   |  Newsletter ArchiveWe Say It's Our Birthday, Butts in Seats, and An Organic Experience We Say It's Our Birthday, Butts in Seats, and An Organic ExperienceYes, CoWineCo looks like a monkey and it smells like one, too. 2000 tastings and 5000 glasses of wine later, Colorado Wine Company celebrates its first year. We were going to throw it a surprise party and have everyone hide in the parking lot and jump out singing "Happy Birthday", but then we thought, has it ever gotten US a gift? Has it ever thrown US a surprise party? No. So instead, we're going to throw all of you a party this Saturday the 18th from 1pm-9pm. We'll have free snacks available all day, music in the evening and oh-so-affordable wines by the glass. We may even give away a few things. It all depends on how much we celebrate. We sincerely want to say how much all of your patronage has meant to us in our first year of business. Right after our first wine store Christmas, we were shutting down for the night and hesitated before turning off the lights. Looking at the empty store we both realized at the same time how completely friggin' cool it was that this idea worked. So, thanks to wine for being this complex, tasty, magical thing that brings people together. Thanks to our friends and family for the help and encouragement. And thanks to all of you for supporting the new guy.
Here's a couple 'proud parent' pictures of CoWineCo at negative 6 months old:
Butts in Seats Just so you know we listen to your requests too, last week we added more seating in the front of the store so Friday nights are a bit more manageable. In addition to our Friday night wine tastings, the bar is open for wines by the glass on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Bring in take-out, order in, or just have a glass to unwind. We're there for ya till 9pm.
****REMINDER: Our bar is available for private rental on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. You can bring in your own catering, pick your own wines, and even dress in funny clothing if you want to (some restrictions apply-- for instance...no clowns). Call or email for details (323) 478-1985 or info@cowineco.com )****
Wine Bar Schedule
Grenasyrah Tasting This Friday the 17th 5:30-8:30pm $15/person Reservations recommended! Fridays have been busy lately and we hate turning people away, so call ahead anytime and get your name down in advance: info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985 Today we're featuring all wines Grenache, Syrah or Grenache and Syrah blended together. Why? Cus we love them and we've got some new goodies we want to show off. wines Odysseus Grenache Blanc 2003, Priorat, Spain Chateau Grande Cassagne Grenache/Syrah 2004, France Morgan 'Cotes du Crow's' Grenache/Syrah 2004, California (YES, IT'S BACK!) Esca Syrah 2003, Napa Valley, California Piqnique Grenache/Syrah 2003, Suisun Valley, California
Lazy Sunday Tasting This Sunday the 19th 1:00-4:00pm $10/person 4 wines and gourmet cheeses provided by Auntie Em's Marketplace No reservations necessary This Sunday we'll be pouring two whites and two reds. Email or call in this weekend for specific wine selections info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985. wines (Wines TBD)
All Hail a Cab! Friday the 24th 5:30-8:30pm $15/person
Reservations recommended! Fridays have been busy lately. Call ahead anytime and get your name down:
info@cowineco.com
or (323) 478-1985
wines (selections subject to change based on availability) Finca Koch Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina Powers Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon, California Bishop's Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, California Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Lazy Sunday Tasting Sunday the 26th 1:00-4:00pm $10/person 4 wines and gourmet cheeses provided by Auntie Em's Marketplace No reservations necessary Every Sunday we pour a variety of wines for your gustatory pleasure. Email or call next week for specific wine selections info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985. wines (Wines TBD)
An Organic Experience I'm sure to many of you, buying organic foods is pretty important. I know I go for the cutest cartoon cow I can find on a milk carton and am willing to pay that extra bit for the insurance that the cows weren't raised in stables resembling something from Hellbound: HellRaiser 2. But a couple years ago I read an article about the many legal interpretations of the word "organic" and how that pretty cartoon cow wasn't being treated that much better than the other cows. Well, the world of organic wine isn't any easier. First of all, it's not always a choice to grow your grapes organically. There are many vineyards comprised of old vines that, if certain pesticides were just cut off, would die because they have been reliant on these chemicals for so long. So yes, some of your favorite wines may come from vines with a serious drug habit. Another factor is that the definition of 'organic' changes from country to country. In Europe for example, wine currently isn't even considered a product eligible for organic status. Many heavyweights in the European wine industry are fighting this rule. One of the most targeted additive culprits is sulfites. The "warning: contains sulfites" label on wine is required in the U.S. because certain asthmatics are very sensitive to sulfites (and as I mentioned in a past newsletter, about 1% of the population is actually allergic to sulfiites). If you get stuffy or headachy after drinking wine, you are most likely reacting to histamines, a common allergen that occurs primarily in red wines. These symptoms are not typical of a sulfite allergy. Sulfites are both naturally occurring in wine (they're a byproduct of fermentation) and are added by many winemakers as a natural preservative (and have been added for literally thousands of years). Later this year, there will be a ruling on organic wine in the U.S. that will allow the 'organic' label to be put on all wines with sulfites less than 10 parts per million. And when those organic wines start hitting the market, rest assured that your treasured wine buzz will be quite a bit more expensive (organic wine facts based on 30 Second Wine Advisor : Vol. 3, No. 7, March 5, 2001).
See You Soon, John and Jen
"They hang like grapes On vines that shine And warm the lovers' glass Like friendly wine So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars" ~ Woody Guthrie |