PAST FLIGHTS 2023
December Flight of the Month - Germany
Besides beer and our family in Stuttgart, three of our favorite things from Germany are the wine, food, and of course, the DACHSHUNDS! In honor of the most perfect dachshund of all time, this month we are showcasing the beautiful wines and food of Oliver’s mother land, Germany.
German wine is primarily produced in the west of Germany, along the river Rhine and its tributaries, with the oldest plantations going back to the Roman era. It is the eighth-largest wine-producing country in the world, of which white wine accounts for almost two thirds of the total production. As a wine country, Germany has a mixed reputation internationally, with some consumers on the export markets [like us!] associating Germany with the world's most elegant and aromatically pure white wines while most everyone else in the US see the country mainly as the source of cheap, mass-market semi-sweet wines thanks to our granny’s blue bottled Riesling.
November Flight of the Month - Raúl Pérez, Bierzo, Castilla y León, Spain
Raúl Pérez Pereira is highly regarded as one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. He gained recognition for his winemaking skills and innovation from an early age. Born in Valtuille de Abajo, a village in the Bierzo region of Spain, Pérez comes from a family with a long history of winemaking. He produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 when he was just 22 years old, showcasing his talent and passion for the craft.
Pérez’s winemaking approach is characterized by a deep respect for the land, a commitment to organic and sustainable practices, and a focus on expressing the unique qualities of each vineyard and grape variety. His wines are often described as terroir-driven, showing a sense of place and reflecting the distinct characteristics of the regions where the grapes are grown.
With his innovative techniques and dedication to quality, Raúl Pérez Pereira has significantly impacted the Spanish wine scene. His wines continue to be highly sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, cementing his reputation as a visionary winemaker.
11/14 through 11/20 - red wines for warmer weather
Just like hibernation, my body goes into a red wine state of mind with the clocks rolling back. The only problem is that it’s almost 70 degrees all week long! 😩 What’s a girl to do? Go straight for the chilled reds!
This week we are pouring some light, refreshing, easy-drinking reds like our light, but flavorful Grenache from @foldedhills in Santa Barbara, a beautiful fruit-forward Pinot Noir from our friends in Willamette @holloranvineyardwines and a Super Tuscan from @ilborrowines that defies stereotypes with its approachability.
October Flight of the Month - Central & Southern Italy
This month, in honor of our expert of the month, Salvatore Ferragamo’s visit [event on 10/17 is sold out, sorry!], we are featuring 6 wines from 3 different wineries and regions throughout Central & Southern Italy.
The wine region of Abruzzo runs from the east coast on the Adriatic Sea to the center of Italy, not far from Rome. We are sampling some of @lunaria_wine Pecorino and Montepulciano.
The most southern region we are tasting from is the island of Sicilia. We are pouring a Grillo and Nero d’Avola from @bagliodellefate which are both very classic in their styles.
Finally, from Campania, which lies on the west coast between Sicily and Abruzzo, we are offering Greco and Aglianico from @dimeo_vini
As always, we are offering some delicious food from @st.kilians to accompany the wine but instead of a cheese pairing we are offering an Italian Charcuterie Board with 3 different cheeses, as well as a variety of accoutrements all from the region.
10/24 through 10/31 - trick or treat yo'self halloween candy and wine pairing
🎃🍷 It’s time again for our annual Trick-or-Treat Yo’ Self Halloween Candy & Wine Pairing!
Why should the kids have all the fun? Treat yourself to a delectable candy and wine pairing starting this Tuesday 10/24 through Halloween night.
From Wild Berry Skittles with a blood red Raboso Prosecco to Heath bar and Snickers with a white Rhône blend and Tempranillo, there’s a pairing for every palate. Cheers to a spooktacular evening of Hallowine self-indulgence! 🍷👻
September Flight of the Month - Gamay with Yann Bertrand
I don’t think there’s a better producer of gamay alive. They are bright, fresh expressions of the different terroirs they are grown in, and showcase how versatile a grape Gamay really is.
