Wining & Dining, Denver Style • Raising the Bar on Wine Bars •The Food Chain: From Wine Cellar to Wine Seller to Your Cellar • The Broadmoor Elevates To New Heights The Fort Restaurant’s Delicious Game & Wine Pairings • Recipe from Chef Radek Cerney Spirit Chat: Altius Colorado Vodka • Flatiron Chef Competition...takes it up a notch with wine Wine Works: Results from 2005 Denver International Wine Competition Pierre Wolfe’s Treasured 1870 Château Lafite
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F OUNDERS L ETTER
Novermber, 2007 Welcome to Wine Country International® magazine’s special issue on Denver Wine & Food! This issue is designed to celebrate Denver’s top wine inclined restaurants, wine bars, wine retailers and the events that are being conducted in unison with the third annual Denver International Wine Festival.
Christopher J. Davies & Darcy R Davies
Denver is a sizzling wine & food city, with more than 2000 restaurants and a rising reputation for innovative, haute cuisine. It is no surprise that the Mile High City is considered a “hot spot” for the wine industry with consumption about to bubble over other greater populated, major metropolitan markets. The Denver International Wine Competition is conducted each summer prior the International wine festival. Wines are tasted “blind” by our distinguished panel of judges including nationally known wine columnists, wine critics, retailers, food & beverage directors, wine industry members and experienced sommeliers. This year we received more than 500 wine entrees, further confirming that more wineries are setting their scopes on the Denver market. The winning results of this year’s competition are published in this magazine. Almost a full year of planning goes into producing the Denver International Wine Festival. In business, it is paramount to have great partners and supporters. We would like to thank all of our dedicated employees, wineries, distributors, food vendors, chefs, restaurants, media partners. esteemed sponsors, the University of Denver, staff and faculty and our family members for helping us make this annual festival a success! Thank you Mayor John Hickenlooper for being the best mayor the city has ever had! Thank you for officially proclaiming the week of October 30 to November 5, 2007 as “Denver Wine Week”! A Votre Santé! To Your Health!
Darcy R. Davies
President & Festival Co-Founder
www.denverwinefest.com
Christopher J. Davies CEO & Festival Co-Founder
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“Wonderfully clear and pristine...recommended.� – Spirits Journal, March 2006
Wine Country InternationalÂŽ Magazine Founded in 2003
Editor & Publisher Christopher J. Davies Creative Director Darcy R. Davies Features Editor Wes Marshall European Contributor Tyler Augustine Director of Photography Christopher J. Davies Contributing Editors: Eric Frey Jim Gullo Claire Walter Advertising & Sponsorships Tel. 303 664-5700 Tours & Corporate Events Bob Teahan & John Battelli Radio & Podcasts www.travelwinecuisine.com Licensing Director John Anello, Esq. Website & eBusiness nIdea.com
A publication of Wine Country Network, Inc. Christopher J. Davies, CEO & Co-Founder Darcy Davies, President & Co-Founder Wine Country Network, Inc. PO Box 6023 Broomfield, CO 80021 Tel. 303-664-6700 Fax. 303-926-0315 www.winecountrynetwork.com e-mail: info@winecountrynetwork.com Address editorial inquiries to editor@winecountrynetwork.com
Wine Country International MagazineŽ is published quarterly by Wine Country Network, Inc. Subscriptions are offered as part of the Wine Country Network Club™ membership in the United States and possessions. Wine Country International Magazine does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, drawings, photographs or other works. All rights in letters sent in to Wine Country Network will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes. Contents Š 2007 by Wine Country Network, Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. Wine Country InternationalŽ is a registered trademark of Wine Country Network, Inc.
Jim Beam Black® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 43% Alc./Vol. ©2006 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY. jimbeam.com Source: Beverage Testing Institute, Inc. – 2005 Professional Tasting, Chicago, IL.
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IT TAKES 8 YEARS TO AGE AND CONSIDERABLY LESS TIME TO JUDGE.
