Following the trend I started in the Dining section, I thought I would talk about some of the area’s wine shops. Now you may ask me why put a wine shop in a Shopping section and not a Dining section? Well, the answer is quite easy; wine has been given as a gift for centuries. Shopping for wines can be just as strenuous as shopping for clothes, cars and sometimes a house. Wines can always be just as confusing to buy as the other items as well. Sometimes you need to know food pairings, vintages, regions and, of course the actual taste. Where you buy your wine can boil down to what you’re looking for and what you want to pay. Wine is sold in small boutique wine shops, large club stores, grocery stores, drug stores and even gas stations. Here is a small sampling of where to find some great wine with good customer service thrown in.

Located in four cities with five stores is ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. The stores can be found in Boca Raton (2), Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Greenacres. The stores themselves are brightly lit with metal shelving proudly displaying a wide variety of wines, liquors, beer and mixers. The average store size is a little larger than your average convenience store and usually never low on the product you’re looking for. Everything is easy to find and all eye level. The staff behind counter will even help you find what you need and ring you up. 

A newer member to the county is Total Wine & More, with four stores in four cities. You can find a store in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and their newest location in Wellington. Now Total Wine & More is like a large club store but with only wine, liquor, beer and spirit merchandise. You will probably even get a little lost in one of these stores. Here you will find the brands you know as well as some of their own “winery direct” labels. And as for service, they have an entire wine team to help you locate your product. They even conduct wine tastings on the premises weekly. Look for staff recommendation cards on the shelves while you shop.

For a quieter experience with a smaller exclusive wine and liquor selection, why not try Old Vines Wine & Spirits in Delray Beach or Scotti Wines & Liquors in Palm Beach. Each shop will give you a more quaint personalized shopping experience with a more boutique feel. Inquire about their tasting schedules and ask about any special they may have going that month. You never know what treasure you may find in one of these shops.

And by all means when you go to visit friends and family over the holidays, take a gift of wine (or liquor) to your host and make your first stop to one of the fine shops. Cheers!