Ciatano Winery Newsletter March 2011
March 7, 2011
In this issue of Ciatano Winery March 2011 Newsletter……
Shipping to Wisconsin Now Available
You can now order wines for Wisconsin…..more
Sign up to our wine club and get free shipping and buy 11, 12th bottle free!
Wine of the Month – 2008 Cabernet Franc – new release!
Find out more about our ever popular Cab Franc.
Travelers Guide to Finding Cab Franc in other regions and countries
Find out where else you can find Cab Franc while traveling this summer and the different names it goes by in different regions.
Wine food Pairing Recipe: Cabernet Franc Jelly
Try this great little recipe that goes great with cheese. There’s a white wine version too.
Save the Date: Brides Open House March 2011
Save the Date: Ciatano Winery WineJazz Fest 2011
Mark your calendars we are Jazzing up this summer!
Save the Date:
We now ship to Wisconsin – with free shipping!
Finally our shipping permits came through – yey! Customers who live in Wisconsin can now purchase wines from Ciatano Winery all year around without having to take a trip to Colorado to do it.
Someone from any other state can now send wine gifts to friends in Wisconsin.
When you visit our winery in person, we can ship your wines back home to Wisconsin.
If you live in WI you can order wine shipments to be delivered direct to your home on a regular or one off basis and get free shipping via our Wine Club. You can order online at ciatanowinery.com or phone 303 823 5011 or email wineclubmanager@ciatanowinery.com
Free Shipping through our Wine Club!
Join our wine club. Free to join, cancel any time, very flexible – you choose – and free shipping!
- 3 wines delivered every 3 months (cancel anytime)
- You chose types of wines: whites, reds, mixed
- You can even choose the varietals that you prefer. For example, – if you just like Pinot Noir, then we’ll send you 3 bottles of Pinot Noir every three months
- Alternatively, if you like to explore wines, you can choose to have us send you the wines of the month so you can try different wines we make and share wine tastings at home with friends.
- Free to join and cancel anytime you like
- Free shipping
- And….buy 11 bottles and your 12th is free!
- Purchase a case of 12 and receive 10% discount on the case AND free shipping!
- First notice of new releases
- You have total control on your wine club account subscription online:
- Update, change order requirements, frequency, add additional wines, subtract from an order or cancel, postpone your deliveries all at the click of a mouse. You choose. It’s that simple.
- Receive Ciatano Winery monthly newsletter with information on wines of the month, recipes, wine vacations and offers and resort news.
We currently can offer our wine club service to the following states:
California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin
Wine of the Month
Our WOM for March is our new release 2008 Cabernet Franc.
History of Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is thought to have first been established sometime in the 17th century in France and then established in the Loire Valley at the Abbey of Bourgueil under the care of an abbot called Breton. The varietal is named after the abbot, where in France the varietal is named “Bouchet.”
As Cabernet Sauvignon became more popular in the 18th & 19th century, the close similarity of the two grapes was observed and theories emerged as to the extent of the relationship. In 1997 DNA evidence emerged to show that Cabernet Franc crossed with Sauvignon Blanc to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and that the Cabernet Franc is indeed the parent vine of Sauvignon.
The main differences between the two are that the Franc produced a lighter red than the Sauvignon. For several centuries, Cabernet Franc was produced primarily to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varietals to produce a Bordeaux style wine.
California growers and wine makers became interested in growing and cultivating the grape in the early to mid 20th century to produce their own Bordeaux style blends which are now marketed as “Meritage.”
Cabernet Franc can adapt to a wide variety of vineyard soil types but seems to thrive in sandy, chalk soils, producing heavier, more full bodied wines there. It does indeed grow well in Colorado for that reason. Our Cabernet Franc grapes are usually grown and harvested in the Grand Valley around Palisades, Colorado, where the soil, the sunny climate and cool nights intensify the fruits.
Unfortunately for us, in 2008 the Colorado Cabernet Franc harvest failed due to a large late snow fall in spring 2008, destroying the buds. So for this Cabernet Franc, Tim our winemaker chose grapes grown in Washington State which produce a similar style of Cabernet Franc to Colorado. The grape concentrate from the select vineyard is then brought to our wine making facility here near Lyons where Tim makes the wine, ferments and ages it to perfection. The result is a Cabernet Franc which equals the excellence of our highly popular 2007 Cabernet Franc.
