Heat Miser, There's No Place Like Home, Hladis Work, and Drinkin' With the von Trapps

      The hallowed walls of Colorado Wine Company have been given a makeover with all new work from artist, Iva Hladis.  When the first paragraph of an artist's bio contains lines like, "at fifteen, she became associated with "Charter 77", an underground political group that championed the human rights of the then Russian occupied Czechoslovakia," you know she's not painting cute little kittens.  Ok, there are a couple paintings of kittens, but that's beside the point.  In the summer of 1985, Iva escaped Czechoslovakia, made her home in Rome for a year and was then granted political asylum in the U.S.  Since then, Iva's work has been exhibited ever where from California to New York to Japan, focusing on human relationships and exploring the emotions associated with the varied trials one faces in life.  Come join us tonight, Thursday the 14th from 5:30-8:30pm to meet the artist, view her work and have some tasty wine.  Appetizers will be served along with our traditional wine bar menu with glasses ranging from $4-$7/glass. 

"Wild Night"

8"H x 8"W (Iris print)

There's No Place Like Home

     If you know Auntie Em's Kitchen on Eagle Rock Boulevard, you probably know them for their ridiculous cupcakes which seem to get written up by food critics every other week or for their delicious breakfasts and lunches.  Well, starting next week, they're making themselves even busier with dinners.  Offered only one night a month, by reservation only, Auntie Em's will begin serving dinners featuring fresh ingredients from our local Farmer's Market.  We'll taunt you with this month's main courses offered for those lucky enough to get in on next Wednesday's dinner: 

Tomatillo Braised Pork on a bed of Sautéed Market Greens and Braised Baby Garlic

Three Cheese Stuffed Squash Blossoms

Potato Crusted Halibut w/Mango and Green Onion Salsa

     Each month we will be pairing a few unique wines here at Colorado Wine Company to go with each course.  To find out more about Auntie Em's monthly dinners, please call them directly @ (323) 255-0800 or email info@auntieemskitchen.com .  There are still spots open for next week!

Wine Bar Schedule

Heat Miser 

This Friday the 15th 

Time: 5:30-8:30 (but you can show up anytime before 8pm)

Cost: $15/person

Cheeses, Breads and Crackers

(Reservations Recommended) 

   The Summer heat is here and it understandably makes many people tired and grouchy (especially those of us on the eastside who have to get through all that west side traffic to get to the beach).  So how do you make up for that sweltering, hour and a half you spend in bumper to bumper traffic on your way home from work Friday evening?  You come directly to our air-conditioned "Heat Miser" tasting this Friday night which begins with an ice-cold Bellini (cold, pureed white peaches and Prosecco) being handed to you as you walk into our bar.     

Wines

Bellini 2005, Eagle Rock, California

Fiddlehead "Happy Canyon "Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Santa Ynez, California

Solo Rosa Rose 2004, California

D'Arenberg Stump Jump Red 2003, McLaren Vale, Australia

Dover Canyon Renegade Red, Paso Robles, California

"I Don't Like Chardonnay" Tasting 

This Sunday the 17th 

Time: 1:00-4:00pm

Cost: $10/person

Cheeses, Breads and Crackers

(no reservations necessary)

"I don't like Chardonnay."  We hear that a lot.  It's okay to dislike Chardonnay but don't count it out until you have tried it in its many, varied forms.  Chardonnay can range from light, crisp and zippy, to thick, honeyed and rich.  Before the 1960's, Chardonnay was virtually unknown anywhere but in France.  And it is in Burgundy, France, where most agree that Chardonnay reaches its greatest potential.  Many even believe it is here that the best whites in the world are created.  Come on out this Sunday and figure out if you really don't like Chardonnay, or if it's just those sweet, California butter-bombs that don't suit your palate.

Wines

Domaine Barat Chablis 2002, Burgundy, France  

La Vis Chardonnay 2001, Trentino, Italy

Domaine Michelot Bourgogne 2002, Mersault, Burgundy, France

Calistoga Cellars Chardonnay 2003, Napa Valley, California

Drinkin' With the von Trapps

     Somewhere between The Sound of Music and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrians began exporting some world class wines to the US of A.  We've just created a small Austrian section in the store including some crisp, light, flavorful whites that will make any California wino a convert.  Try some and you'll see why many Europeans claim that the Germans export their famous wines and use that money to hop in the car and load up on Austrian wines. 

Tement Temento White 2004, Sudsteiermark, Austria - $14.99 

A blend of Welschriesling and Sauvignon Blanc, this pretty, light white has notes of apricot and pear with a great balance of acidity and creaminess.   

Neumayer Riesling 2003, Berg-Traisenthal, Austria - $17.99

Ludwig Neumayer is considered one of the top winemakers in all of Austria.  Because of the heat of 2003, Neumayer's whites have an extra ripeness which gives them a pleasing, rich weight.  We get notes of lime, butter and a balanced minerality.    

Kurt Angerer Gruner Veltiner 2003, Kamptal, Austria - $21.99

We get citrus and flower aromas on the nose with subtle orange flavors.

Markowitsch Carnuntum Cuvee 2002, Osterreich, Austria - $12.99

A blend of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir, this is a medium-to-light-bodied, dry, red with notes of cranberry and cinnamon.

Other New Arrivals:

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2004, Monterrey County, California

(Yes, the new vintage is in and it's better than the 2003!) 

$9.99

Bedford Thompson Mourvedre 2000, Santa Barbara, CA

$15.99

Bedford Thompson Cabernet Franc 2000, Santa Barbara, CA

$15.99

Anglim Grenache 2003, Paso Robles, CA  

$21.99

Mosbacher Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Pfalz, Germany

$19.99

Pre-Press Wine Selections

We've got a couple more wines in house that are being written up soon in the larger wine magazines so grab 'em while they're still around.

MandraRossa Fiano 2003, Sicily, Italy - $8.99

Late July issue of Wine Spectator: 86 Points, "Fat and juicy, with lots of pineapple and sweet pear aromas and flavors.  Almost off-dry.  Full and round." 

Field Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Alexander Valley, CA - $12.99

Late July issue of Wine Spectator: 86 Points, "Ripe, with very good concentration to melon, coconut milk and roasted pineapple flavors.  Lively citrus and a grass accent keep it focused through the finish."

See You Soon,

John and Jen

"Hello, last week on "Party Hints" I showed you how to make a small plate of goulash go round 26 people, how to get the best out of your canapés, and how to unblock your loo. This week I'm going to tell you what to do if there is an armed communist uprising near your home when you're having a party. Well obviously it'll depend how far you've got with your party when the signal for Red Revolt is raised. If you're just having preliminary aperitifs - Dubonnet, a sherry or a sparkling white wine - then the guests will obviously be in a fairly formal mood and it will be difficult to tell which are the communist agitators."

Veronica Smalls, Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)