Jim Hammond, Author of NM Wine Guide, Signs Books In November And Gives Wine Tasting Workshops At Local Libraries In December

Workshop attendees will learn the subtleties of wine tasting, and "Wines of Enchantment" guides readers to the wineries of New Mexico.

Corrales, NM (PRWEB) November 7, 2009 -- Corrales, N.M. Jim Hammond, Corrales-based author of Wines of Enchantment: A Guide to Finding and Enjoying New Mexico Wines, will be discussing wine and signing his book at the Rio Rancho Holiday Book Fair, at the Rio Rancho Inn, 1465 Rio Rancho Blvd, SW on November 7, 2009, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, and will be one of the featured local authors at the Sandoval County Historical Society’s Authors Day, part of the Society’s Speakers Series held at the DeLavy house, 151 Edmond Road in Bernalillo on November 8 at 2:00 pm.

In December, Hammond will offer a workshop/seminar titled “What Wine Really Tastes Like” at four Greater Albuquerque-area libraries. He will speak on Dec. 8 at Albuquerque’s Cherry Hills Library from 6:00 -- 8:00 pm and on Dec. 15 at the Erna Ferguson Library from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. On Dec.10 he will appear at the Corrales Library from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, and on Dec. 17 at Rio Rancho’s Loma Colorado Library from 5:30 – 7:30pm. All workshops are free and open to the public; contact the libraries for details.

Hammond’s interactive workshop will focus on how understanding aromas can enhance the wine tasting experience. Attendees will be able to sniff concentrated scents to isolate unique aromas in a wine’s bouquet, a key step in understanding wine tasting methodology, and to learn to choose the best wine for their palates. He will also explain where to find great wine values. No alcohol will be present at the workshop. Hammond also will read selections from his book, Wines of Enchantment, covering the history of grape growing and winemaking in New Mexico, and wine etiquette, and sign copies of his book, available for sale at a discount.

Wines of Enchantment “will acquaint readers with the practical, the historical and the exotic concerning the vintages produced by this sunny southwestern state,” said Farid Himeur, Vice President of Gruet Winery and former President of the Board of Directors of New Mexico Wine Growers Association.

Cherry Hill Library is located at 6901 Barstow St NE, Albuquerque; (505) 857-8321, Erna Ferguson Library is at 3700 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque; (505)888-8100. The Corrales Library can be found at 84 W La Entrada; (505)897-0733 and Rio Rancho’s Loma Colorado Library is at 755 Loma Colorado Drive NE; (505)891-5013.

About Jim Hammond
Jim Hammond, author, columnist, blogger and raconteur, has been searching the world for the best wines for more than forty years. He resides in Corrales, New Mexico. Known as the Southwestern Wine Guy, he writes the monthly “Artful Pairings” column for ABQArts Magazine and contributes monthly columns to Jane Butel's Cooking with Jane online cooking club. Jim maintains a well-read wine blog, The Southwestern Wine Guy (http://southwesternwineguy.blogspot.com), and contributed the “Wine Country” column for the Albuquerque Journal for two years. He stays busy with speaking engagements at wine festivals, private parties, and other events. For more information, see http://southwesternwineguy.com.

###