For the month of September [if my allocation lasts that long! 😂], we are pouring four 2022 vintages from Fleurie and Morgon that will blow your mind. And if you’re a true gamay fan, you simply must join us next Tuesday, August 29th at 6pm for a one-night-only event that will include 2019 and 2021 vintages from my personal stash! That evening only we are pouring 4 additional wines you will not be able to get anywhere else in Colorado.
9/25 through 10/1 - sneak peak into the upcoming reserve menu 'pinots on pch'
Let's take a little drive along the coast of California on PCH. From Sonoma to Monterey to Santa Barbara, we are tasting some of the most beautiful Pinot Noir you'll ever experience, from some of the most coveted and respected producers in the world like Adam Lee, Dan Kosta, and Philippe Cambie. These aren't your typical lighter-bodied Cali Pinots either. They've got structure and grit, perfect to pair with a ribeye as opposed to duck [although they would be beautiful with that too!].
9/19 through 9/25 - sneak peak into the upcoming reserve menu 'prestigious Spanish AVAs'
This flight is stupid!!! I’m so excited to share these stunning beauties from España with you 🤤
This week we are featuring some absolutely incredible reserve wines, including a 2019 Albariño from Zarate in Rias Baxias that is bright and fresh, a 2016 Xarel-lo from @enric_soler in Penedes with lush mouthfeel, and a 2016 Tempranillo from @torremilanos in Rivera del Duero that will blow your mind and expectations.
9/12 through 9/18 - sneak peak into the upcoming reserve menu 'prestigious French AVAs'
Ooh la la look what we are pouring for you this week! As part of the upcoming Reserve Menu list launch, we are sharing a few from the most prestigious AVAs in France this week for your enjoyment.
You’ll enjoy a gorgeous Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Pinot from Santenay, and a GSM [Grenache/Syrah/Mourvédre] from one of the hottest 100-point winemakers in Rhône.
9/6 through 9/12 - sneak peak into the upcoming reserve menu 'pax wines'
We've been holding onto some beauties for the last 3+ years in anticipation of finally being able to launch our Reserve Wine List. The time is nearly here and to celebrate we are giving you a sneak peak into some of those wines.
This week we are kicking off with our favorite Sonoma producer, Pax Wines. We are enjoying that the mornings are cold these days, but with warm afternoons still so we thought it fitting to start with a stunning and zippy Vermentino, then move into a smooth and elegant Chenin Blanc, and finish with a silky, earthy Syrah as the night cools down.
August Flight of the Month - Maison Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy
Maison Joseph Drouhin is rich with history and tradition. It is directed by the four great-grandchildren of Joseph Drouhin. They grew up in the vineyards and acquired a deep understanding of wine alongside their father, Robert Drouhin. They all have their own role and they share the same passion for wine. The fifth generation is also making its mark, with Laurène, the eldest daughter of Véronique, joining the House in 2020.
At the operational helm of the House from 1957 to 2003, Robert Drouhin played an essential role in its modern development. He significantly expanded the estate, particularly in Grand Crus, and added the acquisitions in Chablis in 1968, as well as the establishment of the Oregon estate alongside his daughter Véronique in 1987.
8/22 through 8/28 - New Wine on the Block
Starting Tuesday, our featured flight of the week is a new series we are calling ‘New Wine on the Block’ that showcases some fun new wine we’ve added to the lineup. The first is a stunning Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc that is bright, fresh and a bit floral and a little weight. The next is a killer Verdeho from Ruedo, Spain. And finally, if you haven’t tried our new red Bordeaux from Cru Monplaisir, fair warning you’re going to be obsessed with this one. We hope to see you this week to try some of the newbies and that you love them as much as we do!!!
8/8 through 8/21 - bubbles!
This week’s flight is bittersweet. We are inspired to celebrate our lovely Em’s recent accomplishments with a flight of gorgeous bubbles: we are first starting with bubbles from the Berlucchi family that literally created the first Franciacorta and set the standard for their DOCG in Lombardy, then a Sparkling Brut from multi-100-point winemaker, Marc Gagnon with State of Mind on the west coast, and a blood red Prosecco made by Paladin in Veneto from the gorgeous Raboso grape.
