Thursday, November 20, 2008

Wine Styles

Talk about a cool town... South Pasadena has more than one great wine shop on Mission Street!

Wine Styles is dedicated to offering unique labels and hard to find wines at low prices. (Most bottle here are under $25.) Although Wine Styles feels like a one-of-a-kind boutique, it's actually part of a chain. The first Wine Styles opened in Coral Springs, Florida back in 2002, founded on the idea that wine shouldn't be the sole domain of snooty Frazier types -- that it should be brought down to earth and made more affordable and more fun. The company evolved into a network of 150 individually owned stores in 24 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. I put this in the category of Whole Foods or Trader Joes -- all started out as neighborhood shops whose products and services were so good they ended up going nationwide.

In addition to the impressive number of unusual blends and classic varietals, Wine Styles also specializes in wine-related goodies and gadgets as well as fully customizable gift baskets. Shopping is easy for those of us who don't pour over copies of Wine Spectator -- here, taste "styles" are clearly marked -- are you feeling fruity or mellow? Bold or silky? Wine tasting and wine classes are also available.

(Here's a date night made easy: after you select your bottle, pick up a great movie at Videotheque -- it's right next door!)

15 comments:

Mister Earl said...

Looks like a very inviting Christmas-time destination with all the lights glowing from within.

(I'm no Mme. Gramaphone, but to hear a snippet of the song I posted yesterday, go to this link and click on the first tune in the box at the lower left. You may also like the other two tunes.)

http://www.susanwerner.com/music/m_tbt.html

Tanya Breese said...

Great look in b&w...one stop Christmas shopping :)

Sharon said...

I love this b&w shot and the Mini-Cooper out front just adds to a vintage feel. We could use one of these stores in Phoenix.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Is it you part of the world or your photgraphy or a combination that conjours up American Cinema Noir? Another image where you could start a cinema narrtaive. I bet I'm not the only one who sees this. Superb again.

Tash said...

Yup, looks like a photo from an old 40's movie set. I agree - superb. BTW you've inspired me to try some night shots - I've posted one today on PVDP

Wayne said...

Any efforts to remove some of the pretentiousness surrounding fermented grape juice is ok with me. I can buy a wine I like fine for $10.00 but generally speaking wine is more expensive here than in the States.

There are independent liquor stores here but they are not allowed to undercut Liquor Board prices.

Another pic full of atmosphere Laurie.

Diederick Wijmans said...

Wines...wines, wonderful wines!
I like this photo, Laurie!!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh what a spectacular shot, it really draws me in!

Ken Mac said...

at first glance the pics looks old, as does the car. Then you see it's a newer car. you are so good at fooling us Laurie!

USelaine said...

Both you and Kim of Seattle described date scenarios today. I forget; is dating fun?

Anonymous said...

I'm feeling rather silky tonight. My disco ball is talking to me and I've been eating flowers.

Cafe Observer said...

I*m feeling in a colorful mood 2nite. So, I think I would've rather seen this, technically, in color.

Laurie Allee said...

Hey kids,

Mister Earl, thanks for the link!

Babooshka, thanks for the noir props! I have a particular fondness for that style of filmmaking -- and I tend to see everything in terms of a shot for a movie. (You can take the girl out of film school but can't take film school out of the girl...) Better watch out, or I'll post one of my "if this were a scene from a movie, what would happen" posts!

Thanks, everyone. Til tomorrow.

Webradio said...

Great ! in B&W... Very nice !

Anonymous said...

Nice post!

i recently returned to South Pasadena and am looking to put together a wine society in the town (I came to your blog as a result of a Google search for that).

Does one exisit in South Pasadena?