This year, Taste of Vail is extending its global selection of wines with more than six international vintners represented during the 24th annual food and wine festival. Taste of Vail is scheduled for April 2-5 and will host more than 50 winemakers and winery owners from around the world.
“We are pleased to include a number of international influences at this year’s event,” said Chris Chantler, chairman of the Taste of Vail board. “Taste of Vail’s wine selection aims to reflect the culture in Vail and the resort’s growing popularity as an international destination.”
Among the half-dozen international wineries showcased at Taste of Vail are returning favorites such as Guiliana Imports, Gramona and Valentin Bianchi. In addition, Bodegas Muriel, Chateau de Sours and Valiformosa-Cavas will be participating in their first Taste of Vail.
With three new international wineries added to the 24th Annual Taste of Vail lineup, following are some notable facts about the select vineyards:
Bodegas Muriel – “Muriel” is the combination of the family name Murua and the town of Elciego in the Rioja Alavesa region of Spain. Known for its Riojan surroundings that produce some of the best terroir, the quaint village of Elciego houses the Bodegas Muriel cellars. Today, Julian Murua and his son Javier run the winery with the mission to mend the winemaking traditions of the region with new technologies in order to make wines that express the best qualities of grapes coming from the Riojan vineyards. All Bodegas Muriel wines are 100 percent Tempranillo, the signature grape of the Rioja region. The unique micro-climate of the region is influenced by the Mediterranean, Continental and Atlantic climates, which helps the vines produce aromatic and elegant wines that have great potential to age.
Château de Sours – Dating back to the 14th century, Château de Sours originally served as an inn on the ‘St. Jacques de Compostelle’ pilgrimage route to Northern Spain. The current house was built in 1972 by the Comtes du Richemont, who survived the French Revolution and subsequently renovated the property and planted its first vines. Château de Sours winemakers produce some of Bordeaux’s most respected red and white wines, and is leading a renewed global interest in top class rosé, which will be featured at Taste of Vail’s 2013 Debut of Rosé.
Vallformosa-Cavas – Now managed by the fifth generation of the Domènech family, Vallformosa has been a family-owned winery since it was established in 1865 in Vilobí del Penedès, southwest of Barcelona. In 1865, Don Francisco Jose Domènech planted vines on the land that became the family’s first vineyards. After Phylloxera destroyed almost all the vines in Spain in the late 1880’s, Vallformosa was among the pioneering wineries to replant non-contaminated rootstock. In the late 1930s, the Spanish Civil War erupted and part of winery was destroyed during fierce fighting near the end of the war. In 1940, when the Domènech family returned to rebuild the winery, Don Jose Domènech Torne (the son of Don Francisco) produced the first three bottles of Vallformosa Cava. Since the beginning, the Domènech family has been passionate about their wines and, even today, follow the teachings of their ancestors that the “soul of the wine is in the soil and in their family roots.”
Taste of Vail is the nation’s premier spring food and wine festival, held at several different venues throughout North America’s most popular mountain resort from April 2-5, 2014. Kicking off the event on April 2, experience food and wine with USA Today at Debut of Rosé, the largest celebration of 2013 rosé releases in the world. In addition to the new seminars offered during the 24th Annual Taste of Vail, the event will include the 10th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-off and Après Ski Tasting, the Mountaintop Picnic and the Grand Tasting.
Special lodging rates for Taste of Vail are available starting at $199 per night at Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa and The Sebastian – Vail is featuring a special buy three, get one free offer beginning at $411.75 per night.
For more information on the Taste of Vail, lodging accommodations or to purchase tickets, please visit www.tasteofvail.com.