I decided to try out a new (trendy) wine bar recently and was surprised when I sat down and looked at the taps behind the bar. They were marked with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc. All of the tap handles were just listed by varietal. I started to look around for a board with more description to no avail. I waited for the bartender to come over and hand me a sheet of paper with the names, but I was just greeted with a smile and,  "What would you like to try this evening?"

I asked if there was a list and he said, "It's behind me on the handles."  I decided to go ahead and try a chardonnay- I trusted this establishment and I was hoping the $16 a glass I was paying was going to work out in the end of all of this. Turns out, it was a fantastic chardonnay. And I struck up a conversation with the bartender and asked if other people were as willing to try as I was. He went on to explain that this was their way of getting their customers to try different wines. He had such a passion for wine and plenty of ones he was ready to pour, but they weren't the "traditional" labels and such. This way, he got many people to try and get excited about new wines.

Keg wines are becoming more prevalent in the areas I frequent and I couldn't be more pleased with the way different wine places are utilizing them. I suggest you get out there and enjoy what your local establishment has to offer. I believe this trend is redefining how we consume wine.