| Announcing! One of the Best Kept Secrets in the | | | | Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and other |
| World of Wine... | | | | colder-climate German varietals work best. In the |
| Do you remember hearing that the best wines are | | | | warmer Mesa County, Rhône varieties like Syrah |
| now coming from California? | | | | and Viognier, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and |
| Forget everything you've heard about California wine | | | | Bordeaux varieties, are suitable. |
| and listen, on my summer vacation I discovered one | | | | I've sampled the wines from both regions and I have |
| of the best wine growing areas in the United States. | | | | to tell you that I'm love struck with what I found. |
| And it's not on the West Coast. | | | | While the West Elk AVA between Paeonia and Delta |
| As it happens, my daughter asked me to take a trip | | | | seems to produce the best whites, there are also |
| with her to look at a piece of property on the | | | | Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot wines from that |
| Western Slope of Colorado that she and her husband | | | | region which are "to die for" wines. |
| were interested in. She needed my expertise with | | | | The Grand Valley AVA from Grand Junction to |
| evaluating the condition of the business that | | | | Palisades produces red wines that rival any California |
| accompanied the house and land. | | | | reds. The recent trend in this area is to grow more |
| "Just what is this business?" I asked her. She replied | | | | Rhone varieties like Syrah and Viognier and these |
| that it was a vineyard. I had to think of that for a | | | | compliment the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that |
| moment. I have my college degree in horticulture and | | | | has long had a reputation in that area. This region also |
| a vineyard has always been my dream. But I would | | | | boasts some of the best Chardonnay's in the state. |
| have never expected this of my daughter. | | | | Many wineries have vineyards in both viticulture |
| She knew that I have planted grapes wherever I've | | | | appellation areas. I've found that the top wines are |
| lived. A few grapevines in the backyard, one or two | | | | blends of grapes grown in both counties. Reisling is a |
| growing up the side of the house, or a couple | | | | good example of this blending. It can get it fully ripe |
| hundred to experiment with when I've had the land | | | | in Mesa County, with some non-traditional peach and |
| to do it. | | | | apricot flavors. In Delta County, it's hard to get it to |
| Now, I was being told that she wanted to live my | | | | 20º Brix, but it has this really good acidity and |
| dream come true. I questioned her as we drove | | | | spicy flavor. The blend of the two together gives a |
| across the Rocky Mountains towards her new dream. | | | | hypnotic sensation to your palate. |
| Things like, "Do you know what this is going to | | | | It's truely up to the wine maker's abilities to make |
| take?" "Have you seen me struggle to get my | | | | the most of the grapes grown in this unique |
| grapes to grow under the Colorado Front Range | | | | winemaking region. |
| conditions?" | | | | Just picture this for a moment... The Colorado wine |
| As we came down in altitude, entering the Western | | | | industry is in its infancy. New vineyards and wineries |
| Slope fruit growing area, I began to understand her | | | | are being added each year as its reputation spreads. |
| desire to own a vineyard and expand it to support a | | | | The wines made in Colorado are only going to get |
| small winery. | | | | better as the wine makers learn more about the |
| This area is truely a fruit growing delight. Vineyards | | | | grapes they are growing and perfect their trade. |
| and orchards flowing over the mesas of the Colorado | | | | You're probably wondering where you can find out |
| Western Slope region. Cherries, peaches, apples, and | | | | more about these exciting wines. It just so happens |
| of course grapes. | | | | that the Colorado wine industry has a web site at: |
| Unlike the eastern side of Colorado, the Western | | | | that can lead you to all the Colorado wine information |
| Slope has a climate that is conducive to growing all | | | | you want. |
| sorts of fruit crops. The noble European grape, V. | | | | The next time you're looking for something new in |
| vinifera, is well adapted to this fruit growing region. | | | | wine, consider one of the enchanting wines from the |
| Now listen closely! The wines I found being made in | | | | Western Slope of Colorado. You won't be |
| the small family wineries of the Colorado Western | | | | disappointed. |
| Slope turned out to be pure gems! Why? Because of | | | | Now that you're at the end of this article you're just |
| the warm days and cool nights of this region. This | | | | minutes away from wanting to jump in your car and |
| climate is perfect for growing grapes and making | | | | run down to get a bottle of some wonderful |
| award winning wines. | | | | Colorado wine. |
| There are also two American Viticulture Areas: the | | | | Unfortunately, most wines made in the state are sold |
| Grand Valley AVA and the West Elks AVA along the | | | | locally and are not found in your local liquor store. But |
| Colorado Western Slope. Each producing distinctive | | | | the good news is that most can be bought online. |
| wines because of their slightly different climatic | | | | Take a look at the site and find the wineries and the |
| conditions. | | | | wines you are looking for. |
| In Delta County, a cooler climate, Riesling, Pinot Gris, | | | | |