A guide to all the wine shops and tasting events in Sarasota and Manatee
April 27th, 2009 by Brian Ries in Food and Drink, News, Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota is lousy with wine shops, thanks to our refined taste and upscale demographics. But even if you can’t afford to stock your cellar this year (or actually own a cellar), most of the local joints below offer opportunities to taste some vino for free, or for a nominal charge. Swirl, sip, repeat.
BUTCHER’S BLOCK 3242 17th St., Sarasota, 955-2822 or thebutcherblocksite.com
This old-style butcher shop has a lot more than mere cases lined with flesh. There’re some gourmet food items, prepared meals, and a shockingly extensive selection of wine. $10 tastings run at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.
CRESCENT BEACH GROCERY 1211 Old Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, 312-0472 or crescentbeachgrocery.com
The sandy-feet Siesta Key grocery store holds one big free tasting a month. Upcoming events are scheduled for 6-8 p.m. April 28 and May 20.
CROSSINGS LIQUOR 5403 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 378-9463 or crossingsliquor.com
Another old-fashioned liquor store that made the leap years ago into upscale wine and spirits hold irregular tastings, occasionally with winery representatives.
MAGNUM WINES 4114 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 929-9463 or magnumwinesrq.com
Magnum is in a bit of turmoil, thanks to the recent announcement that C’Est Cheese — which shares its space — is going out of business. Still, stop by and peruse this retail shop’s nice selection, and sample from their by-the-glass list.
MICHAEL’S WINE CELLAR 1283 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 955-2675 or wineflorida.com
Part of the Michael Klauber restaurant and catering complex, Michael’s is part wine shop, part venue, part Internet retailer. Join them for a large, monthly tasting the first Saturday of each month, with over 40 wines for $10.
MORTON’S MARKET 1924 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 955-9865 or mortonsmarket.com
Fresh off of their annual Zinfest tasting extravaganza, the wine section at Morton’s can still muster some good selections, with occasional tastings scheduled.
NORMAN’S LIQUORS 5200 Clark Road, Sarasota, 926-9421 or normansliquors.com
This local Gulf Coast chain runs free tastings 1-7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.
OFF BROADWAY WINE & SPIRITS 1058 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 365-7787
Thanks to the re-opening of the Broadway bar and restaurant a couple of weeks ago, Off Broadway has taken some time off their tasting schedule. In a few weeks they’ll restart on every other Friday.
SOUTH TRAIL LIQUORS 7310 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 927-9463 or southtrailliquor.com
One of the old guard of Sarasota wine and liquor stores, South Trail holds weekly free tastings 5-7 p.m. every Thursday.
THEWINETOBUY.COM 8382 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 966-2600 or thewinetobuy.com
This Internet retailer that happens to have a storefront doesn’t have scheduled tastings, but claims they open bottles whenever there are enough people in the store.
TOTAL WINE 8539 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton, 351-7895 or totalwine.com
Total Wine is a megaretailer of wine, beer and spirits that recently opened out near the interstate. They run free tastings noon-6 p.m. every Saturday.
VINO 100 SARASOTA 5579 Palmer Crossing Drive, Sarasota, 926-1981 or vino100sarasota.com
One of the new trend towards franchised wine shops, Vino 100 holds $10 tastings 6-8 p.m. each Friday night. Buy something in the shop and they’ll credit you the tasting entry fee.
WINE WAREHOUSE 1919 Southwood St., Sarasota, 922-8216
Easily one of the most casual and friendly wine shops in town, with bottles open most days for impromptu tastings. Going with the employees’ recommendations is rarely a wrong move.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
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