So, I created AltoVino.  AltoVino is a consulting agency that provides small, family owned/operated Colorado wineries with representation in Colorado’s Front Range markets.  Most Colorado wineries don’t have the money or the manpower to get their wines into Denver and the surrounding markets.  AltoVino is here to change that.  So head on over to http://www.AltoVinoConsulting.com to check out what I’m doing.  And of course, find AltoVino on Facebook and Twitter!

Big rumors spreading around Colorado these days.  It looks like Beverage Distributors (Charmer Sunbelt Group) might be set up to purchase National Distributing Company.  Basically a really, really big fish is about to swallow a slightly smaller fish (but still really big).  Beverage Distributors has already purchased National Distributing Company in several other states.

What does this mean for the Colorado wine industry?  Looks like plenty of wineries are ready to jump ship from these two distributors in favor of others.  I would imagine it would be rather difficult for small, boutique wineries to stand out in such a large portfolio.  There’s a good possibility that things are going to be pretty shaken up in the next 90 days or so.  If you’re in the local industry, look for some major closeout deals to be coming.  As wineries switch distributors, there will be lots of inventory that will need to be moved out.

The first is Sutcliffe Vineyards.  I’ve tasted their wines in the past, but recently tasted through their new vintage.  Their offerings included the 2009 Chardonnay, 2009 Cinsault, 2008 Field Blend, and 2008 Signature Merlot.  The Chardonnay was a bit buttery for my taste, but all were well made.  They were well balanced, structured wines.  They have a new winemaker on the team, Joe Buckel.  He’s best known for his recent work at Flowers, as well as B.R. Cohen.  Nice job, Joe.

The second has been on my list since its inception, The Infinite Monkey Theorem.  Winemaker/Owner Ben Parsons has gone against the grain of Colorado’s winemaking industry by opening up a winery in the back alley of our Santa Fe Art District.  Ben is a man who makes good wine and is in touch with the pulse of the city.  He’s also in progress of opening a restaurant (or two).

Bravo.  Finally some Colorado wine that’s worth the buck.  And there’s a connection between the two- Ben’s previously served as winemaker at Sutcliffe, before starting his own project.  Some will say that Ben was fired, but just as many say he left on his own accord.  But in the end, no one gives a shit because both wineries are kicking some ass.

Unfortunately my list of “Top Colorado Wineries” ends after #2.   We have some work to do.

I’ve been taken to Napa and Sonoma to tour some of it’s most prestigious vineyards and wineries; I’ve been put up at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood for showing certain brands some love.  All on the distributor’s dime.  Not to mention endless free product to quench my thirst.  Recently I’ve made the move from restaurants back to the retail side, in a small boutique wine shop.  We have a strong clientele, especially the neighborhood folks who enjoy our free wine tasting and great customer service.

The competition is a bitch.  Being a small wine shop, we can only do so much volume.  One of our biggest competitors is Argonaut, a massive warehouse-style liquor store.  They often have things priced cheaper than we can get them at wholesale.  All the distributors can say is “sorry, you don’t spend millions of dollars with us per year.  They do.”

I understand economic times are hard, but it is important to support your small, local family owned shops.  They’re almost a thing of the past, strangled by low internet prices and the huge warehouse liquor stores.  And here’s a little secret.  In the big liquor stores, there’s lots of people waiting to help you with your wine selections.  Guess who they work for.  The distributors.  They’re the reps, waiting to push their product on you.

This whole concept goes against everything that wine stands for.  Wine means sharing, community, and a general connection with the earth and environment.  Not mafioso-style “arrangements.”

The rich get richer, while the real people struggle.  Go buy some wine from people who actually care about wine.

Rant over.

If you ask any Denver foodie where they go for sushi, the answer is usually “The Sushi Den.”  I would have to agree.  Owners Toshi and Yasu also own two other restaurants, The Izakaya Den, and Den Deli.  Den Deli is their newest creation, a more casual eatery than their other trendy spots.  This noodle house has incredible Udon, unique sandwiches and sushi.  I’m a stickler for the traditional Nabiyaki Udon: Dashi broth with Udon noodles, fish cake, seaweed, clams, Enoki mushrooms, and a poached egg that breaks and thickens the broth slightly.  I’ve never been a big fan of the newer variations, but Den Deli’s duck Udon changed my life.  I thought it was going to be too rich, but it was wonderful.  The Kobe Beef Cheesesteak with Shitake mushrooms and wasabi mayo was outstanding.

You can also purchase raw fish from their market (same as they use for their sushi), and it is incredibly fresh.

Only downside- no alcohol.  Some sake would have been great.  But nonetheless, I’m goin back for more.

A little history (quote from Stranahan’s): “Full-bodied as the fire that bore it, this whiskey glowed amber from the start. When volunteer firefighter Jess Graber responded to a neighbor’s barn fire down the road, he never imagined any good could come of it. But the barn he made effort to save belonged to George Stranahan, long-time liquor connoisseur. When the fire settled, the two discovered a shared passion for the Colorado outdoors and a good pour of fine whiskey. And so Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey was born. They developed a recipe for the smoothest, most flavorful whiskey in the world using the purity of their mountain surroundings to their advantage. Well, to your advantage. They say from each thing bad comes something good. For Jess, George, and fine whiskey drinkers alike, it’s amazing just how good it can be.”

The batches vary slightly, I believe from the variations in the barrels.  My interest in the uniqueness lies in the combination of smokey sweetness up-front (reminiscent of Bourbon), and a slight herbal, almost peaty finish (reminiscent of Scotch).  So this is for people who like Bourbon, Scotch, and everyone in between.  It’s not the cheapest whiskey on the shelf, but it is worth every penny.

Upon closer inspection, one might notice the hand written inscriptions.  Not only does it tell you exactly which batch the bottle came from, but there’s also a little note about what they were doing when they bottled it.  Some may say “listening to Miles Davis” or “ready to ski Steam Boat.”  This only confirms the coolness of Stranahan’s.  They clearly love skiing, music, and creating the coolest whiskey to come out of Denver.  I immediately feel more connected to this distillery when I know the bottler was going to ski the same slope I had just skied only one week before.

I got mad love for local Colorado producers, so keep your eyes peeled for more info on the best from Colorado!