It's always a good day when you discover something new that involves wine. While Water to Wine retail wine shop of Gig Harbor has been around for a while, they haven't just been sitting around sipping on inventory and enjoying their lovely harbor view. They have been planning, plotting and expanding into something new and very exciting.

Friday, May 21, the doors and many wine bottles have opened for Morso, a wine bar next to Water to Wine. I had the distinct pleasure of getting the royal tour of both businesses and the inside scoop of what they have planned for the future.

Offer me a glass of wine and you have my attention. Offer me a glass of Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, and you have my undying love forever. This favorite Chardonnay of mine retails for about $45 a bottle. Not wise to serve it by the glass unless you have a sure fire way to preserve it for a while.

This is no problem for Morso and Water to Wine. Both businesses utilize the Enomatic wine preservation system, which allows them to dabble with nicer wines and offer their customers an opportunity to experience wine they may only get to try after they have purchased an entire bottle.

Water to Wine manager Ty Cline explains that the Enomatic is also a great tool to help him develop a customer's flavor profile. Understanding their likes and dislikes will more likely guarantee they will leave the shop with that perfect bottle.

Morso follows this philosophy of making sure their customer's needs are well cared for.  Enter Jeff Bishop former chef of Merende in Downtown Tacoma. He is the guiding force behind Morso's continually changing menu that will focus on small plates and seasonal offerings. Morso will not only pour wines by the glass they will also feature craft beer on draft and seasonally inspired wine cocktails.

Great food and wine are not the only enticements this delightful new gathering place has, they are also swimming in cool atmosphere. Warm earth tones work through the space without clutter or stupid wine art. Each table and all eight chairs at the bar have an amazing view of the harbor. In the summer, they will open the expansive patio. You know where you'll find me lounging (and drinking) on a beautiful day.

The future holds much promise for Water to Wine and Morso. Plans for a cheese and meat shop are also in the making. After hearing this, I'm pretty sure I'll never have to leave. Ever.

Salud!

Morso Kitchen Notes

The following are listed on Morso's menu:

Almonds: Spanish Marcona, fried, and a kiss of sea salt

Chartcuterie: 3 haystacks of shaved means and/or salamis

Baked Cheese: Laura Chenel goat cheese, fresh herbs, creamy goodness

Pros Flatbread: Crisp, sweet and salty ... compliments of Parma ham, maytag blue and artic cloudberry jam.

Veggie Flatbread: Charred eggplant, sweet peppers, sauteed onions, white bean smear ... creamy fontina and goat cheeses adds to the flavor explosion.

Pork: Pork "tnder" loin, sweet onions, pommery mustard cream

Lamb: Bold and spicy, cool and zesty. Meatballs, Tzatziki sauce, romesco on warm, toasted pita.

A few selections off Morso's wine menu:

Biohaf Pratsh 2009 Gruner Veltliner, $9 glass, $$27 bottle

William Fevre 2007 Chablis Champs Royaux, $13 glass, $39 bottle

Joseph Roty 2006 Gevre Chambertine, $25 glass

Feather 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $24 glass

Caravab 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14 glass

Water to Wine

Morso

9014 Peacock Hill Ave. at North Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor
253.853.9463, www.watertowineshop.com

253.530.DINE, www.morsowinebar.com

LINK: Morso photos in the Photo Hot Spot

LINK: More Morso on Spew