RedX Wine Tasting

I don’t know how many people that visit this site like wine, but even if you don’t, you should go to RedX in Riverside at least one time for their monthly wine tasting.  Go to RedX to check out their wine tasting schedule.

RedX wine tastings aren’t like your normal uppity wine tastings at an upscale liquor store.  The first indication that you’re in for something different is the fact that their huge parking lot is packed.  Creative parking skills will come in handy.  If you’ve driven by RedX before you have probably noticed that they don’t have a small parking lot with a couple dozen spaces.  They literally have hundreds of parking spots that will all be taken.

The next thing you will notice when you walk in is instead a having a table or two set up with 4-6 wines on each table they have probably 20 or more tables/counter tops set up with anywhere from 4-8 wines to sample per table.  Do the math, that means there are 100 or so wines available for tasting.  In addition to the wine tasting they also have a small beer tasting and also a liquor sampling area.  Thankfully, they also have a table set up with cheese, crackers, pretzels and sausage.  I highly suggest getting a plate full of snacks to take around with you.

This also isn’t like a normal wine tasting where you patiently wait in line for the group in front of you to sample their wine and let the person pouring explain the characteristics of the wine in great detail.  This is more of a free-for-all push your way through the line to the trough of wine.  Trough might be a little harsh of a word, but it is definitely not for the meek.  At times there appears to be some sort of organization to the madness but it disappears real quick.

Make sure to take a pen with you.  At each table they have a list of the wines they are pouring along with the regular and sale price for the wines.  If you intend on purchasing anything make sure to mark the list and keep it with you.  Even if you sample only one or two wines per table you will need the list.

After sampling some wines head on over to sample some free and small cocktails or shots at the liquor tasting area.  If you really like wine/beer/liquor I also recommend a safe driver.  The tasting only lasts 2 hours but with over 100 wines and several beers and some liquor to taste a safe driver should be designated (before getting there).

The wine tastings also contain probably the most diverse crowd that can be found north of the river in Kansas City, so people watching alone can be a treat.

RedX wine tastings are given on the first or second Thursday of every month and are HIGHLY recommended.

Suggestions: Arrive early, eat before and during, take a pen, take some money to buy some wine afterwords, take a safe driver.