Welcome to Wine Wednesday, Tucson Foodie-style. No matter if your palate is cruising in third gear, you’re lookin’ at the vineyards rolling by, or if you are already breakin’ some laws with your speed-tasting, Sonoran Restaurant Week 2022 is here to serve you on your trip through Tucson.

First, just to make sure you don’t miss your turn, we’re pointing out the signage for one of the custom-built collabs happening this week. A new, local wine importer, Nossa Imports, which has a focus on fine wines from Mexico and Portugal, is applying its fine-tuning by helping participating restaurants pair menus with Mexican wines from Bodegas de Santo Tomás and Viñedo San Miguel.

In a performance-inspired move, chef/owner, Maria Mazon, of BOCA Tacos and Bravo’s Top Chef fame, reached out to Dale and Stephen Ott, the married ownership of Nossa Imports, to exclusively pair their wines with her menu.

Why is this cool? Usually, wine-tasting menus are the luxury model version of fine dining. A prix fixe menu with exclusive dishes featuring exotic ingredients and unusual preparations is paired with wines expressing the same distinctive sentiment. The idea is that the synergistic combination attuned by the chef and sommelier will be the equivalent of giving exactly the right amount of gas when releasing the clutch. Zoom. Palate dynamics.

BOCA Tacos’ Sonoran Restaurant Week Menu

First Course

• Crema de Papa aned Palmito
  • Suggested pairings: Viñedo San Miguel’s Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or the Malbec

Second Course

• Short Rib Gordita
  • Suggested pairings: Bodegas de Santo Tomás’ Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, or the Cabernet Sauvignon

Third Course

• Plátano Macho
  • Suggested pairings: Bodegas de Santo Tomás’ Misión Blanco, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, or the Chardonnay

For more information on the menu, visit sonoranrestaurantweek.com. 

Like vanity plates or special rims, tasting menus can be pricey.

This week, though, diners on a driver’s permit or a Formula One budget can both attain elegant, high-agility, wine menu experiences at reasonable prices. It’s all thanks to offers from classic Tucson restaurants like BOCA Tacos, Maynards, and Cup Cafe.

The Cup Cafe’s $35 prix fixe is paired with local, Cochise County wines to Sonoran Wines and wines from the Nossa Imports portfolio.

Cup Cafe’s Sonoran Restaurant Week Menu

First Course

• The Hotel – Baby spinach, spicy candied pecans, julienned red onions, sliced grapes, herb goat cheese crouton, pomegranate vinaigrette
  • Paired with Sonoran Wines’ Viognier

Second Course (choice of)

• Salmon Caprese
  • Paired with Bodegas de Santo Tomás’ Misión Blanco
• Stuffed Chicken Gnocchi
  • Paired with Bodegas de Santo Tomás’ Misión Tinto
• Hemp Tamales
  • Paired with Sonoran Wines’ Real de San Bernardino

Third Course

• Dessert (choice of daily selections)

For more information on the menu, visit sonoranrestaurantweek.com. 

Maynards’ $45 prix fixe is stylishly paired with local and Mexican wine options for a mere $18 more. Maynard’s goes the extra lap by pairing dessert with a Malvasia from local favorite, Sand-Reckoner Vineyards. It’s worth the upgrade to experience dessert with a dessert wine.

Maynards’ Sonorant Restaurant Week Menu

First Course (choice of)

• Marinated cucumbers, ricotta, and chervil on toast
  • Paired with Bodegas de Santo Tomás’ Misión Tinto
• Blue Beard Spaghetti
  • Paired with Bodegas de Santo Tomás’ Misión Tinto

Second Course

• Halibut
  • Paired with Casa Madero’s Chardonnay
• Grilled Pork Loin
  • Paired with Sonoran Wines’ Rio de Bernardino
• Crisp Tempeh
  • Paired with Sonoran Wines’ Rose of Grenache

Third Course

• Apple Rum Cake
  • Paired with Sand-Reckoner Vineyards’ Malvasia

For more information on the menu, visit sonoranrestaurantweek.com. 

All of the Sonoran Restaurant Week wine pairing menus are equivalent to a “two for one” if compared to average wine dinner prices. Put it in low gear and brave the mountain pass. These menus are crash tested and ready for action.

For more information on all of the menus available Friday, September 9 – Sunday, September 18, visit sonoranrestaurantweek.com.