Uncorked Tahoe City Wine Bar - Ladies Welcome and Gents Too

Girl’s Night Out – Guys Welcome!  That should be the sign on the chalkboard in the welcoming and intimate wine bar in Tahoe City, Uncorked.  Actually it says “Ladies Night ~ Wednesdays 4 to 8,  $4 per glass” but  the night I dropped in there were a fair number of fellows too. 

The wine-by the glass list at Uncorked is very good and reasonably priced.  The Ladies Night wines offered come from their normal list.  Uncorked does change the wine-by-the-glass list frequently, but many of the tastes below will be available most of the summer.

“When a customer comes in, I like to ask them what they like,”  noted Juda Wilson, who is frequently the hostess.  “I’ll suggest something that I know will appeal to the palate they already have, but there are some great wines here to help expand your wine knowledge.”

Juda started us off with one of Uncorked’s absolute best sellers:  the Aria Brut Cava Pinot Noir from Spain.  It is a bit more dry than other cavas, and this particular bubbly features intense raspberry and strawberry aromas with a hint of cherry and caramel.  $6 the glass, $16 the bottle.  12.5 percent alcohol.

In the white list, the Maldonado Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma Coast, California is an oaky buttery typical California chardonnay.  It has flavors of rich fig, citrus and spice, and also flavor and aroma of kiwi, peach, apricot and cream.   Grapes are sourced from the Parr Vineyard.  $13 the glass.  14.3 percent alcohol.

I selected two reds, both of them from some of my favorite winemakers.  The Talbott Logan Pinot Noir 2009, from Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard in Santa Lucia, Central Coast of California, is an estate wine with a smoky aroma and great smooth and delicate mouthfeel.  It has lots of bright fruit taste, and flavor and aroma of black cherry and fresh blueberry.   $10 the glass.  14.2 per cent alcohol.

The Mauritson Cabernet Sauvignon 08, Sonoma Valley has a full mouthfeel and a fair amount of tannin.  On the front palate, this deep red wine tastes of tobacco, sweet oak and dark fruit.  The aroma features cassis, vanilla and a smokiness as well.  $10 the glass.  14.5 percent alcohol.

Uncorked Tahoe City is located in the Cobblestone Mall at 475 North Lake Blvd., Suite 151, Tahoe City, CA.  Open Sunday through Thursday from noon to 9, and Friday and Saturday noon to 10.  Telephone 530.581.1106