At The Traveling Vineyard, we’re passionate about wine!
Our mission to demystify wine, by offering fun and
informative in-home wine tasting events.
Taste wines from boutique wineries from all over the world,
while enjoying a wine tasting lesson.
Email Shannon for more information.
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4267 Tennyson Street
Denver, CO 80212
303-458-0209
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Every Thursday,
Wynton Parker,
the KUVO
Drive Time Jazz Host
Features a wine and food pairing segment on his show.
Wynton's show airs Monday - Friday 4-7pm.
Support
KUVO,
support public radio.
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Jago
Vanilla Cream Liqueur
Are you interested in learning more about wine?
Join the Denver Wine Group to savor the wine and conversations,
build new friendships, and learn as you go.
Beginners and experts welcome!
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Terroir and elegance often walk hand in hand,
with thought-provoking subtleties.
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Read about it today, experience it tonight.
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Georges Dubeuf 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau, France
We're not sure what this years Beaujolais Nouveau will taste like,
but we do know that it went from vine to glass in about three months.
This celebratory wine is made from the soft, berry flavored gamay grape.
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a glass of
Nouveau for toasting the recent grape harvest.
Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins, Durango Liquor, Libations Wine & Spirits, Meridian Wine & Spirits, Primo Vino, The Incredible Wine & Liquor Store, Joy Wine & Spirits, and Hampden Warehouse Liquormart carry this wine.
$10
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Bloom wines are perfect for Thanksgiving.
They are a tremendous value for the money,
but best of all, during the month of November
Bloom is donating a portion of their profits
from each bottle of wine purchased to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Bloom Pinot Gris and Bloom Riesling will synergize with your
turkey and ham this Thanksgiving.
Read reviews of these wines and find a list of wine shops that carry them on our
October 13, 2006 newsletter.
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Firestone 2005 Carranya Mesa Vineyard, Gewürztraminer, Santa Ynez, California
Lots of fragrant summer flowers on this nose of this wine.
The palate is filled with orange blossoms, tangerine, and lemon zest.
This white is exotic, soft, and perfume-like.
A lovely wine for fowl and spicy-hot foods.
Tasted October 3, 2006
-BF $9
County Line, Corks, Meridian Wine & Spirits, The Incredible Wine & Liquor Store, Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Pillar Box 2006 White, Australia
A lovely blend of chardonnay, verdello, and sauvignon blanc.
Lots of citrus flavors on the palate, lime zest, melon and tones of honey on the mid-palate.
Soft, yet zesty, this is a great wine for lighter meats like turkey.
Tasted October 18, 2006
-BF $10
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Beaujolais Nouveau
Before the Second World War the locals of Beaujolais celebrated the new harvest by drinking wine that had barely finished fermenting. Each tavern would serve pitchers of this simple, quaffable wine from the local wineries. Each winery would rival their competitors to see who could get their Beaujolais Nouveau to the natives the fastest. From the vine to the bottle in a mere weeks, Beaujolais Nouveau became a measure of the quality of the wines to come.
Fermented using carbonic maceration, a process where the grapes are left whole and allowed to ferment inside their skins. This form of fermentation offers simple, jammy, grape-like flavors. The wine is made from the local grape called gamay, used to make all red Beaujolais.
This party became so popular that after the end of the Second World War, Parisians caught wind of this symbolic ritual and joined in the celebration. Drinking the simple wines of Beaujolais Primeur soon started to spread beyond the borders of France. Before long, it became a world wide custom.
Today, drinking Beaujolais Nouveau with your Thanksgiving dinner is as traditional as turkey and stuffing for some families. This is not only a French and American custom, it is estimated that over 65 million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau are shipped out of France each November. This is half of Beaujolais' total production for the year. Each retailer, from Halifax, to Hobart, from Plymouth Rock to Plano, promises to not sell the wine until the third Thursday of the month.
The most famous Beaujolais Nouveau producer is negotiant, Georges Dubeuf. He is the largest producer in all of Beaujolais and is responsible for promoting Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau to its current level of recognition.
So this November 16th Beaujolais Nouveau will sold all across the world. In the spirit of the fleeting autumn, it should be drunk as soon as possible. Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais from this region's better quality vineyards make a perfect red for turkey and all the trimmings. Join the world wide celebration, raise a glass and make a toast to this year's grape harvest.
