Our last stop in Colorado was Creekside Cellars Winery & Italian Café in Evergreen. This charming town is about an hour’s drive from Denver International Airport, but seems a world apart. During our travels in 2008 we’ve come across more wineries with restaurants than we did in 2007. We think this is a good idea since wine itself is a food. It was the lunch hour and we ordered the Italian Antipasto Platter. An array of colors and flavors was eye catching and flavorful especially with a glass of Creekside wine. The imported cheeses, olives, meats and vegetables were served with fresh focaccia and dipping oil. Perfect for an everyday meal or a celebration. Our wine tasting and food platter took us about three hours. This was the perfect closing to our second trek into Colorado wine country.

When it comes to pairing food and wine I’m not big on rules. I select a wine that I like to drink with whatever food I have. We tasted several Creekside Cellars wines and they all matched with something on the antipasto platter. The dynamics of sharing wine and food with friends is where the magic comes into play. Too often in tasting rooms only one of the three is present, wine, and the taste seems to be missing something. If you visit a winery that has a restaurant, spend the time to combine food with your wine. It is a much different experience.