| I recently found myself having to do a bit of | | | | have somewhere around 50 wines I believe from the |
| travelling for work, and during this trek I ended up | | | | 8 major vineyards and wineries in that region. And |
| with a fairly long layover in Charlotte International | | | | just to be sure to mention their names these |
| Airport (thanks mainly to weather ... why do light | | | | wineries and vineyards would be; Hanover Park, |
| drizzles of rain cause so much trouble). Normally I | | | | RagApple Lassie, RayLen, Shelton Vineyards, Stoney |
| dread long layovers, especially when they aren't | | | | Knoll, Surry Community College, Westbend and |
| planned, but Charlotte is one place where I don't tend | | | | Round Peak. Leigh This is great as you really get to |
| to mind so much thanks to a wonderful find. This little | | | | see the nice variety and quality of the wines from |
| gem I'm talking about is the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar | | | | one of the many great East Coast regions that many |
| right there in the airport, which is truly a home away | | | | just don't usually get to experience (that is unless |
| from home for any wine lover. To begin, the bar | | | | you live near them of course). |
| itself is just a great looking and friendly place that | | | | For me I had to go with the tasting flight of 4 wines |
| anyone can enjoy. Besides that, the wines | | | | during my layover so that I could make sure to get a |
| themselves that are within the bar are just wonderful | | | | nice sampling of some wines I don't normally have |
| and are a part of an amazing selection of North | | | | easy access to (despite them only being a few hours |
| Carolina Wines. Then you have the great prices and | | | | away from me really). Now I am not going to go into |
| deals on the wines as well as a few other | | | | too much detail about these wines as I plan on |
| commodities and airport essentials. So, how about we | | | | saving that for my next few wine reviews, but I will |
| take a bit of a better look at the place and hopefully | | | | give you a nice little synopsis of each to tide you |
| convince you to stop by it next time you'er over | | | | over. So to begin my tasting that day I started with |
| that way. | | | | some nice medium oak white wines, thanks to |
| To begin, the bar itself is just a great looking and | | | | Cindy's suggestions. The first of these was a really |
| friendly place that anyone can enjoy. Besides that, | | | | nice Chardonnay from Westbend Vineyard which was |
| the wines themselves that are within the bar are just | | | | a really nice and smooth wine with that classic |
| wonderful and are a part of an amazing selection of | | | | buttery Chardonnay taste. The Second wine was a |
| North Carolina Wines. Then you have the great prices | | | | decent Viognier, also from Westbend, that had a nice |
| and deals on the wines as well as a few other | | | | flowery smell but was a bit sweeter than I generally |
| commodities and airport essentials. So, how about we | | | | like but still good. The Third wine moved me over to |
| take a bit of a better look at the place and hopefully | | | | the reds with RayLen vineyards Category 5 which |
| convince you to stop by it next time your over that | | | | was a fruit forward combination of five different |
| way. | | | | varietals. The last wine in my flight was kinda tart, |
| This little gem I'm talking about is the Yadkin Valley | | | | though still enjoyable, Chambourcin from Stony Knoll |
| Wine Bar right there in the airport, which is truly a | | | | Vineyards that had a nice long finish to it. All of these |
| home away from home for any wine lover. To begin, | | | | wines were very enjoyable, and ones I plan on |
| the bar itself is just a great looking and friendly place | | | | picking up again in the future. |
| that anyone can enjoy. Besides that, the wines | | | | Which on that note, I really could have and also |
| themselves that are within the bar are just wonderful | | | | should have picked some of them up while I was |
| and are apart of an amazing selection of North | | | | there. All of the wines, well almost all of the wines |
| Carolina Wines. Then you have the great prices and | | | | that the shop had on the shelves were quite |
| deals on the wines as well as a few other | | | | affordable and under that $20 mark that I so love. |
| commodities and airport essentials. So, how about we | | | | And of course since you are already past security it |
| take a bit of a better look at the place and hopefully | | | | is perfectly legal for you to buy a bottle and take it |
| convince you to stop by it next time you'er over | | | | with you on your journey home (or else were of |
