Looking for a special gift? How about a dinner with wine at the Bistro
Napa fine dining restaurant in the Atlantis Casino Resort Hotel in Reno. I’ve had the pleasure of dining in Bistro
Napa a few times, and the experience of service is like a well-choreographed
ballet.
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| Christian O'Kuinghttons, Bistro Napa, Atlantis Resort Casino, Reno NV |
Christian O'Kuinghttons is the
brilliant sommelier there. Following is
some insight to his wine philosophy.
“In the evolution of the American palate for wine styles, we
are moving from simplicity to complexity,” he said, and what’s going on in the
American wine scene now is being guided by this generation of millennials. “They are looking for a depth of
characteristics. They like a fruity wine
with a long finish, and have a “more the merrier” attitude about flavor and
aroma in a wine.”
Since 1996, Christian has been developing the impressive
wine list. “That work has been like a
ladder reaching up and up, and that is consistent with my temperament as I
reach toward a joyful wine experience,” he said. “Our wine program receives awards all the
time. We believe in 8 ounce pours, so
that two glasses of different wines are generally sufficient to take a diner
through a great wine experience with his meal. “
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| The four wines |
Christian searches for wines that come from small producers
of beautiful grapes. “I meet winemakers
and walk their vineyards. The winery
that produces between 150 and 300 cases is of most interest to me,” he
said. We tasted four such wines.
Evolution White, from Oregon, vintage 2011-2012. This is a
blend of 9 different grapes: Pinot Grigio, White Riesling, Muscat,
Gewurtztraminer, Muller-Thurgau, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and
Chardonnay. It has a lush tropical yet crisp
finish, and some flintiness. Taste is of
dried fruits, like apricot. 12 percent
alcohol. $15/glass.
Four Graces, Willamette Valley, 2011 Pinot Blanc “This is a misunderstood wine,” Christian
said. “ It is a bridge between Sauvignon Blanc and an oaked Chardonnay.” 13.3 percent alcohol. $14/glass
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| Christian pours CMS |
CMS 2009 from Hedges, Columbia Valley, Washington. This 2009 red blend is 39% Cabernet, 45%
Merlot and 15% Syrah. “So much fun!” he
said. 13.5 percent alcohol. $12/glass,
$34/bottle.
Stratton Lummis, The Riddler Lot 3, a Napa Valley Red
Wine. It has a Tempranillo base (Sierra
Foothills fruit), some Zinfandel, some Petite Syrah. The blend changes every year. The flavor and aroma is of dark fruit. 15.2 percent alcohol . $15/glass.
“This is an excellent wine to demonstrate the 21st Century
palate,” says Christian.
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| Stratton Lummis |
The Atlantis Casino Resort Hotel is located at 3800 S.
Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502.
Telephone (775) 824-4430.
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