It's been a bit more than four years since I moved West from the East coast of this immense land called the United States. One of the things that called my attention to this rugged state is the amount of microbrews in operation that are relatively new and still growing in this country. My curiosity about the world of spirits and beers began when I went to ABC Bartending School in South Beach, Florida in 2002. Although, honestly, I have never seen a larger selection of beers anywhere else besides here, (and high-end liquor stores in New York City).

At West Vail Liquor Mart we carry all hand crafted beers from our state that are bottled or canned and distributed for the public (Avery, Great Divide, Odell, New Belgium, Backcountry, Ska, Boulder, Oskar Blues, Breckenridge). It is really impossible to mention all of the restaurants that have their own brew on tap; the list would go on for ever. But this time I am only going to write about a couple of the Colorado craft beers.

Not too long ago I was at a ski resort still in operation. I'm a very passionate snowboarder, so I ride from day number one, until A-Basin closes. And most of the time on my way back to Vail, I have to make a stop at the Backcountry Brewery in Frisco, to recharge after a long day of adventure in the mountains. If you walk in the restaurant up the stairs, on your left, you'll see their boilers and fermenting tanks. You would be really impressed how small the operation actually is. They always have a Porter, IPA, Amber, Wheat, a specialty beer for each season and a Pilsner (Ptarmigan) on tap. The pilsner is my favorite for this time of year; it has a very light hop aroma, smooth malt flavor and a very crisp and clean finish. Their brews are around 5 to 6% alcohol, but they all taste fresh and full of flavor. So if you're passing by the area, is not a bad idea to stop on Main Street, Frisco to locate the Brewery and get a hamburger or ribs and a Porter (Peak One) to pair it with. They use 6 different malts and 2 varieties of hops to create this creamy, dark and toasty brew.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Fort Collins and on my way back to the mountains. I made a stop in Longmont to visit Nick at Oskar Blues Brewery for a quick tour. These guys really know how to make good and consistent beers. The most particular thing about them is that they began using cans before any other microbrewery in the U.S. by making their hoppy and award winning Dale's Pale in cans in 2002. Their original location was in Lyons before they expanded to a bigger facility in Longmont. Their Lager style beer or Pilsner as they like to call it, Mama's Little Yella Pils, is made with 100% pale malt, German specialty malts and Bavarian hops. It is a beer with full structure and flavor, refreshing, smooth and has a very gentle bitter end. It is exceptional and unlike other mass market Pilsners, this brew is not diluted with corn and rice. It is by far my favorite pick for the summer. And, the fact that cans are a superior container than glass bottles is a plus because these are completely sealed and they are not exposed to oxygen or light. This keeps the beer fresher until you pour it into your favorite glass. Also, cans are welcome everywhere like the pool, hot tub and all over outdoors. They are easier and lighter to travel with. These are a few reasons why Oskar Blues is one of my favorite breweries. It's meant to be here in Colorado.

Beer is our gift from above to enjoy in our lives and nature as well. Drink responsibly and have a great summer.

By Felipe Cueto, West Vail Liquor Mart

It seems that just a year ago, no one would even recognize “Sweet Tea Vodka.” Now it is in every liquor store and bar across the country. What is it? Where is it from? What do you do with it? These are all questions a consumer would ask about something that is so new and so completely unique.
Let's start with where it is from. Because it claims to be the original, I would like to take the story from the guys who started Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. Anyone from the South can remember drinking plain old sweet tea in the summer, the very hot and humid summer, that is. Firefly started on South Carolina's Wadmalaw Island. A man by the name of Jim Irvin moved there in 2000 and planted a bunch of Muscadine grapes and started to produce his own wine. While selling this wine he ran into a liquor distributer Scott Newitt. Newitt was impressed with his wine and suggested the idea of starting to distill spirits.
What is it? Firefly is vodka distilled four times and infused with tea grown on a plantation four miles away. It uses no artificial flavoring. It is essentially tea infused vodka. It is then combined with Louisiana sugar cane keeping true to its Southern mentality. It essentially tastes very similar to non-alcoholic sweet tea, but it has alcohol. Now they offer an array of other flavors including raspberry and mint. It is a wonderfully refreshing summer spirit.
What do you do with it? First and foremost, you can sip it on the rocks with lemon. It is vodka, so remember that it still does pack a punch. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in an “Arnold Palmer.” Mix equal parts Sweet Tea Vodka and lemonade over ice for a great summer drink. You can also go to the Firefly website and find a recipe list of ideas.
From great food to great music, the South has always created great things that Americans can truly call our own. Here is another one. Sweet Tea has blown up across the country simply because it tastes really good. It is a comfort drink. It is a drink from our childhood, with an adult twist.
Enjoy!

