Try Palisade Sparkling Wines For New Year's Eve

There's more than Colorado's famous Champagne powder to try this New Year's Eve. We recommend these sparkling wines that are local to the Palisade area:

Varaision Vineyards has invested heavily into a dedicated sparkling wine facility (Charmat method). All of the Colorado sparkling wine is Estate Bottled from Chardonnay, Orange Muscat, and Black Muscat grapes grown in the Grand Valley AVA. The Chardonnay has a light toast flavor and a smooth biscuit finish from fermentation sur-lees. Exquisitely balanced for acid and smooth finish, this exceptional Colorado sparkling wine is sure to please the most sophisticated palate. Limited production of this product will be made available in 2008.

Black Muscato sparkling wine is new to Varaison in 2008. Produced in limited quantities, this sparkling wine is a unique and pleasing experience! The wine is brilliant pink with aromas of blackberry, strawberry, and honey. This wine is finished as Extra Brut with a bright acidity that is well balanced with the traditional biscuit flavors of fine Champagne. An exceptional and unique wine produced for the first time in 2008.

Orange muscato is produced as a semi-sweet to sweet dessert wine at this Palisade winery. The wine has a rich and smooth body, lingering finish, and is accentuated by the aroma of orange blossom. This is a delightful wine either by itself or paired with semi-sweet dark chocolate, angel food cake, or fresh fruit tortes.

Varaison Vineyards produces a special occasion and wedding sparkling wine which combines the traditional biscuit flavor of Champagne with the aroma of oranges. Mimosa is produced as a very limited sparkling wine and is made available only through booking of the new Varaison Pavilion reception facility.

Oh yeah...as you raise a glass of Palisade wine or bubbly this New Year's Eve, don't go overboard. Please drink responsibly. Salut!

Powderhorn Ski, Varaison Vineyards Plan New Year's Eve Bashes

So what's going on in Palisade and Grand Junction, Colorado on New Year's Eve? Celebrate the New Year with some revelries not too far from the hotel. Both Varaison Vineyards and Powderhorn Ski Resort are offering premium events near the Wine Country Inn:

At Varaison Vineyards, they're offering their First Annual New Year's Eve Gala, 7 pm - 1 am. For $149 per couple, revelers receive five gourmet courses, two dessert courses, four wines, champagne toast and valet parking. For reservations, call 970-464-4928.

This is what they're saying over at the Grand Junction Free Press:

"Powderhorn Ski Resort’s New Year’s Eve events start immediately after lifts close at 4 p.m."

"At that time, Vintage Voltage, a band that plays ‘60s to contemporary rock, will play at the day lodge, said Do Crowe, business services officer at Powderhorn."

"After the sun sets, ski instructors, patrol and others will take a ride up to the top of the mountain and then slowly ski down carrying lit flares, Crowe said."

“They snake down the ski run with lit torches, and in the end, we go through the ring of fire,” Crowe said. “It’s all flamey and fun.”

"After the crew douses the flames, a fireworks display takes over the sky."

'At 8 p.m., when Vintage Voltage winds down, live music flares up next door at the Wildewood Restaurant with Jimmy and the Instagators (“Yep, that’s how they spell it,” Crowe said.)"

"The Wildewood Restaurant will serve up gourmet food to the music."

"Reservations are suggested for the buffet, which includes rosemary chicken, London broil, shrimp, vegetables, bread, and dessert. The buffet price of $29.95 does not include drinks. The buffet runs from 5-7:30 p.m."

"Then, the restaurant offers three different price levels of champagne, ranging from $15 to $50, Crowe said."

"This is the first year Powderhorn offers music immediately when the lifts close, Crowe said."

“It’s nice to have some fun music right from the get-go,” she said."