For the 29th year in a row, Aspen was party central for the food and beverage industries as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and its 5000+ attendees took over for town for four days in June.
On the first night, the trade group Wines from Spain sponsored a huge barbecue hosted by celebrity chef Jose Andres that, besides great food, featured many other celebrity chefs, including such luminaries as Mario Batali and Jacques Pepin. I tasted too many good Spanish wines to mention here but I especially enjoyed a 2005 Bodegas Roda “Roda 1” Reserva ($60) and 2007 Condado de Haza ($30).
Later, I fought my way through the crowds at Jimmy’s restaurant to visit with folks from Ferrer Wine Estates and taste wine with Gloria Ferrer winemaker Bob Iantosca. Gloria Ferrer is the Spain-based family’s Sonoma Carneros winery. I enjoyed the delightful bubbly “Va di Vi” ($22) and especially the 2007 Pinot Noir ($22).
We began Friday night at a reception hosted by Christina Mariani of Banfi Vintners, the esteemed Tuscan winery and international wine importer, and Purple Wine Company, which has a portfolio of several good value California wines. I enjoyed the 2009 Bex Riesling ($10) and 2008 Four Vines “Old Vines” Zinfandel ($12) but Chile’s 2006 Emilana “Coyam” ($30), an innovative blend of syrah, merlot, carmenere, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and mourvedre made with biodynamic grapes, had the most impact on me.
Next, a stop back over to Jimmy’s where I sipped 12-, 18-, and 25-year-old Macallan Scotches with two of America’s greatest chefs: Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud (okay, I was just standing next to them). Macallan’s smooth flavorful Scotches are among the world’s best but honestly these were just a prelude to the next party.
This was an exclusive, electrifying bash hosted by Voli Light Vodka at the hip Sky Hotel that featured a much anticipated performance by internationally known pop star Pitbull. Guests lingered in the lounge and gathered around the pool sipping cocktails made with the vodkas, which include Lemon, Orange Vanilla, Raspberry Cocoa, Espresso Vanilla, and the original Lyte. And Pitbull gave an energized performance covering several of his hits, which include collaborations with Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, and Ne-Yo. The Latin rapper is a major investor in and the official spokesman for Voli Light. What’s unique about the Voli Light line is its low-calorie vodkas, which average 25 to 45 percent fewer calories than other vodkas.
And there’s more! The next stop was an event hosted by Penfolds of Australia, where the amazing 2003 and 2006 Grange Shiraz (price range $250-$500 per bottle) understandably received the most attention. But I have to say the real discoveries were the 2006 Yattarna Chardonnay (a mere $115) and the 2004 RWT Shiraz ($82). The night concluded with a visit to a gathering hosted by the importer Wilson Daniels. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to taste the iconic Champagne Salon. The ethereal 1997 Blanc de Blancs, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger ($500) actually is the current vintage.
Five parties in one night! Good thing Aspen is a walking friendly city.
There also were numerous celebrity sightings in the Grand Tasting Tent, where producers from all over the world set up to display their wares. Chefs Giada de Laurentiis, Marcus Samuelson, Rick Bayless, Tom Colicchio, David Chang, Art Smith, and John Besh were among the most notable.
Of course there also was a cornucopia of foods and fine wines. I was glad I stopped to experience Oregon’s Domaine Serene collaboration with Chef Sam Talbott (of Imperial #9, a sustainable seafood restaurant in New York’s Mondrian Hotel SoHo) – a pairing of the 2007 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir ($58) with amazingly fresh raw tuna with grapefruit on toast.
I also was impressed with several Italian wines.
• 2008 Querciabella Mangrana (sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon merlot, $20)
• 2008 Querciabella Chianti Classico (sangiovese, $30)
• 2007 Querciabella Camartina “Super Tuscan” (cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, $120)
• 2007 Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico (sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, $65)
• 2004 Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino (sangiovese, $60)
This column can only touch on a relative handful of all those tasted but you’ll get the idea. If you’re intrigued, check out foodandwine.com and consider joining the festivities next year!