Louis McCall | Arizona Homeowner | September 2022 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 9 Issue 9

Board Games

for Everyone

Wine 101

Find Your Best Wine

Verde Valley Wine Trail Verde Valley, Arizona

Mini Apple Berry Crumble Pies GoodNes

LOCAL VENUE Verde Valley Wine Trail Verde Valley, Arizona

PICK THE PERFECT WINE WITH THESE EASY STEPS

F

inding it hard to choose a good bottle of vino at the local wine shop? With so many new and old wine-producing countries and numerous grapes and blends, it can be hard to feel confident making a selection. It’s no wonder that so many people pick wine by its pretty label. Though that can be fun, you’ll have more luck learning a few wine basics.

Several award-winning wineries and tasting rooms fill the brief route of the Verde Valley Wine Trail in Northern Arizona. Visitors can self-tour the area, choosing stops along the set trail that best suit their tastes and interests.

Many stops allow guests to tour the grounds as well as sample a diverse selection of locally made wine. Add to the fun by collecting stamps from different locations on a downloadable passport to earn special offers and prizes.

Check out the official web page for a full list of vineyards as well as specific hours and pricing. Several awardwinning wineries and tasting rooms fill the brief route of the Verde Valley Wine Trail in Northern Arizona. Visitors can self-tour the area, choosing stops along the set trail that best suit their tastes and interests. Many stops allow guests to tour the grounds as well as sample a diverse selection of locally made wine. Add to the fun by collecting stamps from different locations on a downloadable passport to earn special offers and prizes. Check out the official web page for a full list of vineyards as well as specific hours and pricing.

Source: vvwinetrail.com

First, it helps to know what you like in a wine. So next time you open a bottle, try the four steps to appreciating your pour: look, smell, taste, and think. First, look at the color of the wine, its opaqueness (the darker and more opaque the more bold and full-bodied), and its viscosity or “legs” (the thicker the legs, the higher the alcohol and sugar content). Next, smell the wine and identify the aromas. Is it floral, fruity, or herbal? Now taste the wine. Is it sour, bitter, or sweet? Finally, think about all these factors and decide whether or not this wine appeals to you. So, if you sip a Pinot Grigio or a Cabernet Sauvignon and love it, head to the wine store and try more of that variety.

Wine labels can give you some clues to the wine. First, it tells you the name of the vineyard, the country and year it was produced (tip: the year is not too important unless you are collecting fine wines for your cellar), the variety (the type of grape used or a blend of several grapes), and the alcohol content. On the back of the label is often a description of the wine and a stamp naming the importer. Quick tip: Think of an importer as a wine curator. If you like one importer’s wine, you may like many others as well, so jot down the importer’s name. Also, don’t be put off by a screw-top wine. Most wines should be enjoyed when you buy them. Corks are great but really only imperative for storing fine wines meant to be drank years from now.

Want to branch out to different varieties? If you’re looking for a nice, light, easy-to-drink white, try Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or a bubbly Cava. Want a sweeter white? Try Riesling or Moscato. To dip your toes into the world of reds, start with a lighter sip, such as a Pinot Noir or Petit Syrah. Bolder reds include Cabernets, Malbec, and Syrah. Don’t be afraid to try a vineyard you’ve never heard of before—bigger vineyards aren’t always better. And a bonus: Lesser-known vineyards often carry less hefty price tags.

And if you’re looking for a gift to bring to a dinner party?

Take the guesswork out of it and download one of the many great wine-tasting apps. Just scan the label and get reviews and even food pairings. A few to check out: Wine Searcher, Vivino, and Delectable. You can track your own collection and make notes and read reviews. Today, there are so many options for learning more about wine, from wine boutiques and wine bars to wine classes and wine sampling parties. Enjoy!

LIFEWISE

Games!

Bored?

