In 2021 we want to share great stories from our community. Click here to learn more about this project.
Like many in the Oshkosh community, I was affected by the pandemic. It’s the reason why my finance and I moved to Oshkosh in the first place. I know that others affected by the pandemic have not been as lucky, and I’m proud to help out however I can. This month,...
On a cold Saturday night in February, I ventured out to get some takeout from one of my favorite dine in restaurants in Appleton. Now, the aesthetics of a trip to Basil Café is definitely one of my favorite parts. It is like an international night out without even...
Half Restaurant, Fully Delicious“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails (or Johnny Cash, if you prefer) runs through my head as I sit down to write this blog post. The line “I hurt myself today” sticks out in particular. Because, I did in fact, hurt myself when I realized how long...
WeatherVane, what’s not to like? The Fox Cities really has a variety of places you can get delicious brunch. Recently I went to Weathervane in downtown Menasha. Growing up in Menasha, I never really took the time to explore my city until a few years ago. I honestly...
Like many in the Oshkosh community, I was affected by the pandemic. It’s the reason why my finance and I moved to Oshkosh in the first place. I know that others affected by the pandemic have not been as lucky, and I’m proud to help out however I can. This month,...
On a cold Saturday night in February, I ventured out to get some takeout from one of my favorite dine in restaurants in Appleton. Now, the aesthetics of a trip to Basil Café is definitely one of my favorite parts. It is like an international night out without even...
If you’re looking for a place to order coffee, cookies, and other sweet treats, you need to visit Caramel Crisp Corner in downtown Oshkosh. I ordered from them during Downtown Oshkosh’s Lunch Bucks event March 29th-April 2nd. About Caramel Crisp It’s hard to picture...
Since relocating to Oshkosh, my fiance and I have done a good job of finding our new go-to's for things like groceries, pizza, burgers, etc. However, we had yet to find a good bakery in town. That is until we stumbled upon Thunderbird Bakery in Oshkosh. I knew about...
In case you have not heard or been informed, Xe 54 has wine tastings the first Wednesday of the month. Highlighting different regions and variations of wine across the globe, this is a great option to enjoy and expand your wine palette while not leaving the Fox Valley. The wine tasting is curated by Candice, XE’s resident wine connoisseur, which exquisitely showcases her knowledge of all things wine. Robin and I stopped by this month to see what wines that they had to offer.
Arriving before Robin, I decided to taste test some of their cocktails they offered. Perusing their offerings, I decided to sample the Scorched Old Fashioned, which is their take on the classic Old Fashioned. Sipping it to fully enjoy the flavor, Robin joined me and ordered one to enjoy herself. During this period, we touched base with Pam, the owner of XE 54, and game planned our approach to the wine offerings for this month.
We were given a sheet with the five wines that we could sample, which included two white variations and three red. We were allowed taste in whatever order we wanted, but traditional wine tasting would dictate trying the white wines before trying the red variants. Following this protocol, we decided our best course of action was to sample the white wines before the reds. After sampling the whites, which the first (Sauvignon Blanc) wine was the preferred one of the two, we moved on to the reds.
During the tasting of the red wines, Robin put in an order for a Charcuterie Board. While waiting for the various meats and cheeses to arrive, we continued to savor the red wines, mulling over which one we preferred. Primus (the last red) stuck out to me and my flavor profile, which Robin enjoyed equally as well . All three of the reds were astounding and I would recommend to anyone that enjoyed red wines.
After enjoying our wines, we decided to have one last cocktail. The Salted Caramel Martini was the drink of choice, which we enjoyed while discussing our wine experiences this night. This was all done while continuing to peck away at the massive charcuterie board and all its offerings and learning about their newest offering that is available.
Now they offer a monthly Wine Club, which is offered in 3-month periods for $120. The perks of this membership include getting two wines chosen monthly by Candice. These wines come with detailed tasting notes and pairing suggestions, containing wines that are not available locally at retailers.
Robin and I fully enjoyed our time with Candice as we partook in the wine tasting they offered. Having someone who was engaging and able to answer many questions about wine while also provide in depth knowledge about the wines they showcased was an amazing experience, one that I will gladly recommend to anyone who is looking to get out locally in the Fox Cities and partake in. In addition to this, they offer amazing cocktails in a very welcoming and modern atmosphere. I know we’ll be back to drink wine and cocktails in the very near future.
Xe 54 Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 4PM – 9PM
Wednesday 4PM – 9PM
Thursday 4PM – 10PM
Friday 4PM – 12AM
Saturday 2PM – 12AM
Sunday Closed
Phone – 920-915-9194
I live 1/2 block down Olde Buggy from Xe54, and am usually there 2 – 3 times a week for their Happy Hour (4 – 6), and at 2 on Saturdays when Candace is hosting a wine tasting. I’m a wine club member, but you failed to mention that the wine tastings are free for Wine Club members. Thank you for publicizing Fox Crossing’s local wine bar. Pam, Candace, Kevin and the young lady bartenders are all fantastic and I almost feel like Norm (Cheers) when I show up and the staff welcomes me. The pandemic hasn’t been kind to them, so the more it gets publicized, the harder time I’ll have finding a seat at the bar. But if it increases business for Pam and her staff, I’m all for supporting local! Thanks again for the wonderful review of my hometown wine bar!
Thank you for the kind words! I hope that our readers see this and make an effort to visit!