July Flight of the Month - State of Mind wines
July’s flight starts today and features State of Mind wines from Marc Gagnon [multiple 100pts including with Screaming Eagle] and Michael Kennedy [Forbes’ Top 30 Under 30]!
You’ll enjoy a Brut Sparkling from Sonoma County, riesling from Columbia Valley, and a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from famed LS vineyards in Eola-Amity Hills in Willamette Valley, named after Master Somm and Lingua Franca winemaker, Larry Stone. And for those joining us on the night of, you know we will be pouring some baller library wine! 😉
7/18 through 7/23 - Oregon
Literally living our best life, and all roads always seem to lead back to Oregon for us. That’s why we are celebrating the entire state with our Oregon flight this week. But instead of showcasing the wines that will represent nearly every inch of their wine country, please meet the people that make the most beautiful wines you’ll ever have the pleasure of consuming.
7/11 through 7/17- ‘It’s too hot to drink reds, so let’s drink French rosé’ flight
Join us this week for a beautifully and dreamy French rosé flight featuring a Grolleau blend from Dom. des Hauts Baigneaux in Loire, a Sciaccarello blend from Clos Signadore on the island of Corsica, and Pinot Noir from Dom. Philippe Gilbert, who is also in Loire.
So if this nearly 100* weather is too much for your AC, come quench your thirst with some rosé at Vin Rouge and enjoy our 70* environment.
June Flight of the Month - Eastern European Wines via Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia
The wines of Croatia have become increasingly popular in the last decade, but they have been made here for centuries. Croatia recently joined the EU in 2013 and has become a tourist hotspot due to its sunny weather and friendly locals. Vineyards scale the Dalmatian Coast and its islands up to Istria in the north and inland near the capital, Zagreb. Hvar Island [A UNESCO Site and home to the oldest still-operating vineyard in the world, Stari Grad Plain] and Pelješac Peninsula are the centers of quality wine production in Croatia.
Home to more than 22 wine regions spanning almost 160,000 acres of vineyards, Hungary was once one of the most prominent wine-producing regions in all of Europe. In the 1880s, the region was unfortunately hit hard by phylloxera, and then years of war followed, ultimately devastating the wine industry. However, around the late 1980s, Hungary became a democratic republic and prioritized winemaking in the Aszú region of Tokaj. Home to Hungary’s crown jewel white dessert wine, Tokaji is made from the Furmint grape.
Slovenia gives us nine wonderful grape producing districts, within three main regions located on the eastern and western sides of the land. These wine regions spread out to the borders and touch upon the neighboring countries of Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. A total of 33,000 hectares of vineyards, 30,000 grape producers with 2,300 growers that are registered to make their own wines/labels to sell.
6/27 through 7/3 - Italian Whites
This week we are enjoying an uninterrupted few days without rain so we thought a flight of white Italian wines would be perfect! 🤌🏻
You’ll enjoy a bright Arneis from @marchesiincisawines a fresh and fruity Pinot Grigio from @murigries.winery and supple Friulano from @petrussa_wines
Instead of reaching for your lemonade, come quench your thirst at Vin Rouge!
6/20 through 6/26 - Love Win[e]s
This week we are celebrating Pride Month with a rainbow of wine. You'll start with a White Rhône Blend from Maz Caz in Rhône, enjoy a Vermentino Amber from Troon Vineyards in Rogue Valley, Oregon, endulge in a Grenache/Mourvèdre Rosé from Stolpman Vineyards in Santa Barbara, and finish with a fresh and fruity Beaujolais-Villages Gamay from famous French producer, Maison Joseph Drouhin. So come in and celebrate love with wine at Vin Rouge!
6/13 through 6/19 - Stolpman Vineyards
At Stolpman it’s all about the vineyard - which is why it is paramount to employ a highly skilled full-time work-force, La Cuadrilla. They take care of them, and they take the most precise care of their vines. In an era when the wine industry is moving towards mechanization, Stolpman Vineyards has gone the opposite direction. Vines are only touched by the hands of La Cuadrilla, no tractors. They spare no effort in meticulous pruning cuts, vine training, and adjustments.
