Current Wine Flights

This lady had quite an amazing life that I personally hadn't investigated until her passing this past year. Before she became Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth volunteered as a truck driver and mechanic during World War II. This made her the first female member of the royal family to serve in the military. Kind of bad ass! To celebrate her we are doing this flight of bubbles with ties to England. 

The first was made for England and is presumed to be the first dry style made in the traditional method. The next is a cuvee made in the traditional method in England and the last is a special designated vintage done in rose style from the same English producer. Perfect flight to celebrate royal bad asserie...probably not proper English, but I am a colonial!

Pinot Nero

Pinot Noir/ Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier

Pinot Noir/Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier

This flight was put together for our staff member, Sydney, who requested wine with floral notes. I chose white varieties because Sydney is blonde with a very fair complexion. Sydney has recently taken her classes for WSET Level 1 and will schedule her test soon. An accomplished dancer growing up, this delicate flower has recently been working on doing the Roger Rabbit... ask her about it. Rabbits love gardens and the aromas of these wines are like a walk through a flower garden. 

Gardenia, tulips, daisy, honeysuckle and lilacs are some of the notes you will get from these similar yet distinct wines.

Gewurztraminer

Torrentes Riojano

Viognier

Jennifer, the newest member, joined the Wine Bunker team on March 3, 2023, and will make a great impact on where we take this thing in year two. Currently WSET Level 2 certified in wine, she will begin her level 3 studies in a few months. Jennifer already has a background in wine starting in California and most recently at Aubrey Vineyards, leading tasting room and marketing efforts.  Jennifer chose three expressions of Chenin Blanc (a variety that is gaining in attention from our guests).  

While Saumer is growing in reputation for Sparkling Chenin, this still style represents a clean yet chalky style of Chenin. Lubanzi from South Africa demonstrates a crisp yet creamy style with a little more body. Vouvray is a whirlwind of flavor, and although technically a "dry" wine, there is a little more residual sugar and stone fruit flavors in this one giving it a noticeable sense of sweetness beyond the previous two. Chenin, like Jennifer, brings a complexity to the world of wine!

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

Those of you who don't know, and by sales figures probably most of you, the Bunker Commander published a novel a few years ago ("Puzzle"). A character referred to as "Her" was the role of God to the main protagonist. As we celebrate Women's Month, this flight lifts up the growing representation of female wine makers, growers, and owners. 

 I don't choose my wines based on the genetics of the maker, grower, or owner, however I am never surprised to learn some of my favorite, risky, and balanced wines have had a female hand in the creation. As we celebrate women in cultivating roles, these wines are easier to swallow than my novel!

Pinot Grigio

Riesling

Chenin Blanc/Vermentino/Trousseau Gris/Green Hungarian/

Chasselas Dore

Early detection is key in the treatment of breast cancer. There are steps you can take to detect breast cancer when it is most treatable. The Drill Sergeant has been a philanthropist and board member for Saint Luke's South Hospital for years and a proponent for the Saint Luke's South Goppert Breast & Imaging Center. In honor of Women's Month and our female staff members and patrons, Wine Bunker will donate 5% of all flights to Saint Luke's Goppert Breast & Imaging Center.

Grenache Based Blend

Zweigelt

Cabernet Savignon Based Blend

Anna has been part of the Wine Bunker since opening day earned her the name Money Shot when she sprayed a bottle of bubbles all over the Commander's back. A mainstay behind the bar, Anna has taken on a number of duties to assist in getting the Wine Bunker to where it is today. An amazing natural palate is on display with this mixed flight and each one is "money"!

Anna starts you off with a traditional method bubble made from Chenin Blanc...a chalky, crisp interpretation of the grape. She then hits you with an "orange" wine made from Pinot Grigio with notes of nectarine, yellow flower, and dried grass. Finally, she unloads the flavor on you with the fruit-forward yet complex 100% Mourvedre from another of our favorite female wine makers. Enjoy this explosion of flavors...just wear a rain jacket while she opens the Charles Bove!

Chenin Blanc

Pinot Grigio

Mourverde

The Drill Sergeant loves her Malbec and has become quite the expert on the different profiles of the variety from varying areas. As the leading lady of the Wine Bunker, she had first dibs on what wines she wanted to celebrate this month and this flight is almost as exciting as getting to sit with her while you drink them. As my leading lady, watching her balance her career, family, friends, and our business is amazing. 

On the occasion she gets to be at the Bunker, she will certainly come to visit with you and will  most likely have the French Malbec in her glass. La Dolce Vita, Kathy!

Malbec

Malbec

Malbec

Melanie is part time with the Wine Bunker since she already has a big girl job, but she is a force to be reckoned with while on duty. The bold but professional hair and trendy glasses give a glimpse of the personality plus you will get when she visits your table. Melanie not only runs a sales team at The Business Journal, but also sits on many boards around town...the fact she has energy to discuss and serve wines is fascinating to me, and I'm pretty sure the super power comes from the hair!

Melanie just sat for her WSET Level 1 test and will start her Level 2 classes soon. The wines she chose, represent the in-your-face yet professional appeal she brings to the Bunker. 

Lambrusco is such a fun way to start any flight with fruit forward red and black flavors, followed by a Cru style Gamay from the Fleurie sub-region of Beaujolais. The area is noted for floral notes to balance the tart berry flavors. And then like a slap across the face, the sensory overload of Pinotage comes in with coffee, chocolate, rich smoke and full body. She isn't around much (did you read all the other shit she does?) but when she is, you will immediately be drawn into her world!

Lambrusco Sorbara

Gamay Noir

Pinotage

There is plenty of spunk and stubborness with our resident red head, Marieta. I love the movie, "The Quiet Man", and there is a quote about the leading lady that "Oh, that red head of hers is no lie!" It was meant as a warning to the leading man. Soft and gentle on the outside, but the stubborn and fiery red head lies within.  It was fitting Marieta chose three reds as her flight.  

The Gamay is from one of the Cru areas of Beaujolais and hits you with leather, molasses, and a wild raspberry note. Followed by a Pinot Noir from Oregon, this wine gives notes of dark berries and rhubarb with a little graphite and flint to round it out. Marieta finishes you off with a blend of Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir giving red plum, raspberry, and flint smoke in a lively wine. They look gentle in the glass but, "that red head of hers is no lie!"

Gamay Noir

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir/Gamay Noir