On the bottle you’ll notice it says “American.” This indicated that the grape was from a different state to where it is made, hence grape was grown in Washington State, but the wine was made completely in Colorado at our winery.
As an enthusiast of our 2007 Cab Franc, I was very relieved to find this 2008 version equally to my liking and feel that those of you who loved our 2007, will enjoy this one equally especially as it ages. Cheers!
You can order our new release Cabernet Franc and receive free shipping by calling us at 303.823.5011 or online through our wine club (see details here) on our website www.ciatanowinery.com
The Wine Sippers Traveling Guide to Cabernet Franc
You can find Cabernet Franc in many regions of the world and with many different names, so here’s a short guide to help you search out Cab Franc while on vacation:
USA:
California: Napa and Somona counties; Long Island and Finger Lakes of New York state; Colorado Grand Valley; Washington State; Virginia Piedmont, Roanoke and SW Virginia; Illinois Shawnee Hills AVA; Pennsylvania; West Coast of Michigan.
Canada:
Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward County, the north shore of Lake Erie, Pelee Island, and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
Europe:
France, Italy, Hungary, and to a lesser extent Spain, Slovenia and Kosovo.
Other regions:
Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand
China and Kazakhstan.
What’s in a Name?
Cabernet Franc actually goes by many names, so when travelling to different wine regions look out for it appearing on a restaurant menu or at a winery as any of these names:
Aceria, Bouchy (Gascony), Breton, Capbreton Rouge, Carmenet (Médoc), Messanges Rouge, Petite Vidure, Véron, and Cabernet Gris.
Recipe Pairings for Cabernet Franc
Our Cabernet Franc is an Italian style full bodied, fruit forward, smooth wine with lower tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to have a more pronounced perfume with notes of raspberries, black currants, violets and graphite, yet it has subtle hints of green herbs or even green peppers.
In winter, Cabernet Franc pairs well with hearty and earthly dishes including vegetables such as Portabello mushrooms, Brussel sprouts and strong leafy green vegetable dishes. Serves well with warm suppers with poultry, veal and pork.
For spring and summer, try pairing with a traditional Italian style meal of Lasagne and crusty garlic bread, or with grilled meats and poultry. Due to the deep dark fruit notes, it will also pair well with fruit desserts with freshly harvested blackberries, black currants and raspberries and pies.
Cabernet Franc Wine Jelly
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchenroll over and click star to rate
Fresh thyme accentuates the herbaceous notes of Cabernet Franc. This makes a wonderful accompaniment to a cheese platter. – Adell Shneer
This recipe makes 4 servings
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups Cabernet Franc wine 1-3/4 1-3/4cups cups(425 mL) (425 mL) Cabernet Franc wine or Merlot
1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 1/4cup cup(50 mL) (50 mL) red wine vinegar
2 large sprigs fresh thyme 2 2large largesprigs fresh thyme
3-1/2 cup granulated sugar 3-1/2 3-1/2cup cup(875 mL) (875 mL) granulated sugar
1 pouch liquid pectin 1 1pouch pouchliquid pectin
Preparation:
In large saucepan, bring wine, vinegar and thyme to boil over high heat. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Strain through cheesecloth-lined sieve into clean saucepan.
Stir in sugar; bring to full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute, stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in pectin; stir for 1 minute, skimming off any foam.
Pour into hot 1/2-cup (125 mL) canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch (5 mm) headspace. Wipe rim. Cover with prepared lids. Screw on bands until resistance is met; increase to fingertip tight. Boil in boiling water canner for 10 minutes. Store in cool dark place for up to 1 year.
Variation
Try Viognier or Riesling Wine Jelly: Replace Cabernet Franc with Viognier or Riesling and vinegar with lemon juice. Replace thyme with 1 strip each of lime rind and Granny Smith apple peel and 2 dried apricots, halved.
Save the Date!
La Bellezza Spa and Rock n’ River Resort announces:
Bridal Open House
March 27, 2011
Save the Date!
Ciatano Winery at Rock n’ River presents
WineJazz Fest
Saturday June 18th, 2011
Continuing the Lyons grass roots music festival tradition, we announce our 1st music and wine festival featuring top local jazz bands by the St Vrain River at Ciatano Winery and Resort, Lyons. Colorado.
More info on bands, tickets, accommodation and features to be announced soon.
To reserve accommodation on site or for questions, email wine@ciatanowinery.com or call 303.823.5011
