Colorado Wine Pairings for the Season

Coloradowine.com offers a very condensed guide to pairing Colorado wines with Holiday meals:

The flavors of turkey are really determined by the ingredients of the stuffing or the seasonings and the sauce. For sausage or savory stuffing, look to the exotic flavors of Gewürztraminer to complement. If you are using oysters in the stuffing, the tangy, brisk flavors of Sauvignon Blanc, a flowery Viognier or an off-dry Riesling are delightful. And should you prefer red wine to match a rich brown gravy, the Pinot Noirs from the West Elks area are ideal.
All of these aromatic, lighter wines benefit from the cool nights in Colorado. Cooling off at night preserves the acidity of these delicate varietals, making them the perfect food companions.

Roast beef, lamb or wild game on the menu? Colorado’s intense Cabernets and Syrahs (aka Shiraz) from the Grand Valley are wonderful. Syrah offers lots of black pepper notes to match a heavily peppered recipe. Cabernet Sauvignon with intense dark fruits and tannins cries out for a nice juicy prime rib. The aromas of Cabernet Franc, a close relative of Cabernet Sauvignon, or Petit Verdot, frequently blended with the Cabernets in Bordeaux, are enchanting with the flavor medley in Colorado lamb.

Going vegetarian? The soft fruity notes in Merlot compliment Colorado grown butternut squash or a dried-cherry sauce.

And don’t forget a great Colorado Port for dessert with pecan pie or a Muscat with pumpkin pie.

Light Up the Season with GJ's Annual Tree Lighting

What better way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season at the Wine Country Inn than attending a good, old fashioned tree lighting ceremony? Typically, this event takes place over Thanksgiving weekend.

In the manner of Times Square, the Wells Fargo Christmas Tree and the rest of Main Street light up to officially kick off the holiday season in Downtown Grand Junction. The tree, located in front of Wells Fargo Bank, 359 Main Street, is lit when Santa arrives to welcome the holiday season and shoppers to Downtown Grand Junction!

Santa visits with the kids while everyone enjoys their favorite Christmas tunes. The event runs from 5 – 6 p.m., with the lighting itself taking place around 5:30 p.m.

Participating Downtown merchants stay open late that evening and debut their holiday window and building decorations. The annual Window Decorating Contest also begins that evening, with stores competing for the People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award winner is selected by members of the public with ballot boxes at downtown restaurants.

Road closures:

4^th Street is closed from the alley behind the Reed Building to the alley behind Wells Fargo Bank to create parking for local media vehicles. The lane closure begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m.

Parking tips:

Plenty of parking is available off of Main Street on Colorado and Rood Avenues, in the parking garage on Rood Ave. and in business lots. Parking is free during the holiday season. It’s a good idea to carpool and wear comfortable shoes! Dress warmly!

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Wine Country Inn

From the Grand Junction Free Press:

"Jean Tally and our friends at the beautiful new Wine Country Inn in Palisade are hosting “Thanksgiving in the Vineyards,” which is sure to get everyone in the holiday mode.

"The Wine Country Inn’s great staff includes Scott Meyer, general manager, Angella Vallard, assistant general manager and director of sales, and Juliann Adams, event coordinator. Call 464-5777 or visit www.coloradowinecountryinn.com for more information. "

Some Wine Suggestions For Thanksgiving Dinner

If you are not eating turkey dinner at the Wine Country Inn or drinking a glass of Palisade wine, here are some suggested wine pairings for your holiday dinner. Under the headline, "Thanksgiving Dinner Calls for Variety of Wine," Joe Henry writes in the Fort Collins Coloradoan:

"Don't let all this warm weather fool you. Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

"With that, a wide variety of foods will more than likely be hitting the table, and pairing your wine to match this flavor spectrum can be a confusing task. Red or white? Dry or sweet? Bubbles or still wine? In order to make your wine shopping a little easier this year, I offer a few simple wine-pairing tips for your holiday feast.

"It's important to start a meal with a clean palate. Try a glass of bubbly, as the crisp acidity and effervescence in sparkling wines will do the trick.

"Traditionally, turkey seems to be the most common food at the table, but it's important to remember all of its accompaniments. While you don't want to overlook this delicate meat, the trimmings are generally rich in flavor and seem to be the most difficult to pair with wine. A good rule of thumb: Acidity cuts through both richness and spice while cleansing the
palate between bites, leaving your taste buds ready for more.

"I prefer the Riesling grape and particularly one dry in style or perhaps with just a touch of sweetness.

"If you prefer red wine, remember that you don't want to overpower your main course. I recommend pinot noir, as it carries mouth-filling flavors that will stand up to the trimmings while maintaining its softness and delicacy for the turkey

"It wouldn't be a great meal without dessert. Muscat harmonizes wonderfully with pumpkin pie, offering rich flavors of toffee, caramel, molasses, brown sugar and hazelnuts.

"If you are new to wine, remember there is no right or wrong choice. Drink what you enjoy, as these tips are only basic guidelines for pairing food and wine."

"Happy Thanksgiving."