Don’t be intimated by the wine snobs; trust your taste buds

Al Vino: Don’t be intimated by the wine snobs; trust your taste buds

By Alan Schwartz Aurora Sentinel & Daily Sun

The truth about wine is simple. It is delicious.

And it is a true miracle and the product of the genius of God and the ingenuity of man.

Unfortunately for the casual connoisseurs who simply want something tasty to drink, the so-called experts have complicated wine.

So please, if you only remember one thing that I say, remember this: it doesn’t matter what other people think. If you enjoy a certain wine, drink it. Responsibly. That’s what it’s all about.

Don’t worry about the snobs.

After growing up in the restaurant, food and liquor industry, I have learned quite a lot.

I’ve learned to appreciate wine on a level that I never imagined. But I also learned something much more important: One of the most valuable recommendations I can offer is to drink what you like while keeping an open mind to trying something new.

Having said that, having devoted my professional life to learning as much as I can about wine, here are a couple of things I can also say to further reveal the truth about wine.

Question authority: Many of the wine connoisseurs out there are great minds. But the experts are not concerned with advising the regular wine drinkers out there. They are an exclusive voice for high-profile wine producers and well-financed consumers.

As a result, it doesn’t matter what they think. What matters is what you and your guests want to drink.

Trust your own taste buds ... if you think a wine tastes bad, it does.

Bottom line.

It never ceases to amaze me that people praise a wine that in truth is “corked,” as the professionals call it. This means that the wine tastes awful. So trust your own palate.

I typically offer more than 100 glasses of wine at my place for this very reason. To let people decide on their own what suits them. But, if you ever have any questions about wine, don’t hesitate ask for advice. I have devoted my entire life to studying, drinking and enjoying wine. It is my passion, my life, and I would welcome the opportunity to help you select the right wine for a special dinner.

Send an e-mail; we’ll talk.

And I can pass along what we learn to other readers.

Alan Schwartz is a wine sommelier. His column appears the second Wednesday of each month. He owns and operates Bistro Al Vino, 15352 E. Ida Circle.

Wine Club
Jan 2006 - Jun 2006
Phone: (303) 308-9300
Time: Fourth Monday of Each Month at 6:00 PM
Cost: $15/month or $100/annual membership

Place: Cook Street School of Fine Cooking
1937 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202


Come taste wine in a casual environment with fellow wine enthusiasts and professionals the 4th Monday of each month. We will gather to taste 6 or more wines and enjoy a light snack. Each month will feature a specific wine theme, and we will often have a guest wine speaker to guide us in our tasting and enjoyment. Monthly themes and guest speakers will be posted on www.cookstreet.com so check back often! Wine Club Annual Members will receive a 15% discount on wine classews, wine events and wine books. Please call us at (303) 308-9300 to purchase an annual membership now!
More Info: www.cookstreet.com

Arts Festival Wine Tasting

Arts Festival Wine Tasting
Celebrate the end of summer by cooling off in the wine tasting tent at the Arts Festival! Enjoy refreshing wines and delicious appetizers from Whole Foods Market. The first 100 participants get to keep the commemorative glass. Held in conjunction with the Arts Festival.

Date: Saturday, August 26
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Town Center Square, 9288 Dorchester Street
Cost: Members $17; Program Guests $20

Event: 11th Annual Taste of Highlands Ranch
Place: Recreation Center at Eastridge

Date: May 12, 2006 (Fri) @ 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
City: Highlands Ranch

Contact: 303-717-6015
Cost: $25 per person (Only 21 and over)

Taste of Highlands RanchDon't miss the most delicious event of the year! The Taste of Highlands Ranch returns to the Recreation Center at Eastridge on Friday, May 12 from 6:00 to 9 p.m. The Taste of Highlands Ranch is a banquet of mouth-watering, tastebud-tingling, food extravaganza.

Colorado Corks and Cuisine May 12, 2006

Colorado Corks and Cuisine
Four Mile Historic Park

May 12, 2006 (Fri) @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Denver

303.331.4656
Cost: $25

Bring your appetite and join us for Four Mile Historic Park’s third annual “Colorado Corks and Cuisine” on Friday, May 12, 2006. The event will take place from 5:30 – 7:30pm in Grant Hall at Four Mile Historic Park. There will be a wine tasting by several Colorado Wineries.

Wine Artist Thomas Arvid in Person May 12th

Wine Artist Thomas Arvid in Person May 12th!
Fascination St. Fine Art
May 12, 2006 (Fri) @ 6pm - 9pm
Denver

Contact: 866-293-1566
Cost: FREE!

Wine Artist Thomas Arvid in Person at Fascination St. Fine Art
May 12th, 2006 from 6-9pm at 315 Detroit St. in Denver, CO 80206

Join us in welcoming Thomas Arvid back to Denver! Stop by for a great evening of beautiful artwork and a wonderful selection...

