Bougie chic meets southern charm at Charlotte, NC’s Grand Bohemian
When asked to describe her adopted hometown, Christina Norman, director of restaurants and bars at the Grand Bohemian hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina raises a glass of Argentine malbec and says, “In many ways, it still has a small-town mentality, [and it] might be considered a secondary market but there’s buzz here. Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo continue to bring people in, and wineries are willing to take a chance on gaining placements in the city given that financial high rollers tend to spend on good bottles.”
A native of Atlanta, Norman has lived and worked as a hospitality professional in Charlotte for the past 20 years. Her interest in wine was ignited by travel: “As I was starting my wine journey, my aunt, who worked in the banking industry and loved wine, took me to Napa,” she notes. “It was my first trip devoted to experiencing wine at its origin and I haven’t stopped traveling for wine since.”
She pursued a formal education through the Court of Master Sommeliers, earning her certification in 2006. She credits that training for the opportunities that followed, starting with a leadership role at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, then owned by Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, in Charlotte’s vibrant South End. Within five years, she was able to take on a new challenge, over-seeing wine programs for Del Frisco’s Grille as the chain began to expand.
From there, she went on to curate a lauded list of top-tier bottles at the opulent Charlotte location of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse before joining the Grand Bohemian as it opened its doors in the summer of 2020. Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the $110-million luxury boutique hotel features an inspired mix of Austrian and Argentine design elements: Its main entrance and lobby pay decorative tribute to the late-19th century Vienna Secession art movement, while a vibrant collection of original and commissioned works by South American artists completes the aesthetic.
Malbec takes center stage at Argentine-inspired Mico
Following a recent promotion, Norman now oversees all of the property’s restaurant and bar operations. “Our chef-driven concepts – South American-influenced restaurant Mico and rooftop lounge Buho Bar – demand more diversity on the [wine] lists” than do the steakhouses she began her career in, according to Norman. “Argentine Malbec is the star of our Taste of Malbec Altitude Flight at Mico, which [includes] three 2-ounce pours priced at $40. We have Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc from Argentina as well.” Among the featured producers are respected names as Zuccardi, Catena, and Vina Cobos.
Norman’s enthusiasm for Argentine Malbec reflects the variety’s ability to balance generosity with terroir expression. The intense sunlight and cool nights of Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards preserve freshness in wines that can express layers of blackberry, violet, plum, and savory spice. She notes that Malbecs from Luján de Cuyo can feel plush and velvety, while higher-elevation Uco Valley sites often show firmer tannins and an alpine energy. “For guests discovering the grape at Mico, that range of style makes each pour an invitation to explore Argentina’s top producers one glass, and one discovery at a time.”
While the Grand Bohemian may be “bougie,” as she puts it, Norman believes that bridging the gap between indulgence and comfort is important. “We’re not just for the super rich,” she insists. “We’re an accessible destination, and we hope to inspire our guests with our hospitality and ambience.”