Massachusetts is a state coveted by wine retailers: with strong tech and finance as well as other industries, major research centers and the jet-set destinations of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, it’s fair to say there’s a large population interested in wine. However, the state is one of the hardest for retailers to ship wine into. Fortunately for the locals, this lack of external competition doesn’t lead to a poor selection and high prices; some of the state’s wine shops offer some terrific wines and, even reasonable prices can be found. And as of last year, there’s no sales tax on wine (and beer and spirits) in the state, so that helps stretch the consumer’s wine dollar seven percent farther than other states. When I’m traveling, I always love to check out the local wine stores; here are a few that I have visited in my wanderings in and through the state in the past year. The Wine Bottega, 341 Hanover St, Boston. This terrific, small shop seemingly ripped out of Brooklyn and placed in the North End has a “manifesto” for “real” wine and is a points-free zone.

The well-curated selection of the delicious esoterica of the wine world makes it a great stop for cru Beaujolais, wines of the Loire, sherry and more. Offers 10% discount on mixed cases as well as 15% on solid cases. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the North End but they also ship. Vintages, 53 Commonwealth Ave, Concord, MA Owner Eric Broege clearly doesn’t get tired of talking customers out of obvious, big name wines in this well-heeled town because he doesn’t stock many. Instead, he offers lots of enticing wines from small Italian growers as well as some great domaines and estates in the Loire, Burgundy, Jura, Germany and the Left Coast. He has a small selection of craft beers too and even a few box wines from vignerons stashed beneath the counter. If every town in America had a shop like this, the nature of our wine discussion would be a whole lot different. Gordon’s, 894 Main St., Waltham, MA A bigger store, the list prices on some items appear to be a very full markup.

But case purchases receive a 20% discount, which really gets your attention. I bought a mixed case of wines here while driving by last winter and was happy with the selection (including a few bottles of the rare Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas, possibly one of the best two best white wines from Spain). One note: if you see a wine such as the Marcel Lapierre Morgon on the store’s website that might make you want to stop off of 95, call first to make sure it’s in stock. Good craft beers too, some at super-low prices. The Brown Jug, 1 Jarves St., Sandwich, MA The Cape, for all its charms and attractions, remains surprisingly underserved by good wine stores. Through the thicket of package stores selling beer, plonk and lottery tickets on the Cape, the Brown Jug in Sandwich (pictured above) stands tall as the best that I have found. They have Vouvray etched into the plate glass window at the front of the store; inside, there are quite a few enticing selections ranging from Chablis to Domaine Huet and several Spanish wines from importer Jose Pastor.

Good craft beers too. And several epicurean delights at the sister shop next door. If you live in Massachusetts or go there a lot, which are some of your favorite stores and why? What do you think of the selections and prices in the state? This entry was posted on Monday, April 9th, 2012 at 3:51 pm and is filed under wine shops.top selling wines of 2015 You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.good wine shop london Both comments and pings are currently closed.best wine tours in americaCharity at Total Wine & MoreSince we first opened our doors in 1991, Total Wine & More has been committed to supporting the communities in which we work and live. best red wine for casual drinking

We strive to be a responsible corporate citizen and make a difference in each of the communities we serve.After careful consideration I�ve decided to bend a little with regards to a comment I�m hearing a lot about Musings on the Vine: Love the wine reviews, but wherebox of wine amount can I buy the wine that you�re reviewing?best wine bars west side I started this little venture I vowed to remain objective and give no appearancebuy and send wine online of favoritism in my wine reviews. great food and wine sitesA chronic complaint of some readers of the Wine Spectatorselling vintage wine online

