3 Flights, 9 Wines, 1 Restaurant
What’s better than having a few sips at a wine tasting or settling for an average glass of wine at a bar? Wine flights. When in Louisville, Kentucky, over Fourth of July Weekend, we went to louvino wine bar for drinks and dinner Friday night. Wine bars serving wine flights are the perfect way to play the game of tasting (with enough for two rounds), and we didn’t have to settle on any on wine for lack of variety.
We chose three flights (9 wines) at louvino; first, we tasted fruity reds followed by bold spicy reds then a flight of chardonnays. We smalled, swished, and shared…then smelled, swished, and shared again!
* = Not for us
** = Will try again
*** = Get me a bottle!
FIRST FLIGHT: “Lewis & Clark: Red”
2011 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy: Big nose in the first round with bright fruit, light-bodied. In the second round, the wine opened up with more heat on the finish. **
2012 Vina Malpo Carmenere, Valle Central, Chile: Another light-and-bright wine with a hint of oak, medium dry with a very green vegetable flavor that Ms. K called “very asparagus.” The second round brought out more of the steamed veggie flavor. *
2009 Boutari Agiorgitiko, Nemea, Greece: Next to the other wines, this wine knocked us on our heels with its initial unique tang. At first we couldn’t name the sour fruit, but recognized it as a sour green apple in the second round. Surprising, silky, with no smell at first, but a big apple aroma second time round after opening up: The taste comes across more like a white wine with the texture of a red. ***
SECOND FLIGHT: “Muhammad Ali”
2010 Sledgehammer Zinfandel, North Coast, California: Spice from start to finish with a subtle nose; prepare for heady tannens and oak. Opened up in the second round with a vanilla scent and a hint of maple sugar barbecue. ***
2011 Shatter Grenache, Maury, France: A sweet, floral nose contrasts hard with the whisky kick of this heavily pepper red where the tingle lingers and resonates throughout your mouth. The second round opens up with a hint of orange liqueur, like a lacing of Gran Gala. **
2011 Saved Red Blend California: The spice here remains on the surface, a more well-balanced table wine. In the second round it became lighter and sweeter, prompting Ms. K to describe it as, “Lovelier and lovelier.” ***
THIRD FLIGHT: “Diane Sawyer” (Chardonnay)
2012 Novellum Chardonnay, France: The nose on this chardonnay is warmly floral; the flavors suggest a creamy butter rose-petal perfume. More tart on the second round but still a smooth, romantic resonance, which Kretch described as “an old lady in her garden.” ***
2011 Louis Jardot Chardonnay: This white was a light, dry citrus with a crisp, lemon-zest finish, reminiscent of a Chilean sauvignon blanc. As it opened up in the second round, the flavors of the first round increased into what Kretch called a “greasy sauvignon blanc.”
2012 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Karia’ Napa Valley, California: A strong oak start with a watery melon finish, opening up to be more sour in the second round. *
WHAT WE ATE @louvino:
To Start:
German Pretzel with Beer or Port Cheese: the beer cheese is better
Shared Dinner for 3:
Cajun Crab Cakes: just delicious
Lobster Mac & Cheese: rich but not overpowering
Fried Chicken Tacos: hearty for tastebuds that need the familiar
Grilled Market Veggie Flatbread: flavorful
