Reviews by Cib258

Here's what is what at Tastings of Charlottesville: There is a chef who knows what he is doing with some of the first-rate meats, vegetables, and breads from the area and beyond. Great food. It's part of this wine shop, both of which are run by Bill Curtis, who has a national reputation.

Curtis keeps up with the Virginia wine scene, I guess. Everyone says he's an expert on Virginia wines. He has a lot of them in the shop, but it's rare that he'll feature them in his restaurant. What he does stock and pour is some fine wines from Europe, Africa and the West Coast (especially Oregon and Washington). He'll reach out to South America often, too. It's unlikely you'll see these labels in Food Lion or even Whole Foods. Or, if you do, it's not the same grape or vintage you got to taste here. Curtis' contacts are extensive and they don't send him overpriced junk.

Sooooo, you go into this place, walk through the shop to the laid-back restaurant in the back, ignore the menu and read the blackboard. Good stuff. Then, you talk wine with your server. This is where there is the twist: How about trying three wines with what you've ordered? Get a recommendation, or check out three types of wines you've heard about, together. Try a French against a Virginia against an Oregon red of the same type. (Probably not recommended, but you get the idea.)

Your dinner companion can get three completely different ones. You've got six glasses of wine on the table which you are trying with some first-rate food. (Taste each wine before the meal comes out, now taste each with the food. Whoa, different! You are getting into these wines. Ah, thus the unique concept here. (One lesson: Not all of the enjoyable, good wines are expensive. Another lesson you might get on a third or forth visit to Tastings: Some of those higher prices wines are higher priced for a reason that you can taste.)

If you enjoy laughing at wine snobs, avoid this place. You'll see, first hand, that there is something to think about regarding better wines. Then you not be able to laugh at them anymore.