it is just grapejuice

VAIL, Colorado — Wine University in Vail, Colorado tastes and explores the great whites of Spain and Italy on Thursday at Larkspur Restaurant.Wine Director Kevin Furtado will showcase the alberinos, verdejos and muscats of Spain and Italy’s fiano, soave and myrto.“These varietals are light and refreshing and have high acidity,” he said. “They are perfect with summer’s light dishes — grilled meat or fish, salads or picnic fare.”The American wine industry has recognized that these wines are a welcome relief in today’s economy, and has made them more widely available in restaurants and liquor stores. You may never have heard of these whites, but their affordable price tags and crisp characteristics make them a great choice for warm-weather drinking.To try these wines and determine your favorites, register for Wine University. Class is held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30p p.m. and costs $40 per person. Chef Armando Navarro will serve light picnic snacks to accompany the class.For reservations, call 970-754-8050. For details on the entire Wine University syllabus, please visit: http://www.larkspurvail.com/documents/WineUschedule_000.pdf 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Sue Barham

  970.754.8063

  sue@larkspurvail.com 

Burgundy: The Place and The Wine

Wine University at Larkspur studies Burgundy this week – the place and the wine. Known amongst aficionados as the Holy Grail, the wines of this region provide a lifetime of learning. The terroir, the vintages, the grapes, the appellations meld to produce excellent wines that are world-renowned.

The Burgundy region is almost in the dead center of France, edging toward the Eastern side of the country. It covers 110 miles, stretching from Chablis to Lyons. 

The area is divided into 6 AOC’s (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) or place of origin. The AOC system sets very strict rules as to what can be planted in the grape growing regions of France. The system also determines a hierarchy of the quality of the wines; interestingly, the quality level is not set according to who makes it, but rather by the vineyard sites themselves. This means that many producers can make a wine from the same top-rated vineyard, which is why it can be confusing to read a Burgundy label.

The grapes grown in Burgundy are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gamay and the wines produced are meant to be aged. Compared to wines made from the same grape varieties in the U.S., Burgundies typically have more acidity from the cooler temperatures of the region, yielding wines with a distinctly different style. 

Larkspur wine director, Kevin Furtado, is passionate about the subject of Burgundy – the grapes, the family estates, the winemaking history. “Burgundy is a mysterious subject, Furtado said. “I want to help other wine enthusiasts sort through the different elements – from understanding the areas, to reading the labels, to enjoying the nuances of the wines’ flavors.”

Hone your palate on wines of subtlety and finesse with Kevin Furtado as he sheds light on the complex subject of Burgundy. The class is held at Larkspur, Thursday, June 18 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm. $40 per person.

For reservations, please call 970.754.8050.

For details on the entire Wine University syllabus, please visit:

 HYPERLINK “Http://www.larkspurvail.com/documents/WineUschedule_000.pdf” Http://www.larkspurvail.com/documents/WineUschedule_000.pdf

About Larkspur Restaurant:

Larkspur Restaurant at the base of Vail Mountain has been serving American Classics with a fresh interpretation since 1999. The dining room is warm and inviting with an open kitchen and glass enclosed wine cellar. For more information, visit larkspurvail.com.

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OTO OF CORTON CHARLAMAGOMM TAKES PHOTO OF CORTON CHARLAMAGNE

Monday 5/11

Faiveley 

not much to say- they are changing approach to winemaking (new fermenters and basket press) and viticulture.

‘wet fall’

Domaine Leflaive

The wines tasted formulaic.  The Domaine is still in transition.  

‘chapatilized in 07’

07’s

Macon Verze, Meausault Sous le Dos d’Ane, Le Clavoillon, Folatieres, Le Combettes, Batard Montrachet 

Domaine Newman

 awesome. 

Jayer Gilles

I am still having a hard time getting my head wrapped around his style- pick late and sulfur the shit out of the juice and when they are finally finnish with ML the wines are ready.  He also brought mags of 90 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc and Rouge to dinner- the 90 blanc was one of my wine of the trip- still youthful.

VAIL, Colorado — Wine can be an intimidating subject. Information abounds, and the more you learn, it seems the more you need to learn. Enter Kevin Furtado, one of the Vail Valley’s foremost authorities, yet a personable guy eager to share his passion.Furtado, Larkspur Restaurant’s wine director, started Wine University at the restaurant last summer as a weekly educational seminar to help enthusiasts learn about the intricate topic. The classes continue this summer on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. at a price of $40 per person per class.This week students are welcome to attend what Furtado calls Wine 101. The class will teach attendees how to identify varietal characteristics through blind tastings, so there are no preconceptions. “Without knowing what’s on the hidden label, you can use the five senses to identify what’s in the glass,” Furtado said. “This is an intellectual exercise that is used to enjoy and ponder what you are drinking. The wine’s color, the aroma profiles, its texture on the tongue, and recognizable flavors all contribute to your understanding and appreciation.”Wine is all about pleasure according to Furtado. Whether you want to be able to order wine in a restaurant or just want to have a collection to enjoy at home, it is a subject that invites conversation and fun. “My own experiences have allowed me to meet people around the world who have this similar hobby,” he said. “Now I love to share wine tasting and bring new people into this subject. Wine University allows both novices and confirmed wine lovers the chance to taste, learn and enjoy.” For details on the entire Wine University syllabus, visit www.larkspurvail.com.For reservations, call 970-754-8050.