Once a Upon a Vine

Marybeth McGee

Whether you want to expand your wine cellar or your palate, visit your local wine shop and sample some wines during tasting times. Usually three to four wines are presented to taste, either by country or grape varietal. Here is a list of your local wine stores with hours and tasting times. So give it a swirl, a sniff, a sip and enjoy!

Wine Tasting
Photograph via Moncherie/istockphoto.com

Darien

Darien Liquor Shop, 17 Tokeneke Rd., 203-655-1682, darienliquorshop.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, Noon-8 p.m.

WinePort of Darien, 40 Old Kings Highway, N., 203-655-2726, divinegrapes.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, Noon-5p.m.

Fairfield

Mo’s Wine and Spirits, 953 Post Rd., 203-255-7623, mos-wine.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, 1-4 p.m.

Harry’s Wine and Liquor Market, 2094 Post Rd., 203-259-4692, harryswine.com
Hours: Mon-Thur 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, 1-4 p.m.

Greenwich

AOC, 195 Sound Beach Ave., 203-637-4541, aocfinewines.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tastings: Friday and Saturdays, 2-7 p.m.
Wine educations bi-monthly, Wed. 7 p.m.

WineWise
122 E. Putnam Ave., 203-340-2440, winewiseshop.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tastings: Friday and Saturdays, 4-8 p.m.

New Canaan

Franco’s, 130 Elm St., 203-966-9571, francoswine.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat 8a.m.-7 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, 1-5 p.m.

Red Grape Wines and Spirits, 12 Burtis Ave., 203-594-9152
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tastings: Friday and Saturdays, 12-5 p.m.

Norwalk

Grapes of Norwalk, 10 Cross St., 800-434-9463, grapeswine.com
Hours: Mon-Thur 10-8 p.m., Fri-Sat, 10-4 p.m.
Tastings: Wednesday or Thursday, 6:15; Saturdays, 2:30-4 p.m.

Off the Vine Wines and Spirits, 1 Spring Hill Ave., 203-847-7154, offthevineonline.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, Noon-8 p.m.

Rowayton

Rowayton Wine Shop, 158 Rowayton Ave., 203-299-0404, divinegrapes.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tastings: Call for event schedule.

Stamford

Cost Less Wines, Liquor and Beer, 1073 High Ridge Rd., 203-329-2900
Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, 12-8 p.m.

Bev Max, 835 East Main St., 203-357-9151, bevmax.com
Hours: Mon-Wed 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thurs-Sat 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Friday and Saturdays, 2-8 p.m.

Weston

Peter’s Spirit Shop, 190 Weston Rd., 203-226-3740, peterspiritsshop.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tastings: Saturdays, Noon-8 p.m.

Westfair Spirit Shop, 91 Blue Spruce Circle, 203-259-3939
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-8 p.m.
Tastings: Friday and Saturdays, 3-7 p.m.

Westport

Castle Wines, 1439 Post Rd. East, 203-259-5948, castlewinesandspirits.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Friday or Saturday afternoon. Call for times.

Saugatuck Grain and Grape, 40 Railroad Pl., 203-557-9120, saugatuckgrainandgrape.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tastings: Friday evenings, 6-9 p.m.
Scheduled wine and spirit tastings throughout year. Call for info.