| that way. | | | | course). But what if you love the wines but don't |
| Just a little ways off from the centre atrium of the | | | | think it's safe to take it with you, well you're in luck |
| airport, you will find the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar | | | | as they will ship to any state that it is legal for them |
| pretty much at the intersection of concourses A/B/C | | | | to ship it too. And as an extra bonus if you buy |
| and D/E. It is fairly easy to miss as they don't really | | | | enough wine to fill a case (12 bottles) then your |
| have much in the way of signage around the airport, | | | | shipping is free, now I am not sure if this was a |
| and even the sign just outside its doors the signs are | | | | special offer or not so you should check on that |
| quite subtle. But if you ever get lost just follow the | | | | before you buy that whole case. |
| signs around the airport for the Harley Davidson shop | | | | As for the wine inside the bar it is a pretty good deal |
| which is just right next door. Once you do find the | | | | with being $7.50 for a flight of 4 wines, or 3 reserve |
| bar though you will be greeted by a very warm | | | | wines, or that same price for just a straight up glass |
| looking environment with nice wooden walls, a few | | | | o'wine. And as far as airport prices go this is actually |
| small tables and faux wine barrel ends along the walls. | | | | the best deal in Charlotte International for wine (or |
| It makes for a much more friendly atmosphere than | | | | any alcohol for that matter). They also beat out |
| the rest of the airport which just seems sterile and | | | | other stores on other prices as well since they also |
| cold to me. | | | | have the best price on bottled water in the airport at |
| What added to this warmth was the friendly and | | | | only a buck. Though if you are looking for food you |
| knowledgeable staff (and by staff I mean Cindy, she | | | | will be a bit hard pressed. They do have it here |
| was the one working on my visit). Seeing as how this | | | | technically but only things like a cheese plate, so |
| isn't a majorly happening spot in the airport (which | | | | nothing really substantial. But who cares when you |
| makes it so much better as you aren't crowded in) | | | | have a decently priced glass of wine in a nice little |
| the bar is able to get away with just having that | | | | wine bar with wonderfully free internet access |
| single staff member. This actually makes for a far | | | | provided by the airport. |
| more personal wine experience, that I personally | | | | So, hopefully you have reached the point by now |
| enjoy better, that doesn't feel rushed like if you | | | | where you have decided that next time you fly |
| were at the Fox Sports Bar down a ways in the | | | | through Charlotte that you will stop into the Yadkin |
| terminal. When you come in you are greeted quickly | | | | Valley Wine Bar. But if you haven't yet, come on you |
| and served quite promptly, and every bit of help is | | | | would be seriously missing out. It is an amazingly |
| given to aid you in making the difficult choice of | | | | warm and friendly environment tucked away in an |
| picking a wine from their selection. And thanks to the | | | | otherwise manic airport, with a great and |
| knowledge of the bar's wines that Cindy had she | | | | knowledgeable staff. They have an amazing selection |
| was able to pick out a few great wines for me to | | | | of well priced and tasty, quality wines from a great |
| taste from a couple of questions about other wines I | | | | region (which is probably my third favourite on the |
| enjoyed. It's this wonderful combination of great | | | | East Coast). And with all of that you can get a |
| service and relative seclusion that really makes this | | | | tasting or a glass of wine for cheaper than anywhere |
| place a great get away from the usually busy airport | | | | else in the airport, and if you like it have it shipped |
| and various other bars and shops within it. | | | | nearly any place you want. So please, Next time you |
| Now onto the selection of wines that the Yadkin | | | | fly through Charlotte give this place a go and try |
| Valley Wine Bar has to offer, which is in now way | | | | some great North Carolina wines and you will not be |
| should be disappointing to any lover of East Coast | | | | disappointed. Oh, and if Cindy is the one helping you |
| Wines. The whole selection of wines that they carry | | | | out tell here who told you of the place and say Hi |
| comes from North Carolina's wonderful Yadkin Valley | | | | for me. |
| region (big surprise there right). From that area they | | | | |