With La Cuadrilla’s tenderly-loved fruit coming into the winery, they can allow grapes to ferment with a gentle guiding hand. They favor naked fermentation with no inoculation, sulfur, or other additions. In many cases they choose not to crush the grapes or they leave bunches whole – aiming for light, nuanced extraction. Fruit destined for red wine is foot trod and gently circulated to avoid coarse obstructive notes.
5/30 through 6/4 - Viticcio in Tuscany
Viticcio has been making wine since 1964 among the rolling green hills of Tuscan wine country in Greve in Chianti, between Florence and Siena.
The winery’s vinicultural production began with the desire to capture and embody the potential of Chianti Classico, and it wasn’t long before Viticcio wines became renowned for their true and high quality expression of the Tuscan terroir. Since then, the winery has grown to encompass 120 hectares of estate-owned land among the hills of Chianti Classico and Maremma and it now produces wines from all three of these prestigious territories.
Thousands of years of history lay behind the production of this zone. Grapes have been transformed into wine since the Ancient Etruscans occupied these hills over 2000 years ago.
May Flight of the Month - Biodynamic farming with Troon Vineyards, Rogue Valley, OR
Two worlds are coming together for our May Tasting with the Expert. My trip to Rogue Valley last month introduced me to a vineyard that I kept hearing so much about lately due to their organic, biodynamic farming practices. Most recently, Troon Vineyard was the second vineyard in the world to receive the Gold Regenerative Organic Certification and the first wine to receive the prestigious award [which I may or may not have smuggled a couple of bottles for you to try]. Visiting the farm, touring their facilities, meeting the people and the working animals was so impactful I had to bring them back to you and share the experience firsthand.
Upon arrival you’ll be greeted with a [cleverly named] Pet tanNat. Then we will enjoy a wine and cheese pairing from St Kilian’s, starting with an amphora aged Vermentino from the Kubli Bench Vineyard and a more traditional white Rhône blend called Druid’s Fluid as well as their red Druid’s Fluid Rhône blend. We are going to finish with the most luxurious Tannat, which I had mostly only tried in blends before but Rogue Valley is producing something special with that varietal all on its own.
5/23 through 5/29 - White Burgundy
Not Your Grandma’s Chardonnay is the flight of the week this week. At least not MY grandma 😝
This week, in honor of #InternationalChardonnayDay we are bringing you to Burgundy 🤤 We are pouring two Chablis, including a PREMIERE CRU from @domaine_47n_3e as well as a Côte de Beaune from @davidmoreau_santenay
While one of these wines is currently on our menu, the other two are very special and will only be available through this flight, and eventually on our upcoming Reserve Menu.
5/16 through 5/21 - Pinot Three Ways
Pinot Grigio is being celebrated this week worldwide, and since it is thought to be a mutant clone of Pinot Noir, we thought it would be fun to try Pinot Three Ways! The first tasting will be a Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige, followed by a Rosé from Loire, and finished with an Oregon Pinot Noir. Check out more details in the Flight of the Week link above.
5/9 through 5/14 - Sunday Brunch
The flight of the week also doubles as ANOTHER huge announcement for Vin Rouge…Sunday Brunch!!!
That’s right! Starting this Sunday we will be flexing our hours and opening at 12pm for a new brunch menu with new food and libations.
The flight this week will include 3 different cava cocktails off the new menu including a pêches bellini, kir royale, and spagliato. We are also going to include an item off the new menu which is our charcuterie version of ‘eggs & bacon’…deviled eggs and speck.
April Flight of the Month - Silas Wines
Tasting with the Expert alert - Oregon edition 🤤 Ok ok, I know we all know my obsession with Oregon wine. It’s just so damn good! Tuesday 4/4 at 6pm, we are welcoming winery owner and winemaker for @silas.wines Alex Clark, who will guide us on a journey through biodynamics and what that means, especially in relation to his wines.