By Nick Agnew of West Vail Liquor Mart

There's a new brew in town, and, considering the amount of beer that is produced in Colorado, it's very unique. Colorado is known as one of the biggest producers of craft beer in the nation. But of all those craft beers, none can lay claim to being completely comprised of Colorado ingredients, until now. Colorado Native is a new product from the A.C. Golden Brewery, a small brewery located within the Coors complex in Golden. Most everything from the water and barley to the glass and cardboard comes from Colorado (less than 2% of the package is comprised of non-native hops.) The Moravian two row barley is grown in the fertile San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, as are most of the hops (Chinook, Centennial and Cascade.) Other finishing hops are grown and hand picked on the western slope. The water comes from Clear Creek near Golden. Even the yeast is an American descendent of a Tuborg style strain that was introduced to Colorado in the 1930's, making it the oldest known strain of brewing yeast in the state.

Colorado Native is an amber colored lager that strikes a nice balance between lighter mass produced beers and the bold microbrews that Colorado is known for. It's not too hoppy (26 I.B.U.'s, a relatively low number on the bitterness scale) and offers a mild amount of roasted malt. The beer pours with a nice foamy white head, and goes down smoothly, with just a hint of citrus in the finish. Colorado Native comes in at 5.5% alcohol by volume, a bit stronger than the mass produced stuff, but not nearly as strong as many of the other microbrews in the state. The fact that the ingredients come from Colorado, and the beer is only sold in Colorado means that there are not a lot of transportation costs involved in producing and distributing the beer, giving it a small carbon footprint. A.C. Golden also donates a portion of the proceeds to charity. This is a beer that Coloradans can be proud of. So the next time you have a hankering for a true Colorado beer that is both flavorful and refreshing, try a Colorado Native.

By Chip Bartsch, Beer Buyer

West Vail Liquor Mart provides their expertise in planning and beverage selection for specials events and weddings.

Planning: Let us help you with a recommended mix of beer, wine and liquor. We'll discuss your guests, menu, hours, theme and special requests.

Other items: We can also provide ice, mix, soda, bottled water, lemons, limes, keg taps, keg tubs and more.

Venues: Donovan Pavilion, Eagle-Vail Pavilion and Lazy J Ranch allow you to purchase your beverages and spirits from West Vail Liquor Mart. This will save you considerable dollars over hotel and restaurant liquor prices.

Delivery: We offer free delivery to private residences and venues. Your beverages will be delivered at your preferred time. Cold items will be cold so they will be ready to serve.

Returns: We will accept any returned beverages purchased at West Vail Liquor Mart within 4 days of your special event. The items must be unopened and resellable.

Let us help make your next event special and memorable!

For more information on planning your next event, contact Laurie Mullen at 970-476-2675 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is organic wine?
Organic winemakers don't use chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the grapevine is forced to develop a more extensive root system in search of nutrients. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the root system, the more flavorful the grape.

Certified Organic:
The wine adheres to national standards, certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA.

Organically Grown: The grapes were grown organically.

Biodynamic: A nature-attuned agricultural method that predates the organic movement by several decades. Increasingly popular for growing grapes.

Sustainable Agriculture:
Another way of saying that nothing is wasted in the process. Byproducts are used as compost.

Some of our favorite organic wines at West Vail Liquor Mart:

Our Daily Red $9.99
Santa Julia Malbec $9.99
Luzon Verde $10.99
Cono Sur Cab/Carmenere $11.99
Cono Sur Pinot Noir $11.99
Lady Bug Red $12.99
Korbel Sparkling Organic $17.99
Bonterra Wines-all varietals $17.99
Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc $22.99
Frog's Leap Chardonnay $29.99

Laurie at West Vail Liquor Mart

St. Germain Liqueur
Product of France
750 ml bottle
$39.99 at West Vail Liquor Mart

St. Germain is a very unique liqueur hailing from France. The star of this amazing, all natural liqueur is the 100% fresh handpicked elderflowers. They are harvested only once a year and rode by bicycle in rural France to be processed. A special press was created so the sweetness of the elderflower could be preserved.

The beautiful belle époque bottle is reason enough to buy this liqueur simply to display on your bar. After you get past the vanity of the bottle alone, you can acknowledge its sweet, lemon aroma and honeyed pear flavor.

St. Germain will impress the most discriminating of guests. Imagine offering cocktails such as a Pear Tree Martini, Sangria Flora or La Rosette. The beauty of St. Germain is that you can serve it on the rocks or pair it with a variety of spirits to create new and interesting cocktails.

La Rosette is a cocktail of a ½ part St. Germain and topped with sparkling wine. Add a strawberry or raspberry garnish and you have a lovely cocktail for a special day or any day!

