As a young lad I used to despise the taste of wine. It was either too sweet, too dry, tasted like dirt, or reminded me of chewing on a cigar.
After spending time in France touring Moët & Chandon, G.H. Mumm, and other Champagne houses, while visiting vineyards throughout the region, I started to develop an appreciation for the nectar of the gods derived from tiny, beautiful, round globes from around the world. I began recognizing the different intricacies and characteristics that make each wine unique.
Fast forward a decade.
I'd been going to this strip of businesses in Chamblee for years, usually hitting up the microbrewery and sushi restaurant across the street. One day I walked out and saw this wine shop that seemed to have appeared out of thin air... at least in my mind.
I walked in and started chatting with the two amazing gentlemen behind the counter, who turned out to be the new owners. The shop had literally opened just two days earlier. They were incredibly kind, but more importantly, they knew their stuff. Never pretentious, never trying to impress you with wine jargon; just genuinely passionate about helping people discover great bottles.
I immediately joined their Wine of the Month Club. For $50 a month, I get two curated bottles, discounts, and a few other perks. And this isn't some bottom-shelf stuff you grab while picking up paper towels at Kroger. These are thoughtfully selected bottles that are often from outside the U.S., which is right up my alley since I'd rather drink warm sewage water than most American wine... yes, even California. If Napa really is producing world-class wine, they apparently keep hiding it from me.
Every month has been like Christmas morning, wondering what two bottles they'll surprise me with next.
I'm genuinely sad that I'll be leaving Atlanta in the near future for a multitude of reasons, and this little wine shop is surprisingly high on that list. The monthly club has expanded my palate, but it's the ownership and staff that keep me coming back. They're knowledgeable without being pretentious, welcoming without being pushy, and they've created exactly the kind of neighborhood wine shop every city deserves.
Verdict: Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or someone who still thinks every bottle tastes like dirt, this place is worth a stop. You might just leave with a bottle you never would have picked... and a Wine of the Month membership you didn't plan on signing up for. read more