We took time off late last month to attend the annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium held in Sacramento, CA.  It’s one of the biggest and best industry conventions in the union.  We learned all sorts of interesting things.  Most importantly, we learned that wine lovers everywhere are still drinking wine in the same amounts or even a little more, despite the economic conditions ravaging our nation.  The real change is that folks are “trading down” to lower price points.  That’s good for us, because those people who were drinking $20-30 bottles of wine may now want to try a $13-17 bottle.  The other important lesson learned is that the Greening of America is progressing nicely, and that the new paradigm is all about responsibility.  Just so you know. Talon Winery, parent company for the Colorado Wine Room, is one of the few Colorado wineries to invest in recycling cardboard, glass and plastic.  We think it’s pretty important to do what we can, and we’ll do more as we’re able.

Enclosed are your Wine Club bottles.  This month’s wines for the Dry Colorado Wine Club are:

2006 Syrah, Balistreri Vineyards

Balistreri is unusual in that they don’t add sulfites to their wines.  This is, in our view, difficult, but admirable.  They also don’t filter their wines.  It’s an “old-school” winery.  Most everybody adds sulfites to protect the wine from premature oxidation, microbial attack and spoilage.  The fruit for this wine comes from the Whitewater Hill vineyards.  It’s got a good color, a medium nose with prominent oak character.  It’s very dry, not fruity, with great again potential.  You’ll get 10 years out of this wine if you can wait that long.

2006 Sangiovese, Spero Winery

Light in color and soft in body, this wine is ethereal and delicious.  It is velvety smooth and easy drinking.  Look for a prominent but very smooth oak component.  The fruit comes from California and the wine was aged 2 years in oak.  This is a wonderful introduction to red wines for those transitioning to the dry reds.

As always, enjoy the wines in good health!

Truly,

Glenn & Natalie Foster