Beer and Spirit of the Month for February 2023!

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Alpine Wine and Spirits is your local source for a variety of spirits, and the best spot for a beer store near you!

Our February 2023 Spirit of the Month is:

liquor store in vail

Owney’s Rum from New York City, 1 Liter Size

On sale for $34.99 (reg. $39.99)

The rum is a distinct combination of Owney’s handmade Original and aged rum imported from the Dominican Republic that’s distilled from fresh sugar cane juice.

Our February 2023 Beer of the Month is:

Melvin Brewing

beer store in vail

6pks are on sale for $8.99 (reg. $10.99-$13.99)

12pks are on sale for $16.99and $20.99 (reg. $21.99-$25.99), includes Hard Seltzers

 

Come check out our weekly wine store specials as well!

Come visit us today at Alpine Wine & Spirits Vail, where you can find the best Vail Liquor Store selection in the area!

Wine of the Week! January 18, 2023

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Alpine Wine and Spirits is your local source for a variety of spirits, and the best spot for a wine and beer store near you!

Our Current Wine of the Week is:

best wine in vail

Cepa Por Cepa 

$9.99 (reg. $12.99)

Bright and lively on the nose. Red fruits take over on the palate. Smooth and polished with a soft finish. Rated 91 points.

Come check out our weekly wine store specials as well!

Come visit us today at Alpine Wine & Spirits Vail, where you can find the best Vail Liquor Store selection in the area!

Wine of the Week! January 14, 2023

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Alpine Wine and Spirits is your local source for a variety of spirits, and the best spot for a wine and beer store near you!

Our Current Wine of the Week is:

best vail wine store

2020 90+ Cellars Pinot Noir (California)

$9.99 (reg. $12.99)

Easy-drinking, balanced and fresh. A classic California Pinot Noir, a touch juicy and full of ripe red fruits.

Come check out our weekly wine store specials as well!

Come visit us today at Alpine Wine & Spirits Vail, where you can find the best Vail Liquor Store selection in the area!

Beer and Spirit of the Month for January 2023!

/in /by

Alpine Wine and Spirits is your local source for a variety of spirits, and the best spot for a beer store near you!

Our January 2023 Spirit of the Month is:

best vail liquor store

Jameson Irish Whisky 750ml

On sale for $29.99 (reg. $34.99)

Jameson outsells all other Irish whiskies in the US combined. Enough said? Let’s enjoy it now.

Our January 2023 Beer of the Month is:

New Belgium Brewing

best beer in vail

6pks are on sale for $9.99 (reg. $11.99-$12.99)

12pks are on sale for $18.99and $19.99 (reg. $22.99-$24.99), includes Hard Seltzers

 

Come check out our weekly wine store specials as well!

Come visit us today at Alpine Wine & Spirits Vail, where you can find the best Vail Liquor Store selection in the area!

Wine of the Week! Jan 2023

/in /by

Alpine Wine and Spirits is your local source for a variety of spirits, and the best spot for a wine and beer store near you!

Our Current Wine of the Week is:

Alpine wine of the week for vail wine stores

2019 Dona Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon (Argentina)

$9.99 (reg. $12.99)

Dark fruits on the nose, followed by a firm structure and soft tannins. Finish is long. A great value!

Come check out our weekly wine store specials as well!

Come visit us today at Alpine Wine & Spirits Vail, where you can find the best Vail Liquor Store selection in the area!

Val’s October Blog

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Roses are red, violets are blue. But in the Vail Valley leaves are yellow and starting to fall off. In just a few weeks the ski hills will open. It’s exciting times for many people. Even the Broncos are doing well so far. Granted last week’s loss was not pretty. But colder weather will bring changes to our daily routine. And that is valid for our choices of adult beverages as well. Red wines will prevail over whites and darker beers will finally come to the front of the list. Here are some interesting options for you to try.

 

Red Wine: Founded in the 1960s, Mas Des Bressades is located in Costieres de Nimes, in the southern part of the Rhone Valley in France, just west of the river. Grape growing is vastly influenced by the warm but windy at times days, thanks to the Mistral. Winemaker Cyril Mares practices organic farming and his wines are stunning. His 2018 Cuvee Tradition Rouge is an equal blend of Grenache and Syrah. This fruit-driven wine is medium-plus-bodied with smoky, dark cherry and meaty flavors, rounded by ripe tannins on the tail end. An outstanding quality for its modest price tag. It’s certainly one of the best values under $15 – on sale for only $13.99 a bottle.

 

White Wine: When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, you probably think of New Zealand, France and the USA. But have you tried one from Chile recently? Or ever? Leyda Valley in Chile is bordered by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. This unique landscape helps regulate the high daily temperatures by drawing cool air from the coast. This helps winemakers produce vibrant and fresh wines. The 2019 Boya Sauvignon Blanc is packed with fresh tropical fruit aromas on the nose. Palate is well-balanced with acidity and the finish is refined and crisp. Rated 90 points as well. An intriguing wine if you are a fan of this style. An approachable price tag of $15.99 awaits you. Enjoy!