Marissa at West Vail Liquor Mart

Lost Abbey “Angel’s Share” – Port Brewery, San Marcos, CA
12.7 ounce bottle - 11.5 ABV
$19.99 at West Vail Liquor Mart

Lost Abbey’s “Angel’s Share” is a rare treat! This special release is brewed once a year and is aged for 9 months in oak barrels that had been previously used to age whiskey. The result is apparent from the time you pop the cork. The aroma of oak and whiskey accompany the barleywine scent, allowing your nose to prepare your palate for the delicious flavor to come. The ale pours smooth and dark with little head. The dark caramel malt in the ale gives it a rich deep brown, almost black color. It is a sweet ale with a good kick at 11.5 alcohol by volume. The ale is best enjoyed slowly as it warms and opens is subtle notes of vanilla and caramel. “Angel’s Share” is a term used by whiskey distillers, and refers to the portion of whiskey that evaporates into the barrel during the aging process. Fortunately, the brewers from the Lost Abbey have found a way to recoup a bit of the “Angel’s Share” for us mere mortals! This very limited release is available while it lasts!

West Vail Liquor Mart's Thanksgiving wine suggestions to complement your special dinner.

Pinot Noir: A traditional favorite and pairs nicely with most flavors.
- Beaune Clos de la Mousse $59.99
- Migration $39.99
- La Crema $24.99
- Lockwood $14.99
- Mark West $11.99

Syrah/Shiraz: This red easily pairs with the flavors of the holiday meal and adds intensity and peppery notes.
- Truchard $29.99
- Milbrandt Syrah $21.99
- Liberty School $14.99
- Lockwood $9.99

Zinfandel: A heartier red with deeper flavors that works well with turkey and side dishes.
- Seghesio Sonoma Zin $22.99
- Cline Ancient Vines $15.99
- Gnarly Head Old Vine $12.99

Pinot Grigio: A light, crisp white wine known for its delicate flavors. It works well with the heavy, buttery flavors.
- Etude $24.99
- Santa Margherita $26.99
- Van Duzer $17.99

Chardonnay: A perennial favorite with many meals. Can be crisp and acidic or buttery and creamy.
- Kistler $79.99
- Newton $24.99
- Beringer $15.99
- Milbrandt $12.99
- Lockwood $8.99

Riesling: This wine can be moderately sweet or bone dry. Great with any dish that has a little spice.
- Joh. Jos. Prum Spatlese $34.99
- Von Kesselstatt Riesling $17.99
- Detonation $14.99

Gewurztraminer: A white wine that can be dry or sweet. It pairs nicely with flavorful side dishes and also desserts.
- Trimbach $24.99
- Fetzer $13.99
- Kenwood $12.99

Champagne & Sparkling: A bubbly sparkling wine that works well as a starter or with dessert. Pairs easily with most foods.
- Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut $49.99
- Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee $34.99
- Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir or Brut $19.99
- Domaine Ste. Michelle $12.99

Dessert wines: A special offering after a big meal or in place of dessert. Also a nice gift for the chef.
- Grgich Hills Violetta $44.99
- Loosen Erdener Auslese $35.99
- Arrowood Late Harvest White Riesling $17.99

Visit West Vail Liquor Mart at www.westvail.com or 970-476-2675 or 2151 N. Frontage Road, Vail CO

Here is a great recipe for the Thanksgiving holiday for those of us who love to cook with spirits and wine, and sometimes even use it in the food. Grilled Honey Bourbon Turkey is the name of the recipe.

Start with a 6 lbs. turkey breast -- whole

Marinade:

1 cup bourbon, any brand will do, just pick your flavor

3/4 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup dry sherry

1/3 cup soy sauce

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary - chopped

black pepper to taste

Glaze:

3/4 cup bourbon

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Place turkey in large bowl or ziplock bag.

Stir together marinade ingredients and pour over turkey. Marinate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in a refrigerator. Remove turkey from marinate and grill, about 12 mins. per pound. Stir together glaze ingredients in large bowl. Brush glaze onto turkey about 40 mins. after you put it on the grill and again when the turkey is removed from the grill. Slice the bird up and serve on a platter. Enjoy!

Strappy Van Winkle

After a recent visit to several wineries in Chile and Argentina I was left with several indelible impressions. In both countries, there is a long and rich history of grape growing and winemaking relative to "New World" viticulture. Many wineries were started in the late 1800's to early 1900's and continue to thrive in todays market. Both Chile and Argentina have recently embraced modern winemaking and farming techniques as well as new exciting varietals that will complement each countries diverse and exceptional gastronomy. Pairing the wines with regional cuisine is at the forefront of all the winemakers and vineyard managers we spoke with. It was also refreshing to hear how passionately almost everyone involved in the wine business, from export managers, marketers, vineyard managers and winemakers are looking for ways to protect and preserve the environment. From environmentally freindly packaging to organic farming methods to buying carbon credits many wineries are at the forefront of "green business" practices. While the flavor profiles of the wines from Chile and Argentina are quite different; with the diversity of varietals and prices there is truly something for every wine drinker.
Please come in to The West Vail Liquor Mart and let our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff help you experience our expanded and ever evolving South American wine portfolio.

