Cool is the cabernet

I am so looking forward to sweaters, cool evenings, pumpkins and outdoor bonfires. I’m also looking forward to the presidential election, but that’s a whole other bag of fun.

What I’m really looking forward to is the chance to finally open, to aerate and then to sip a wonderful cabernet. I’m looking forward to the meals that go with cabernet, to meat and sauces and a fireplace that makes it all so right.

Warm temps and a gravitation in the last year away from all things heavy (people; drama; income taxes; the economy), propelled me to go for the lighter reds in my wine choices. A wonderful pinot noir, a delightful, sparkly sangria, even a rose I found in Italy all generated an unfair bias against, almost a disdain for the rich and determined cabernet.

But I’m over that because I miss it. I miss the deep berry scents and the residue on the glass when you hold it just so. I miss letting that first and second and third sip just sit on my palate and make me happy.

I’ve got favorites. Favorites, by my definition are these: They rest in about the $18 to $25 range; they are not pretentious or demanding; they are often familiar and drunk repeatedly. It’s like returning to an old friend with whom you have history, comfort and love.

The exceptions to this definition are a few that are priced as high as $100 a bottle, but only because I’ve received or had the opportunity to sample those wines and so, as mind-blowing wonderful as they are, they are not practical. They Ferrari when a Chrysler is more my style.

And so I am devoted to my favorites. In the event you may want to broaden your wine stash a bit, here are a couple of my favorite cabernets, a couple that keep returning to my table, that friends and family always drink and say something like, “Wow. This is really good.”

Estancia, Chateau St. Jean, and Coppolla wineries all produce perfectly delightful Cabernets, year-after-year. Waterstone, Conn Creek and Pine Ridge are cabs getting some good write-ups. And Red Lion, Stephen Vincent and Tyler Florence are also getting attention, and cost less (about $13 a bottle).

So finish raking the leaves and put away the fans and air conditioners. It’s time to make beef wellington or even a hearty vegetarian chili — and open that cabernet with confidence.

Because, like an old and beloved friend, we miss her.

One Winning Wine Tasting: Denver International Wine Festival

Mark your calendars for this action-packed chance to taste wines from dozen of vineyards in and outside of Colorado. The 8th Annual Denver International Wine Festival takes place November 7 to 10 at The Grand Hyatt Hotel Downtown Denver.  

The Denver International Wine Festival will focus on premium level experiences with wine, food and travel destinations. Denver’s first-ever International wine festival will continue to present wines from more than 18 countries, alongside Colorado produced wines & foods, allowing attendees to explore unique collection of products not normally accessible locally.
 
For this year we are elevating our attendees overall experience level and increasing the educational programs. We plan to showcase “The Stars” of the wine industry by offering rare guided tastings provided by internationally known experts and top chefs.         

Visit www.denverwinefest.com for further information.

Weird Wine Trivia

• One glass of wine contains 60 grapes.
• 10,000 varieties of grapes exist worldwide.
• 164 countries import California wine.