#Copper Mountain, Colorado.
| Tripp Fay / Copper Mountain Resort |
President’s Day weekend is going to get a little “Uncanny and Uncorked” at Copper Mountain Resort this year. The annual Copper Uncorked festival is homing in on just two events this time around — a Feast of the Brave on Saturday and the always-anticipated Wine-n-Wing Challenge on Sunday.
WING PAIRINGS
“The Wine-n-Wing Challenge has been the most popular event over the years, so Copper decided to bring it back in 2015,” said Stephanie Sweeney, the resort’s communications manager.
The Sunday challenge runs from 3 to 5 p.m. in Burning Stones Plaza and features eight chicken-wing renditions from Copper chefs, each paired with a wine.
“New this year, we will offer a single pairing option for those who don’t want to try all eight pairings,” Sweeney said. “For guests looking to enjoy a glass of wine, that option will also be available.”
Guests have the chance to put in their vote for the most savory and ingenious combo.
“Copper Uncorked is a two-hour event pitting chefs against each other for top honors for best wing taste and presentation,” said Laura Hunter, director of hospitality for Copper. “The winner gets a great prize of a Big Green barbecue egg.”
Live music by the Pine Beetles will run throughout the tasting, which is followed by an ice-skating show on Westlake.
For $25 per ticket, the “You Be The Judge Tasting Tour” includes all eight wing and wine stations. An a la carte option is $5, which includes a single wing and wine tasting, and it’s $6 for a full pour of your favorite showcased wine.
A portion of the proceeds goes to the Copper Environmental Foundation to support youth environmental projects in Summit and Lake counties.
“The chefs are extremely competitive and excited for this event,” Hunter said. “The wines, Prosecco and sake are all great pairings, as they make the profile flavors of the wings.”
BRAVE APPETITES
Before Sunday’s pairing challenge, Burning Stones Plaza will transform into the Dos Equis Beer Garden on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. The venue will include the Feast of the Brave — a surprise dish that is sure to be less-than-appetizing. Live music during the event will begin at 3:30 p.m.
The Feast of the Brave dish is free to try. For the beer garden, guests will purchase drinks as they would at a bar or restaurant.
“Copper Uncorked is not your average wine festival, “Sweeney said, “as we encourage guests to let their hair down and have fun with it.”
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
