“The Wine Encounter is run by four partners who don't let their love of wine stop them from being regular guys. At least a couple of them are behind the bar every night to answer questions or make light conversation with newcomers and regulars.
This bar has a high-toned feeling, thanks to the richly hued granite bar, the wooden tables and chairs, and the tall candles with beaded lamp shades twinkling around the room. Wine for sale is stored in a wood-appointed and temperature-controlled room, and wine-storage lockers line a hallway.
The Wine Encounter offers 100 wines by the glass and the most varied selection of wine flights around, allowing patrons to explore wines that have some feature in common without having to think too hard. The flights, such as Racy Whites (like albariño and gewurztraminer) or Super Pinot Noirs (including Du Nah and Archery Summit) consist of 2-ounce pours of four wines.
The flights run from $12 for an international selection to $39 for a tasting of champagnes and sparkling wines. A tasting sheet with the names of the wines and space for notes makes a reminder for a trip to the wine shop. After the fifth paid flight, the sixth is half-price. Regular patrons keep track of their flights on a little "Frequent Fliers" membership card.
There's plenty to eat at the Wine Encounter, ranging from a selection of olives to a slice of cheesecake to a massive $10 Special Import plate with hunks of Cambozola and Tilsit cheeses with European sausages and a basket of bread. “
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