In Conversation with Nick Nunns, Founder of TRVE Brewing

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First opened in the summer of 2012, TRVE Brewing (pronounced “True Brewing”) is Denver’s one and only heavy metal-inspired brewery. Brewing housemade beers ranging from sour beers to clean beers, the brewers here are self-proclaimed “style blasphemers” and “category agnostics”—TRVE beers don’t adhere to any particular guidelines, but are always guaranteed to be tasty.

We sat down with TRVE founder Nick Nunns to talk about heavy metal, his favorite TRVE beers on tap, and the Colorado craft beer scene. 

A can of TRVE or "True" Brewing beer with a skull on it.

Wines Off Wynkoop: How did TRVE Brewing and it’s radical heavy metal theme come to fruition?

Nick Nunns of TRVE: Heavy metal has been a part of my life almost as long as I’ve been listening to music. I wanted to marry the two things I love, and the spawn of that is TRVE. 

W.O.W.: What does a night at TRVE Brewing look like? What can someone expect when they walk in the door?

NN: You can be guaranteed to hear heavy metal in our taproom, but we keep all the music focused on the area near our bar so people can escape from it should it not be their favorite. One of the things I love the most about our taproom is that the clientele is fairly broad; you’re as likely to see folks in the taproom coming straight from their office gig in business casual attire as you are to see fully-tattooed metalheads.

W.O.W.: What are your favorite beers on tap?

NN: Right now my favorite beer on tap is Hellion. We call it a throwback crusher as it’s a recently resurrected beer of ours that doesn’t really fit into any particular bucket. It’s a 4.5% slightly hoppy amber brewed with a bunch of golden naked oats. It’s almost like an American ESB? Whatever it is, it’s delicious.

W.O.W.: What do you think of the Colorado craft beer scene?

NN: Colorado is crazy to me. I’m lucky enough to travel around the country quite a bit and there is absolutely nothing else like Colorado out there. We’re lucky to have a longstanding craft beer scene here where craft beer is basically the state’s signature food. This longevity does mean that the market is a lot tougher than others, and breweries have to really fight to get their name out there. I’m thankful we’ve been received so well, and that we routinely seem to make the bucket lists of places to visit. 

W.O.W.: Anything else you’d like to share about TRVE Brewing?

NN: We appreciate the support of our local fans and those who make the pilgrimage to come see us! Thanks for making the past eight years rip!


Want to taste the deliciousness of TRVE Brewing for yourself? Visit their taproom at 227 Broadway #101, Denver, Colorado.

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Why everybody should be drinking organic wines

Organic Wine Garo Vin Anjou Rouge Shaman 14 Champagne Marguet Les Hauts de LaGarde Bordeaux

Organic labels are everywhere: from the fruits and vegetables we eat, to the snacks we buy in bulk. The organic food trend skyrocketed in the early 2000s, as shoppers began to see the connection between diet, health and the environment. Today, people reach for these “clean” labels and demand transparency in the products they consume—food or otherwise.

Most people aren’t aware that the same types of concerns regarding the processed food industry (like the use of GMOs, added sugar and preservatives) also apply to the wine industry—but they’re catching on. “We’re seeing more than 20-percent organic growth yearly with organic wines.” says Jeremy Shapely, an importer with Triton Wines. “Millennials and Baby Boomers are the driving force.”

So what exactly is organic wine, and why should we be choosing it over regular wine? Keep reading to learn more about how it’s made, why it’s gaining popularity, and what our favorite bottles are here at Wines Off Wynkoop.

Organic Wine Garo Vin Anjou Rouge

What is organic wine, and how exactly is it made and produced?

Organic wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of artificial or synthetic chemicals, like herbicides and pesticides. To keep the weeds and bugs at bay, organic farmers  work with nature rather than against it—like introducing cover crops to provide a habitat for beneficial insects that are the natural enemy of problem species, or have small sheep graze between the vine rows to eat the grass and weeds. This way, the vineyard becomes a self-regulating natural ecosystem, eliminating the need for artificial and toxic chemicals. 

What makes organic wine healthier than non-organic?

The grapes used in organic wines produce heartier skins and higher concentrations of antioxidants (including polyphenols and heart-friendly resveratrol). Also, organic wines are free of pesticides and herbicides, contain less sugar, and leave out potentially harmful cellar additives such as flavoring agents or coloring. You are what you eat (and drink)—so in short, yes, organic is healthier for you than a non-organic wine. 