Wine Basics 301 May 11, 2006

Event: Wine Basics 301
Place: Cassoulet Entrees
Date: May 11, 2006 (Thu) @ 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
City: Littleton

Contact: 303-979-2665
Cost: $60.00

This third and final class in our series will teach you to identify those aspects of a wine that are most appealing to you so that you may identify your individual palate. Wine Basics 101 (April 27th) and Wine Basics 201 (May 4th) are required.

Wine Basics 201 may 4, 2006

Wine Basics 201
Date: May 04, 2006 (Thu)
Phone: 303-979-2665
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $60.00

Place: Cassoulet Entrees 10125 West San Juan Way #150 Littleton, Colorado 80127

This is the 2nd of 3 classes touching on the ideas of evaluation, vision, smell and taste. Wine Basics 101 (April 27th) is required before attending Wine Basics 201. Our instructor is John Linster certifications for Sommelier and Vintner.

Wines from The Oregon Wine Trail

Wines from The Oregon Wine Trail with Jesse Lange of Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards, Oregon
Date: Apr 27, 2006 (Thu)
Phone: 303-665-3778
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
Place: Denver Athletic Club1325 Glenarm Place Denver, CO
Explore the wines of "The Oregon Wine Trail" with the American Wine Society and guest speaker Jesse Lange of Lange Estate Winery, Oregon. Some of the best examples of Pinot Noir in the world come from this area. Oregon has earned its place as one of the world's best Pinot Noir producing regions. In addition, white Burgundian varietals also thrive here, like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
Jesse is general manager and winemaker at Lange Estate and is also on the Board of Directors of the famous Oregon Pinot Camp. This should prove to be a great tasting about a specific region covering several varietals from the perspective of one dynamic winemaker. Please join us for this fun and educational opportunity.
RSVP at www.blacktie-colorado.com

Front Range Winemakers Barrel Tasting Weekend

The Front Range Winemakers are welcoming you into their cellars for an exclusive Barrel Tasting Weekend. It's a great opportunity to meet your local winemakers, experience wines in the making, and get a sneak preview of their upcoming wines. Each Winery has teamed up with a local chef who will prepare food to enhance each barrel sample.
Reservations for the Spring Barrel Tasting are required at each Winery and seating is limited. Tickets sell for $55.00 per person, per winery. For purchasing tickets, barrel tasting times, menus, and other information, contact the Wineries of your choice:
• Balistreri Vineyards in Denver, www.balistreriwine.com, 303-287-5156, Friday and Saturday - Executive Chef Tim Opeil of Fourth Story Restaurant & Bar, and Sunday - Italian Chef Andrea Frizzi
• BookCliff Vineyards in Boulder, www.bookcliffvineyards.net,: 303-449-9463, Personal Chefs Michael Chase and Connie Gordon
• Boulder Creek Winery in Boulder, www.bouldercreekwine.com, 303-516-9031, Chef Willem De Froy from Guillaume’s European Catering
• Creekside Cellars in Evergreen, www.creeksidecellars.net, 303-674-5460, Executive Chef Irene Boyed from Creekside Cellars
• Snowy Peaks Winery in Estes Park, www.snowypeakswinery.com, 970-586-2099, Chef Josh Henderson from The Redstone Restaurant
• Trail Ridge Winery in Loveland, www.trailridgewinery.com, 970-635-0949, Chef to be Announced.

November 5 -- Denver International Wine Festival

November 5 -- Denver International Wine Festival

The event, Denver's first international wine festival, will be held at the historic Oxford Hotel in Denver's lower downtown historic district, Lodo. Johnson & Wales University is the presenting sponsor. The Denver International Wine Festival is expected to attract more than 50 wineries from around the world, and will showcase over 250 international and domestic wines as part of the Grand Tasting. A variety of educational wine seminars, food samplings and a fresh seafood bar will be staffed by the chefs of McCormick and Schmick Restaurant. The one-day event, will feature the award-winning wines from the Denver International Wine Competition and a silent auction.
Fee: $95 per person
Time: noon to 5 p.m
Phone Number: 303-327-1515

Art and Ale Festival - Parker Colorado

August 25, 2006 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Wildlife Experience will host its third annual Art and Ale Festival at the museum in Parker, Colorado, on Friday, August 25th. This event features a dazzling lineup of musical entertainment, bountiful brews and tantalizing treats. You will soak up good food and frosty beverages from some of our finest local breweries and restaurants, and you are welcome to peruse The Wildlife Experience's galleries and exhibits. Ticket prices are $25 per person and $45 per couple. Members of The Wildlife Experience receive a discounted rate of $20 per person. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $30 per person. No other discounts apply. Art and Ale will take place on August 25th, rain or shine. This is an event for those 21 and over only. We would like to thank The Mountain 99.5, Alice 105.9 and Chipotle for partnering with us on this event.