Boston's premier wine shop, offering an 8,000 bottle cellar of fine and rare wines fromJoin us for our free tastings Wednesdays, 5 - 7 We also carry a full line of spirits, ales and beers for all tastes including a splendid selection of single malt Scotch. Voted one of Whisky Magazine's "Icons of Whisky": 2012 Scotch Retailer of the Year, USA. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm, Saturdays 11am - 6pm, and closed SundaysMassachusetts 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. best wine shop in njOffers 10% discount on mixed cases as well as 15% on solid cases. sweet red wine sold at olive gardenDefinitely worth a stop if you’re in the North End but they also ship.best wines to drink with dessert

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. best red wine brands and price in indiaIf every town in America had a shop like this, the nature of our wine discussion would be a whole lot different.best wine places in california Gordon’s, 894 Main St., Waltham, MAtop 10 french wines 2014

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. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.Courtesy of Brian Samuels While the place looks a bit like a gussied-up version of a corporate cafeteria (complete with televisions and angular lighting fixtures), the food is anything but institutional -- the chefs plate everything from fresh sushi to Kobe sliders to bronzed swordfish belly. Wines are served in 2, 6, and 10oz pours and, since Sip's located a stone's throw from the Theater District, it's an ideal place to grab a glass (or two!) before you see Kinky Boots.

Courtesy of Belly Wine Bar The folks behind popular Cambridge enoteca Central Bottle have created the sexiest wine bar in Boston, complete with mouthwatering meats, exposed brick, good music, and hot people. But Belly has more than just swagger; it boasts a staggering wine list organized by flavor profile and a staff of wine geeks who will happily lead you to a new favorite. If you’re looking for classy snacks to pair with that medium-bodied red, this hybrid café/deli/bar peddles sandwiches, charcuterie, and desserts, not to mention cheeses from around the world. (But you probably guessed that from the name.) It’s open for every meal, but mostly caters to an after-work crowd who enjoys killing half a bottle while debating which cheese to take home. Courtesy of The Butcher Shop For those who can get past the severe hipness of an expensive South End restaurant resembling an old-timey meat emporium, Barbara Lynch’s take on a European butcher shop is worth a taste.

The tiny establishment serves house-made charcuterie and a host of wines from Italy, France, Spain, and Australia -- including several proprietary blends -- alongside appetizers that are small, swanky, and best paid for by someone else. While the bottle list is long, there isn’t much in the way of hand-holding for the uninitiated, so wine newbies may want to choose from one of the four daily house picks (one each of white, red, rosé, and Madeira). Be warned: Butcher Shop is popular, so seats are scarce. You may end up sipping that summer rosé while leaning on the meat locker. Courtesy of Piattini Wine Cafe With dozens of wines by the glass and a huge selection of bottles, Piattini’s wine list offers something for everyone, from the dedicated wine enthusiast to the friend along for the ride who prefers the chewy tannins and earthy aroma of Charles Shaw. Each wine is accompanied by a card describing its origins, flavor notes, and other facts, making the tapas-style Italian eatery a particularly good place to take less-experienced drinkers who want to sample and learn without derailing your conversation about the Pats.

Courtesy of Les Zygomates Located near South Station, this French bistro is home to a diverse selection of French and Italian wines, as well as a by-the-glass list featuring more than 50 vinos from around the world. With live jazz Tuesday through Saturday and a gorgeous interior, it’s a perfect date location. Beacon Hill is already full of high-end restaurants, so the friendly, chill atmosphere at Bin 26 is refreshing. The staff is knowledgeable without being overbearing, and there’s always something different going on: a wine of the day, #bottlesatbrunch every Sunday, tons of local food events, and constantly rotating wine dinners. Nobody’s going to judge if you aren’t Mr. Wine Expert, either -- the menu even includes a glossary and a pronunciation guide to help you out. Spoke is just enough off the beaten path that the whiskey-swilling Saloon crowd hasn’t discovered it yet, which means it’s the least crowded bar in Davis. Don’t let that fool you -- the service is excellent and the food (especially dessert) is beyond delicious, making it the best date spot in the area.