Discovering Sparkling Wine in Sante Fe, New Mexico - You Can't Call it Champagne

Our Colorado escapade concluded with a satisfying tasting at BookCliff Winery, but the open road was in front of me once more. Denver, the Mile High City, awaited, a four-hour drive marking the halfway point of our Southwestern loop. The 50 State Wine Challenge, it seemed, was shaping up to be a more demanding endeavor than initially anticipated.

With no winery visits scheduled in Denver, we used the day to recharge and prepare for the next leg of our journey: Santa Fe, New Mexico. The six-hour drive unfolded under a dramatic sky, the weather shifting from sunny skies to a sudden hailstorm as we crossed Raton Pass. While the dash-cam footage failed to capture the full intensity of the icy onslaught, the experience added an unexpected thrill to our journey.

Arriving in Santa Fe, we settled into our familiar downtown surroundings. A visit to Tomasita's, a legendary establishment renowned for its fiery red chile, was a must. Their tongue-in-cheek warning about the chile's heat added a playful touch to the anticipation. Dinner was a delightful explosion of flavor, a fitting introduction to Santa Fe's vibrant culinary scene.

Click image to visit Tomasita's website

The next morning, we set out to capture our New Mexico episode, drawn to the historic St. Francis Church. Its serene beauty and connection to our cherished memories of Assisi, Italy, made it the perfect backdrop for our intro. While my on-camera presence still needed refinement, we captured the essence of the location and eagerly headed to our tasting destination: Gruet Winery.

Nestled within the charming St. Francis Hotel, Gruet's tasting room exuded a cozy elegance. We opted for this location over their Albuquerque headquarters, drawn to Santa Fe's unique charm. (Though, as fate would have it, we would later experience Gruet's Albuquerque tasting room and the enchanting Balloon Fiesta.) Enjoying the experience of sparkling wine in Sante Fe New Mexico would prove to be an amazing find.

As we prepared to film, I noticed the camera's imposing size and the subtle shift in the server's demeanor. A sense of awkwardness permeated the air, echoing our experience in Utah. A mental note was made: find a less intrusive filming method to maintain the natural flow of the tasting experience.

Despite the slight discomfort, the tasting itself was a revelation. Gruet's sparkling wines, recipients of numerous accolades, lived up to their reputation. The accompanying seafood dip, a delectable surprise, paired perfectly with the effervescent bubbles. This was a true gem of a find, exceeding our expectations in both flavor and ambience.

Click image to visit Beck and Bulow website

The tasting also provided an opportunity to explore the nuances of dryness in sparkling wine. The "sauvage brut," a term denoting zero dosage (no added sugar), proved a bit too austere for my palate. Lesson learned: brut remains my preferred level of dryness.

Sante Fe was the conclusion of our first real road trip on our way to completing the 50 State Wine Challenge. All in all, Mrs. Kay and I chalked it up as a success, yet still having plenty of room for improvement. The next day, we drove the seven and a half hours home. The southwest circle was complete.