Moreover, organic wines are kinder to the environment—specifically, organic vines tend to need less water, because soils are built-up with compost and contain more organic matter, which holds water far better. By using less water and not contaminating the existing water supply with harmful chemicals, the vineyard workers are doing their part to leave the earth healthier than when they found it. 

Where can we get organic wines, and what do you recommend?

You can find numerous organic wines right here at Wines Off Wynkoop! “One of my favorites is Garo Vin’s Anjou Rouge, a Cab Franc from the Loire Valley in France. This is a super complex wine with a ton of earthy notes—it’s a little peppery, but still has some nice red fruit as well. This one pairs really well with meats like lamb and beef.” says Jodi, one of our team members. 

We also enjoy this Marguet Shaman 14, an organic Grand Cru Champagne with notes of fruitcake, brioche, and wonderful minerality, as well as this Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc (White) Bordeaux that is ripe and juicy, with aromas and flavors of apricot, pear, honeydew, and lemon-lime acidity, on a minerally backbone.

Do you have any more questions about organic wine? Swing by the store, and we’d be happy to help you pick out the perfect bottle!

Organic Wine Garo Vin Anjou Rouge Shaman 14 Champagne Marguet Les Hauts de LaGarde Bordeaux

Information sources:

Draxe

The Guardian

FoodDive.com

OrganicAuthority.com

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All About Blanton’s: The original bottle of single barrel bourbon

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A bottle of Blanton's Bourbon

Today, we’re excited to dive into the story and bottles of Blanton’s, one of our favorite distillers of bourbon. Produced in Kentucky, the bourbon capital of the world, Blanton’s is known for its Original Single Barrel, a citrus and oak-tasting bourbon with notes of vanilla. Blanton’s Original Single Barrel was once designated for ambassadors, dignitaries, and Colonel Blanton’s family and friends—but is now available to all. In this post, we’ll take a look at Blanton’s rich history and some of its other world-class bottles.

The Story of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Blanton’s is the originator of Single Barrel Bourbon, which was first produced in 1984 by master distiller Elmer T. Lee. Elmer T. Lee recalled the earlier days of his career in the late 1940’s, when he worked under the president of the distillery, Colonel Albert B. Blanton. Colonel Blanton would handpick “honey barrels” from the center cut of Warehouse H and have that bourbon bottled one barrel at a time while he was entertaining dignitaries and other important guests. Calling on this tradition, Elmer T. Lee did the same and named this new bottle “Blanton’s Single Barrel”. He retired a year after its creation.

Many bourbon aficionados believe Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon revolutionized bourbon, creating the industry’s “super premium” category of bourbon with the world’s first single barrel bourbon. Today, most distilleries offer one or more single barrel bottlings, but Blanton’s was the first, (and one of the finest) single barrel bourbons on the market.

blanton’s bottles of bourbon

While Blanton’s is best known for its Single Barrel Bourbon, the distiller also has a few other bottles. Blanton’s Gold Edition is on par with the world’s finest whiskey, and was created for discerning bourbon aficionados who appreciate exceptional smoothness and complexity in their bourbon whiskey. This bottle has notes of oak, honey, rye, and tobacco. Blanton’s Gold Edition is only sold to select non-U.S. markets and some domestic duty-free stores.

Similar in taste profile, Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel has enormous depth of flavor only found in the rarest of spirits. This bourbon has notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and butter with earthy undertones of walnut and hazelnut. Its high alcohol content is powerful, yet inviting, creating flavors that make for a legendary bottle. Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel is also only available in select non-U.S. markets and some domestic duty-free stores.

Last, but certainly not least, Blanton’s Special Reserve is ideal for those who are new to single barrel bourbons. It has notes of vanilla and cedar, and its smooth consistency is ideal for mixing into a premium cocktail. Blanton’s Special Reserve is only available in select non-U.S. markets and some domestic duty-free stores.

A picture of Blanton's bottle tops with various horses

Before we go, we’ll leave you with one final fun fact about Blanton’s: its bottle stoppers feature a horse and jockey in different strides resembling the stages of a horse race, from beginning to end, and spell out Blanton’s when the set has been completed. We’ll be pulling special bottles of Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon onto the floor at Wines Off Wynkoop this holiday season. Come stop by and see which bottle stoppers you can spot!


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How To Choose The Right Glasses for Your Wines

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Picking the right stemware glasses for drinking wine

Whether you’re a new wine drinker or a seasoned connoisseur, you may have noticed that there seems to be just as many shapes of wine glasses as there are wines. And, newsflash: there certainly is a reason for it all. While you’re free to drink wine from whatever vessel you’d like, certain glasses work well for certain types of wine if you’re actually looking to taste your wine. In this post, we’ll explain how to choose the proper wine glass for your wine—so you can look like a pro in front of your fellow wine drinkers.

