If you’re the kind of person who would rather skip the entrée and make a meal out of small plates, then Tastes Wine Bar & Bistro is your kind of spot.

With a diverse and ever-changing selection of wines by the glass and an extensive menu, Tastes allows you to design your own private tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings.

Recently, I created a three-course, two-wine dinner for just $30. I started with a house favorite: chewy, Brie-stuffed dates wrapped in thick shavings of smoky Serrano ham and drizzled with balsamic glaze. This was followed by a small bowl of slightly sweet and tender butternut-squash ravioli with sage butter. Both dishes pair well with the crisp Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. (Tastes pours a generous glass.)

For dessert, I opted for the warm apple crisp blended with tart cranberries and topped with a scoop of mellow vanilla gelato. This goes well with the R.L. Buller Tokay from Australia, a smooth, sweet sherry.

Tip: Tastes offers happy-hour specials from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 3-6 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Selected tapas are $3 and the majority of wines run $5 a glass.

1033 E. 17th Ave., 303-459-2311 and 4267 Tennyson St., 303-952-9590

Posted 10/29/2009 at 10:46 am by Shari Caudron
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