Taos News

» Taos Winter Wine Festival is back in a big way

BY LYNNE ROBINSON

LAST YEAR WE ALL THOUGHT

that uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic would have been just a memory in 2023, but the reality has proved to be a little different. After two years stuck in pandemic isolation, compounded by travel restrictions, we all want to go back to enjoying events that were once part of our everyday lives. And if an event combines eating and drinking with the great outdoors, well so much the better.

As luck would have it, organizers of the Taos Winter Wine festival had already planned this year’s events and are now getting ready to welcome the return of wine enthusiasts.

This will be the first opportunity in a while for people to directly meet with winemakers again, and for the winemakers to introduce their wines to both the public and those who work in the industry.

Wine festivals are super popular these days, and almost every wine region around the world has its own unique take. Festivals might be dedicated to local wineries, unique wines produced in the area, a single grape variety, or as in our case, including snowsports while showcasing wine production from various regions.

But mostly, wine festivals are joyful events for wine enthusiasts and wine producers, and this year 30 wineries are returning to Taos from January 26 through 28, with their skis and snowboards in tow.

Beginning with a Champagne & Caviar reception at El Monte Sagrado on Thursday, there will be three on-mountain tastings on Friday and Saturday, ending with the Grand Tasting. Tempo caught up with the Winter Wine Festival co-founder and president, Greg O’Byrne to get the scoop.

The Taos Winter Wine Festival is back in

Wine lovers at TSV

full swing it appears - please do tell all!

The Taos Winter Wine Festival is back in full swing with the Reserve Tasting at El Monte Sagrado on Thursday, Jan 26 with 30 great winery partners serving their best wines alongside tastes from some of Taos’ best restaurants - De la Tierra, Love Apple, Medley, ACEQ, Doc Martins and more.

How many wineries are coming?

The 30 wineries and wine importers that attend are all represented by winemakers or owners, some of the highlights include Martin Woods, Belle Pente, Beaux Freres, Capture, Dalla Terra, Charles Neal, Jose Pastor and more. For a full list of wineries pouring at the events visit: aoswinterwinefest. com/wineries

Grand tasting, Reserve tasting - where and when?

Prior to the Thursday Reserve Wine Tasting, there will be three wine seminars at El Monte Sagrado - an educational tasting with Tim Gaiser MS, a Wines of the French Alps tasting with Charles Neal, and a Champagne and Caviar tasting.

In what way do expect the event to be different this year?

Since January of 2020, due to Covid, we have not been able to host the Grand Tasting in the Taos Ski Valley Resort

Center. But, we are happy to report that this year the Grand Tasting is back on Saturday, January 28th inside the TSV Resort Center with all 30 winery partners serving tastes alongside some of Taos Ski Valley’s best restaurants. On Friday there will be two special tastings in the Martini Tree Lounge overlooking chair one in the Taos Ski Valley. The ever-popular Oregon Pinot and Salmon tasting will take place from noon to 1:30 featuring half a dozen winemakers from Willamette Valley serving tastes alongside chef Matt Delisio of TSV, Chef Shane Alexander of Snakedance and Joe Wrede of Joseph’s table. The Apres Ski Tasting from 3:30 to 5:00 on Friday will feature 10 of California wine producers serving tastes with special bites from Beck & Bulow.

Anything else you’d like to add?

On Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the Pheonix deck, eight special wine importers will be serving wines from around the world with lamb bites from three great restaurants.

Every night, Taos restaurants partner with attending winery principals for special wine dinners hosted by the restaurant.

For a complete list of tastings, seminars and dinners, visit taoswinterwinefest.com

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2023-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://taosnews.pressreader.com/article/282333979037961

Santa Fe New Mexican