Definitely In Good Taste!

Continuing my exploration of Charleston area wine shops and wine bars that I have never visited, I stopped in at In Good Tasteon Friday evening.  In Good Taste is a cozy shop that has been in business for over 25 years and is owned by Jacki Boyd.  The store offers wines, whole bean coffees, teas, cheeses, and an assortment of gourmet items including spices.

On the tasting table were wines from Darcie Kent Vineyards, a label unknown to me.  Darcie is both a winemaker and an artist, working in acrylics and water colors to create gorgeous art for the labels that adorn the wines she and her husband make in California’s Livermore Valley.  They specialize in single vineyard wines using grapes from their own vineyards as well as from select growers in the area.

There was a Gruner Vetliner, a wine that I didn’t know was made outside of Austria.  It is a gentle white wine that is pleasant by itself or with cheeses or any light fare.  Next was a Sauvignon Blanc that was less citrusy than many and would complement food nicely.  The West Pinnacles Pinot Noir 2007 was impressive and an excellent wine to enjoy with food.  It has a tawny color and nice tannic structure – not one of the “cherry berry” types of Pinot.  The last of the 4 wines being tasting that night was Madden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. I decided to purchase a bottle of the Pinot Noir.  I took it home and enjoyed it with a grilled rib eye steak, sauteed mushrooms and grilled asparagus.  The white wines are in the $15 range and the reds $19, reasonable prices for high quality single vineyard wines.  Plus those beautiful labels!

In Good Taste also offers cooking classes and wine classes in addition to Friday and Saturday tastings.  Be sure to stop by to meet Jacki and browse the offerings.

Cheers!