it is just grapejuice

Check out four great regional French wines from local importer Zach Locke at Vin48 tomorrow night July 29th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Vin48.  Just $20 for all four wines and great apps!  See ya there.

I think I just had what is the single best meal I have ever eaten in the Vail Valley last night.  I had to drive to Bachelor Gulch to do it but it was well worth it.  Food perfect, Service perfect, Wine was off the hook.  Vanessa killed it with her extraordinary wine pairs (2006 Meo Nuits St. Georges white and 2005 Cailloux Chateauneuf being standouts) , and the attention to detail in everything down to the bread basket was nothing shy of perfection.  I sure wish everyone here could do it this way!!  Check them out if you haven’t, and for the love of god have dessert!!

Check it out, Spago is reopening tonight (Friday 5th of June) and everything is $11 plus happy hour cocktails all night, and 50% off bottles of wine!!  Not to mention the fact that it is a fundraiser to benefit First Descents.   See you there!!

Piedmontese winemaker Giorgio Rivetti is doing a wine dinner at Vin48 on Wednesday June 10th.  It’s six courses paired with his cru Barbaras, Barbarescos and Barolo.  Should be a good show for $110 a seat.  Call Vin48 for more information and reservations, they only have 20 spots so check it out quickly!!  970 748 9463

you should go eat the rabbit at Vin48, right now.  Best dish I’ve had in this valley in awhile!!  We drank Elizabeth Foradori’s Ampelia Kepos from Maremma with it and it couldn’t have been a more enjoyable pair.  Hooray for a non-complacent wine list!!!

What is Granvas?

Answer:  The Spanish term for sparkling wine made by tank or Charmat method.

What is Charmat?

Answer:  Charmat is the name of a bulk sparkling wine making process which involves provoking a second fermentation in a pressure tank.  Also called cuve close or tank method.

Come try the wines from Betts & Scholl at Vin48 on Tuesday the 17th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.  It is open to the public and costs $25.  It will be hosted by winemaker and Master Sommelier Richard Betts, and you never know there might even be a little Hermitage there!!

Well, since we seem to be revisiting recently why don’t we do this….

What is the grape used in Cahors?

Answer:  Malbec, and a hell of a lot better one than the one you probably know about already…

What is Optima?

Answer:  It is a German white wine variety that is a cross of Müller Thurgau and a Sylvaner-Riesling hybrid.  It is very low in acid and high in sugar the wines are very sweet and may be used to boost the sugar level of other wines.