The proliferation of wine preservation and single-bottle, argon gas systems are creating new opportunities for oenophiles to enjoy rare wines by the glass at some of the country’s best restaurants.
One of South Carolina’s finest hotels, Belmond Charleston Place, is featuring a special list of bucket list wines at its Charleston Grill restaurant.
“It’s really exciting to be able to offer wines like the 2004 J.L. Chave Hermitage, the 1999 Domaine Romanée-Conti Vosne-Romanée, and the 2001 Gaja Langhe Sori Tilden,” says Rick Rubel, sommelier and wine Director at Charleston Grill. “Guests have been extremely receptive, with sales of coveted wines increasing by five times or more. … Often, I will sell out of whatever stock I can get my hands on.”
The restaurant has been the recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 19 years, and currently cellars more than 1,250 bottles. Its wine-by-the-glass list features a special section of six or more bucket-list wines that can cost $150 or more for a single glass. Customized tasting menus that pair with the bucket list wines can also be created. Examples of pairings are a 2004 Trimbach Riesling Clos St.-Hune with Oysters, a 2006 Vincent Girardin Chevalier-Montrachet with Lobster and Uni Butter Pappardelle, or the 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select”with the Grilled Lamb Rack.
