Wondering Through the World of Wine

  Halloween is almost here, and what is the best accompaniment to pumpkin picking, parties where Thriller and Monster Mash will be blaring, scary movie watching, and candy handing-out and eating? Wine, of course! My first instinct was to write about spooky pairings that will make any palate say “boo,” but as the month blew through like those fallen leaves, I realized that I had spent October enjoying wines that simply made me think of this most spooktacular month. Be it their label, taste, or locale of origin, these wines brought to mind images of everything Halloween, from goblins and ghosts to bright orange leaves. Here is a smattering of what I have enjoyed this month, and no matter how you celebrate October 31 st , I hope it is with a delicious glass of wine in hand. Happy Halloween! Vampire Vineyards California Pinot Noir 2020: I first discovered the Vampire Vineyards line of wine in 2012 when I was making vino selections for a girls’ weekend to Estes Park, where we w...

Anyone who claims to know everything there is to know about wine is lying. I’m not being a bitch, that’s just a fact. The wine world is ever evolving, and there is always a new discovery, development, or technique to learn about just around the corner. This is just one of the many amazing things about this fascinating beverage. Recently, I had two new wine experiences of my own.                During the Manitou Wine Festival, my best friend and I noticed one of the vendors was from Parker, CO. With a very good friend living there, we opted to skip that booth, and instead plan a Parker Girls’ Day where we could check out the tasting room. Upon further research, we found that there was another winery in the same area. It was settled, and a day was planned; brunch and two wineries with two of my favorite people.                The first winery of ...

Pinot noir in Colorado? There’s no way this grape variety could grow here. However, tucked up high near the towns of Paonia, Hotchkiss, and Cedaredge lies the West Elks AVA, a haven for pinot noir lovers.                Located about an hour southeast of Palisade and its Grand Valley AVA, the West Elks is home to approximately 15 wineries and cider houses. Due to its higher elevations, vines enjoy a growing season of warm days and cool nights, creating a nice level of acidity in the wines, and the perfect growing environment for pinot noir.                This noble red grape got its start in the portion of France known as Burgundy, and a pinot from this area is now one of the most sought-after wines for both wine lovers and collectors alike. With a thin skin, this grape is easily susceptible to disease and environmental hazards such as sunburn ...