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DIWF Seminar The Renaissance of Greek Wines Showcasing boutique wineries from Greece: Vatistas Vineyards, Pavlou Winery and Megapanos Winery Seminar by Madeleine de Jean
What makes Greek wine so unique are the more than 300 indigenous grape varieties grown there, some of which have been cultivated since ancient times. Many of the world’s best wine critics agree that the distinct flavors that come from these native grape varieties are a strong marketing advantage for the Greek wine industry. However, many well-known international grape varieties are also used in Greek wine making. This extensive variety of grapes together with the moderate Greek climate, plentiful sunshine, low average rainfall and soils of moderate fertility combine to provide an excellent environment for the production of high quality wines. The wines to be tasted at the seminar topped the ranking list of Greek wines in the current issue of the Wine Spectator (November 15, 2007). Cost: $20 www.denverwinefest.com/seminars.html
Spirited Chat Rare Spirit Seminars at The Denver International Wine Festival! Bourbon in Your Eyes! Fred Noe III, Great Grandson of Jim Beam The U.S. Senate declared, by unanimous vote, September 2007 as “National Bourbon Heritage Month”. This resolution reinforces bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit” by celebrating the family heritage, tradition and deep-rooted legacy that the bourbon industry Photo: Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III & Chef at Capital Grill contributes to the United States. The resolution calls for consumers who enjoy bourbon to do so responsibly and in moderation. When Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of whiskey in 1795 he began a family legacy that continues today with Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III,seventh-generation Beam and son of the late Frederick “Booker” Noe Jr., master distiller emeritus of Jim Beam Brands Co. Noe is an associate distiller at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Ky., and Bourbon Ambassador for Jim Beam Brands, sharing the art and history behind his family’s legacy, and their love of bourbon, with enthusiasts worldwide. Fred Noe III will be conducting a very special seminar and guided tasting of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection at 2007 The Denver International Wine Festival on Saturday November 3, 2007 at 1:00pm. Fred will share some family heritage and stories along with an education and tasting of The Small Batch Bourbon collection. Guests will receive bottle of Knob Creek® bourbon signed personally by Fred Noe, featuring a personalized custom label. Cost: $35
Viva Tequila! Carlos Camarena, master distiller for El Tesoro de Don Felipe, runs La Alteña Distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. Carrying on the family tradition like his father and grandfather, Don Felipe, Carlos takes pride in maintaining the same all natural, handcrafted tequilamaking techniques established by Don Felipe 70 years ago. Carlos has also agreed to conduct a special seminar at the Denver International Wine Festival on Saturday November 3, 2007 at 2:00pm. He will take participants through a tasting of all four marques of his El Tesoro Photo: Carlos Camarena, master distiller Tequila. In addition, you get the chance to taste the Limited Edition 70th Anniversary tequila made especially for El Tesoro’s 70th Anniversary. Guests will receive bottle of El Tesoro Platinum tequila signed personally by Carlos Camarena. Cost: $35 www.denverwinefest.com/seminars.html
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TRAVEL LOG
Lonely Planet Publications competes against Fodors, Frommers and DK Travel Guides with more than 650 titles. Photo: Chef Curtis Lincoln
The Wheeler’s have just released a new
Happy 115th Birthday!
book about their fabulous journey, titled
The Historic Brown Palace Hotel & Spa turned 115 years old on August 12th. Every US President has visited the Brown Palace since Teddy Roosevelt (1905) with the exception of Calvin Coolidge.
Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story. We were pleased to meet with Tony & Maureen Wheeler during their visit to Denver this summer. They were guests on our radio show Travel,Wine & Cuisine. Founders
of
the
phenomenally
successful publishing company Lonely Planet, Tony and Maureen Wheeler have produced travel guides to just about every corner of the globe. Lonely Planet Publications was born in 1973 when the Wheelers self-published a quirky travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. This was quickly followed by
To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Brown threw an amazingly choreographed and spectacularly illuminated version of an “Iron Chef ” competition. Chef Thanawat Bates of Palace Arms and Chef Curtis Lincoln of Ellyngton’s, were given the secret ingredient, Colorado Lamb (appropriately chosen) and created delicious culinary delights. 20th Annual Champagne Cascade Coming on Sunday, November 18, 2007 The Brown Palace will kick off the holiday season in grand style with their Internationally recognized 20th Annual Champagne Cascade. This crowd-pleasing tradition begins with a master swordsman severing the neck of a bottle of Moet & Chandon, using an antique saber in true Napoleonic style. The champagne is then poured into the topmost glass of a 6,000-glass crystal pyramid that rises nearly two stories, sending a sparkling cascade flowing down the pyramid to the delight of onlookers below. This year’s Cascade is open to the public. Visitors have the option to join in the bubbly festivities by enjoying the hotel’s famous champagne brunch, which is being offered before and after the sabering. Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, 21 17th Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 Tel. 303.297.3111, www.brownpalace.com
what soon became the backpackers’ bible, South-East Asia on a Shoestring.. Going boldly where no other travel publisher had ventured, they catered to a new generation of independent, budgetconscious travelers long before the advent of mass tourism. Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story is a unique mix of autobiography, business history and travel book. It traces Tony and Maureen Wheeler’s personal story as well as the often-bumpy evolution of their travel guide business into the world’s largest independent travel publishing company. www.lonelyplanet.com
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Local Flavors Wine Complements, Denver
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Spirited Chat
The name tells it all. They sell everything but the wine. Beware of this store if you love wine and food as much as us! They carry every wine gadget and edible wine accompaniment imaginable. Sculptured wine racks, artistic light fixtures, handpainted bar stools and delicious food items made from grapes. A visit to this store in the rapidly developing Confluence Park neighborhood is highly recommended! 1620 Platte Street, Suite F Denver Tel. 303-480-WINE www.winecomplements.net
Around Town! Wine Bars worth a visit! Looking for a relaxing place to sip, swirl and nosh? These great wine bars offer attitude-free approachable wine and food pairings!