An original South American sailor's drink! You may be thinking rum, but I'm talking pisco. Pisco is a spirit distilled from partially fermented grapes. It's origin is disputed but can come from Chile and Peru.
Peru claims that historically they were the first to produce the spirit. When in the port town of Pisco, Viceroyalty of Spain, the wine makers selected their grapes, much of the leftovers were sold and then distilled into a high alcohol liquor. It started to attract a following of sailors who favored the rich flavors and its ability to "affect" them. With the growth of trade from Peru, its popularity rivaled that of wine. Many barrels of Pisco were consumed in other colonies and even San Francisco during the Gold Rush years. People could purchase it at relatively low prices and it was always around. Peru has continued to produce pisco, but its demand fell off when rum became readily available.
Chile is the other major producer of pisco. Early Chilean pisco was produced in a town named La Greda. The town's name was changed to Pisco Elqui in 1936 to reinforce Chile's right to the name of the spirit.
Some major differences between Peruvian and Chilean pisco are the grapes used and the aging process. Peru mostly uses a grape named Quebranta. It is a black grape imported from Spain to make wine but over time adapted into grape which could grow easier and more plentiful in Peru's climate. Chile mostly uses the Muscat grape and Muscat derived varietals. In Peru the distilled product must be aged a minimum of three months in a vessel which does not change the makeup of the spirit, like glass or stainless steel. Chilean pisco is aged in Oak casks, imparting the flavors of the wood into the liquor. The finished products are very different. Chilean pisco has a yellow color depending on the length of aging, whereas pisco from Peru is clear and colorless.
Many different styles of pisco are also produced. Peru has pure pisco, made from only one type of grape, mainly Quebranta and should be drunk by itself. Its aromatic style is made from Muscat grapes and again uses only one variety. Mosto Verde is made from the partially fermented must of the grape and has a strong flavor and fruity aroma. This type is mostly found in high income areas. The fourth type from Peru is called Acholado and is made from a blend of several grape varieties.
Chilean pisco also has classifications. The spirit must be distilled from only the Muscat, Torontel and Pedro Jiminez grapes. The quantities of each is not of concern, just the type of grapes. There are also four types, depending on alcohol content. It starts with Regular, the lowest content, gets higher with Special and Reserve, and finishes with the highest abv%, called Great.
The world famous pisco sour can be made from any of these types, from either country. Its ingerdients are as follows

Pisco Sour:
3 part Pisco
1 part lemon juice
1 part simple syrup
1 white of an egg

Shake the ingredients together rigorously, then strain into a glass. When the frothy egg white has formed a nice head add a few dashes of aromatic bitters.

DR

West Vail Liquor offers Capel pisco for $18.99 and Barsol Pisco (Acholado or Quebranta) for $26.99.

I recently traveled a little around central Europe and spent most of my time in the Czech Republic. The architecture and history in this Central European crossroad is almost surreal at times. By escaping most of the bombing during the World Wars, the Czech Republic was able to preserve their history, architecture and culture with out having to rebuild. The country itself is kind of split into two regions; Moravia and Bohemia. While their is quite a bit of wine production in Moravia, The Czech Republic is most famous for "Pilsner" Beer hailing from the Bohemian region, and more specifically the town of Plzen; or Pilsner.
Pilsner has kind of become the generic name for any bottom fermented beer. The people of Pilsner wanted to distinguish themselves from other Bottom fermenters, especially Bavarians (Southeastern Germany), so they renamed their beer in 1898 to Pilsner Urquell. Pilsner Urquell is probably the most recognizable brand exported from the Czech Republic now, and simply translates to "Pilsner from the original source." This brewery dates back to 1842 and can attribute its recipe to a brewer named Josef Groll. Its said that Groll acquired a strand of yeast from a runaway monk and the brewery can still trace their unique pilsner strand back to this period. The combination of this unique strand of yeast, Bohemian and Moravian Barley and noble hops from the Saaz region combine to make a truly delightful and refreshing beer.
Because this style of beer has gained so much popularity throughout the world, the original recipes and techniques have been repeatedly imitated, but to much disappointment not duplicated. Big commercial breweries have in my opinion butchered the true pilsner style lager and just used the name for marketing reasons. A perfect example is "Budweiser", which is one of the worlds most famous beers, the "Budweiser" name comes from the city of Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, which has its own original type of beer, also called "Budweiser." The Czech company has the rights to use this name in Europe, but Anheuser-Busch has continually tried to dominate the small Brewery through European Court Systems, and even tried to buy the brewery several times. The Company refuses to associate its name, and rightfully so. No offense, but Budweiser is far from an original pilsner style lager. This is a great example of how bigger corporations have to a certain extent tainted the cultural aspect of manufacturing high quality craft beer through less than authentic imitations and questionable marketing schemes.
Regardless, they are still making this unique and wonderful beer in the Czech Republic. Beer is a huge part of Czech culture and it shows through one of the highest beer consumption rates in the world. Beer is part of everyday life, so why put up with bad quality. Czech beer is made to be slowly savoured and relished, not just drank. Its unique flavor is a gift to us beer drinkers, so branch out and give a true original beer a try. We have Pilsner Urquell, Chechvar(or budvar in Czech), and Zatec all available at the West Vail Liquor Mart.

