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MILAGRO VINEYARDS NEW MEXICO FUN FACTS:
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ilagro Vineyards and Winery is located in the picturesque Village of Corrales, New Mexico by the Rio Grande river a short distance Northwest from Albuquerque and is owned by Mitzi and Rick Hobson (vigneron). Milagro Vineyards creates Estate wines in Northern New Mexico from around 16 small plot vineyards located in the historic and picturesque Village of Corrales. Milagro has produced wines from Vinifera grapes since the vineyards were first planted in 1985. Convinced that wine is made mostly in the vineyard, they meticulously and now organically raise all the grapes used to make their wines. Wines are handmade in an Old-World style, aged in fine French Oak and in bottle to reflect the place or terroir that they come from. Semillon is mostly thought of as the grape of the sweet wine of Sauternes and the famous, highly prized and priced, Chateau d’ Yquem in particular. Dry wines of Semillon are few and produced mostly in the Hunter Valley, Australia. The predominant style is that of a higher alcohol, oak flavored, buttery wine blended with about 20% Sauvignon Blanc to thin the oily like texture. In 2019 they began raising grapes organically so all their wines beginning in 2019 and forward will be made from
organically raised grapes. The 2019 Semillon is the first release from 2019 Vintage. The vision was to create a lower alcohol, (yes, you can drink more of a low alcohol wine), early harvested, crisp and fruit forward wine. To that end, the vineyards are picked by hand and fermented separately, at different times, whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented in neutral French oak and aged on the lees. It presents enticing aromas of lime, pear and hints of mineral, flavors of pear, lemon and mango, soft round texture, playful crisp acidity with a long finish. Perfect for that pick me up, Spring longing or pairing with white meats and fish, salads with citrus dressing, rich flavored soft and hard cheeses and mild spiced and herbed dishes along with roasted Silver Leaf vegetables. 50 cases, 12.2% Alc., $25.04 ($27 w/tax)/bottle
NEW MEXICO WINE New Mexico carries the proud distinction of being the origin of American viticulture with the arrival of Spanish monks and first plantings in 1629. For over 390 years grape growers have been experimenting with vitis vinifera and French hybrids in search of the perfect
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Before Prohibition, Corrales had hundreds of wineries supported by the fact that streets have been named after folks who went to prison. In the 90’s Milagro Vineyards and Winery became a potbellied pig retirement home of sorts and accumulated 9 pigs. All but Wilbur and Jezebel lived in a house we had built for them where they enjoyed classical music and living next to a vineyard. The pigs gave way to Boston Terriers and Milagro is the home to New Mexico Boston Terrier ( and any other breed) Rescue. Rick and Mitzi rescue and rehome about 60 dogs each year.
marriage of climate, soil and terrain to produce high quality wine. This trial and error process and the freedom to experiment has led to a diverse array of non-traditional varietals planted in high-desert elevations ranging from 3,300 to 6,000 feet above sea level. Elevation lends itself to high intensity sunlight that ensures the grapes reach maturity and the resulting wines live up to full expression of these varietals.
SPRING 2021
BARTENDER® Magazine
11
