Sixth annual Denver International Wine Festival

People might still be sobering up after the Denver International Wine Festival.

The sixth annual Denver International Wine Festival featured many wines and brought many guests during its Nov. 3-7 run.

“I’ve attended this event every year,” said Rhonda Guein. “I love wine and learning more about it.”

Over the course of a few days many wineries promoted their best and newest bottles to go up against Denver’s top wine critics.

The festival began with the Taste of Elegance Chef’s Wine and Food Competition/Auction. The competition took place in September and the Gold Medal wines were showcased at the event.

The competition entailed pairing the top wines with master chefs. Each master chef had one week to prepare a four-course meal that would accent the features of the particular wines. An elite panel of judges evaluated the plates and their paired wines.

According to Wine Country International, “This competition is the largest double-blind, professionally judged wine competition in the Rocky Mountain region.”

Master Chef Michael Long won Best Chef using Coiled Wines’ 2008 Syrah. As a result, the Coiled Wines’ 2008 Syrah won Best Red Wine for 2010.

“People don’t think about Idaho having vineyards,” said Leslie Preston, owner and winemaker of Coiled Wines. “But my win represents the growing recognition for the Syrah grapes in the area.”

At the Grand Tasting of International Wines and Food, the elite wines were available for sampling. Guests sampled many wines, beers and types of hard alcohol. The items for the silent auction, benefiting the Foundation for Sight and Sound, surrounded the wine tabling.

The auction included many autographed sports and musician memorabilia, wine sets and other collectibles. Proceeds for the auction helped eleven individuals receive custom fitted hearing aids, in addition to a donation to the foundation.

The Denver International Wine Festival strives to elevate the wine experience of patrons. Even though the festival caters to working professionals, the featured wines are affordable for college students, with many of the award winning wines priced well under $50.

“A main theme of the festival is that you don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot out of your wine,” said spokeswoman for Mad Housewife wines, Gretchen Thompson. “A bottle’s price isn’t always reflective of its quality.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alyssia Payan at [email protected].