downtown story
Top Right: Wine enthusiasts enjoy an evening out. Center Right: Meyer with assistant and girlfriend Rebecca Stuts.
Wines are selected from around the world and vary from whites, reds, dessert wines, and ports. Meyer works with wine distributors to present each wine during the tastings, and he is given the creative license in designing menu items to complement the selected wines for the evening. Food selections may include entrees, vegetable dishes, and accompanying desserts. Example pairings may include a chocolate French toast sandwich with a red wine blend, lobster quesadillas and a pinot grigio, or mushroom crusted tuna with Asian slaw with a pinot noir. While many wine tasting events can range from $35-75 per evening, Cubby’s offers a great value. Participants pay $20 each for the six wines and food is included. “I have lived in the Old Market for several years and heard about it through the Old Market grapevine,” Eileen Sawyers said. “[It’s the] best wine tasting value in Omaha.” Sawyers also appreciates the eclectic crowd. “[It’s] very fun and always informative.” Wine distributors and makers are no strangers to the Cubby’s Old Market wine events. Meyer recalls a California winemaker balking initially at the idea of attending a wine tasting in a gas station. It didn’t take long to win him over due to the atmosphere, the crowd turnout, and the participants’ eagerness to learn. “It’s very much a social thing,” Meyer said. “Some regulars have been coming almost every month since we began.” In the end, the California winemaker told Meyers it was one of the best wine tastings he’d ever been to. Wine tasters vary by age and geography. Many are from the Old Market area while others travel from as far as Blair and West Omaha for the events. “It’s fun to go with a friend or two,” Sawyers added. The success of the events has grown over the last four years and reservations are recommended one month in advance. Events take place from 7 to 9 in the evenings and reservations can be made by calling Cubby’s Old Market at 402-341-2900.
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march/april 2012 | the encounter
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