Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/148134
J ayme Kosar opened Ybor City Wine Bar eight months ago in the trendy suburb of Tampa, Florida. Ybor City is a town with a vibrant history; the cigar mecca of the world until the 1930s, it was desolate until artists revived it in the 1980s. Many buildings were lovingly preserved and are now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Kosar's choice to open the Ybor City Wine Bar along these rambling brick streets and façades of ages past proved a wise decision. She opened the bar at Centro Ybor, the center of town, where everyone goes after dark to eat, drink and be merry—very merry. And while many Ybor City places serve up the grittier side of celebration, Ybor City Wine Bar is an instant classic. Its brick walls, floor-to-ceiling wines and 65 craft beers serve as an oasis for residents and travelers visiting the area. Kosar is, in essence, bringing viniculture to a town that's full of life to begin with. Swing-dancing clubs, replete with members in costume, meet at stunning locales like the incomparable Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn. Foodie groups prowl Ybor City for unbeatable cuisine such as the addictive Cuban sandwich from La Segunda. And there are enophiles to spare—many of whom will drive clear across town to paddle around in Kosar's vast unique collection of wines. "We do carry some of the bigger guys, but we really have what you can't find elsewhere," says the stunning blonde, known for her sense of fashion as much as she is her wine hotspot. "People come here to discover wine, and that's what we're here to do: to educate and share experience." Kosar has selected a wide range of matchless wines and pours them through Vinturi Aerators, which the wine bar uses to prepare wines for service so that patrons don't have to wait for decanting. "We use the Vinturi aerators often, and we actually enjoy it because it makes what we do and what we sell here a much better experience overall. It helps us highlight the wine much more effectively," says Kosar. "We don't just reserve it for fine wines; we use it for all wines, as it makes any wine show that much better, from the nose through the final taste." Patrons often come in for the night, occupying tables for hours. But many more stop in on the way to a film at the neighboring theater, before or after dinner. Those customers don't have time to wait for decanting. "I'm an old-school sommelier on some levels. If a client wants a bottle decanted, we'll do that, but using the Vinturi is far more efficient than a decanter," says Kosar. "And customers always ask what the Vinturi is—that's another opportunity to educate them about wine." On the Aer with Vinturi The Vinturi White Wine Aerator in action at Ybor City Wine Bar. Carl Folkman, President of Tampa area brokerage Florida Wine & Spirits, Inc., has been in the wine and spirit business for more than 20 years. He is excited about Ybor City and what Ybor City Wine Bar is bringing to the historic area, which is becoming a Florida culinary and beverage destination. Folkman and his wife, both devout foodies in their own right, are big supporters of small businesses, and he says wine bars like Kosar's are sorely needed all across America. "Businesses everywhere are looking for ways to be more cost effective and bring a unique experience to guests, Folkman says, " remarking that small establishments can especially benefit from Vinturi Aerators. "I cover 20 states for various clients and I'm really glad to see Ybor City Wine Bar using it, a destination that so many people are talking about right now. " Folkman sums up the Vinturi experience simply: The Vinturi aerates the wine, making it drinkable sooner. "It's about the flavor of the wine, and that's where these devices come in, he says. "When " you're trying to 'burn and turn' tables, especially in a bustling environment like Ybor City, you can't wait all night long for the wine to become ready to drink. " Folkman also suggests an additional benefit to moving more tables: Customers who don't have to wait so long are more inclined to say, "Hey, I will have a second glass of that. " "With the Vinturi aerator, everyone benefits, including the consumer, Folkman says. "They are getting a better glass of wine " sooner. It's a win-win for everyone, " For more information on the benefits of Vinturi's On-Premise program, contact Todd Kunesh, todd@vinturi.com/702-375-8100. For general information, visit www.vinturi.com or call 1-877-VINTURI (846-8874). august 2013 / the tasting panel / 69 TP0813_066-103.indd 69 7/24/13 9:50 PM