Enjoy,

Nick WVLM

Salads, cold soups (think gazpacho), and of course summer grilling are going to be favorite choices for under the umbrella nibbles this summer. Chances are, things are heating up in your neighborhood, and you may be wondering what to serve with your favorite summer menu items.

Summer is a great time to get out of your "old standbye" rut and branch out into the ubiquitous selection of lighter styled wines available. Just a few moments ago I tasted a delicious New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This would be a go to wine to to try with any type of raw bar sea foods. They are lively and crisp, and make a great summer white wine for sipping.

Are you standing around that grill waiting to get your chops into that rare burger or steak, but don't feel like a heavy red? This is the perfect time to try a glass of rose. The West Vail Liquor Mart has more than a dozen different rose wines from all over the world. They work great in the summer because they are considerably lighter than a Cabernet or Merlot, but still have lots of structure and will hold up to those red meat bbqs. They also tend to be very value priced. Rarely do you need to spend more than $20.00 to get outstanding quality. You can find many for around $10.00.

Earlier I mentioned gazpacho. I recently made some of this cool tomato based soup for some friends and found that a Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris hit the spot for this course. They are both lively, light and bit on the delicate side. If you want to ad a little zip to this dish ad a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. As a bonus, Pinot Grigio is a great opener for your summer dinner parties or bbqs and if you want it to it will take you through the evening.

Stay Cool and Cheers!
Tom Mullen
Ps, that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was Oyster Bay.

There is so much to say about Pama Liqueur ($14.99). It is a super delicious and versatile pomegranate liqueur. Pair it with your favorite cocktail or just jazz up a glass of champagne and your taste buds will come to life. You can even add it to your favorite sake. If you are feeling bored and want some excitement, this is the liqueur for you. Pama is sweet yet tart and invites the creative drinker to take a step out of the box. Pama is a mixture of all natural pomegranate juice, premium vodka and a touch of imported tequila. It is the worlds first true pomegranate liqueur and the possibilities are endless. Try some of the recipies at www.pamaliqueur.com which include some of the following.

Pama Mojito

1oz Pama
1oz Whie Rum
½ oz lime juice
Club soda
2 tbsp raw sugar
6-12 mint leaves
Pomegranate seeds

Pama Margarita

2 ½ oz Pama
1oz Reposado Tequila
½ oz triple sec
Splash of lime juice
Splash of simple syrup


Pama Mimosa

3oz Pama
1oz Champagne or Sparkling wine

Marissa, West Vail Liquor Mart

Working at the West Vail Liquor Mart, I've noticed that sparkling wines are usually bought by customers for special occasions, like bachelors parties, birthdays, New Years and, of course, the 4th of July.
Served at the right temperature they're so refreshing and crisp, perfumed and I especially love the green apple notes and limes in the dry ones with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Champagne, like Cava and Prosecco, are called "sparkling wines" because of their effervescence, or carbonation which is allowed inside the bottle during the secondary fermentation of making this wines (traditional methode classique), giving that bubbly look in the glass and that sparkling sensation in the mouth. These wines must be aged for 18 to 24 months minimum, before you can see them on the shelves. And most should be consumed within 3 years of their vintage.
Now the difference between Champagne, Cava and Prosecco is their denomination; French, Spainish and Italian respectively.
They also come in different degrees of sweetness, like Champagne:
-Extra Brut (the driest or more acidic)
-Brut
-Extra dry
-Dry (or Seco)
-Semi Dry (Semi-Seco)
-Sweet (Dulce)
Spumante, Italian term for sparkling and Cava or Vino Espumoso in Spain, are usually both made by the Cuve Close, carbonation method. The still wine is pumped into large tanks, yeast and sugar is added, and temperature is controlled to aid the secondary fermentation. This process is much quicker and cheaper than the Champagne method (traditional methode classique), making these a great deal for an economic decision.
I believe that sparkling wines make a great drink for summer and all the year round. I usually bring a bottle of Prosecco or Cava, when I go out camping, doing some relaxation in the hot tub or simply after barbequing with friends and the loved ones. I just love that feeling of bubbles, the citruses and fruitiness. They're always a success.

