Ciatano Winery February 2011 Newsletter
January 24, 2011
February 2011 Greetings and News
from Ciatano Winery at Rock n’ River Resort, Lyons, Colorado
In this month’s Newsletter:
News and Happenings at Ciatano Winery
Wine of the Month – Rosé Wines and Valentines
Concertos in Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Winter Wine, Spa and Stay Packages and Specials
Free wine tasting when you buy a 1 bottle or more
New resort amenities.
Last year saw big changes at Ciatano Winery and the Rock n’ River Resort, with a return to some of the resort amenities that were offered in the past. All through 2010 we went through a gradual refurbish of all the cabin rooms. Although a couple of rooms maintain in the rustic Colorado cabin style and benefiting from enhancements, many got total makeovers including a romantic European style room with a dual head shower installed. In addition, we now have a remote cottage to rent on the river at the back of our 18 acre site which sleeps 4-6 guests.
Trout fishing.
We brought back trout fishing in the summer months, which was a big hit with families and adults alike. Guests enjoyed fishing for trout and then having it cooked on the outdoor grill and served with a couple of sides for a nice impromptu picnic along with a glass of Ciatano Winery wine. It proved to be very popular and will return again in 2011 starting Memorial Day weekend, through Labor Day Weekend.
More places to relax.
Geralyn updated and added additional patio, deck furniture and comfy picnic chairs around the ponds, with some nice little romantic wicker chairs near the small waterfall and under the apple trees, to relax and enjoy the views. With the additional amenities, the spa for treatments and of course the wine tasting, we believe we have a great destination place for day trip visitors from around the metro Denver area and Front Range.
Our new Winter Wine Lounge.
This winter, we opened up the banquet room to create a Wine Lounge where visitors can come and sit, relax in front of a glowing fire and enjoy wine tasting, or a glass of wine. There are comfy couches and chairs, tables and views of the river and canyon from the picture window, providing a nice relaxing place to unwind after a day out.
Wine of the Month for February
Ciatano Winery 2008 Rosato – White Merlot
A romantic white wine, perfect for any season as a porch wine in summer or a splash of winter color for your Valentine.
How is a Rosato made?
Rosato, rosé or blush wines are actually made from red grape varietals and get their color in the same way red wines do–by putting the juice from the grapes in contact with the red skins during fermentation. The difference between the two, however, is that the contact is shorter for rosés. Another method, called “saignée” (or “bleeding”), removes some wine while it is going through a primary fermentation for reds. This makes the red wine redder, while retaining some wine at an early contact stage, while it is pink. This is the way that many white zinfandels are produced in the United States.
White Zinfandel and a Rosato – what is the difference?
To explain this simply, white Zinfandel wines are made from the red Zinfandel grape and were first made by Beringer Wines in California in the 1970’s. The US White Zin’s are traditionally sweet and light in alcoholic content. A European style rosé or Rosato is typically dry.
A Rosato or rosé can be made from most red grape varietals and can be made as sweet or dry as the vintner chooses to craft them.
Our 2008 Rosato is in fact a “white” Merlot, made by the first process described above in that Tim, our winemaker, only exposes the juice to skins for as little as 24-36 hours, whereas a fully exposed red wine would be left for several weeks. Ciatano Winery’s White Merlot is a dryer style rosé wine with delicate pink color, crisp and clean with subtle aromas of strawberry and cherry. Ciatano Winery’s Rosato is crafted from a red Merlot grape varietal grown in Palisades, Colorado on the sunny western slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Ciatano Winery Rosato is February Wine of the Month – the perfect romantic wine! To purchase, visit our tasting room at Ciatano Winery between 11am-5pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday or call 303 823.5011 to be delivered or buy directly online here.
For further reading on the history of rosé wines, please read this useful article here.
Valentine’s Day Wine and Chocolate Pairing Guide
If you are looking for delicious ways to enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day treat? How about a gift of decadent chocolate dipped fresh strawberries accompanied with a chilled bottle or glass of Ciatano Winery Rosato wine? Our Rosato, white merlot presents crisp delicate aromas of strawberry and cherry to provide a beautiful compliment to the creamy chocolate and fruity, delicious strawberries.
