Dear Colorado Wine Club Member,

Bud break is nearing 100% in the Grand Valley.  If they haven’t busted loose the chains of winter dormancy yet, there’s a good chance the primary bud is not coming out.  The secondary bud hides behind the primary bud and pushes forth a few weeks after the primary buds.  The secondary bud is about half as fruitful as the primary.  That’s actually a good thing for even ripening and high quality wine. With only half the fruit to ripen, the secondary shoot has a chance to catch up to the primaries that got a head start.  The tertiary bud is not at all fruitful.  If all you get is a shoot from a tertiary bud, you’re just growing next year’s crop.  Sometimes that’s the way it goes in the agricultural world.

Enclosed are your Wine Club bottles.  This month’s wines for the Vintner’s Choice Colorado Wine Club are:

2006 Viognier, Talon Winery

From the in-house winery at the Colorado Wine Room comes the 2006 Talon Viognier with a surprising combination of varietal character and distinction.  It’s got some weight, and the throaty, rounded fruit typical of this grape, yet it’s lighter, crisper and drier than the 2005 vintage.  This wine excels at warmer than usual temperature.  About 60 degrees (F) seems to be best.  This is a great warm weather wine all alone or with a variety of foods.  We had it with a nutty, savory stir-fry just recently and it was delicious.  Try it with grilled chicken marinated in pineapple juice, preserves of your choice, and a touch of soy sauce.  Grill up some red and yellow bell peppers while you’re at it and you’ll have a fine feast.

2005 Shiraz, Carlson Vineyards

This wine is incredibly fruit driven, combined with significant oak, and lots of intensity.  Parker Carlson has been making wine here in the Grand Valley for roughly 3 decades and is one of our favorite characters here.  This wine is another example of his unique twist on life.  Try this wine with stuffed mushrooms, twice baked potatoes, and filet mignon.  Don’t forget some beets or swiss chard for greens and major antioxidants.

As always, enjoy the wines in good health!

Sincerely,

Glenn & Natalie Foster