Drink Colorado wine

You may have stumbled upon Derek Chandler ‘s food and wine blog, Joieduvivre.com. It’s one of those great resources that showcases great recipes paired with fantastic wines – many Colorado wines too. But Chandler is just a blogger by hobby. By day, he’s in the information, technology and finance business. It doesn't exactly excite his olfactory and tasting senses.

His love is food and wine. Hence the blog. Over the years Chandler's also worked in restaurants, even recently helping a friend expand a Spanish tapas and wine bar outside of Guadalajara. He’s a certified sommelier and a damn fine cook, even if he’s quick to point out that he’s not a “chef.”

Chandler is also a devoted volunteer with the Rocky Mountain MS Center Young Professionals Network, serving as an event coordinator, which is why I caught up with him recently. The Rocky Mountain MS Center is holding its third annual Charity Wine Tasting July 17 at Colorado Winery Row (ColoradoWino.com is serving as a media sponsor).

The event will feature a silent auction, food and the ability to taste 40 wines from Garfield Estates, Bonacquisti Wine Co., Verso Cellars and Cottonwood Cellars.

Jacob Harkins: You seem to do a pretty good job in specializing in food and wine pairings. So, what's your favorite Colorado wine to pair? And what dish or dishes do you pair it to?
Derek Chandler: I make a really good Alsatian dish called Chicken in Riesling. I love to use Evergreen’s Creekside Cellars Riesling as an ingredient in the dish. The Riesling is off-dry and not too sweet.  It is also great to drink while enjoying the meal.

JH: Any tips to a novice in trying to pair food and wine?
DC: Trust your pallet and experiment. Wine should complement food. If you are cooking with wine, the wine you use with the dish usually pairs well with the dish. Some say, simple wines with complex foods, and complex wines with simple foods. Red wines don’t always go with red meat.

JH: Your thoughts on Colorado wine. Be honest...
DC: I think Colorado wine has come a long way in the past 10 years. I have to admit, I did not like a majority of Colorado wines in the past.  However, now that is a different story. Colorado produces some very good quality grapes.  The industry is beginning to attract excellent winemaking professionals.  I am very optimistic that Colorado wines will compete evenly with New World and Old World wines in the near future.

JH: Do you have a favorite bottle or producer?
DC: I enjoy many different wines from Colorado.  I guess it depends on what I am eating with the wine.  However if I had to single one out, I do enjoy Alfred Eames Cellars wines from Paonia in the West Elks AVA.  Specifically, the 2007 Alfred Eames Collage (cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot blend). Ed: Agreed on that wine selection!

JH: Now, you also work in helping the Rocky Mountain MS raise money through events with the young professionals unit. What got you involved with them?
DC: A friend and former co-worker introduced me to the Rocky Mountain MS Center Young Professionals Network.  I am involved with the MS Center because I support its mission to improve the lives of people with MS and their families through care, support, education and research. I know many people that have MS.  Supporting them and others with MS is very important to me. According to the MS Center, the incidence of MS is higher north of the 38th parallel. In Colorado, they estimate that one in 580 people have MS. Colorado has always been thought to have an extremely high incidence of MS, perhaps because the 40th parallel runs through Boulder.

JH: Why did you guys choose Colorado Winery Row to host the event this year?
DC: Colorado Winery Row contains four plus winery tasting rooms. These wineries are a great cross section of the Colorado wine industry.  The wineries represented each produce many varietals of award-winning wine. Colorado Winery Row provides the guests quality local wine in a comfortable atmosphere.

JH: Any fundraising goals through tickets and auction?
DC: We would like to raise around $3,000 net to be provided to the Rocky Mountain MS Center.

JH: Wine plus auctions must equal good things for a nonprofit. How many glasses of wine should someone drink before starting to bid on the silent auction? Ballpark...
DC: I would say at least two glasses of delicious Colorado wine would be preferable before bidding on an auction item.

For more:

Third annual Charity Wine Tasting, 5 p.m., July 17 at Colorado Winery Row, 46th and Pecos Street, Denver.  Hors D'Ouvres served.

Tickets: $30 per person, $50 per couple | Buy now

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed