NightOut.com Spring 2013
I first wandered into Municipal Winemakers’ airy tasting room on a Monday afternoon; a day off work, gloomy weather, and a good friend in town for the day demanded that we indulge in an educational buzz, and our decision to walk through Muni’s door was as fine as the wine waiting for us within. My experience as a wine drinker says little about my expertise as a wine taster, and I was entering an unfamiliar and slightly intimidating world of swirling, swishing, and analyzing. Luckily, Muni’s relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere requires nothing of its visitors but twenty-one years of age and curious taste buds. With IDs brandished and curiosity piqued, my friend and I embarked on a five-wine flight, accessing our most sophisticated taste-receptors in efforts to recognize flavors such as black currant, leather, lavender, minerals, floral notes, and toasted honey (among several others). Would I have recognized those flavors without the helpful guidance of Muni’s staff? Probably not. But that’s what makes Muni great—they provide an enjoyable, accessible experience for tasters across the spectrum of wine expertise.
From the casual, craftily decorated tasting room interior to the name of their wine club, Muni exudes a younger, more contemporary personality than is usually associated with quality wine. It’s a welcoming attitude that invites novice tasters to begin nurturing an appreciation of wine, while simultaneously meeting the standards of more experienced wine aficionados (sometimes to their surprise). Wherever you might fall on that spectrum, it’s hard to beat the earthy aroma of the 2011 Rita’s Crown Pinot Noir as it mingles with salty ocean air flowing in from outside. The sensation is best described as Awesome. So, naturally, Muni created Club Awesome for members to continually receive the joys of Muni wine and merchandise throughout the year at a reasonable price (Details below).
While wine is at the center of the Muniverse, the experience certainly doesn’t end with your last sip of their 2012 Sweetness. Muni complements their product with plenty of reading material, an impressive display of contemporary local art on their walls and wine labels, and occasional in-house musical performances. Open until 11 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Muni also serves as a classy getaway from the State Street weekend scene, and a visit from the Burger Bus on Saturday nights ensures that no one’s drinking on an empty stomach.
When you go…
Enjoy a five-wine tasting flight for just $12! They will pour from a range of their favorite whites and reds to give you the ideal tasting experience.