cooking with wine" rules including things like "don't use cheap wine," or use a dry whit ... More >>

Check, Please! Arizona Festival at CityScape Was a Hot Hit; Celeb Chefs Informed and Entertained

Channel 8 hosted its first-ever Check, Please! Arizona Festival at CityScape on Sunday and despite the ridiculous temperatures (100 degrees, but it felt hotter), everybody seemed to have a good time. See also: -- Chef Kevin Binkley a Finalist for James Beard Award -- Chris Bianco Opens Full-Blown P ... More >>

Best of The Fest: The Scottsdale Culinary Festival's Grand Finale with Ten Chefs, Twenty Tables and Tons of Food

From cocktail-centric celebrations to a wine country brunch, there was no shortage of events for the food lover during last week's Scottsdale Culinary Festival. One final event ended the week with a bang last night at the Scottsdale Hyatt Regency, an intimate dinner experience to showcase the talent ... More >>

A Basketful of Wine Recommendations for Easter

Easter means brunch and wine. Left: Luciano Frascarelli Jermann of Taggia and a Pinot Grigio recommended by Sarah Falconer, wine sommelier of Del Frisco's Grille/td> We love drinking wine at Easter time. And we're not talking about communion wine. Easter is a holiday known for its amazingly diverse ... More >>

Sangria Recipes from Three Restaurants in Metro Phoenix

Not that there's ever a bad time for sangria, but sunny days and warmer temperatures mean that you might want to perk up your wine with some fruit, brandy, and other delicious sweetness. We asked three Valley restaurants to give up their amazing in house sangria recipes and tips (Did you know you ca ... More >>

Rancho Pinot and Maya's Farm Team Up for Lunar Lamb Fest on March 26

Anyone's who's lived here for more than two seconds knows that this is the best time to be in the Valley, and that has little to do with the weather. (Okay, maybe it has a lot to do with the weather.) But what we look forward to are the season-long celebrations -- from endless festivals to art sho ... More >>

Arizona WIne at Devoured 2013

Pavle Milic knows his way around a bottle of Arizona wine, so when he graciously offered to give us the rundown on the local wine showcased last weekend at Devoured, we jumped at the chance. Full disclosure: As co-owner of FnB in Scottsdale, Milic serves AZ wine and he's in the process of making his ... More >>

Friends of the James Beard Benefit Dinner Last Night in Scottsdale

If you've ever wondered why chefs do what they do, look no further than a kitchen on a night like last night to find the answer. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes an army of chefs to put on a James Beard-worthy meal -- and they have a whole lot fun doing it. See also: - ... More >>

Talking Stemware with Paola Embry

Sommelier and Wrigley Mansion CEO Paola Embry told New Times last March that "The wine is one of my favorite parts of the job." It shows. The Chilean wine expert is also co-owner of Christopher's and Crush lounge, which has earned the Award of Excellence" from Wine Spectator Magazine for their exte ... More >>

You "Must" Try These Beer/Wine Hybrids

To look at it from afar, it would seem that the rivalry between beer drinkers and wine drinkers is as heated as the stink between, say, the Hatfields and the McCoys, or Duke and UNC. Oenophiles turn up their noses at the uncultured rubes chugging what they see as swill; beer-lovers snicker at the ou ... More >>

Wine Geek and Spirit Savant Steve Olson: On What We're Drinking Now and What We'll Be Drinking in the Future

Steve Olson Chef Salad is taking a detour this week and next, interviewing four of the country's leading beverage industry experts, all of whom will be speakers at seminars held at the Hotel Valley Ho for the second annual Arizona Cocktail Week, February 16-22. Their excitement about cocktail cultu ... More >>

Matthew Weston of the Royal Palms in Phoenix Talks Dessert Wines

If the thought of dessert wine brings up memories of pre-legal hangovers or cooking sherry, it's time to give dessert wines another chance. Dessert wines can be a sophisticated addition to any menu. We interviewed Matthew Weston, sommelier and beverage manager for the Royal Palms resort for some in ... More >>

Carefree Station, North, and Other Phoenix Area Restaurants Update Wine Lists for the New Year