 

Beer: Dogfish Head is one of the iconic breweries in the US. Even though it is known for its hoppy and strong beers, it brews a wide variety of styles. One of my personal favorites from them is the Punkin Ale. Yes, it’s a pumpkin beer, ‘tis the season. The base is a full-bodied brown ale with just enough pumpkin and brown sugar flavors. Unlike many other breweries that use pumpkin puree, Dogfish uses pumpkin meat, making it fresh and vibrant. Brewed every Fall since 1994, this is a must-try beer even if pumpkin is not your thing. A 6 pack bottles is only $13.99 for the whole month of October. So the best time to try one is now! Cheers!

Val’s September Blog

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Ok, no more wearing white for a while. Labor Day was on Monday. Of course, you don’t have to go with this “rule”. There’s plenty of white in our future in the form of snow, though. Temperatures are decreasing and so is our time outdoors. But we all need a lazy Tuesday night, watching a movie or something. It is even better when we pair it with a nice glass of wine or beer. So without further ado, here are some great options for you to try.

 

Red Wine: Jeff Runquist produces balanced wines that share a theme of fresh fruit reflective of the varietal flavors. On a certain year he could be crushing over twenty different varieties from different appellations in California. Four of them are staples for him – Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera and Petit Verdot. The latter is the most unique and needs the most sunshine and heat to fully ripen. His 2019 vintage consists of 100% Petit Verdot. It has a nice deep purple color, aromas of dark berries and cherries and has a smooth texture throughout. It is an elegant wine that is ready to be enjoyed now. With your favorite meat dish or just by itself. A great expression of the grape that deserves more respect that it is getting. A bottle of it is $28.99 – not cheap but so worth it. Enjoy!

 

White Wine: Considering the temperature drops, it probably is one of the last chances to enjoy a bright, crisp white wine. Hence my choice here – a Spanish Albarino. Bodegaz Chavez is a very important producer in Rias Baixas in northwest Spain. They started producing wine in 1955 and they were instrumental in the area being recognized as a designated growing region. The family estate is in the Val do Salnes, which is said to be the birthplace of Albarino. Their 2019 vintage sits on its lees after fermentation to pick up a little more weight and soften up the palate. The result is stunning – typical aromas of apple, pear and white flowers, a fresh palate with medium acidity and a mineral finish. Rated 90 points as well from Wine Enthusiast.  $22.99 a bottle for this nicely made white wine.

 

Beer: My beer choice is directed towards game day. Which is today. College football season is on and I’ve seen a lot of excitement around. This refreshing beer was developed shoulder to shoulder with the University of Colorado at Boulder. By Avery Brewing. It is their light, crisp Gold Lager – Stampede. I’d like to mention that this beer is for everyone, not only Buffs fans. It will make your (game) day more enjoyable. A 6 pack of cans is only $8.99 for the month of September. Cheers!

Disclaimer: This beer can be enjoyed during NFL games too.

 

Val’s August Blog

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Summer was very wet and as usual – flew by quickly. Olympics are done as well. Good job Team USA! It’s been exciting few weeks, now back to reality. Kids are starting school in just a few days. That will bring some changes in our daily lives and will keep us occupied. But we’ll have plenty of nice days and we’d like to continue enjoying them. Why not have a glass of wine or beer after a busy day. Here are some options that will make your day better. Or at least the end of it.

 

Red Wine: Nielson wines are born on sandy soils, Pacific Ocean breezes and Santa Barbara sunshine. Named after Uriel J. Nielson, who in 1964 planted the first commercial vineyard in Santa Barbara County in California. Today there are more than 100 wineries in the area. Nielson’s 2017 Pinot Noir comes from three main regions within Santa Barbara County. It starts with bright red fruits and tea notes on the nose. The palate is light to medium-bodied. It drinks fresh and finishes a bit earthy. One of my all-time favorites in the $20 range. Also rated 90 points by Robert Parker. Give it a try, you might have just found your new go-to Pinot!

 

White Wine: We are having trouble getting some of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs that we are so familiar with. But we’re in love with that style of white wine. What should we do? How about look at this Washington State beauty? Liquid Light is fresh, clean and vibrant. Tropical fruits on the nose, followed by lime zest and grapefruit on the palate. Finish is clean and moderately acidic for a Sauvignon Blanc. It is also lower in alcohol, calories and carbs and contains less than 1g of sugar, which makes it a perfect choice for an afternoon drink. A bottle of it is only $14.99. Enjoy it!

 

Beer: It’s hard to believe Oktoberfest beers are here. But that’s nothing compared to the Pumpkin ones that are out now as well. We will stay with the first one, though, as it is a bit early for true Fall beers. Ska Brewing from Durango, Colorado added its Oktoberfest to the lineup in 2018. It sold out in record time then and had since flourished, winning a bunch of awards. It is a German-style lager, darker in color and fully focused on Munich and Vienna malts. It finishes clean and crisp and is very food friendly. For the month of August, a 6 pack cans is only $8.49. A great time to try it if you’ve never had it before. Cheers!

