Est. 1993·Tobacco·Spirits·Wine
Your guide to understanding, tasting, and enjoying wine.
“Great wines come from within. If you like it, it's a great wine!”
Expense doesn't equate to enjoyment. Your personal preference determines what's a great wine for you. That's the beauty of wine—there's something for everyone.
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KRUG GRAND CUVEE 750ML
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CLICQUOT YELLOW BRUT 750ML
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THE PRISONER 750ML
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FAUST CABERNET 750ML
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CAYMUS SUISUN THE WALKING FOOL 750ML
Photographed from our own catalog. What each store carries varies — every bottle links to its availability.
(Well, in my opinion there's really six.)
Examine the wine for clarity and debris by holding it to light. Note that unfiltered wines may contain grape particles, which should be disclosed on labels. The wine's color can tell you about its age and character.
Mixing oxygen with wine enhances flavor development. This controlled aeration differs from the oxidation damage that occurs when air enters sealed bottles over time. Swirling releases the wine's aromas.
When you go to a restaurant and the server places the cork on the table, what are you supposed to do with it? The truthful answer is nothing. The cork didn't do anything to you, so leave it alone.
If you must play with something while you're being served your wine, the cork was placed on the table to be inspected for its seal in the bottle. There should be a nice ring or stain of the wine evenly on the bottom. If the wine is higher on the cork—seeping close to the opening—that can be a sign of air getting into the bottle prematurely.
You'll know as soon as you taste the wine anyway. A cork is porous by nature, and air can get in without leaving a sign on the cork at all.
Next they're going to pour you a taste. I suggest you do not forgo it. That pour is the only way of knowing whether the wine has had air intrusion.
It is not there to confirm you like the wine—in most cases you're stuck with it until it's gone. But if the wine has a strong oxidized taste, they will replace it with another bottle of the same.
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POSTMARK NAPA CAB 750ML
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JUSTIN CABERNET 750
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FREI BROTHERS PINOT NOIR
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TREANA CAB +14 750ML
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WHISPERING ANGEL 750ML
A handful of what's in the racks. There are hundreds more in stock daily.
Mix and match from hundreds of wines in stock daily. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect wine for any occasion.
Visit a StoreWe write wine guides like this one, and post what just landed on the shelf — new arrivals, seasonal releases, and the occasional allocated bottle. Follow along and you'll see it before you drive over.
You must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol. Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.
Assessing aroma (called “bouquet” or “on the nose”) prepares your palate, similar to smelling food before eating. Take your time—much of what we perceive as taste is actually smell.
Fill your mouth one-third full to expose your entire tongue to the wine's complex characteristics—sweet, sour, bitter, and salty notes. Drawing air through the wine while tasting reveals additional dimensions.
This happens before and after the swallow. What happened to those first flavors as you drew in air? They changed. Now you see how important air is to tasting. Think about what's actually there—apples in the whites? Cherries in the reds?
Don't forget #6 at home or in a restaurant. If you happen to visit a winery and are going to be tasting numerous wines, it's okay to spit.
Now, the fun part. This is where we talk about aftertaste and finish. Is the palate clean? Bitter? The possibilities are endless.
Rather browse? See what's in stock or find your store.
