Photo courtesy Astor Wine & Spirits
Havens for the indecisive, those stocking up the cellar or wine lovers who just want it all, these are the shops that have what you need, no matter what that may be.
Astor Wines
New York City
The biggest wine store in the Big Apple truly has something for every palate. Knowing that its 5,000 offerings may intimidate some customers, Astor hosts frequent tastings and classes to help people navigate its selection. Situated in a historic Manhattan building, the shop has frequent flash sales, so keep an eye out for your favorite region or style.
Austin Wine Merchant
Austin, TX
This 30-year-old shop has a large selection, but it’s perfectly honed. Rather than trying to be all things to all people, the shop gets to know its neighborhood patrons through tastings, classes and customer service. As a result, the selection is constantly evolving to respond to the needs of the people in the neighborhood, and it turns out that leads to a pretty great wine selection.
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace
New Jersey and California
This shop makes it just as easy to purchase Bordeaux futures or library wines from Napa as it is to pick up your favorite $15 bottle for a Tuesday night. Those looking to start their collections or buy wine for an event will find great help navigating the broad selection through the shop’s concierge and consultation services.
Mondo Vino
Denver
Owner Duey Kratzer hand-selects every bottle sold at Mondo Vino. Wines represent a range of price points and every major winemaking region in the world. An assortment of craft beers, natural wines and an in-store cave housing higher-end bottles round out the selection at this friendly neighborhood shop.
Vinopolis Wine Shop
Portland, OR
Calling itself Oregon’s largest specialty wine shop, Vinopolis typically has 2,500 labels on its floor at any given time. Naturally, there’s a variety of Oregon and Washington wines, but there’s also an excellent selection from around the world. Although Vinopolis emphasizes its focus on fine and specialty wines, there’s a range of price options on hand.