How many ways can you say delicious? I know of one way and it has the word Scrumpy in it. J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider ($7.99 for 22oz) is not like any other cider on the market or in the world for that matter. Other ciders can have a bitter and even metallic taste. J.K.'s Scrumpy is an all natural certified organic cider that really tastes like a sweet red apple juice. J.K.'s Scrumpy comes from a family owned farm in Flushing, Michigan. The first batch was bottled back in the 1850's. Not much has changed in the process. No insecticides are used on the farm orchard. In fact, large guinea fowl wander around the farm and eat the bugs, and Berkshire pigs wander the orchard and eat the fallen apples. Some say this is costly and not time efficient, but then again, no cider in the world can compare. Once harvested, the organic apples are pressed and allowed to ferment for up to six months. Then, they painstakingly hand label and fill the bottles which are left for several weeks to bottle condition. Apple juice and yeast, that's all that goes into this amazing cider. You'll find no artificial flavors, colors, sulfites, or any other kind of preservative in J.K.'s Scrumpy Cider. Where can you find something of this quality and tradition anymore? It's not hard. You can find this great product at the West Vail Liquor Mart. Grab one up, or two, or three.....
$7.99

Mulled Cider
-one bottle of J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider
-one cinnamon stick
-small amount of grated nutmeg
-tablespoon of orange or lemon zest(your preference)
Slowly warm the cider and other ingredients in a saucepan. Do not exceed 155 F. Do not boil!!! Enjoy in a mug. Cheers!

Chris Kormanicki
Manager/Beer Buyer

What can you say about Leopold Brothers Distillery except amazing! When I first heard about these guys and their infused whiskeys I thought, great some more foofy crap aimed at highschool kids. Boy was I wrong! Tom Leopold is the master distiller who handcrafts each and every one of the unique liquors that Leopold Brothers offer. The first one I tried was the blackberry flavored whiskey ($34.99 750ml). I was surprised at the how pronounced the blackberries tasted upfront with the whiskey kicking in pleasantly afterwards. The apple flavored had much the same effect. It was like drinking whiskey flavored apple pie. These whiskeys don't need any kind of mixer except saliva, but one or two ice cubes in a rocks glass isn't a bad idea. They also produce a rocky mountain peach whiskey and a Georgia peach whiskey, unfortunately I have not tried this as of yet, but I will as soon as I get the chance. They didn't stop with just whiskey though. They also distill absinthe(yes the real kind, $71.99 750ml), gin, vodka, dark rum, and a plethora of liquers (cherry, apple, herbal $21.49 375ml). Anyone interested in these awesome Colorado products should check out their website www.leopoldbros.com for the whole rundown of liquors and the story behind them. It's very interesting!

Matt, West Vail Liquor Mart

Great Divide Brewing in my opinion is one of the best beer maker's in the country right now. They are located very close to the baseball stadium in Denver. Over the last couple of years they have been succesfully experimenting with many different specialty beers. One of these is the newly released 15th Anniversary Wood-Aged Double IPA ($9.49 22oz). I think it's the beer of the year so far. It has a dark color for an IPA, but is still smooth and crisp enough to be enjoyed on a hot summer day. The 10% ABV gives it a nice kick as well. On the lighter end of Great Divide's delicious beers is their Belgica ($9.99 6pk), a Belgian style IPA. Unlike some other breweries that claim "Belgian-style" this beer actually lives up to it's namesake. Belgica has a very floral aroma and a glorious hop taste that will get your tastebuds going. It can be paired with an endless amount of foods including all sorts of backyard barbeque and fishes. I highly reccomend picking up these tasty beverages the next time you're shopping for something new! Check out the Great Divide website www.greatdivide.com or more info about all their beers.

All Boulevard beers begin with specially selected, carefully inspected ingredients. Their brewing process is designed to maximize flavor, from the brew house to the bottle. Every step along the way is evaluated for its contribution to flavor and quality.
At Boulevard, they employ a time-honored technique known as bottle conditioning to help their beers taste fresher longer. The master brewer, ferments, and filters the beer as usual, then a small amount of yeast is added to the beer just before bottling. The packaged beer is transferred to their temperature-controlled warehouse, where it is held for two weeks to allow a secondary fermentation to take place in the bottle. This secondary fermentation consumes much of the residual oxygen, greatly enhancing the stability and longevity of the beer, and producing a remarkable and otherwise unattainable depth of flavor.

The latest addition to the Boulevard family of beers, Single-Wide I.P.A. is Blvds. take on a style that originated in the 18th century Great Britain. This American version boasts a heady combination of six varieties of hops, some of which were employed for dry-hopping.

STYLE: India Pale Ale $8.99

SENSORY DESCRIPTION: Slightly hazy, golden bronze in appearance. Aroma is flowery, with hints of citrus and fresh mown hay. Assertive hop signature, yet well balanced with a crisp, dry finish.

INGREDIENTS: Pale malt, caramel malt & malted wheat. Magnum, Columbus, Summit, Cascade, Centennial & Pallisade hops.

ALCOHOL: 4.6% by weight, 5.7% by volume

PAIRINGS: Strong, spicy food (a classic with curry!); bold, sweet desserts like carrot cake. Milder blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola or Cambozola.

Boulevard's summer seasonal is our interpretation of a classic Belgian witbier. ZON (Flemish for "sun") combines the subtle flavors of coriander and orange peel with other traditional ingredients to create a delightful, refreshing summertime brew.