Warming Wines for Winter
Its cold out there and we all love warm soothing drinks. Try these recipes for a comforting warm, mulled wine:
Riesling and Rosemary Mulled Wine
This is a fabulous white mulled wine recipe perfect for a cold winter day. We suggest Ciatano Winery’s Riesling or Bianco Cambiani (Muscat/Chenin Blanc blend.) If you have a cold, this is a wonderful hot toddy that will certainly warm you through. This should work well as a warm aperitif to welcome guests or just put your feet up in front of a cozy fire. The quantities are for a group or party gathering for 10 – 15 people, but you can adjust the quantities for smaller numbers too. Serve with a cheese platter, prosciutto and foccachia. bread.
½ c water
½ c sugar
2 Tbsp rosemary
¼ cup honey
2 lemons
2 bottles Ciatano Winery Riesling or Bianco Cambiani
Simmer (but not boil) the water, sugar, rosemary, and honey for 10 minutes. Add in the wine. Peel the lemons and add in the peels. Let sit for about 10 more minutes to seep in the flavors, without boiling. Strain out the larger bits and serve warm.
Note: We served this as a welcome aperitif at one of our winter wine and food dinners. It was the perfect thing for our guests coming in from the cold snow.
Concertos in Chocolate and Wine – enjoy at our tasting room!
We carry delicious handmade chocolates at our Lyons tasting room from Concertos in Chocolate made locally in Boulder, Colorado. We have a smooth dark or milk chocolate bark with almonds, along with delicate milk chocolate covered cookies with creamy middles. Divine!
In my opinion, most red wines go with chocolate – but I love both so may I may be a little biased. However, after a totally non scientific taste testing, i.e., my humble opinion and those of some of our customers and friends, here’s our non objective results.
Sangiovese pairs wonderfully with chocolate cherry liqueurs. Sangiovese is a smooth, medium bodied Italian wine varietal with cherry aromas that balance well with chocolate. When you visit our winery and try a glass of our Pinot Noir with the Concertos in Chocolate dark chocolate almond bark, or cabernet Sauvignon or Franc with the milk chocolate. For a little indulgence sample Ciatano Winery’s Vino Rosso Cambiani / Merlot blend with a chocolate fondue fountain.
Winter Wine, Spa and Resort Specials
February Wine Specials
Syrah – $18.00 / bottle (regular price $22.00)
Bianco Cambiani (Chenin Blanc / Muscat blend) $18.00 / bottle (regular price $22.00)
Free Wine Tasting
For a limited time we are offering a tasting of five wines for free when you purchase a bottle of Ciatano wine at Ciatano Winery tasting room nr Lyons. Bring a friend and relax with a glass of wine or open a bottle in our new cozy wine lounge with comfy couches and chairs and a glowing fire.
Offer limited to one set of five wines tasted – one per visit, per bottle or purchase, per person.
The Riverside Retreat
A luxurious one night stay for two at our beautiful Foothills setting along the St Vrain River, that is Rock n’ River Resort. You’ll stay in one of our newly renovated cabin rooms, complete with cozy stove fire, king sized bed, with a shower and coffee tea making facilities.
Then, indulge in therapies at our own intimate La Bellezza Spa, where you’ll have the complete privacy of the spa all to yourselves to enjoy a eucalyptus steam sauna and a relaxing hot tub session prior to your 50 minute Therapeutic massages. Then, take a short walk along the path to Ciatano Winery, for two wine tastings of five wines and choose a bottle of your favorite premium Ciatano wine for your room.
$295.00 for 2 people, one night. Call 303.823.5011 for reservations
The Rock n’ River Resort Holiday
A warmth filled two-night, spa & wine accommodations package incorporating Colorado renewal & celebration this holiday. Visit & play in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, then warm-up at La Bellezza Spa in the eucalyptus steam sauna. Deeply unwind with an 80-minute, Hot Stone Massage that integrates warmed basalt river rocks and massage. Enjoy a delicious wine tasting of five wines at Ciatano Winery with a Colorado gourmet cheese plate, and a favorite Ciatano bottle for later cheer. $495.00 for 2 people, 2 nights stay Call 303.823.5011 for reservations
