5 Tips to enjoy wine in Colorado
You’re at a party. It’s Fort Collins, so of course there is beer somewhere, probably everywhere. Someone asks, “Do you want a beer?”
There are typically only two responses to this question, and the one you choose ultimately decides if this article is for you.
If you answer, “Yes,” go ahead and move along. If you say, “What kind of beer do you have?” then you, my friend, already understand how it works.
You see, living in FoCo introduces the casual drinker to the wide world of flavors beer has to offer. Also, beer is kind and easy going. There is nothing wrong with asking “What is this?” or saying “I don’t like that brew” because beer won’t judge you.
For some reason, wine isn’t this way. The younger among us find it stuffy and “for the adults.” It’s confusing and intimidating to talk about; what is a tannin and why do I care? Am I allowed to think this taste like garbage water? How do you describe the flavor profile of garbage water? It’s too overwhelming.
However, you already know most of it. You have a palette that knows why not all beer is made the same. If you strip away the stigma with wine, like the Italians, I think you will find it’s just as enjoyable and fun. Here’s five tips to start you on that journey.
1. Don’t know where to start? Try Colorado!
Yup. Telluride has a wine festival. There is a lot of wine culture in Northern Colorado too, you just have to look. Most of the farmer’s markets (all of the ones I’ve been to) in Fort Collins have at least one stall selling wines from Colorado or even southern Wyoming. If you don’t feel like asking the expert at the liquor store, these people are your next best bet and they will have less of a selection, which I find less overwhelming. Bonus, you get to buy local!
2. Wine is good or bad only if you like it or don’t like it
Wine is meant to be consumed; some would say voraciously. No one is allowed to tell you your tastes are wrong, and you should enjoy what you drink. For instance, just like a Coors, there is something called “table wine,” named so because it is generally pretty easy to drink and isn’t meant for a culinary experience. A few vineyards in Colorado offer their own table wines, which are a blend of lots of different grapes so there is no way to be snooty about it even if you wanted to. Hell, if you want box wine because you’re feeling frugal, who cares! Just enjoy it.
3. Wine, like beer, is better with friends
I know, I know, you’re probably thinking this isn’t really a tip; but it is! You see, the best way to find wines you like is by having a lot of different wines. Just like you’d bring a 6-pack to a party, bring a bottle of something with a neat label. Make it a point to have a wine-only event. The point is, expand your tastes and enjoy your company.
4. Ask the experts at liquor stores, it’s their job
Wilbur’s Total Beverage and other large liquor stores typically have a wine expert on staff to answer any questions you might have. My advice? Ask those people your questions instead of Google. Let’s say you’ve done one of those wine parties and you feel like you have a taste for a certain California blend. They will know wines like it, and maybe even for cheaper.
5. Fine, here is some of the wine lingo you might hear
So I have to admit knowing a little about wine beforehand might help, but I promise if you hear something you don’t know, asking won’t get you any weird stares.
Of course there is red and white, but there is also Rose, which is a pink color. When it comes to overall flavor, sweet wines are, well, sweet, and dry wines are the opposite. Finally, there is sparkling wine, which is carbonated, like Champagne wine.
…that’s it. I could go on and on about all of these nifty terms but actually most wine “connoisseurs” just say exactly what they taste. There are a gazillion different grape types, like Pinot Grigio or Chianti, but who cares. Remember when Coors Light was the only beer you drank? That didn’t change because someone told you about the plethora of beer varieties on earth. Instead, you just tried one at the bar and remembered you liked it.
So, I implore you, treat wine the same way. Can it be fancy? Sure. However, if you drink it easy and don’t treat it like something “for the adults,” your taste buds will thank you later.
