Colorado's Celebrated Cuisine, Wine and Beer
Contact: Roland Alonzi / 212-219-7560, ext. 6765, ralonzi@mmgmardiks.com
Caitlin Sullivan / 970-372-6571, csullivan@mmgmardiks.com
From Great Local Wine to Game Cuisine, Masterful Microbrews to Organic Produce, Colorado Delivers a Range of Flavors
Denver may lay claim to the 1935 invention of the cheeseburger, but Colorado’s current culinary scene is decidedly more inspired. The state is an epicenter of organic gardening, boasts a burgeoning wine industry, is home to an array of palette-pleasing food festivals and serves up game cuisine -- ranging from antelope to buffalo -- for travelers with the most adventurous appetites.
From Home-Spun to Haute Cuisine
Colorado restaurants run the gamut, from casual cafes ideal for families to the most stylish, nationally-recognized restaurants. The dining scene in Denver (www.denver.org), Boulder (www.bouldercoloradousa.com) and Colorado Springs (www.experiencecoloradosprings.com) is flourishing, with all boasting restaurants that have garnered awards and accolades. In fact, Colorado is home to nine of the country’s 74 Master Sommeliers, the third most in the country. This is a clear indication that Colorado restaurants shine brightly among the country’s most talked-about restaurants.
Restaurant settings vary widely – from the formality of culinary landmarks such as the Buckhorn Exchange (www.buckhorn.com), an 1893 treasure proudly displaying its Colorado Liquor License No. 1; The Broadmoor (www.broadmoor.com) in Colorado Springs and Denver’s Brown Palace (www.brownpalace.com) to the thrill of fine dining at Beano’s Cabin, a deep-in-the-woods retreat near Beaver Creek (http://beavercreek.snow.com) reached only by sleigh ride or horseback.
The state also has its fair share of ethnic flavors. The spirit of Mexico comes to life in great Mexican food found throughout Colorado. In addition, many regions offer a surprising culinary diversity; flavors not to be missed include Italian in Pueblo (www.pueblochamber.org); Middle Eastern and Thai and Indian in Denver.
Going For Game
A trip to the Centennial State would not be complete without sampling “Colorado cuisine,” game-focused specialties with flavors and textures dating back to pioneering days. Elk, pheasant, venison, antelope and buffalo – even rattlesnake – are among the game that tempts the most adventurous epicures.
It’s not surprising to find such elk chops, buffalo filet and grilled quail on menus, especially in restaurants such as The Fort (www.thefort.com) in Morrison (http://town.morrison.co.us), a replica of Bent’s Old Fort (www.nps.gov/beol), a centuries-old fur trading post. The restaurant features recipes based on research from 2,000 books and diaries kept by trappers and traders along the 19th century Santa Fe Trail. A "game sommelier" suggests wines that go well with game cuisine.
Organic Offerings
Complementing dishes like Colorado leg of lamb and slow-roasted buffalo prime rib is indigenous produce such as Olathe sweet corn, Paonia cherries, Lyons’ apples, Rocky Ford melons, Palisade peaches and sweet Anaheim peppers, which visitors have been known to stockpile on trips to Colorado. The state boasts dozens of farmers’ markets, roadside fruit and vegetable stands and u-pick farms. The spring and summer months offer the best picking opportunities near Grand Junction (www.visitgrandjunction.com), where peaches, apples and cherries hang in abundance from trees and vines.
The state’s bounty of fresh produce is one reason behind the Farm to Table trend, a movement that brings together farmers, ranchers, dairies, green markets and restaurants to “cook Colorado,” sparking a noticeable shift toward local, seasonal and artisanal cooking. In Boulder, for example, there are more than 70 entities actively involved in this emerging trend. Not surprisingly, the state ranks among the highest in Certified Organic acreage.
