Wine Knot
 246 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, (203) 254-5668
December 1, 2006
By KATY MORRIS, Special to ctnow.com
Tucked away within the charming village of Southport, the upscale wine bar Wine Knot is the place to go for a girls' night full of wine and gossip or to relieve the stresses of a hectic work day.
The nautical-themed decor, complete with hanging antique fishing poles, lanterns, and mounted fish, combined with the dim-lighting and cream-colored bead-board walls, made me feel as though I had walked into a fisherman's cozy cottage. Wine Knot only has a handful of tables and a small, fully-stocked bar, creating an intimate atmosphere.
The crowd consisted of extremely lively thirty to fifty-something year-olds, many deep in conversation over large glasses of wine, others at the bar with beer in hand watching baseball on the flat-screen TV. A few enjoyed the crisp fall evening on the open porch.
I was surprised at how loud it was for such a small area; either the acoustics of the room were simply awful or the wine-drinkers lost control of the level of their voices.
The four-page page wine list was divided into old and new world red wines, white wines, champagne and port options. But you don't have to be a wine connoisseur to choose a great-tasting wine from the various vintages. Each choice comes with its own enticing description. Here's an example: "This full-bodied cabernet has flavors of black currants and licorice with layers of dense plumy and blackberry fruits that frame this elegant wine."
When my $8 glass of Spanish Rioja red wine arrived, I was pleased with the generous size. Prices for wine by the glass start at $7 for a White Zinfandel and head up to $16 for an exquisite Fontannafredda red. Bottles range from $30 to $75.
But drinker beware, while this great little hideaway offers one of the most outstanding selections of wine in the area, food is virtually non-existent. Limited offerings, such as cheese and crackers, didn't do much to stem our hunger. Next time, we'll plan our visit for a quick before-dinner drink or an after-dinner meeting place.
Overall, Wine Knot is a delightful change of pace from other bars in the area. It offers singles and couples – even mothers and their daughters – the perfect venue to mingle and relax, without the "meat market" mentality that can intimidate some folks who just want a nice night out.
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