Seeing red
Uncork a velvety wine for the holiday season
As local winery-goers adapt to bar and restaurant closing restrictions, there are still ways to bring the wine tasting experience home—especially as lush red wines are uncorked just in time for fall. Red wines can range in price, but having expensive taste doesn’t mean you have to break the bank for a bottle of the vibrant vino. With plenty of wineries in tote, options for red wine in Columbus are endless. Here’s a guide on red wines around the city assorting from sophisticated to sweet, with food pairing recommendations to go along with them.
Wine on High
While Wine on High has reopened for retail services, patrons can also get their red wine fix through contactless carry-out or local delivery. With more than 300 labels in the shop alone, Wine on High has more than enough red wine to go around. The shop’s Hitching Post Pinot Noir is just $26, with a dry finish complete with pear, dried spices and juicy red fruit. For a cozy, in-home-oriented set, Wine on High also has two packs designated for specific themes from brunch, movie night and happy hour. Their red wine two-pack features the smooth, dark fruit flavorings of Drumheller Cabernet Sauvignon and the subtle, aromatic floral notes of Straight Shooter Pinot Noir for $35. With a subtle taste, both wines pair naturally with dark chocolate, grilled lamb or various braised beef dishes.
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Barrel & Bottle
While resuming service, and also adhering to COVID-19 standards, Barrel & Bottle is North Market’s one-stop stall for wine and beer while visitors grab chow at a nearby vendor. With available tastings at the shop’s intimate bar, guests are invited to grab a bottle of their choice to be uncorked and find a wine best-suited for their palette. For an international feel, opt for dark, inky cherry tobacco taste of Stellar Organics Pinotage made in the Western Cape region of South Africa. For a sweeter tone, try the bubbly rose petal and berry blend of Casali Rosa di Rosa imported from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
grain + grape
As grain + grape prepares a curated wine box delivery service, guests are still welcome to scour the space for all of their wine needs. Made from the Gamay grapes of France, the fermented, burgundy Beaujolais Nouveau is both fresh and fruity, pairing naturally with robust pasta or pizza. With the complex flavorings of green tea, clove, strawberry, cranberry and unsweetened dark chocolate, the fruit-driven aromatics of Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Pinot Noir goes perfectly with fish-based dishes like baked salmon or tilapia.
Cooper’s Hawk
As one of Easton Town Center’s upscale dining hubs, Cooper’s Hawk is also a winery with plentiful red options ranging from $15-$40 to compliment their elaborate meals. With traditional Merlot and Malbec flavors, Cooper’s Hawk also has signature reds, like the earthy spices of Cooper’s Hawk Lux Pinot Noir and the robust blackberry, vanilla and coffee aromatic Cooper’s Hawk Lux Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also sweet reds, like Romance Red that pair well with dessert. Handcrafted in grape-growing regions such as Oregon, California and Washington, the winery also hosts wine trips for exclusive Cooper’s Hawk wine club members, trekking to France, Portugal, Greece and Italy to visit historic wine and cuisine regions.
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