STYLE: Belgian-style Witbier $7.49

SENSORY DESCRIPTION: Delicate foods work best so as to not overpower yeast characteristics. Flavor hooks: fruit, orange

INGREDIENTS: Pale malt, unmalted soft red winter wheat & malted white wheat. Magnum and Simcoe hops

ALCOHOL: 3.5% by weight, 4.4% by volume

PAIRINGS: Light salads, delicate soup or pasta, lobster or crab, egg dishes, lighter cheeses such as Mozzarella, fruity desserts

With the current global economic situation, many wine consumers have now branched out from their usual wine regions and gone searching for new wines that can be considered more of a "value". Consumers often make the mistake of assuming that the lower priced wines lack in quality. Many buyers making this assumption should try some of the wines being produced in South America. Producers in both Chile and Argentina are making very quality wines for very reasonable prices. One Chilean producer, Concha y Toro, produce a line of wines named Casillero Del Diablo, or Celler of the Devil en Ingles. This name was given to the cellar that held these wines by Don Melchor, the founder of Concha y Toro. He gave this name to the cellar to discourage his vineyard workers from sampling to much of the wine being held there. Today these wines are growing in popularity because of their affordable cost and high quality.
Being that Cabernet Sauvignon is the most famous red grape being produced in Chile, we will discuss Casillero del Diablo's Cabernet first. The grapes for this Cab are sourced from the Maipo growing region in Chile. It has a dark, deep red color accompanied by flavors of ripe cherry, black currant, vanilla and toasted oak. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Carmenere. 70% is aged in American oak for 6-8 months. A classic Chilean Cabernet!
Some of you may be wondering, What is Carmenere? Carmenere is another red Bordeaux varietal being produced in Chile. Like Malbec in Argentina, Carmenere in Chile is becoming a unique wine on its own. Originally thought of as more of a blending grape, Carmenere has now become a flagship varietal for Chile and its unique flavors a favorite among the Chilean consumers. Diablo's Carmenere is from the Rapel Valley in Chile and is comprised of 85% Carmenere, 10% Cab. Sauv., and 5% Syrah. Black fruit, chocolate and coffee are present on the palate as well as firm tannins making a very well balanced wine. 70% is aged in American Oak for 6-8 months.
Being a generally Bordeaux producing country, the line would not be complete without Merlot. Diablo's Merlot is from the Central Valley and is made up of 90% Merlot and 10% Carmenere. Fruity taste but full bodied; well structerd with notes of chocolate and herbs. 70% is aged in American Oak for 6-8 months as well.
The last red in the line is the Pinot Noir, the only non Bordeaux Varietal featured. This Pinot is fruit forward, but balanced as well. A real surprise in the ever increasing prices of the Pinot Noir market. If you are looking for cheap, good Pinot, do not overlook this wine!
The two white varietals featured will be the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Both are100% of the varietals. Chile is known for its red wine, but now has been producing some very high quality whites that are quickly gaining recognition worldwide. Give these a try being that summer is near and the prices of these wines are only going up with the notoriety they are receiving.
The Casillero Del Diablo wines will be featured during the month of April at West Vail Liquor Mart. Give these wines a chance, and if you have any questions about them or any other wines, any staff member is more than willing to share their knowledge with you. It is our goal to find a wine that you enjoy!

Nick Agnew
West Vail Liquor Mart

West Vail Liquor Mart presents Great Divide Brewery for March's beer of the month! Great Divide Brewery has a beer to please every palate, and West Vail Liquor Mart has a price to please every budget. From the classic pale ale to your Scottish inspired ales, Great Divide knows how to brew it.
First on the list is the Great Divide Denver Pale Ale. This is your classic pale ale beer with a hint of malt in the body and a complex hop aroma. This beer has both a bitter hop finish and distinct flavor. The Denver Pale Ale pairs great with burgers and lamb, or pastas with rich hearty sauces. $7.49
The next gem to come from the Great Divide Brewery is called the Titan India Pale Ale. This beer is hopped to the max. The hop flavor bursts with pine tree aromas and citrus zest. The finish provides a lingering hop bite with malty rich sweetness. Pair with grilled fish or a cheese and cracker plate. $7.49
For those of us who love an easy drinking ale after a long day on the hill, a Samuri has your name on it. Samuri ale is an unfiltered ale brewed with the addition of rice. This lends to a frutiy, clean and crisp tasting beer that is the definition of refreshing. Pair with seared fish, sake, and blue cheeses. $7.49
If your looking for a Belgian style beer, look no further than Hades from Great Divide. This Belgian style ale is comprised of a rare yeast strain that gives this ale a complex aroma and hearty flavors of spice. This Belgian has a medium body with a fresh balanced finish. A perfect pair with shellfish, hard meats and cheese. $8.49
To round out the table, Great Divide has come out with a seasonal beer called, Claymore Scotch Ale. Named after a medieval Scottish sword, Claymore ale is a tribute to the "Wee Heavy" beers of Scotland. This beer has a lot of warming characters. Sporting a dark ruby tint, this beer starts with a mouthful of caramel malt and a slight hint of hops, and finishes with the pride of Scotland in the back of your throat. Enjoy this brew with roasted measts and smoked fish. $8.49
Can't decide which flavor to endulge yourself with? Then try the Great Divide Sampler 12 pack which includes four different styles of beers. Your sure to find a favorite! $13.99

Chris Kormanicki
West Vail Liquor
Manager/Beer Buyer

WINE NEEDS TO BREATHE
Wine which has been allowed to breathe tastes better. As wine breathes, it opens up, and releases its intended aromas and flavors. Traditionally, decanters were used to aerate wine. However, decanting is time consuming, cumbersome, and inconvenient.
Vinturi's patent pending design speeds up this process with ease and convenience. Perfect aeration in the time it takes to pour a glass.