White Wine Glasses

White wines should be served in glasses with smaller bowls (bowls are the rounded receptacles in which wine can be poured and held). These smaller glasses preserve floral aromas, maintain cooler temperatures, and express more acidity—all great attributes for bringing out the nuance in your white wine. Full-bodied white wines and orange wines are better with glasses that have larger bowls, while light-bodied white wines are better with glasses that have smaller bowls.


Source: Wine Folly

You can also enjoy rose wines in white wine glasses. Narrower bowls are better for bringing out the fruity aromas of rose, and glasses with long stems will help maintain the cool temperature rose should be sipped at.

Red Wine Glasses


Source: Wine Folly

Red wines should be enjoyed from glasses with a wide opening. This helps mitigate the bitterness of tannins and spices to deliver a smoother, more pleasant tasting wine. Use a large, Bordeaux glass (pictured as #1) for bold red wines. The large surface area of the glass lets ethanols evaporate so you can taste and smell more aromas (rather than the burn of ethanol). 

The standard red wine glass (pictured as #2) is perfect for medium to full-bodied red wines with spicy notes or high alcohol content. The smaller opening of the glass allows spices to soften as the flavors hit your tongue.

Lastly, the aroma collector “Burgundy” glass is a great choice for lighter, more delicate red wines with subtle aromas. Its round bowl is the perfect shape for collecting and showcasing all the aromas of a lighter wine. 

Sparkling Wine Glasses 

Similar to still wine glasses, the shape of sparkling wine glasses will shape your perception of how different sparkling wines taste. Glasses with smaller openings and bowls are less expressive than glasses with a larger bowl shape. This means you should drink more affordable sparkling wine in a flute-style glass (which will hide flaws and make the wine taste more spritzy), and more expensive sparkling wine in a tulip-style glass (to bring out the nuance in the flavors).


Source: Wine Folly

Dessert Wine Glasses 

Last, but certainly not least, port wine should be enjoyed in port glasses, which have a small and slender shape. The design of this glass brings out the fruit, oak, and spice flavors of port wines, and lessens its heavy alcohol flavors.

For ice wines and dessert wines, use a dessert wine glass with a highly tapered rim. This rim makes for easy swirling, and helps to keep the wine to air ratio balanced. This glass also emphasizes the acidity of the wine, preventing its sweetness from being overwhelming. 

Overall, there are countless options of glasses to choose from for consuming your wine—a few glass manufacturers even offer “universal glasses,” a good option for practical wine enthusiasts who don’t want to bother with all the different wine glass shapes. However, if you’d like to show off your wine knowledge, or appreciate the best, most detailed flavors in your wine, we recommend choosing glasses that suit your wine. We hope you learned a thing or two about choosing proper stemware in this post. Happy sipping!

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Beaujolais Nouveau Day: Here’s what you need to know

An image of a bottle of French beaujolais villages nouveau red wine
An image of a bottle of red wine with a label identifying it as 2019 beaujolais-villages nouveau by Georges Dubouf

“Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!“—a proclamation that’s heard around the world on the third Thursday of November each year, announcing the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau, a wine made from Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region, located in Burgundy, France. Under French law, this iconic wine is released at 12:01 a.m., just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested. Its release is celebrated with fireworks, music, and festivals all across the country.

Today, Beaujolais Nouveau is quite polarizing among wine lovers: they either love it (helping to propel the wine into cult status), or scoff at it (opting for bottles of higher-end, cru Beaujolais). So, what’s all the fuss about? Let’s dive into the history behind Beaujolais, and the debate surrounding Beaujolais Nouveau.

About the Beaujolais region and its wines

The region of Beaujolais is comprised of small, family-owned wine growers, and is a study of the Gamay grape, which touts a bright purple juice, medium body, fresh acidity, and fruit-forward flavors. While Beaujolais wines are produced in small-scale quantities, there are countless variations that range from firmer and more earth-driven flavors from the north, and softer, easier-drinking flavors from the south.

There are 12-different Beaujolais appellations, 10-of which are known as crus. These 10-crus are the region’s most celebrated wines, and each is unique thanks to its terroir (a combination of soil, vine and climate characteristics). However, folks in the United States primarily know the Beaujolais region for one thing: Beaujolais Nouveau. This affordable, light-hearted, and fruit-forward wine has gained mass-adoration from wine drinkers today. Its release also falls one week before Thanksgiving in the U.S., making it a staple of the Thanksgiving spread today.