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WineSmith 2005 Albariño, California
This white with possess beautiful aromas of honeysuckle.
On this palate this wine has soft acidity with notes of honeydew,
mineral, lime zest, and melon.
The finish smacks of oranges.
-BF $20
Meridian Wine & Spirits carries this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Omrah 2004 Unwooded Chardonnay, Western Australia
Bright and refreshing showing all the charm of chardonnay without any oak.
Integrated flavors of lime, peach,
and allspice offer a complimentary facet to its mouthwatering acidity.
Elegant and very versatile.
Tasted October 18, 2006
-BF $16
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Lengs & Cooter 2000 Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia
This is a phenomenal riesling.
A floral aroma with hints of honey leads to a rich, exotic palate.
Flavors of lemon meringue, ginger root, anise,
and fresh cut oregano layer themselves in the mouth.
A long mineral finish lingers in the mouth.
An outstand riesling for the money that proves
there are some growing regions in Australia that produce superior riesling.
Tasted October 18, 2006
-BF $25
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Thanksgiving Libations
The biggest challenge for the Thanksgiving chef is the turkey. If it is cooked too much it will be dry, not enough and it will be un-servable. Perfect timing in the oven shows its delicate and subtle flavors best.
Turkey is not a fatty foul. Astringents found in red wine, known as tannins, go well with fatty foods, like a marbled steak. Oak and grape tannins found in red wine tend to dominate your taste buds and can overwhelm delicate cuts of meat like turkey.
Red wine is the popular choice for fine dining, but at Thanksgiving a chilled glass of riesling is the perfect accompaniment for the dishes served. Turkey requires attentive preparation, so why foil the cook's efforts with a tannic red that negates its flavor?
There are many white wines regal enough to sit on our Thanksgiving table. Look to Alsace, France for quality riesling, pinot gris, and gewürztraminer. Of course German rieslings are wonderful with turkey, but if you're looking for something drier, New Zealand offers zesty rieslings that contain no residual sugar.
Watch out for whites that have been stored in new oak barrels. Pass on the California chardonnay, but consider 'unwooded' choices such as French Chablis or new world virgin chardonnay from Australia or New Zealand.
If you must drink red wine, consider the barely tannic Beaujolais. Versions from the Cru Villages are excellent quality. Pinot noir can be a good choice too, but be wary of tannic, old world styles.
Viognier, torrontes, albariño, and gruner veltliner have the complexity to handle the menu. Sparkling wine, Champagne, and rosé are good candidates too. Regardless of your budget, there are white wines with enough stature for even the most elaborate spreads. A thoughtful wine selection creates a synergy that will be remembered long after the meal is over.
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Zardetto NV Prosecco, Italy
This is a party wine that inspires laughter.
Lots of tight bubbles, and zesty acidity.
The wine tastes of green apples, lemons, and cream.
A great glass of wine for your guests to wake their palate up.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $14
Durango Liquor, Hampden Warehouse Liquormart, Libations Wine & Spirits,
Primo Vino, Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins, Meridian Wine & Spirits,
The Incredible Wine & Liquor Store, carry this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Argiolas 2005 Costamolino, Sardegna, Italy
One hundred percent vermentino this is an unusual wine.
Aromas of honey and pear raise from the glass.
In the mouth, the wine offers more pear and lemon tart.
The finish is floral and delicate.
A delicious change of pace that will pair well with lighter foods.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $12
Joy Wine & Spirits, Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins carries this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Two Rivers 2005 Riesling, Colorado
This wine takes me back . . . it has aromas of Good and Plenty candy on the nose.
On the palate this wine offers nectarine, lime, honey and a hint of petrol.
Layered, with a long finish.
This is a fine example of what Colorado fruit and talent can produce.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $15
Primo Vino, Libations Wine & Spirits, Reserve List on South Pearl Street, Joy Wine & Spirits, Hampden Warehouse Liquormart, Meridian Wine & Spirits, Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Batterieburg 2005 Detonation Rielsing, MSR, Germany
This is a great value for the money.
Flavors of honeysuckle, lime, anise, and perfume fill the mouth while
clover honey finishes the wine.
A great pick for fowl and hot food.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $12
Hampden Warehouse Liquormart, Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins,
The Incredible Wine & Liquor Store, carry this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Schmitges 2005 Halbtroken Riesling, Germany
Halbtroken means half-dry.
