January 9, 2023
Wine list review: Foxcroft Wine Co.
A variety of pour sizes make this a great spot for education
by Anita Skogland
Report Card
Strengths: The wines by the glass represent a variety of styles from all over the world. The prices for a 6 ounce glass vary from $10 to $32 for a half bottle of Champagne. The two ounce pours are perfect for sampling wines that may pique your curiosity. Costs vary from $3.50 – $6.50. They also offer cider and beer.
Weaknesses: You could overconsume! If you have 6-8 samples, that would equal 12 – 16 ounces in about 90 minutes – leave the car and call Uber!
By The Glass Overview: The wines offered are comprehensive and include grapes that are not on a lot of BTG lists, such as garganega and touriga franca. The storage system is first rate – I did not detect any loss of aroma or flavor. There are flights of wine offered seasonally, such as cabernet sauvignon and rosé.
You can sample up to 35 wines in two-ounce tastings from their wine by the glass list, or purchase a bottle of wine from the retail store and serve it on premise in beautiful stemware. (Note: the bottle purchase needs to be $30 or more or there is a $10 corkage fee.)
Scores (out of 5)
- Selection: 4.9
- Staff Knowledge: 4.9
- Value: 4.8
- Overall: 4.9
In The Weeds
The Foxcroft concept was started by Conrad Hunter in 2004 as a SouthPark retail wine store. Over time, a kitchen was added and the wine bar with retail store concept expanded to Dilworth, Waverly, and Greenville, SC; there will soon be a fifth store in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village. The retail aspect of the store is balanced and extensive. Shawn Paul, Director of Wine Operations, has an excellent background in wine, and the staff at all the stores have a depth of knowledge about the various global wines.
The atmosphere is very energetic and convivial. Reservations are advised for tables. The SouthPark location has become a neighborhood meeting hub, and weekends can be very busy. Each location offers wine dinners about every 6-8 weeks that feature a region, a producer, or a grape comparison. They typically cost $99/pp. . This is a good way to learn about wine growing regions while enjoying a coursed meal. There is outside seating at all locations. Waverly is the largest Charlotte location, while Dilworth has some intimate seating nooks for a date night.
The food menu is seasonal and includes a number of items from local farms. Prices on the food vary from $6 for tasty marinated olives to $28 for roasted salmon that two or three could share. There are flatbreads, burgers, pasta, salads, oysters, cheese and charcuterie boards – in all, 25 – 28 items on the menu that could satisfy meat lovers, pescatarians, and vegan/vegetarians. It is an amazing variety of food that is prepared in a very petite kitchen. Kudos to the kitchen staff for their consistent quality and food flavors.
The wines by the glass do compliment the food. I had the sparkling cremant with the olives, a very good match — the cremant, from Burgundy, had a good mousse and lifted the flavor of the seasoned olives. My dining partner enjoyed the Sancerre with ricotta and honey – the Sancerre’s acidity cut through the sweetness of the cheese and honey and brought the flavors together on the palate. The truffle fries are not to be missed – the best truffle fries I have found in Charlotte, loaded with earthy truffle flavor. The fries pair well with the Portuguese pomares.
If in doubt as to what to sample, order a Spanish or Italian white to compliment the lighter fare, and an Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese red for the burgers, steak, or flatbread offerings. Once again, you can taste a 2 ounce pour to see if it works for your palate, and get a 6 ounce pour if you enjoy it. If you do purchase a bottle, the servers can recork it for you to take the leftovers home.
