Food Trends for the New Year

What will 2009 bring for food trends? According to the South Carolina News and Observer, the New Year will emphasize budget meals and bargain wines. Under the headline, "Food Trends 2009," Quick Bites Correspondent Greg Cox writes an informative roundup of various gourmet magazines:

"Once again, it's that time of year when pundits and prognosticators of all stripes hazard wild guesses -- er, make informed predictions about trends for the coming year. In the food world, everyone from magazine editors to marketing consultants gets in on the act. OK, restaurant critics, too."

"It should come as no surprise that the economy is the dominant factor influencing predictions for 2009. The January issue of Bon Appétit magazine proclaims that the guiding philosophy for its annual Best of the Year forecast is "Eat Better for Less." The editors single out ricotta -- that's right, humble ricotta cheese -- as the ingredient of the year for 2009."

"And if their forecast for next year's dessert trend is accurate, we'll be singing sticky-mouthed praises of peanut butter desserts. The next big wine trend? If you guessed "great bargain bottles," then you're getting the picture."

You can read the rest of the article here.

CellarTracker Reviews of Colorado Wine

As the saying goes, "Everyone's a critic," especially in these days of democratic web site reviews. We can all voice our opinions on Amazon, Trip Adviser, Rotten Tomatoes and thousands of other sites. We can bloviate on blogs, fulminate on Facebook and wax episodic on YouTube. (Think "Leave Britney alone!")

So it is no small relief to find an online community dedicated to quality feedback. Such is the case with a great web site called Cellar Tracker, which is chock a block with relevant, member generated critiques of various vintages of wine. Grand Junction and Palisade wines have a healthy presence.

These honest, informed opinions are one of many reasons we'll be returning to Cellar Tracker from time to time to see what others are saying about Colorado wine.

Check it out for yourself here.

Major Wine Magazine Relocates to Denver

Many of the major food and wine publications are located in L.A. or New York City, right? Wrong. One prominent magazine and trade show is based right here in Colorado.

Under the headline, "Wine Country Network Helps Put City on Wine Map," Denver Daily News Reporter Joshua Wolpe writes:

"Of the many consequences felt around the country and the world on Sept. 11, 2001, the emergence of Denver to the international wine scene was an extremely unlikely one.?

"But it was shortly after that day that Christopher and Darcy Davies began to think about relocating from New York City.

"The Davies also wanted a different city to raise their children in and a better location between the two coasts to do business.

"The Davies started their business, Wine Country Network, Inc. (WCN), in New York in 2002 and moved to Colorado in September 2003.

"'Colorado is a great place to be positioned between New York and California,' Christopher said. 'It?s the best move we could have made.'

"WCN is a multi-platform media and event company that publishes the nationally distributed 'Wine Country International Magazine,' produces 'Travel, Wine and Cuisine' radio and several International wine festivals. WCN has also been appointed exclusive worldwide sales and marketing agent for Wine Trails GPS, which is custom software designed for enhancing touring in wine countries."

You can read the rest of the story here.