ARIZONA FINDS: THE WINE COLLECTIVE
By Linda Kissam, “Food, Wine & Shopping Diva”
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Linda Kissam discusses Arizona wines and her experience at the Wine Collective in Scottsdale. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on Podbean.
The wine world has vacillated in its opinion about whether Arizona wines can live up to the ”Big Boys” of California varietals or the unique Oregon and Washington wines. Well, it’s time to make up your mind by taking a wine walk in Old Town Scottsdale where you can taste in at least seven tasting rooms. All have unique offerings, but one tasting room stands out in a category all its own.
A fresh take on wine tasting is open in downtown Scottsdale. Instead of just offering one winery’s line of wine, the Wine Collective features a large variety of all Arizona wines. The Wine Collective is owned and operated by wine industry expert Zoya Vora-Shah. She has years of wine industry experience in Arizona and around the country. Zoya is hands-on in curating both the wine-tasting list and creating events that talk to the wine crowd. According to Zoya, “There are so many excellent Arizona wines, but not everyone is familiar with them or knows which ones to try. I wanted a tasting room that was virtually 100 percent Arizona wines. That’s why I opened The Wine Collective.”
Customers can order one glass of wine or a flight of wines. The wine menu offers six choices. You can have all reds, all whites, all rosés, or a mix. For a real treat, order the “Just Trust Me” flight. In this selection, your server chooses the wines you will taste by asking about your preferences and what you are looking to taste that day. Prices are very reasonable at $18-$22. My tasting was superb.
Included was:
- Keeling Schaffer Viognier from Willcox,
- Los Milics Ita’s Rosé from Jenny’s Vineyard, Cochise County, AZ
- Golden Rule Zin from Willcox, AZ
- Page Springs Cellars | Mule’s Mistake Page Springs Cellars (23% Sangiovese; 19% Grenache; 15% Barbera; 15% Pinotage; 12% Zinfandel; 12% Pinot Noir; 4% Grenache Blanc)
The Wine Collective
Be sure to check out the event page for upcoming activities. You’ll also find a distinctive experience known as the Sensory Wine Tasting Package. The Wine Collective experts take you on,”… a deep dive into aromas, spices, herbs, fruits, and soil samples on your favorite blends or single varietals.” They incorporate all 5 of your senses during the tasting. No wine knowledge is needed for the tasting, just, “…passion, and adventure for wine.” $50 per person. Minimum of 2 people (up to 18).
The Wine Collective is open seven days a week starting at noon. They feature about 30+ offerings from many wineries around Arizona. Wines by the glass start at $8 and most bottles retail for less than $40. You can select your own tasting experience, choose a flight from six offerings, and then a food pairing that matches your taste. It’s a fun and informative experience.
https://www.the-wine-collective.com/
Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’ is a professional travel, food, and wine writer who specializes in easy, breezy destination stories sharing her favorite things about the places she visits. Visit www.AllInGoodTaste.info
