As a kid, one of my favorite movies was Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. I would buy candy bars and unwrap them delicately, half-believing that I’d find a shimmering golden ticket inside. As an adult, I’m no less captivated by the promise of treats—though my tastes have matured. Which is why I signed up for Denver Gourmet‘s A Sweet Taste of Denver Tour, an adult romp around the city’s most precious sweet spots.

The unexpected highlight was EVOO Marketplace, a gourmet extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop. Owners Carolyn and Mick Major focused on the sweeter side of pairings, all poured from handsome steel canisters (called fustis) into tasting cups. My favorite was a heavenly blend of blackberry-ginger balsamic and roasted-walnut extra-virgin olive oil, which tasted like a rich and smooth crème liqueur. The endless combinations gave me the sense of Willy Wonka’s factory, grown-up style.

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