New Mexico

One of the least likely areas to expect wine, New Mexico's wine potential was tapped when the Gruets, a French family, moved to the state with the intention of making sparkling wine. Just to show that the French really do know what they are doing (the Gruets were from the Champagneregion after all), Gruet is now a nationally, if not internationally, recognized wine. The wines are delicious and often one of the best deals in sparkling wine. The family makes a range of wines from ethereal and efferevesant to full-bodied and biscuity.

New Mexico is now home to nineteen wineries. While none are as large as Gruet, more winemakers are realizing that the warm day and cool night combination in the state has great potential for great wine.