It's always time for wine, but a new year means it's time for something new. Restaurants around the Valley often update their wine lists to reflect menu changes, a new culinary influence or simply a change to what is available seasonally. Changes might go unnoticed, so we wanted to suggest that you ... More >>

Four Wines Under $6

Feeling thrifty? Good, because this week we explore wines under $6-$7. You know, the ones no one really boasts about buying....but admit it, you do. These bottles cost less than an entire glass of wine a nice wine bar, so you pick one up at the grocer's in hopes you'll be pleasantly surprised. Whet ... More >>

Wine By the Pint? Talking to Four Seasons' Sommelier Shaun Adams

In November, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is opening up a new restaurant called Proof - an American Canteen. See also: - Five Ways Not to Buy Wine - Lifting the Wine-List Veil at Citizen Public House The resort's sommelier, Shaun Adams, took some time to explain what will be available at ... More >>

BACCHUS MISCHiEF Debuts at After Hours Gallery

On Saturday evening, After Hours Gallery turned into the makeshift home of BACCHUS MISCHiEF, Chef Gabriele Bertaccini's underground wine event. Guests trickled into the jazz-filled entertaining area complete with skyline views, natural lighting, and the il Tocco staff preparing sweet and savory bite ... More >>

Masters of Wine: The Test

Welcome to Vine Geeks, where Brian Reeder and Pavle Milic of AZ Wine Merchants take the drinking game quite seriously. Pay attention -- you might just learn something. This past week, a record 98 students took the test to obtain their Masters of Wine, trying to join the mere 298 worldwide who curr ... More >>

Summertime Wines: Sangrias, Sparklings, and Sunshine.

All right, it's summertime (at least to this Oregon native it is). When I open my car door and could fire pottery in the heat blast I'm met with, I know we've arrived. I suppose oppressive heat and blistering sunshine are not the ideal conditions for drinking a big, earthy, tannic red wine (for so ... More >>

Lifting the Wine-List Veil at Citizen Public House

Welcome to Vine Geeks, where Brian Reeder and Pavle Milic of AZ Wine Merchants take the drinking game quite seriously. Pay attention -- you might just learn something. Today, Brian heads over to Citizen Public House to uncork the secrets of the restaurant wine list. In all likelihood, a restaurant ... More >>

The Ho Wine Experience at Cafe ZuZu

Looking for something to do this weekend? "Night Owl" is a quick guide to special nights at bars and clubs around town. We'll give you a few hints re: cover, dress code, music and atmosphere. Every Wednesday marks The Ho Wine Experience at Cafe ZuZu.​The Ho Wine Experience can leave you feeli ... More >>

Chocolate and Wine: A Sexy Pairing

​Something great happens when sexy forces combine. Brangelina took on an army of children, the Sports Illustrated models became a calendar institution, and don't make us explain what happened when Kama met Sutra. Like it or not, sexiness is a powerful thing. When it comes to food, there's nothing ... More >>

Petite Maison Brings Back Offal Dinner for Halloween Weekend

​For fans of offal (pronounced awful), those delicious odds and ends of animals, or for those curious enough to want to take a taste or two, Petite Maison, the charming little French eatery in Scottsdale, is serving up something special this Halloween weekend -- and if it's as popular as it wa ... More >>

Blueberry Pinot Noir, Green Apple Riesling, White Chocolate Ale and Other Sips of the Kokopelli Wine Festival

"Going once....going twice...sold!" Kokopelli winemaker Dennis Minchella auctions off one of the 1,000,000th bottles.​We spent more time (okay, all of our time) sipping at grapes rather than crushing them over the weekend at the 10th Annual Kokopelli Krush, a wine festival put on by Kok ... More >>

Fight for the Ol' White: What to Expect from Aged White Wine

Judi Bagnato​To age white wine or not to age white wine? It's not so much a question of whether it can be done. Because it can be. Aged that is. But is it any good? It goes without saying that wine is an incredibly personal experience with varying expectations and varying palates. So what ... More >>