ALL THE TASTE WITH NONE OF THE WAIT
Simply hold Vinturi over a glass and pour wine through. Vinturi draws in and mixes the proper amount of air for the right amount of time, allowing your wine to breathe instantly. You'll notice a better bouquet, enhanced flavors and smoother finish. It's that fast. It's that easy.

Pick up the Vinturi wine aerator at the West Vail Liquor Mart. One cool gadget to impress your friends. You can purchase this high-tech piece for $32.99 at West Vail Liquor Mart.

History
The country has a long viticultural history for a New World wine region dating to the middle of the 16th century (around 1554) when the Spanish conquistadors and missionaries brought with them vines, supplying the missions and the thirsty local population with wine. In the mid-18th century, Chilean wine took a leap forward when French vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were introduced to the region, largely replacing the inferior existing grapes. The new grapes thrived, and after the root louse phylloxera struck French vineyards later in the century, many French winemakers chose to relocate to Chile.

Climate and geography
Chile is a long, narrow country that is geographically and climatically dominated by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chile's vineyards are found along an 800 mile stretch of land from Atacama Region to the Bio-Bio region in the south. The climate is varied with the northern regions being very hot and dry compared to the cooler, wetter regions in the south.
In the Valle Central, around Santiago, the climate is dry with an average of 15 inches of rain and little risk of springtime frost. The close proximately to the dry Andes help create a wide diurnal temperature variation between day and nighttime temperatures. This cool drop in temperature is vital in maintaining the grape's acidity levels. Most of Chile's premium wine regions are dependent on irrigation to sustain vineyards, getting the necessary water from melting snow caps in the Andes Range. Casablanca Valley, which is a few miles west from Santiago to the coast, is one of Chile's cooler wine region and is often compared to the Californian region of Carneros and grows similar grape varietals like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Casablanca's growing seasons last up to a month longer than other regions, typically harvesting in April. This is rugged coastal country along the Pacific Ocean, where crisp coastal breezes hold back the rising heat of summer days. Grapes relax in the cooler temperature of the Casablanca Valley, and the longer growing season yields bright, full-flavored grapes with a healthy dose of food friendly acidity.

About the Grapes
In the late 20th century as Chilean wines became more popular, wine tasters around the world began to doubt the authenticity of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines lack many of the characteristics and typicity of those grapes. Ampelographers began to study the vines and found that what was considered Merlot was actually the ancient Bordeaux wine grape Carmenere that was thought to be extinct. The Sauvignon Blanc vines were found to actually be Sauvignonasse, also known as Sauvignon Vert, or a mutated Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Cross. In response to these discoveries several Chilean wineries began to import true Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc cuttings to where most bottle of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from vintages in the 21st century are very likely to truly be those varieties. Today, reversing many decades of isolationism, about 75 percent of Chile's wine is exported, much of it to the United States.

Felipe Cueto, West Vail Liquor Mart

In 2007, John Cooper revived the name and idea by producing a new ginger liqueur called Canton Ginger & Cognac Liqueur. Canton Ginger Liqueur follows a new recipe and is produced in Jarnac, France. The new formula is 28 percent alcohol (56 proof), is golden in color, and is packaged in a bamboo-shaped bottle. It contains syrup made from crystallized Vietnamese baby ginger, XO Grand Champagne and VSOP cognacs, orange blossom honey from Provence, and vanilla.

Canton Ginger & Cognac Liqueur was released in New York City in August 2007. By 2008 the name of the liqueur had changed once again, to Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur.

The liqueur won Double Gold Medal (Best of Show) in the herbal/botanical liqueur category at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It won Best of Show in the 2007-2008 World Beverage Competition.

Oprah Magazine, December 2008
As refreshing on the rocks as in cocktails, Domaine de Canton Liqueur has an unexpectedly vibrant ginger flavor. It's made with Vietnamese baby ginger and cognac, and comes in a bottle that looks like an architectural masterpiece.

New York Post, September 2007
What's remarkable about Canton is that it's almost impossible to turn it into something that doesn't taste wonderful.

Available at the West Vail Liquor Mart
$34.99 per 750ml bottle

www.domainedecanton.com for more info and recipes.

Laurie Mullen

Dan Brewster, Wine Buyer