CHEERS !
WINE TASTING BY THE OUNCE AT WINE BAR GEORGE
STORY & PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE SHUSTER
The wonderful world of wine is an exciting and delicious way to explore and expand your culinary horizons , but it ’ s often intimidating and expensive to dive in . But as if by magic , Disney Springs has a friendly , approachable , and affordable way for guests to sip , learn about , and appreciate wine . From novice to oenophile , there ’ s something for everyone at Wine Bar George .
Founded by Master Sommelier George Milotes , Wine Bar George isn ’ t your average wine bar ; all 200-plus wines stocked in the restaurant are available by the bottle , glass , or ounce . Yes , that includes everything from the most expensive bottles to the sweetest bubbles . Their secret ? They use the Coravin system , which allows you to pour wine without opening the bottle . Otherwise , opening a bottle for a single-ounce pour would risk exposure to oxygen and cause the product to degrade quickly . Instead , a server inserts a tiny needle into the cork , extracting the wine while pumping argon gas into the bottle to preserve the remaining wine . When the server removes the needle , the cork naturally reseals itself . This allows the wine to last up to a month without compromising consistency or quality .
That means guests can try as much or as little wine as they like . If you have a light drinker in your party , they can order an ounce ,
starting at $ 5 . When dining with a group , you don ’ t have to agree on a bottle . I ’ ll often take a crisp , mineral-forward sauvignon blanc , while my dining companion orders a rich , buttery chardonnay or a spicy , velvety shiraz .
I love ordering small plates at Wine Bar George and pairing each with a different single-ounce pour that complements the dish . And don ’ t worry about perfecting your pairing : I typically leave that to the knowledgeable servers who make recommendations I never would have considered . Move over merlot , riesling , and zinfandel — here , you can enjoy wines you may have never heard of , such as a grüner veltliner , Cariñena , or nerello mascalese . On a past trip , I tried an outstanding brut from Sussex , England , which George recommended when he stopped by my table . It sounds odd , but he explained that the climate in England today is similar to the Champagne region of France in years past , making for the perfect terroir to produce outstanding vintages .
Feeling indulgent ? Wine Bar George offers a section of the menu called “ Outstanding by the Ounce ,” which allows you to order small samples of some of the world ’ s most renowned wines . On a special occasion , you might splurge on a taste of something far beyond your price range : a bottle of Mouton-Rothschild runs $ 3,500 at Wine Bar George , but an ounce will cost you $ 150 .
You don ’ t have to commit to a full glass of a new-to-you wine at Wine Bar George .