Rita's Pairings
Rita's PairingsMeet Rita: Several years ago, I obtained my certification as an Assistant Wine Steward.  I did it mostly because I love wine, especially how simple grape juice can be made into something that reminds you of honeysuckle or candied violets or leather and tobacco.  I loved learning about geology (esp. geomorphology), world history and viticulture to better appreciate the art of making a really fine wine.  And, I love Arizona wines.  Yes, Arizona wines!  Over the past twenty years, some very talented people have begun to make world-class wines in Arizona.  Two of my personal favorites are Kent Callaghan in Sonoita and Eric Glomski in the Verde Valley.  And keep an eye on Corey Turnbull of Burning Tree Cellars as well as the folks at Lightning Ridge Cellars.

My other passion is cooking.  I make a tasty boeuf bourguignon and chicken tagine with apricots and almonds, and my scones are quite possibly the best in Phoenix.  Each summer, I take on a culinary challenge.  In 2011, it was learning how to make mole.  The chicken in red mole turned out really well.  Summer 2012, it was the perfect pie crust, which morphed into some very nice ginger-peach turnovers.

Meet her list: This list - a baker's dozen - reflects these two lifelong obsessions and offers selections about them in perfect pairings.

 The Wine bible by MacNeil, Karen, 1954-   The Wine bible
MacNeil, Karen, 1954-
 
 The pie and pastry bible by Beranbaum, Rose Levy.   The pie and pastry bible
Beranbaum, Rose Levy.
With more than 200 recipes, 150 illustrated techniques, and 32 pages of photos of finished pies and ...
 
 Red, white, and drunk all over : a wine-soaked jou ... by MacLean, Natalie.   Red, white, and drunk all over : a wine-soaked journey from grape to glass
MacLean, Natalie.
"After three years of sipping, spitting and slogging her way through bushy vine leaves and cellar co ...
 
 Blood, bones & butter : the inadvertent education  ... by Hamilton, Gabrielle.   Blood, bones & butter : the inadvertent education of a reluctant chef
Hamilton, Gabrielle.
The chef of New York's East Village Prune restaurant presents an account of her search for meaning a ...
 
 A moveable thirst : tales and tastes from a season ... by Kushman, Rick.   A moveable thirst : tales and tastes from a season in Napa Wine Country
Kushman, Rick.
 
 My life in France by Child, Julia.   My life in France
Child, Julia.
 
 The chardonnay charade : a wine country mystery by Crosby, Ellen, 1953-   The chardonnay charade : a wine country mystery
Crosby, Ellen, 1953-
 
 Death by the dozen by McKinlay, Jenn.   Death by the dozen
McKinlay, Jenn.
When one of the judges at this year's Scottsdale Food Festival is murdered, Melanie Cooper and Angie ...
 
 Bottle shock by   Bottle shock
Napa Valley, 1976. For connoisseur Steven Spurrier, there is no finer art than French wine. But rumo ...
 
 Chocolat by   Chocolat
When a single mother and her young daughter move to rural France and open a chocolate shop - with Su ...
 
 Romanza by Bocelli, Andrea.   Romanza
Bocelli, Andrea.
 
 Jimmy Buffett live at Fenway Park by Buffett, Jimmy.   Jimmy Buffett live at Fenway Park
Buffett, Jimmy.
 
 Like water for chocolate : a novel in monthly inst ... by Esquivel, Laura, 1950-   Like water for chocolate : a novel in monthly installments, with recipes, r ...
Esquivel, Laura, 1950-
With more than two million copies in print, this beloved novel has become a treasured part of Americ ...
 
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