Balistreri Vineyards Harvest Celebration - October 7, 2007
Tastes Wine Bar & Bistro
Photo: Grayson Lincoln, stomps Merlot
4267 Tennyson St #A Denver, CO 80212 Tel.(303) 458-0209 www.tasteswinebar.com
Harvest is a vintner’s celebration of the culmination of a year’s hard work. It marks the transition period in the winemaking cycle from vineyard to cellar. In physical terms, it is the process of picking ripe grapes from the vine...then starting the crush.
The Wine Bar on Evergreen Lake 29303 Grayhawk Dr. Evergreen, CO 80439 Tel. 970 688-0288 www.evergreenwinebar.com
Denver, Balistreri Vineyards 5th Annual Harvest Party was a delicious feast of foods and handcrafted wines. Adults and children got to join in the fun! The spread included Balistreri wines paired with artisan cheese, wood-fired pizza, numerous roasted pigs an ice cream station, plus lot’s more! Balistreri hosts a number of delicious wine and foods events during the year. Check their website for details. J. A. Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E. 66th Ave, Denver , Tel. 303-287-5156 www.balistreriwine.com
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S O H OT !!!
Il Posto... All the right ingredients!
Photo: Andrea Frizzi
Andrea Frizzi’s Il Posto opened in January 2007 to a packed house of raving guests. Il Postc means “The Place” in Italian. And this place is hot! It’s located in Denver’s Uptown City Park neighborhood in the former location of Dario’s Restaurant on 17th street just five blocks away from Strings. The cozy, well-appointed dining room seats 55 guests and all eye’s are focused on the Chef who’s kitchen is centerpiece with flashy fire-powered Grills and a Salamander broiler. Chef Frizzi has all eyes on his guests too! “I am most happy cooking for people. I love to see them happy.” states Frizzi. Frizzi was born in Milan. He grew up while his family owned a “Salermeria” or Gourmet Grocery Store. He has worked in New York, Seattle and more recently in Denver as Chef of Via and Cucina Colore. Recently divorced, Chef Frizzi was ready for a new challenge. His simple concept is to create great food and a fantastic experience for his customers. “I want to make you something that you will remember the next day”. Said Chef Frizzi.
Il Posto’s Wine program gets our stamp of approval for originality. They are offering 30 different wines by the glass. A series of Wine Lockers are mounted on the wall and leased to customers ($250 per year), mounted with personally engraved name labels. The lockers hold six bottles of the customers favorite wines. Wine locker customers have VIP status for making reservations. They can even call ahead and arrange to have their wines opened and properly decanted! Sommelier Dan Kratzer strides from table to table offering pairing suggestions and pouring wines. This Denver native has worked at the Barola Grill, Cucina Rustica in Vail as well as the highly acclaimed Orient Express in Europe.
Il Posto’s menu changes daily. If available, try the Chef ’s “Tagliere” (sliced) appetizer plate of delicious dried meats(24 month aged Prosciutto, smoked Mortadella & Cacciagorino) and imported cheese( Mozzarella, Alegio and Sopressa), Saffron Risotto Milanese style with gold flake, Beef short rib, leave room for the home made chocolate crepe’s. This restaurant continues to be packed every night. This is one of Denver’s best restaurants hands down. It is definitely worth the wait!
Il Posto 2011 East 17th St. Denver, CO 80225 Tel. 303 394-0100 www.Ilpostodenver.com