Once seated we will make our way through an amazing lineup starting with a 2016 Pinot Blanc [be sure to ask Alex why the current release is actually a vintage older than the last one!], followed by a 2014 Pinot Noir ‘The Pearl’, 2015 Pinot Noir ‘Ladd’s Edition’, and finished with his 2015 Malbec ‘The Optimist’. In addition to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Alex and drink his wines, you will also receive a beautiful cheese pairing procured specially by @st.kilians
4/25 through 4/30 - Malbec Three Ways
The flight this week is one for the books.
I’ve been waiting forever to share this very limited flight. The time is now.
Through a vertical of Syrahs from famed Syrah producer Dom. René Rostaing, we are going to taste how the 2015, 2017, and 2019 vintages in Languedoc compare to each other. What makes one year acceptable but another year exceptional even though they were all produced from the same vines and same winemaker in the same facility, all aged exactly the same? Whether you are building your cellar or want to know if a bottle is ready to drink yet, utilizing a Vintage Chart can help you make those decisions by summarizing the quality and character of the wines from a particular region in a specific year. It can be so confusing and overwhelming to keep track of but this tool makes it easy!
This tasting is EXTREMELY limited so you may want to move your babysitter to Tuesday this week and make a reservation now!
4/18 through 4/23 - Malbec Three Ways
Being that yesterday was #MalbecWorldDay we of course had to make this week’s Flight of the Week align.
We are pouring make three ways: rosé, domestic with minimal intervention [ie not an oak bomb], and traditional Argentinian style.
4/11 through 4/16 - Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink is the Flight of the week 💕
I don’t know what it is about this time of year but I crave rosé something fierce.
So this week we are scratching the itch and pouring a Canaiuolo from Tuscany, a Sciaccarello from Corsica, and Touriga Nacional from one of my favorite Cali wineries, Arnot-Roberts.
#DrinkPink #RoséAllDay
3/28 through 4/2 - Women in Wine Part IV
There’s one last week in March [what the heck???] so we had to finish Women’s History Month with our newest member, Em. If you’ve met her, you know her laughter and kindness are infectious but so is her thirst for knowledge. We are featuring her current faves on the menu, including a new Rhône White from Maz Caz [female winemaker!], dry Rosé of Sangiovese from Tuscan producer il Palazzo, and gorgeously juicy Morgon Gamay from Louis Claude Desvignes. So come in this week and say hi to Em and the rest of the bad bish ladies at Vin Rouge! 💪🏼💃🏻
March Flight of the Month - Domaine de la Solitude, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape was the very first French wine appellation; created in 1936, and sits towards the bottom of the Rhône Valley, close to the border of Provence. The name means ‘Pope’s new castle,’ and refers to a time when the seat of the Roman Catholic Church was in Avignon [between 1309–137]). Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of 19 official crus or ‘growths’ of the Côtes du Rhône wine region. These 19 crus represent Côtes du Rhône’s top wine-growing zones. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is considered by most to be the benchmark of the Southern Rhône and includes five communes: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Courhézon, Orange, Bédarrides, and Sorgues [ordered from largest to smallest].
3/21 through 3/26 - Women in Wine Part III
She’s baaaaack! And so it’s still all about the ladies this week because @19mellsomm96 picked out her new faves we added while she was harvesting @ripponvineyard in New Zealand. So of course she had to include their Sauvignon Blanc 🐑
Always a fan of @hautsbaigneuxlestetes wines, she also had to include our new Cab Franc/Gamay/Grolleau blend [we also brought in a rosé of Grolleau from them that she doesn’t know about yet 🤫].
