Eats & Beats: Colorado Natural Wine Week

Carolyn Joy believes in natural wine.  Natural viticulture, bio-dynamic… It’s kind of making the way wine was made a century ago… new again.  Joy, sommelier and proprietor of Joy Wine and Spirits in Denver visits “First Take with Lando and Chavis” monthly.

Joy says there are more than 200 additives used in bulk wine production.  Some additives are natural, like  fish bladder and egg whites.  Some additives are not natural, like “Mega-purple,” which adds a deeper crimson to the color of red wine.

Unlike the rules for a “Certified Organic” wine, the labels found on some “natural” wines are not enforced by any legislation.  ”The whole certification process (for organics) is very lengthy and very expensive.  For wines marked ‘natural,’ they don’t have to do anything.”

This month’s tasting was the Kivel Stadt “Orange” Wine (2016) from the Sierra Mountains.  ”This represents another part of the natural wine movement.  Orange wine is white wine where the skins left on, much like a red wine.”

Events page at Joy Wine and Spirits

Colorado Natural Wine Week events

Here’s the audio feature with sommelier Carolyn Joy, talking about Colorado Natural Wine Week.  (Music is “Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee” by Wes Montgomery on the CD “Complete Recordings with Lionel Hampton.”

Carolyn Joy discusses Colo. Natural Wine Week, tasting, music by Wes Montgomery, Lionel Hampton