Colorado
There are two AVAs in the state of Colorado: Grand Valley, located in Mesa County on the western border with Arizona, and West Elks in Delta County, located farther east. The Grand Valley AVA is situated near the Colorado River; there are 30,000 acres of vines, some located as high as 4500 feet above sea level. Varieties as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Chardonnay, Viognier and Black Muscat; Tempranillo performs well in this area. Wines range from dry to lightly sweet to dessert. As for West Elks, vineyards are planted at even higher elevations, from 5000 to 7000 feet. This is a cooler area than Grand Valley, due in great part to the altitude; grapes such as Pinot Noir and Riesling work well in this area. In general, the reds, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah have been the best Colorado wines; the finest examples offer excellent varietal character and complexity. Prices range from $15-$25 for most wines, with the top reds costing as much as $50 or $60 a bottle.