Covey Run Wines, Washington
These wines are always impressive for the money. Their whites are always earning accolades from national wine publications. The Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend is a great bottle with its dollop of Cabernet Franc. The syrah is a great example of how well Washington State grows this grape.
-BF $8
County Line and Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
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Vina Borgia 2004 Garnacha, Spain
This is a great little bottle of red. It is inexpensive, yet offers explosive flavors of black raspberries, black licorice, and black pepper. The acidity and tannins are not shy, but the ample fruit flavors create balance. This is another selection by Jorge Ordoñez.
-BF $8
Bonnie Brae, County Line, Primo Vino in Arvada, and Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
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Borsao 2005, Campo de Borja, Spain
A blend of 80% grenache and 20% tempranillo, this is a spicy, red with lots of berry flavors. There is a sultry note of sun dried tomatoes and cassis. 100% stainless steel fermentation makes it a great wine for those who are sensitive to oak. This is another selection by Jorge Ordoñez.
-BF $9
Joy Wine and Spirits, Primo Vino in Arvada, Bonnie Brae, and Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
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Parque, Colchagua Valley, Chile
If you've never had a carmenere from Chile you should pick up a bottle of Parque Carmenere. It has flavors of caramel, blackberries, smoke, brambles, with a hint of mint.

Parque chardonnay, merlot, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon are also a great value. The chardonnay is zesty with notes of pineapple. The syrah is bright with notes of red raspberries. The merlot is cherry-like with hints of pepper and the cabernet sauvignon is sultry with cassis, smoke, and black cherries. These are wonderful party wines and are the perfect everyday bottle.
$9
Little Raven Vineyards, Bonnie Brae, and Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine!
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Choosing Holiday Wine
Each year, we gather our friends and family to celebrate the season. These get-togethers are usually filled with wine and food. Shopping for holiday wine for many is a chore, so I offer you some simple advice to help you with your selections.
     Supplying wine for the big bash at your house doesn't mean you have to suffer with mundane juice. Passing up the mainstream labels can expose some great values.
     When perusing the store, look for those modest stacks of cases, rather than the monster, end-row displays with 18 different versions of the same label.
     When looking for a better quality bottle of red wine consider bottles that say they are 'old vine,' denoting concentrated juice. Don't dismiss bottles with plain looking labels. Some of the best wines have simple labels.
     The type of bottle you buy your boss, father-in-law, or best customer must come from experience, either yours or a wine professional. If you're shelling out bank for a gift, you'll want it to be a winner. Don't assume the more you spend, the better the wine will be. If you're taking the recommendation of someone at the wine store, find out what they like about the wine; they may even know an interesting factoid or two about the producer.
     Whether you need a case or two for your boisterous Christmas party, a thoughtful bottle to serve at an intimate gathering, like a dinner party, or a bottle to give as a gift, look to the staff at your local wine retailer to share some of their knowledge. Well informed wine salesmen are easy to come by in Colorado; the supply chain offers plenty of training.
     With some thought and a little advice we can pick winners consistently. More wine is sold now, between the week of Thanksgiving and New Years Eve, than the rest of the year. The retail outlets are stocked and ready.
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Ironstone Symphony Obsession and Ironstone Cabernet Franc
Symphony is a delightful white wine. It is a touch frizzante, (softly sparkling) with flavors of apricots, melon, and anglefood cake. This grape is a muscat hybrid so it offers lovely floral nuances.
Bonnie Brae, County Line, Corks, and Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry Symphony!

Ironstone Cabernet Franc
This is a great example of this grape variety. The nose is fragrant with notes of flowers. On the palate it is a touch elegant. Wild cherries, white pepper, and earth are followed by a hint of rose petals.
-BF $9
Reserve List, Libations, and Bonnie Brae carry this wine.
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Vina Alarba 2004 Garnacha-Syrah, Catayud, Spain
Old vine juice under $10, you've got to love it. This red gives up flavors of raspberries, spice, sundried tomatoes, hint of white pepper. This is a concentrated wine with crowd appeal.
-BF $8
Primo Vino in Arvada, Bonnie Brae, Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins, and Herritage carry this wine.
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Cristalino NV Cava, Penedes, Spain
So you can't afford Cristal? Drink Cristalino! Okay, I'm being a little flip, but you can't beat the price on this bottle of sparkling wine. It is fresh and zesty, made by Methode Champenoise. It offers great quality for the money.
-BF $8
Bonnie Brae, Primo Vino in Arvada, Joy Wine and Spirits, and Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
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Cousiño Macul 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
What a great cabernet for the money. Bright wild cherries on the nose carry over to the palate. In the mouth the wine is focused, delicate, and light with wild cherries, hints of mint and chocolate cupcakes. No oak on this red, for those that suffer from the red wine headache. -BF
Cousiño Macul $9
Cousiño Macul Chardonnay and Merlot are also great values for the money. They are stainless steel fermented, which is great for those of us that are oak sensitive.

(Looking to upgrade a little? The Antiguas Reserva line from this producer is exceptional for the money, around $15 a bottle.)
Joy Wine and Spirits carries this wine.
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Vila Tinto 2002 Fundacion, Mendoza, Argentina
This is a fun blend and a surprising value. Cabernet sauvignon, bonarda, malbec marry into a bright red. Notes of red raspberries, a little licorice, a little spice. A great bottle to keep on hand for those moments when a good inexpensive red is called for.
Tasted September 25, 2006
-BF $8
Tony B's Wine List (Next to the Original Tony's Meats on Dry Creek), Libations, Joy Wine and Spirits, Total Beverage in Fort Collins carry this wine.
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Vila 2004 Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina
This is a great little red for the money. Notes of red roses and smoked meats carry over to the mulberry flavored palate. It is fruity, yet has a good balance of acidity and soft tannins.
Tasted September 25, 2006
-BF $9

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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Gimenez Riili Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina
Expressive nose, with notes of white flowers and apricots. Fresh and crisp with soft acidity, the palate swims in lime peel and orange peel, pear, honeysuckle and flowers. Delightful. Great pair with lighter foods. -BF $8
KaCee's Wine & Spirits in Westminster carries this wine.
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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.

frizzante:
is an Italian term for petillant. Frizzante (pronounced freet-zan-tay) is not quite sparkling, but lightly effervesant. Some frizzante wines are Gavi, Vinho Verde, Moscato, Lambrusco, Bottles containing frizzante wines do not need the sparkling wine cork and muselet. Sometimes frizzante is slightly sweet.

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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Oskar Blues Old Chub Lip Balm
Notes of almond, macadamia nuts, and Scottish Ale? Yep, this is one tasty lip balm. It is made from almond and macadamia nut oils with a splash of Old Chub Scottish Ale. Perfect for skiing with its SPF15 protection. A great Christmas gift for the beer fan in your life. Order it online http://www.oskarblues.com
Tasted all day long!
-BF $3 a tube
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