Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market, Essex Junction.
“The food-and-beverage industry has been and is still predominantly run by men,” says Kayla Silver, owner of Salt & Bubbles. “And that’s changing…. Even though we [women] weren’t the ones owning the establishments, we were the ones serving. Historically, bartenders were predominantly men, servers predominantly women.” Perhaps that history and traditional gender roles have helped women “establish a community between guests and each other,” said general manager Taylor Rosner. “Women tend to manage those relationships with a little tender care.”
Of course, at the heart of Salt & Bubbles is its wine. And terroir—the subtle, vital way that land creates the flavor of grapes and in turn wine’s essence—is something “we’re very enthusiastic about,” says Kayla. “Our enthusiasm has leapfrogged to our guests and beyond.”
To help guests discover new wines and flavors, Salt & Bubbles offers a flight of four wines off its menu. Recently, I eagerly sampled a flight, whose wines change daily.
First off: the Avinyo Cava from 2020. Cavas are Spanish sparkling wines. This one was delightful, dry, and crisp. Next up: the Marc Pesnot ‘Coeur de Raisin’ Muscadet from 2023. Wine Enthusiast says, “Higher-quality examples lean more towards a tangy saltiness and notes of flinty minerality.” This Muscadet had that saltiness and astringency—too much, for my taste. But that’s one aspect of the tasting that emerges: you find what you like, and don’t.
Next: the Steinginger cabernet sauvignon rosé (2023) from Austria, with pleasing strawberry note
Kayla and Taylor having some giggles. PHOTO WINTER CAPLANSON
It’s that unpretentious spirit of discovery that makes Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market a fun place to stop and linger.
Melted raclette cheese creates a perfect after-skiing experience. (Skiing not needed.). PHOTO WINTER CAPLANSON
Finally, the Famille Brunier ‘Pigeoulet Vaucluse’ Southern Rhône blend from 2022, lush and mellow.
Salt & Bubbles has a market that features curated wines from around the world. Kayla and Taylor pride themselves on discovering organic and biodynamic wines, so you likely will discover something new.
A section holds wines from Vermont, on special occasions poured by the glass and for flights. For a holiday turkey, Kayla quickly suggested two: a rosé from Ellison Estate Vineyard and another from La Garagista Farm and Winery.
And by the way—why “Salt & Bubbles”? When Kayla worked at a well-known wine bar in Burlington, it paired fried chicken and champagne. “And I said it out loud: ‘Salt and bubbles—such a good combination.’ There’s this salty thing and this sparkling wine thing—and they go really well together…. In one of the best high/low pairings out there: Get yourself some KFC and some champagne and you’ll be really happy…or even just a bag of potato chips, honestly.”
It’s that unpretentious spirit of discovery that makes Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market a fun place to stop and linger.