B

oard games aren’t just for kids anymore. There are a large variety that cater to adults, from strategy games to games of chance, and games of pure silliness. Whether you’re playing with family or friends, board games are a chance to unplug and connect face to face. Here are three of the top-rated games on the market today.

Catan (3-4 players; ages 10+) – A game of critical thinking and patience, Catan requires cooperative efforts to snag a personal victory. On a map that changes with each game, players establish settlements which determine their access to certain resources required to expand with roads, upgrades to cities, and buy special development cards with unique benefits. Even if you claim the most advantageous real estate in the beginning, you will surely have to barter and trade with other players to collect the resources you need. It’s a fun and strategic balance of small sacrifices in sight of a big win. While a bit more involved than some games, the rules are pretty simple once you begin playing.

Code Names (unlimited players; ages 10+) – Great for large groups or parties, Code Names is a social word association game. Spymasters from each team are privy to the secret identities of 25 agents, known only to the rest of their team by code names. Spymasters alternate giving clues to help guide their teams to contact all their agents first. Essentially, cluegivers say words that their team would associate with the words in an agent’s code name. For example, if you wanted your team to guess the names “Eagle,” “Horse,” and “Whale,” you might give the clue “animals.”

Success depends on how well you know your teammates way of thinking, how carefully you scan all the code names on the board, and how creative you can be.

Ticket to Ride (2-5 players; ages 8+) – The goal of this game is straightforward: build train tracks along the routes on your ticket cards before getting blocked by other players. Points are earned through completed routes and number of tracks laid, so longer routes have added benefit. The original version has routes throughout North America, but the game also comes in different landscapes such as Europe, New York, and London. Gameplay is more fast paced but still low-key, with individual players quietly planning how to capitalize their routes before someone else can. A lot of this game depends on the luck of the draw and timing but requires a fair level of engagement.

FLAVORFUL

Mini Apple Berry Crumble Pies INGREDIENTS 4 cups

peeled and chopped apples

3 tbsp

granulated sugar

1 cup

raspberries, divided

¼ cup

all-purpose flour

¼ cup

Nestlé® La Lechera® Sweetened Condensed Milk

½ tbsp

cornstarch, dissolved in 2 teaspoons cold water

¼ tsp

ground cinnamon

1½ tbsp

butter, melted

¼ tsp

salt, divided

1 pkg

(14.1 oz) refrigerated pie crusts

DIRECTIONS Place apples, ½ cup raspberries, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon salt in large saucepan.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes. Stir in cornstarch mixture; cook for 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened.

Cut remaining ½ cup raspberries in half; stir into mixture.

Combine flour, sugar, butter and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; stir with a fork until crumbly.

Spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Unroll pie crusts; cut out twelve 3 ¼-inch circles using a large round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter. Press each circle into cups in muffin pan. Place fruit filling evenly into each muffin cup. Top evenly with crumb mixture.

Bake at 400° F for 20 to 30 minutes or until crusts are golden brown.

GoodNes.com

AZHO

Maricopa County By The Numbers SEPTEMBER 2022 7/15/22 – 8/15/22

5,109

AVG SOLD PRICE

584,870

$

TOTAL #

CLOSED

99

33 AVG DAYS ON MARKET

LIST/SELL PRICE RATIO

Fresh Farmhouse Windows

Follow through on a farmhouse feel with rustic window treatments. Curtains in gauzy linen, neutraltoned gingham or plaid, simple ticking stripe, or burlap create a feeling of fresh country charm.

Source: SouthernLiving.com

LOUIS A. McCALL II REALTOR® eXp Realty

404.831.2353 louis@louismccall.com www.louismccall.com 6991 E Camelback Rd #D-300 Scottsdale, AZ 85251

CALL LOUISYO TODAY U R GIFUYOU I D E ARE T O THINKING A Z R E A L ABOUT E S TATAE NEW HOME! IfIf your your home home isis currently currently listed, listed, this thisisisnot notaasolicitation solicitationfor forthat that listing. listing.

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