Sustainable Settings (www.sustainablesettings.org) in Carbondale (www.carbondale.com) is a non-profit whole systems learning center. Sustainable agriculture, organic and green development are among the subjects of study at the educational center, which offers classes, workshops, and educational programs for all ages related to sustainable gardening, organic farming & ranching, green living, permaculture, self-reliance, the arts and personal growth.
Made In Colorado
Naturally, dozens of grown-in-Colorado ingredients make their way into delicious food products that are perfect souvenirs for visitors. Kokopelli gourmet green salsa, blue popcorn, raspberry jalapeno sauce and ,strong>Buffalo Bill’s authentic tortilla chips are among the Colorado-made specialties. And, don’t forget the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (www.rmcf.com) or Enstrom’s (www.enstrom.com) famous toffee. Colorado is also famous for honey crafted by generational beekeepers. Flavorful varieties include clover, alfalfa and the celebrated high-altitude wildflower honey, as well as jellies, organic Agave nectar and meads (honey wine).
America’s Next Wine Frontier
Honey wine is far from Colorado’s only wine. Once considered cult wines crafted mainly for Coloradans, the state’s 64 wineries turn out award-winning merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, chardonnay and viognier that are increasingly capturing the attention of oenophiles. Many wineries and vineyards are open for tours and tastings.
Colorado has five main wine producing regions. The state’s wine making capital is the fertile Lower Colorado River Valley near Grand Junction. It boasts dozens of vineyards and wineries, including the state’s oldest winery, Colorado Cellars Winery (www.coloradocellars.com). Located in Palisade, it is a great summer stopping point for visitors as the area is equally acclaimed for its 200+ peach growers, whose prized Palisade peach is unrivaled.
The state has two federally designated American Viticulture Areas: the Grand Valley along the Colorado River between Palisade and Grand Junction and the West Elks along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Together these regions produce 90% of the wine grapes grown in Colorado. The Arkansas River Valley’s wine-producing region features the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey (www.abbeywinery.com), a 1926 abbey where Benedictine Fathers produce award-winning merlots, chardonnays and rieslings. A tasting room is open daily.
Make Mine a Microbrew
Although best-known as the birthplace of Coors, Colorado features more microbreweries per capita than any other state in the nation. In the town of Fort Collins (www.ftcollins.com), guided tours of the brewing process and samples (for those ages 21 and older) are available at Odell Brewing Company (www.odellbrewing.com) and New Belgium Brewery (www.newbelgium.com), the third-largest craft brewer in the nation. In 1998, New Belgium Brewery became the nation's first fully wind-powered brewery. At the much larger Anheuser-Busch Brewery (www.anheuser-busch.com), visitors can take a tour and see the majestic Clydesdale draft horses. Other top breweries include Wynkoop Brewery, Denver’s first brewery, and Flying Dog, Denver’s largest brewery. Durango, in the Southwest region of the state, is home to four microbreweries, including the award-winning Steamworks Brewery (www.steamworksbrewing.com). The San Luis Valley Brewing Company (www.slvbrewco.com) in Alamosa, is another Colorado microbrewery not to be missed.
Festivals Celebrate Culinary Traditions
Throughout the year, culinary festivals and fairs celebrate Colorado’s cuisine and culinary accomplishments. One of the largest is A Taste of Colorado (www.atasteofcolorado.com) in Denver. The Great American Beer Festival brings more than 40,000 beer connoisseurs and 104 judges to sample over 1,650 different American beers. The Colorado Mountain Winefest (www.coloradowinefest.com) and Denver International Wine Festival (www.denverwinefest.com) celebrate the state’s grape harvest. In Manitou Springs (www.manitousprings.org), the quirky Great Fruitcake Toss is a just that – a competition to see who can throw a fruitcake the farthest.
ABOUT COLORADO
Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and renowned ski resort areas. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of four major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, nine national parks and monuments, and 54 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, call 1-800-COLORADO or visit www.COLORADO.com. Media are invited to visit the Colorado Media Room at www.COLORADO.com/mediaroom.php for story ideas, press releases/press kits as well as high-resolution, downloadable photos and video for editorial use.