Ft. Collins, CO – July 2, 2018 – The Cache at Ginger and Baker has received the 2018 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the wine list created by their Beverage Director, Alex Ettinger.
This award, given to less than 3,000 restaurants in the world, recognizes “restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers. Ranging in size from 90 selections to several hundred, these lists are well-focused and tend to emphasize discovery,” said Wine Spectator.
The Cache at Ginger and Baker opened just last November and recently welcomed a new chef, Tucker Creveling, formerly of Chimney Park in Windsor. The menu highlights seasonal Colorado-inspired cuisine and a wine list of over 130 Old and New World varietals.
“I wanted to create a list that has wines from all over the world, from every important wine making region,” said Ettinger. “I chose wines with many different complex flavors to match The Cache menu.”
The award is a first for Ettinger, who began working in the beverage industry ten years ago after earning both management and culinary degrees. He came to Ginger and Baker from St. Louis where he worked in restaurants, created beverage programs and managed wine bars.
“At one of the very first places I ever managed, the beverage director taught me everything I needed to know – palate, professionalism, how to talk about and taste wine, how to pick out subtle differences,” Ettinger said. “Once I started learning, I knew it was definitely something I wanted to spend my whole life doing.”
And that he does. Every day, Ettinger collaborates with Chef Creveling, pairing wines to go with the seasonal specials. “What I like is that our palates pick out different things, we complement each other well, bringing out more in both food and wine,” Alex said.
Ettinger and Creveling also collaborate on monthly wine dinners in Ginger and Baker’s Wine Cellar and Ettinger teaches monthly classes on wine and cocktails in Ginger and Baker’s Teaching Kitchen.
“I admire the wine making process, how every detail counts and impacts that year’s harvest from the farmer who grows the grapes to the winemaker to the sommelier who sells it,” Ettinger said. “I really appreciate how they put their heart and soul into making wine, it tells a lot about them. “
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About Ginger and Baker – Since opening in 2017, this historic renovated grain mill has become a River District hub and home to a market, bakery, restaurants, teaching kitchen, event spaces and some of the best patios in town.
For over 100 years this old Mill at 359 Linden Street has been a FoCo staple and gathering spot. Back in the day, farmers, ranchers and townsfolk swapped stories and bought feed and supplies. Today, locals and visitors come by for a warm welcome along with breakfast, lunch or dinner and everything in between.
For more information, contact Kate Cooper, [email protected], 970-223-PIES #2