Sample, learn about wines at Taste of the Vine events

You never know what you might get.

The wine cellar at Hacienda del Sol has about 2,100 labels — one of the largest collections in the state — according to Andrew Record, one of the sommeliers.
Hotel and dinner guests often order glasses or bottles of wine with their meals and have the opportunity to pick from this extensive list.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Hacienda del Sol, 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road, the public may partake in a free wine tasting called Taste of the Vine.
For more than two years Record has offered three wines for people to try for free. A tasting usually consists of one white and two reds.

Record says it gives people an opportunity to try some wines they may not order with their dinner and to ask questions in a less-formal setting.

"We want to have an open environment in which people can learn about wine and have fun," he said.

Guests also may purchase, at half-price, a bottle of the wine they tasted.

Amy Morris has attended the free tasting for about a year and half. She says it's nice to be introduced to different regions and varieties of wine; she's partial to cabernets in the cooler months and whites in the summers.

"These tastings have helped me to learn a lot more," she said. "I'm still basic but I'm learning more."