The debate surrounding Beaujolais Nouveau

Because Beaujolais Nouveau is released shortly after harvest, its grapes have very little time to ferment and virtually no time to settle or age. This means its wines are light in body and simple in flavor—perfect for easy sipping for any wine drinker. It also costs a mere $10-$20 a bottle, making it an inexpensive bottle for mass audiences to consume and love.

On the flip side, some wine connoisseurs consider Beaujolais Nouveau pale in comparison to the nuanced, savory, age-worthy cru Beaujolais wines that have risen in popularity over the last decade. Some even consider Beaujolais Nouveau to be offensive to the region, calling it “barely wine” and blaming it for blemishing the reputation of the Beaujolais region.

Try the Beaujolais Nouveau 2019 for yourself!

There’s only one way to choose which side you’re on in the Beaujolais Nouveau debate: come try the wine for yourself! We’ll be tasting this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau in the shop on Friday, November 22nd from 1-6pm. This wine is not designed to age, and should be consumed within the first few months of its release, so come taste it at its best. Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

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Wednesday Wine Sale

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IMPORTED RED WINE

Wednesday, April 17th Wine Sale!

All Imported Red Wine is 15% off when you buy 2+ bottles. It’s a perfect time to come grab those bottles you have been eyeing. How about a little Barolo from Elio Altare or Clos des Papes, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape? Or maybe just a refreshing New Zealand Pinot Noir from Sineann to accompany you in the sunshine.  We have an amazing selection of wines from all over the world and would love to talk more about them. Come in and let’s talk wine! Cheers!

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Sineann Sauvignon Blanc 2016

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Sineann
Sauvignon Blanc 2016 
Awatere Valley, New Zealand
Grape Varietal – Sauvignon Blanc

Owner and winemaker, Peter Rosbeck, has been making delicious and beautiful wines since 1994. Well known for sourcing fruit from only the best vineyards, Peter carefully crafts wines from vineyards throughout the Pacific Northwest, from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. In the spring, Peter travels to New Zealand to make Sauvignon Blanc (Awatere Valley) and Pinot Noir (Central Otago).

Wine Maker’s Notes

“The particular qualities of the 2016 Sineann Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that captivates are the sheer intensity of fruit on the palate, the mid-palate creaminess and the richness of the finish – along with the beautiful natural acidity.

We attribute the remarkable fruit and lengthy finish to the special care the fruit receives. This is a rare, hand-harvested New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, cluster-sorted. It makes a difference! 

The 2016 Sineann Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best we’ve made and is a great example of how special Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can be.”

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Domaine Moulin-La-Viguerie Tavel 2017

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Domaine Moulin-La-Viguerie 
Tavel 2017 
Southern Rhône, France
Grape Varietals –50% Grenache Noir, 30% Cinsault,
10% Syrah, 10% mix of Mourvedre, Bourboulenc, Clairette 
A gem from the Southern Rhône!  Tavel is a unique appellation that focuses on only making rosé wine.  The Petit-Roudil family has been producing Tavel wines since the 16th century when the monks were making the local wines. These rosés tend to be more full-bodied, with a greater intensity of flavors.  Powerful notes of dark cherries, wild strawberries, and dried herbs are enjoyed with a long dry finish.  A perfect rosé for all occasions, Tavel is easily paired with any meal. Think of it as a light red wine and try it with your next cheese and charcuterie plate or grill up your favorite fowl or seafood. Cheers!     

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Wednesday Wine Sale

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IMPORTED WHITE WINE

Wednesday April 10th Wine Sale!

All Imported White Wine is 15% off when you buy 2+ bottles. It’s a perfect time to come grab those bottles you have been eyeing. How about a little Premier Cru Chablis or Grand Cru Champagne? Or maybe just a refreshing Vinho Verde or Soave to accompany you in the sunshine (after the “Winter Vortex” that is).  We have an amazing selection of wines from all over the world and would love to talk more about them. Come in and let’s talk wine! Cheers!

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Wednesday Wine Sale

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Wednesday April 3rd Wine Sale!

All Domestic Red Wine is 15% off when you buy 2+ bottles. It’s a perfect time to come grab those bottles you have been eyeing. We have an amazing selection of wines from all over the USA and would love to talk more about them. Come in and let’s get nerdy! Cheers

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