Strawberry Risotto

Carol Blonder strawberry risotto​ Reading the fall issue of La Cucina Italiana magazine, I noticed an announcement for the fall release of the newest edition of Il Cucchiaio d'Argento, The Silver Spoon. If you missed the culinary hoopla when the first English edition was released in the U.S ... More >>

Falanghina: A Geeky White Wine for Summertime

Qsommelier.com​For those adventurous enough to try something outside of a glass of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, we say Falanghina all the way! Before we jump right into the history of the varietal and its flavor profile, let's start with the pronunciation. It's easy to pass over wines with intimi ... More >>

Up-and-Coming Wines: Trendy Blends and Rebounding Regions

UNCORK THE ISSUE: Trend-spotting wines is a talent that eludes us, so we instead pick the brains of the most in-the-know wine gurus (see last week's mention of The Scholium Project Wines). This week, we ask Wine Goddesses Katherine Conrad and Erin Giarda of Arcadia Fine Wine for the answers in broad ... More >>

Pairing a Wine for Meatless Monday

Carol Blonder​ Need to pair some wine with your meatless Monday dish? Not so difficult, you think -- enter a wine store and read the tags with pairing recommendations and flavor descriptions and pick out a bottle. Or chat with the salesperson and let them be your guide. Sounds like a simple ... More >>

Imbibe: Ariz. Wine Tasting at My Wine Cellar & Tempe Festival of the Arts

Arizona wines will be jumping off the racks at My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee tonight as My Wine Helper founder Jim Wiskerchen hosts a $10 tasting of four homegrown wines today from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for $10 - $5 of which can be applied to the purchase of a bottle to take home with you.

Friday at Devoured: Palette to Palate

Roasted Corn Cocktail and Shrimp Ceviche from the Barrio Cafe​To kick off this year's Devoured PHX Culinary Classic the Phoenix Art Musuem hosted Palette to Palate, a pairing of chefs, artists, and spirits, in the great hall of the museum for a crowd willing to spring for the $45 (plus fees) ... More >>

This Weekend: Devoured Phx Culinary Classic

Last year, Kai's table at Devoured was the most beautiful display of all.​Over the last few years, the Valley of the Sun has become the Valley of the Culinary Festivals. A handful of must-visit food- and wine-tasting events is now a sprawling season of eating, from East Valley to West. ... More >>

Imbibe: First & Decanted Thursdays at Arcadia Fine Wines

Cut out of work early and head over to Arcadia Fine Wine this and every Thursday for Decanted Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. when the Arcadia Wine Goddesses serve wine by the glass for $11 or less and flights of three wines for $10 with a side of wine knowledge. Bonus: On the first Thursday of each mont ... More >>

Budget Wine for the Holidays at Fresh & Easy

We scoped out your best budget wine bets for the holidays at a Fresh & Easy tasting last night: No three-buck-chuck was on hand (Chao, Saludas! Hang Ten, Big Kahuna! Take a hike, Flat Rock! Bon Voyage, Cape Peak!), but every wine we tried was less than $10 a bottle.

Foxhorn Chardonnay

Erica O'Neil Foxhorn Chardonnay's cute little fox mascot, beckoning you down the forest path to drunkenness. ​Anyone who has searched the couch cushions for a handful of change knows that boozing on an extreme budget can be a risky proposition. To help you decide how to spend that meager p ... More >>

Vendange Chardonnay

Erica O'Neil Setting the mood with a floral arrangement and box-o-wine. It just screams class.​Anyone who has searched the couch cushions for a handful of change knows that boozing on an extreme budget can be a risky proposition. To help you decide how to spend that meager pile of pennies, ... More >>

Flat Rock Pinot Grigio

Erica O'Neil Flat Rock pinot grigio, ready for drinkin'.​Anyone who has searched the couch cushions for a handful of change knows that boozing on an extreme budget can be a risky proposition. To help you decide how to spend that meager pile of pennies, we've scraped the Bottom of the Barrel ... More >>

Valley Ho

Wine Down

Vino pairings made easy at Cheuvront

Sugo Wrestling

Each go around just kept getting better

Big Fish, Mall Pond

Hapa Sushi Lounge

Seasons Eatings

Vine and Dine

A BYOBer's guide to pairing wine with food at selected Valley restaurants