 

Val’s July Blog

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Summer is in full swing. It’s warm but not too hot. The afternoon rain showers are back and everyone seems happy. If you are thinking of going to Vegas, simply don’t do it. Stay here and relish the amazingness the Vail Valley has to offer. People from all over the world are here to enjoy the beauty of our nature. Independence Day weekend was a huge success. Naturally, I guess, lots of vodka and light beer were purchased. I always try to recommend something out of the ordinary, something that you won’t be able to find in every store. Here are some suggestions to enjoy at home or anywhere else. Today or any other day.

 

Red Wine: The Rhone Valley in France offers one of the best wines for your money. Few producers from that area can compare to the history and pedigree of Ogier. The family name dates to 800 A.D. and they started making wine in 1859. Their wines are an ode to finesse, elegance and freshness. The 2017 Lirac is a great expression of their winemaking style. A blend of mostly Grenache, with small parts of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It is elegant, silky and has polished tannins with a long finish. Rated 91 points by the Colorado-based Jeb Dunnuck. More importantly, though, it is a fantastic value. $19.99 for a Lirac is a great price as well. Enjoy!

 

White Wine: Paddy Borthwick is an experienced winemaker that has gained reputation for constantly producing high quality wines. His family vineyard is located in Wairarapa in the southern part of the north island of New Zealand. In line with his family’s legacy of international trade, 90 percent of the wine is exported around the world. His 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is quite possibly the best from New Zealand that I have ever tried. It is not your typical SB that is zesty and very acidic. This one comes from granite soils, showing stone and mineral notes throughout. The lime flavors persist through a long finish. It drinks like a Sancerre but for a fraction of the cost. It’s a “steal” for only $20.99 a bottle.

 

Beer: Dry Dock Brewing is one of the best small breweries in Colorado. Their flagship beer is the Apricot Blonde. Since it became so popular, they started brewing a variety of fruit ales. Their newest seasonal is a Blood Orange Blonde Ale. So fresh that their website is still not updated with info about it. Bright orange notes on the nose and finishing a bit sweet. Very refreshing and great for all the fruit beer lovers out there. I wish it was a year-round brew. Try it while it’s available and if you like it – buy a few extra before it’s gone. It is $10.99 for a 6 pack cans. Cheers!

Val’s July 4th Blog

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June was very hot! People even complained, which they never do. We are all hoping for the monsoon season to kick in. And the biggest day of the summer is approaching – Independence Day. Even with no parade again this year, the Town of Vail is excited to feature some incredible patriotic exhibits, on-the move musicians and other surprises. Town is already packed with excited people. I wish I could spend some time outside but I will be working all weekend. Which is totally fine, as I’ll be able to recommend some great wines and beers for everyone to enjoy. Here are some suggestions for you to try as well, proudly made in the USA.

 

Red Wine: Yamhill Valley Vineyards is the oldest winery in McMinnville AVA in Oregon. It was established in 1983 and they still have a few bottles of that vintage put away for very special occasions. Nowadays, all their wines are 100% estate grown. No two years are alike, especially in Oregon wine country. 2016 brought the earliest start date of harvest on record. Because the summer was long and dry it helped fruit to become more intense and with more texture. Their Estate Pinot Noir is bright and vibrant with ripe tannins and a lively acid. And this is the key for their winemaking technique – acid. Especially on rich vintages like 2016, it helps create a wine distinctive to its terroir. An amazing quality for only $22.99. I highly recommend you try it.

 

White Wine: Epiphany Cellars is a part of the Fess Parker family portfolio. Located in beautiful Santa Barbara County in California, they make a variety of wines. Some of them really interesting and unique. Their Grenache Blanc comes from Rodney’s Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Fess Parker produces a fantastic Riesling from the same vineyard. But back to our focus – the Grenache Blanc grape originates from Spain, even though it is mostly used in the Rhone Valley in France. Epiphany’s 2017 vintage is zesty and fresh on the palate, clean and very quaffable. 20% was aged in French oak to round the acidity. A very versatile wine that is worth trying. Only $21.99 per bottle.

 

Beer: It’s warm out there and there’s nothing more desirable than a light, crisp, easy-drinking, ice cold beer. Oskar Blues’ newest addition is perfect for those times. This Lager comes with a low 4.2% abv and has only 95 calories. Any similarity with Michelob Ultra’s stats is a pure coincidence. This beer is quality, though. They describe it as an American Pale Lager and a Pilsner. When I tried it, it drank like a light Lager to me. I suggest you have a taste of it and decide for yourselves. Either way, it is delicious and crushable. For the month of July a 15 pack cans will be only $16.99. Cheers!