Saint Louis has to be one of the best cities in the Midwest to be a wine lover. A competitive yet collaborative wine community has sommeliers and other wine professionals demanding the latest and greatest from the local, domestic, and international marketplace. And perhaps more importantly, they are working together as a driving force to bring unique, unusual, and interesting wines to our palates. Here are ten wines currently available by the glass and where to find them:
- Murgo Etna Rosato, Etna, Italy - Bubbles on a budget... It's like drinking Billecart-Salmon Rose for a third of the price. Round, generous, and full of fresh red fruit. $12 at Bar Italia, 13 Maryland Plz, baritaliastl.com
- Royal Tokaji Furmint, Tokaji, Hungary - Clean, pure, and sleek with minerality, Furmint excites the palate. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc drinkers with revel in the uniqueness of this white wine while enjoying familiar notes of gooseberry and lime. $9 at Robust at the MX, 635 Washington, robustwinebar.com
- Bonny Doon Albarino, Monterey, California - Winemaker Randall Grahm brings forth the distinct characteristics of this Spanish grape in Santa Cruz style with his zesty rendition, exerting nuances of grapefruit, ginger, and sweet herbs. $11 at The Dark Room, 615 N. Grand, thedarkroomstl.com
- Darioush Viognier, Napa Valley, California - Delicate floral notes are the perfect complement to the opulent tropical fruit of this luscious yet balanced wine. $18 at Annie Gunn's, 16806 Chesterfield Airport, anniegunns.com
- Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France - Alsatian wines are known for bringing together the best of both France and Germany. This lush and earthy white does not disappoint with aromas of ripe peach and other stone fruits. $12 at The Libertine, 7827 Forsyth, libertinestl.com
- Colonia Les Liebres Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina - Get swept away by the rich, black fruit of cherry, raspberry, and plum with finishes of dark chocolate and soft tannins. $6.50 at The Fortune Teller Bar, 2635 Cherokee, thefortunetellerbar.com
- Domain Douloufakis Liatiko, Crete, Greece - A native Cretian grape, Liatiko, shows beautifully in this juicy, slightly spicy red. Enjoy slightly chilled with the bounty of fall produce and cured meats. $10 at Olio, 1634 Tower Grove, oliostl.com
- Bonotto Delle Tezze Raboso Venteo, Italy - Wild plum notes with hints of dark cherry dominate this high acid and food-friendly red. An excellent pairing for grilled meats, including seafood. $9 at Home Wine Kitchen, 7322 Manchester. homewinekitchen.com
- Stone Hill Chambourcin, Hermann, Missouri - Pass on the Pinot and try something from a little closer to home. This medium-bodied Chambourcin brings notes of cranberry and black currant with touches of toffee, smoky pepper, and toasted oak. $6 at Cork Wine Bar, 423 S. Florissant, corkwinebarstl.com
- Fox Run "Hedonia" White Port, Finger Lakes, NY - A fortified white wine not often seen domestically. Produced from Traminette grapes, it is soft and pleasant with ripe sweetness. Try it alone or on the rocks. $9 at Bella Vino Wine Bar and Tapas, 325 S. Main, St. Charles, bellavinowinebarstl.com
Angela Ortmann (@STLwinegirl) is a Food + Drink Professional, Co-Founder of Cork Dorks with Forks, and Equal Opportunity Imbiber.
