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Wine Shops around town: It seems that everyday I look up and there is a new wine shop or tasting room opening up. When I started Dallas Uncorked three years ago there weren’t any real places in Dallas just to go and sip, possibly buy, but no place to really do both. Sure we are lucky to have some great liquor stores that also have wonderful wine selections, Pogo’s at Lovers and Inwood and Goody-Goody at Park & Greenville, and Oaklawn for instance have very impressive wine selections with knowledgeable sales people to help guide you to your wine for the night, or the month. But there were not any places to go and buy a bottle at retail prices and then open and sip in the establishment. Over the past few years this has changed. This article will introduce a few of my favorites. The Wine Therapist is probably top on my list. I have been a fan of the Wine Therapist since it opened. Owner and founder, Phillip Nikpour, truly believes that wine, and with all of it’s beautiful qualities, is therapeutic, along with other things to peak your senses like music therapy. The original store opened in Lakewood on Skillman a few years ago. It is a beautiful and comforting spot with amazing selections of hard to find wine and champagne, especially if you are a fan of French and Californian wine. You can tell by talking to anyone who works there that they are true lover’s of wine and get a kick out of introducing their patrons to something new and different. It is not your typical wine store in any sense of the word. You can buy a bottle and sip at their bar or cozy up in the overstuffed chairs and couches throughout the spaces. Dallas Uncorked hosts an annual Champagne and sparkling wine tasting with The Wine Therapist at the Lakewood location every year to help you find bubbly for your Valentine. Another one of my favorite shops and tasting rooms is Chateau Wine Market and Bodega Bar located on Travis just off Knox Ave. Chateau is a fantastic wine market and again has a great selection of hard to find wine, and though the store setting is rather swanky, the wine prices are really very reasonable. They carry many of the usual high end suspects, Silver Oak, Opus, etc. at very good prices, along with a good selection of some fantastic Italians, French and good Pinot Noir options from Oregon (and I am always looking for good Pinot from Oregon.) In the back of the store they have built the Bodega Bar. This intimate setting is made cozy with low lights and candles, and filled with puffy leather couches. You can buy a bottle from the front and take it back to the Bar and enjoy. They even have a limited cheese and appetizer selection available, and if you are so inclined a great selection of cigars. President Amier Taherzadeh has also set up weekly tastings and wine fair weekends to make sure his clientele get the most from their wine experience. Wine'tastic on Lemmon Ave is also a good tasting room and store, though their prices can sometimes peak out at the top of the retail level. The feel of this space is definitely more of a tasting room though, instead of a store. They have a nice selection of varietals and brands in nicely displayed racks welcoming you into the space, and an inviting tasting room in the back. They have a wide variety of pre-selected flights available, or you can build your own based on your favorite selections. This is also a nice space to hold a special occasion or party. I have a friend that is starting her bachelorette party here with a selection of flights and appetizers. More on the casual end, Vino 100 is a great place to meet a few friends to enjoy a glass. Vino always has a few feature selections they pour each night, which they rotate each day, or you can buy a bottle and enjoy on their patio. Situated on McKinney Ave their patio is always a good spot to hang out and soak in the Uptown atmosphere. They have a wide selection of varietals, all reasonably priced for a leisurely sip. Obviously, is a plethora of places to sit and sip, this is just a sample of some and an ample overview of what is available. I love that there are so many places in Dallas that are devoted to this beautiful drink I love. I hope to continue to see more. There are always our favorite restaurants bars with excellent wine lists, but it is delightful to see establishments opening up devoted specifically to wine. Hope you find one you enjoy too! Cheers, |
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