is the potential for influence due to the volume of advertising in the magazine. Mr. Shanken and crew use a process of blind taste testing to maintain objectivity, but I have to admit that it still appears as if some degree of influence is possible, Many years ago, Monte Ishige started a published newsletter called Wine Sense. The newsletter was completely subscription-based; meaning Monte took no advertising. The concept was to provide readers with purely objective price and availability information for about fifteen wine shops in the Metropolitan Boston area. would cruise around the different shops looking for a list of about fifty �hot� wines and he would publish his �findings� monthly along with other wine-relatedWine Sense was great, but short-lived. Monte found that it was impossible to make Wine Sense truly self-sufficient through subscriptions only. folks, Wine Sense was pre-Internet, when publishing a newsletter meant carrying

a lot of expenses like publishing, printing, mailing, etc. I was always sorry when Monte closed up shop and went back into working for high-tech. I took a cue from Monte when I started Musings on the Vine: objectivity. For this reason I have long resisted telling my readers where they can find the wines I review. I also felt that half the fun of wine collecting is the hunt. However, I can appreciate that the hunt can get pretty frustrating, especially if no quarry is ever caught. To help eliminate this frustration and to pay homage to some folks that have been very helpful in my own wine journey, I�ve decided to publish my list of preferred wine shops. Depending on the wine reviewed and its scarcity, price, etc, I will elect to note where I bought the wine to assist my readers in acquiring some. Before I get to the list, one more thing. Some people may find it helpful for me to articulate the criteria by which I measure a good wine shop.

the criteria that I think make a wine shop good are the following: The following is by no means a complete or exhaustive list of area wine shops (in searching the on-line Yellow Pages there were 1339 listings for liquor storesSpecifically, as the title suggests, the following are wine shops thatThe list is in alphabetical order; lest I offend anyone or give anyone preferential treatment and I may offer a few comments about each establishment One last thing, please feel free to send me your own favorite wine shops, so I can include them too! Small but well stocked store. Well organized with helpful staff. Gregg Berman run an excellent shop with a great selection. Good size store with a large, diverse inventory. Roger Ormon (Wine Manager) has been doing a superb job for 363 East Central St Brothers, Mark and Mike Lenzi have a nice selection of popular and eclectic wines in a clean, well-stocked shop. Mark and Mike are usually both in the shop, willing to gladly share their love and knowledge of wine with their patrons.

Medium size store with a large, diverse inventory. David Raines (Wine Director) and Cheryl Lechan (Associate Wine Director) run a first-class place that is clean and well organized. location, just off Route 128 in Waltham. Make sure you get on their email A-list. 1650 Soldiers Field Road, Huge store with a seemingly endless array of wine. so finding what you need is never a problem. George Bardis (Wine Director) runs a decent operation, although I have had mixed results with the staff. Newton, Lower Falls, MA 02462 Chris Minervino has a great selection in his swanky, well-organized shop. A lovely tasting area in back is the location for regular Saturday tastings. The staff at Lower Falls is knowledgeable, helpful and eager to please. Make sure you get on their email list to get special offers. 44 Boston Post Road, 282 Dedham Street, Route 1A Bruno Formato is well-educated with one of the best selections of whiskey I have ever seen.

If Bruno doesn't have what you want, then he will do his best to get it for you. 431 South Street (Route 1A) A store that isn't especially pretty from the outside (adjoining a Honey Dew Donut shop), owner Jason Lee is creating quite a fine wine destination with the assistance of wine manager Bill DiMarco (previously of the Wine and Cheese Cask) at this long time fixture along Route 1A. A small, but growing collection of unusual labels at very reasonable prices. Friday night wine & beer tastings give clients an opportunity to taste before they buy. Conveniently located less than 1 mile south of the Wrentham Outlet Mall. 45 Franklin Village Drive, Good size store with a decent selection of high value wines. Ed and Lisa Garrity (owners) are extremely helpful and enthusiastic, with a well-chosen offering of very nice wines. Conveniently located just off Route 495 at exit 17. 27 South Bolton Street (Rte. 85) Brand new to the Metro-West area. Small, handsome shop featuring an excellent assortment of fine wine and specialty cheeses.