The last she chose to include is an incredible Sangiovese from one of our favorite Montalcino producers @le_ragnaie
Come welcome Mell back this week and enjoy a beautiful array of wines hand-selected by our certified somm, and for only 20 bucks 🤯 [don’t forget to say hi to Em and Anna too 😜]
3/14 through 3/19 - Women in Wine Part II
Our flight of the week continues to celebrate women with one of the most respected female-owned and operated wineries, @domaineweinbach
Anyone who knows me and my palate, knows white wines from Alsace are my fay-voh-rit 🤤 and this winery tops the list of best on the planet for me because of their delicate structure supported by strong character, and perfectly balanced acid with silky mouthfeel. I’ve been holding onto these beauties for the perfect occasion and I can’t think of a better time then now to share them.
We are offering a #sylvaner #pinotblanc and #riesling from their collection. And no…this riesling isn’t anything like what your grandmother drank in the blue bottle. The residual sugar is undetectable…nothing but ripping acid to make your lips pucker baby!
3/7 through 3/12 - Women in Wine
Let’s recognize all the badass bitches this week! In honor of women’s history month, we are focusing on three insanely talented women winemakers this week.
From @lulumtzojeda we are showcasing her @brumavinicola Blanc de Noir Carignan from Valle de Guadalupe. Lulu is Mexican born and raised but went to Bordeaux at 18 to study French, but quickly realized she was born to make wine and has been turning tradition on its head ever since.
Anne Collard has been best known as partner with her husband Francois in their winery @mourguesdugres but always wanted to have vines in Côtes du Rhône and in 2019 she got her wish when she bought 30 hectares in Comps, a CDR Villages. Her red blend is complex but smooth, aromatic and bold.
Finally, from Sicily, we are diving into our reserve collection to bring out a Frappato from highly-coveted winemaker @ariannaocchipinti 🙌🏻 This wine is extremely allocated, and we’ve been sitting on it for just the right occasion…women!
We are so excited to be able to share these beauties with you so grab your best girl and swing by to enjoy a glass or three as we celebrate us and how awesome we are.
February Flight of the Month - Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Barbara
Every February, the month of love, I like to pay homage to my wine roots in Santa Barbara. This year is a STUNNING collection that focuses on what might be the most famous, award-winning domestic vineyard, Bien Nacido. Nothing less than 90+ points ever comes out of these vines if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on their grapes.
Join us this Tuesday with our guest expert, Scott Hornick of CS Wines, as he walks us through 3 side-by-sides of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, which is my personal favorite Central Coast varietal.
2/21 through 2/28 - Frerejean Frères Champagne
Pop-up #TastingWithTheExpert this Tuesday 2/21 at 6pm!!!
We are welcoming Jean-Francois with a variety of his delicious beverages and fun pairings!
This is a really special night because with this event we are launching a new round of vermouth cocktails alongside premier and grand cru champagne from @champagnefrerejeanfreres [who is part of the famed Taittenger champagne family], as well as some new champagne cocktails.
We are also excited to share that we are reintroducing caviar to our menu to pair with the champagne and a special treat of foie gras pâté 🤤
2/14 through 2/21 - A Week of Love
We are celebrating love this week with an experience for all senses. We will start with 2 full glasses of either Cremant or the #1 and 2 rated Proseccos in the world, accompanied by an indulgent 3 course food pairings for 2 including Truffle Popcorn, Caviar flight, and trio of Chocolate Truffles. If your love language is gift giving, then spoil your sweetie, or yourself, with this extravagant [but financially approachable!] tasting!
January Flight of the Month - il Borro Winery, Tuscany, Italy
We have something EXTRA special to share with you this month. @ilborrowines will be joining us in person next Tuesday 1/17 @ 6pm to discuss their delicious Tuscan wines and the vineyard that sits within the small medieval village they own about an hour south of Florence. It was founded by the @ferragamo family of fashion fame nearly 30 years ago and is operated by Salvatore’s children to this day.
While we are offering four of their standard wines throughout the month, for one night only we will also have 2 of their most prestigious Sangioveses, one aged in amphora and the other in French oak. Despite officially announcing for the first time today, we are nearly sold out for this event because we’ve been excitedly sharing it at the bar, so you’re definitely going to need to reserve your spot as soon as possible. If you aren’t able to get a res on OpenTable, please reach out to us so we can add you to the waitlist just in case we have any cancellations.