Colorado is a mountainous wine-growing region situated between the New Mexico to the south and Wyoming to the north of the United States. It is best known for its high altitude vineyards in the Rocky Mountains, where some of them are reaching the mind-blowing 2135 meters. The winemaking history of the region is not that old, around 100 years with first recorded vine plantings in the 1880s. The modern wine industry has begun in the 1970s with vineyards made from the classical grapes from Europe with dominance of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese and many more. Colorado has a moderate continental climate with the rocky, sandy soils which have proved well suited to viticulture. It has warm, dry summers, as well as in cold winters, particularly in the higher areas. The low annual rainfall in these parts of the region are allowing the growers careful control the vigor and yields through the sparing use of irrigation. Colorado has two wine-growing areas including Grand Valley with some of the highest vineyards in the world and the West Elks which has as well vineyards planted on 1950 meters above sea level. The wines which are produced in the region can be characterised as bright, fresh for the whites and delicately structured but richly scented red wines. For the past 20 years the region's wine industry has been booming and giving birth to high quality wines, recognised already all over the world.