Al Lado: Richard Sadoval's New Latin Wine Bar

From the award-winning chef Richard Sandoval comes a new Denver venture — and this time's it's about the wine. Al Lado, a Latin wine bar, is now open next door to Sandoval's Zengo location.

The wines set for Al Lado are primarily from South American, with an extensive wine list: about 45 reds and 50 whites. Kelly Berger, the head of the wine program at Al Lado, is excited to have Argentinian pinot noirs and chardonnays on the menu. "These varietals just do amazingly well in South America, Argentina, and Chile," she says. If the wines don't lure you in, the house-made sangrias might. Take the Vino Tinto, made with Shiraz wine, mango, orange, lemon, lime, Granny smith apples, blackberry and traditional brandy, and orange liquor. Or, the pineapple sangria, made with pineapple-infused vodka, Moscato wine, agave nectar, triple sec, lemon, and pineapple juice, will make an easy summertime drink. These drinks are paired with a Spanish tapas menu. Also on the menu: wine on tap; Berger says the bar is still confirming that Al Lado can use the keg system (popular in the '70s) to serve its house wines.

Berger says the feel of Al Lado is an intimate, neighborhood experience. "[Sandoval] has never done anything on that chic, intimate, neighborhood feel," she says. Knowing the Riverfront Park neighborhood, and the number of residents that flock to Zengo each night, Berger says she's confidence Al Lado will attract a large crowd at 610 Little Raven Street.