Colorado Urban WineFest continues to rock on this week

It's only Wednesday, people. But it's already been one helluva week for the Colorado Urban WineFest...

June 6, 2012

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It's only Wednesday, people. But it's already been one helluva week for the Colorado Urban WineFest.

Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar got the party started right last Sunday, with a cool-kid patio party that featured a bad-ass lineup of winning Colorado wine and food pairings. Craving something light and fresh on a toasty afternoon (like today)? Scoop the Alamosa Striped Bass Sashimi, matched with an aromatic glass of Guy Drew Vineyards Riesling 2010. Need somethin' a little more substantial? Score the Superior Farms Lamb Slider, washed down with the always-elegant BookCliff Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2009. These pairings can be yours all week long for the low, low price of $15 -- and there are more just like them at more than 30 other Denver-area restaurants (tease: Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs, Cellar Wine Bar and Venue are serving up a few of our scrumptious faves).

Kendra Anderson

Smoke, Vine & Seed: A Colorado wine-infused cocktail Don Draper would love.

Four of Denver's most talented barmen brought their A-games to Colt & Gray on Monday night, where Kevin Burke, Joe Hines, Matty Durgin and Ryan Conklin mixed up all kinds of magical cocktails that incorporated a local wine as a featured ingredient. "Handsome" Joe Hines of Green Russell fame (and who just joined the crew at Williams & Graham) blew us away with his "Smoke, Vine & Seed" -- as the name would imply, a sexy, smoked-out blend of Graystone Vineyards Lipizzan Port (yep, that's a Colorado wine, folks), Calvados, and artisan Ardbeg scotch. Visions of Don Draper danced in our minds as we savored every sip. Congrats to Joe, and to the rest of the gentlemen mixologists; don't forget to comment below to score a copy of all eight wine-soaked cocktail recipes.

Sometimes we forget to rain props upon the myriad cider and meadery makers who are just as much a part of our local booze-making community as Creekside Cellars or Canyon Wind Cellars. Now's your chance to share the love (and see for yourself how The Restaurant Formerly Known As District Meats' transformation into Charlie Palmer's District Tavern is coming along) at an open house-style event that will include free samples of Colorado Cider Company and Redstone Meadery libations, paired up with an assortment of petite passed hors d'oeuvres.

There are just four days left of Colorado Urban WineFest; check this listing of Colorado Wine Week events to find out how to have your best [wine] week ever.

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