This riesling has a touch residual sugar,
but the acidity and exotic flavors offer balance.
Rich melon, apricot, and lime Life Saver intermingle.
Building acidity leaves a hint of mineral.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $16
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Prinz 2005 Hallgartener Jungfer Kabinett, Germany
Now there's a mouthful, figuratively and literally.
This is a spicy, intense riesling.
Hints of petrol-mineral in the mouth evolve with apricot and mango
as a honey and lime zest finish sweep through to the finish.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $20
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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August Kesseler 2005 Riesling, Rheingau, Germany
A rich nose of flowers and honey leads to rich palate.
The fore-palate offers lime hard candy and honey and biscuits.
The mouthwatering acidity balances the lush flavors.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $15
Primo Vino, Libations Wine & Spirits, Joy Wine & Spirits, Meridian Wine & Spirits carry this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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P2 2004 Riesling, Nahe, Germany
The names refers to Two Princes,
the father and son team who produce this wine are from a regal lineage.
The wine is dry, with notes of peach, lime, and mineral.
A distinct note of honey lingers on the finish.
A great pair with Thanksgiving fare.
Tasted November 11, 2006
-BF $12
Reserve List, Lido Wine Merchants, Libations Wine & Spirits, and City Wine carry this wine.
Are you a retailer that carries this wine?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Vocabulary
Each week we'll include a few wine (or beer or spirits) terms.
To read more terms go to the
vocabulary
page. This page will grow as we add more terms.
carbonic maceration:
also called whole berry fermentation.
A form of fermentation where the grapes are kept whole and
allowed to ferment naturally inside their skins.
Wild yeast occurs on the skins of grapes,
which assists with this type of fermentation.
Carbonic maceration is used in the French appellation Beaujolais.
It produces simple wines with distinctly grape-like flavors.
Wines made from this process are often lighter in body.
crush:
is a slang term for the harvest of wine grapes.
Crush is a slang term for the time of year when grapes are harvested.
Crush is the act of removing the grape juice from the grape berries.
Although this word implies pressure, often juice is acquired using
free run methods.
Juice can also be released by pressing the grapes.
phyloxera:
is a louse indigenous to North America.
In the mid-nineteenth century
lambrusca root stocks were introduced to the
Rhône Valley containing the root louse phyloxera.
The entire European wine industry was devastated by the foreign insect.
This insect slowly eats the roots and the vines die slowly over a period of a decade.
Decades later the root louse was accidentally introduced to Europe,
vinifera vines were grafted onto
lambrusca root stock as way to combat the infestation.
This method is still used to this day.
Phyloxera is still a global concern.
Some growers can boast that they tend pre-phyloxera vines.
Phyloxera does not thrive in sandy soil, so some areas in places such as Spain,
were not as affected by the bug.
The phloxera infestation of the nineteenth century was a historic agricultural calamity.
Stelvin closure:
is an upscale screw cap.
Because of the TCA infestation of cork trees in Portugal,
more and more producers are putting Stelvin closures (and other non-cork closures)
on the business end of their bottles.
Stelvin closures are more expensive than corks.
They have ten times the integrity when it comes to guarding against
oxidation and
do not run the risk of cork-taint.
Stelvin closures are easier to re-use than latex corks.
Many new world producers embrace this technology.
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Brews
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Do you make your own beer?
If you make your own beer we are interested in your thoughts, recipes, and experiences.
If you would like to share with our readers, we will include you on our weekly newsletter and-or
add your contribution to our Do It Yourself section.
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Great Divide, Hibernation Winter Strong Ale, Denver, Colorado
This brew has a whopping 8% alcohol!
It is hoppy, earthy, floral, with notes of coffee, chocolate, and a hint of balsamic.
The malt has a toffee like flavor.
It has a prominent bitter quality, but is very balanced.
This beer is very complex and will definitely jump start your evening.
$9 a six pack
Meridian Wine & Spirits, Libations Wine & Spirits,
Hampden Warehouse Liquormart,
Wilburs' Total Beverage in Fort Collins, and County Line carry this beer.
Are you a retailer that carries this beer?
Email
us and we'll add you to the 'where to find it' listing.
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Events
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Sign up for ThisWeekInDenver's weekly eCalendar and they’ll keep you up to date on
all the city has to offer, including arts and entertainment, music, nightlife, shopping and
dining. Where will your week take you?
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eCalendar.
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