So about a year ago, Stephanie DeMasi launched (pun intended) FlyWine, which puts good vino in cute little one-serving bottles. The current offerings are two reds and one white, each made from California fruit by a different winemaker.
These wines are only available in 100ml bottle format. This is cool for several reasons. The single-serving format is ultra-portable and convenient for places like, oh, say, the movie theater, or a picnic, or the golf course. Or church. Ahem, I mean the beach. It’s a fun alternative to the beleaguered caterer stuck behind a festively draped table pouring stuff at weddings and corporate events. (Writers and publishers take note: this could really put a dent in the anxiety level at the AWP Boof Fair! Just saying.) And yes, it literally passes muster in airport security lines. There’s also not having to commit to a whole bottle of a fine or fine-ish wine (we’ve all uncorked something coquettish and rounded from St. Helena that as it turns out we cannot pour out fast enough. “Good” is a subjective thing in wines at the end of the day. And there is also, for those of us who want a drink, but not five, and maybe live alone or with a teetotaler, the niceness of not watching things slowly turn into vinegar because we cannot drink them fast enough. Or we can drink them fast, but the doctor said not to. Ahem, I mean, oxidizing sucks and no one should have to deal with that. That’s what I was trying to say.
And for the civic-minded, note that each winemaker chooses a charity to receive a portion of FlyWine’s profits.
So it’s cute and it’s portable. Yeeeeeeah, but is it good?
Actually? Pleasantly surprised! Those who like their Juice to be big and juicy might dig The Kitchen Sink (Heather Munden, winemaker), a Sonoma county red blend comprised of inky Barbera, intense Syrah, and small amounts of aromatic Viognier and spicy, leathery Grenache. Dark ruby color, cherries, peppery spice and a hint of saddle. Very nice. (Charity: DogIsMyCopilot.)
The Amplifier (Bryan Page, winemaker) is a brash Napa Cab with 25% Petit Verdot. This is a very big wine for a very small bottle. Structured, deep and dark. (Charity: Do It For The Love Foundation.)
The Partystarter (Brian Brown, winemaker) is a Pinot Gris from Russian River fruit, with a little aromatic assistance from small amounts of Riesling and Gewurtztraminer. Okay, I am a sucker for Pinots and around 4:59 on a warm afternoon this is the kind of thing I start daydreaming about. Nuanced, layered, dry and perfumed. Really nice. (Charity: The SurfRider Foundation.)
Check out FlyWine for more info. But long story short: good wine, small package, handy, useful, fun.