January is the heart of winter here in the Grand Valley of Colorado.  Although we got a nice blanket of snow from the wave of storms around Christmas, much of it is already gone.  With lows in the teens and highs in the 40’s, afternoons are muddy in the vineyards!  Right now the snowpack is better than 100% in most areas of the Colorado Mountains.  This is important for a lot of reasons including that local fruit growers shouldn’t have any trouble watering their crops again this year.  Folks forget that we wouldn’t have much of civilization here without snowpack and the mighty Colorado River.  Anyone for a glass of wine and a snow dance?

Here are your Wine Club bottles.  This month’s wines for the Sweet Colorado Wine Club are:

2007 Lands End Wild Rose, Reeder Mesa Vineyards

Tucked up under Lands End on the Grand Mesa is Reeder Mesa Vineyards. If you have not visited this winery, it is worth the trip. Eight miles off Highway 50 in Whitewater, you can taste the wines from Doug and Kris Vogel.  Enjoy a glass of wine while sitting on the patio and view the vineyards and the wildlife.  This white merlot is full of strawberry flavors.  It is a good wine to share with friends and serve with brunch.

2007 Vin de Glace, Garfield Estates Winery

This wine is made in the ultra rich late harvest style made famous by the Germans.  It is made from 100% Muscat Ottonel, a highly aromatic variety, and best used as a late harvest white wine.  It has an intense floral nose.  Although very sweet, the wine exhibits excellent acidity to balance the sugar levels.  This wine will definitely delight dessert wine lovers.

As always, enjoy the wines in good health!

Truly,

Glenn & Natalie Foster