The Wines of Southwest U.S.A.: A Guide to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Colorado

The modern wine era in the American Southwest began with the pioneers of the 1960s and 1970s, with New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado all having growing wine industries. New Mexico may be the least experienced player, but Texas is bigger, more developed, and more polished. Arizona has made the most progress in the shortest time, with impressive growing conditions, educational initiatives, and a tight-knit band of producers. Colorado is now home to vineyards too, with many producers also farming other fruit and creating wines from both. This book provides an expert guide to the history, climate, geology, grapes grown, subregions, and challenges wine growers face in each state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: ACADEMIE DU VIN LIBRARY LIMITED

Although Vitis vinifera vines have been grown in the American southwest for nearly 400 years, its modern wine era only really began with the new pioneers of the 1960s and 1970s. All four states can boast growing wine industries, each with its own distinct identity. Although home to those first wine grapes, New Mexico may be the least experienced player, with a few major producers and many smaller, new arrivals. The Texas industry is bigger, more developed, and more polished, with at least 350 wineries operating and plenty of room for growth. Arizona has perhaps made the most progress in the shortest time; some impressive growing conditions, educational initiatives, and a tight-knit band of producers have led to promising quality wines. Colorado, long known for its fruit orchards, is now home to vineyards too, with many producers also farming other fruit and creating wines from both.

Taking each state in turn, Jessica Dupuy guides us expertly through its history before presenting a thorough summary of its climate and geology, discussing the grapes grown, explaining the subregions (AVAs), and appraising the challenges wine growers face. Influential and innovative producers are profiled, and each section concludes with ideas on where to visit, dine, and stay. Boxes throughout the text supply asides on historical, geographic, and cultural points of interest. For anybody interested in discovering a truly up-and-coming wine region, this book makes for fascinating reading.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913141738