If you attend a wine tasting, you will likely be served a "flight" of wines. You can also order flights in many wine bars and restaurants. A flight is a number of glasses filled with a small quality—sampler amounts—of different types of wine. The term "flight" simply means a collection of more than two similar types of objects, so most wine flights typically include three or four samples of around two ounces each. It's a convenient way to taste multiple wines.

How Wine Flights Benefit Patrons

A wine flight lets patrons taste-test a selection of wines to find the one they prefer the most. Wine by the glass—not to mention buying wine by the bottle at a restaurant—can be expensive, and customer preferences vary considerably. Wine is also an acquired taste. What the sommelier recommends may not be to your taste. Ordering a flight not only raises the odds that you'll find a wine you like but it lets you experiment. Many patrons enjoy the adventure of wine tasting and the thrill that comes with finding a new favorite vintage.

How Wine Flights Benefit Sellers

Wine tasting flights let sellers ration extremely popular or less available wines by pairing them with less well known or more readily available ones. They avoid running out of some bottles while others linger untouched in the cellar—not because they aren't delicious, but because they are not well known. Thus, when you order a wine flight, you are helping the seller minimize the sale of limited-supply wines while recommending others that might otherwise move slowly. It is a win-win situation for all concerned.

For a great wine tasting experience and to sample flavors you might not otherwise encounter, stop by Mainstreet Coffee & Wine Bar in Lakeville, MN. They are located in a 100-year-old bank building and serve more than 30 different red and white wines. They also offer delicious specialty coffee, craft beers, and box lunches. They are a favorite among patrons from Farmington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Prior Lake. Visit their website to view directions and business hours or call (952) 985-7650 for catering.