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!

For every liter of tequila produced, distilleries throw away 10 liters of hot liquid waste (called vinaza), as well as 5 to 6 kilos of fibrous agave plant (called bagasse).  Government rules are supposed to control how the vianza is properly disposed of, but there is very little regulation in effect.  When improperly dumped, the vianza is extremely acidic, and contains an oil that renders the soil impenetrable.  Eventually the vianza works its way down the cracks in the soil, and contaminates water tables.

In the wine world, vintners are very respectful of their surrounding environment.  In fact, they have to in order to produce quality grapes vintage after vintage.  So think twice about ordering that frozen margarita.

Well, here’s why this blog is just as reliable as your favorite wine shop or restaurant. I am that guy behind the counter, and I’m also the guy making recommendations in restaurants. Since the inception of AdamsWineGuide, I have had multiple Sommelier positions in both restaurant and retail settings.

I don’t just make recommendations to my readers based upon the last great bottle I drank. I base my suggestions on what I like, but more importantly what most customers like as well. And what sells. My recommendations always factor in price, quality and availability.

So you can feel safe here. I only have your best interest in mind. This is why I have added the “Facebook Recommend” option to my site. On every page and post, you have the option to recommend the page/post to your Facebook friends. And you can also see how many others have recommended things to their friends. So let the people speak, you can think of the Facebook recommendations (and comments) as a “vote” for approving the page or post. Or liking my wine review/recommendation.

If I do recommend something you don’t approve of, please let me know by commenting. It’s the only way I can get to know my readers better

You can find the original “wine blogger trust” story here.

FLASQ is the first domestic wine to be bottled in these 100% recycleable, quick-chilling aluminum containers.  FLASQ is a product of JT Wines, based out of St. Helena, California.  JT Wines says these new bottles are targeting “Millennials, Generation Xers, and Baby Boomers with active lifestyles who desire convenient and portable packaging—all with a modern flair.”

I doubt I would ever purchase wine in an aluminum bottle, although there is a revolution with craft beer makers bottling in aluminum.  A couple of my favorites are Maui Brewing Company (Maui, HI) and Oskar Blues (Lyons, CO).  We’re seeing more and more craft beers in aluminum cans as the smaller breweries adopt the technology.

Although environmentally friendly, this is one bottle you won’t find on my table.

Most wine geeks would consider it common knowledge that Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are all practically identical, aside from slight genetic mutation. But it looks like most wine grapes might be more closely related than I thought.

A recent study (conducted by Sean Myles, a geneticist at Cornell University) found that most Vitis Vinifera are in fact very similar.

“Thus merlot is intimately related to cabernet franc, which is a parent of cabernet sauvignon, whose other parent is sauvignon blanc, the daughter of traminer, which is also a progenitor of pinot noir, a parent of chardonnay.”

Due to the fact that most Grape vines are cloned, there is little room for natural genetic adaptation.  The results of the study showed that 75% of all grape varieties are as closely related as parent to child, or brother to sister.

Why is this bad?  Essentially most grape species have stopped evolving (or are evolving slower than is natural), which means they are not building new immunities to pests and other diseases.

You can check out the original article from the NY Times.

They now have a new reality show which chronicles their travels around the globe, in search of good juice.  The first episode aired on January 27th, but repeats will be airing for the next month or so.  You can find it on the Cooking Channel.

Here in Denver, we’re no stranger to the multitude of marijuana dispensaries lining the streets.  What do you think- one stop shop for weed and wine?

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.