Bin 66 Fine Wine & Spirits
Celebrating its 10th year, Bin 66 started in a Del. 1 strip center in Rehoboth Beach. Its second location is in downtown Rehoboth. “We taste test all the wines before bringing them in,” says sales associate Mike Ohr. “We’re upscale.” So upscale that the stores use glasses for its wine tastings, held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays downtown and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays in the Del. 1 store. The events, offered through New Year’s Eve, rival happy hours at social hotspots. The store also carries proprietary labels. She Said No, a Pinot Gris, is the latest. (227-6161, 227-6966, bin66.com)
Colliers of Centreville
In 1981, when Linda Collier and her husband moved back to the United States after six years in Europe, she went to a liquor retailer to buy a wine to pair with veal. The clueless employee told her, “Red is here and white is over there.” Frustrated, she opened a wine shop that sold wine, held classes and offered tastings. More than 30 years later, Collier’s of Centreville is a wine-lover’s destination. (656-3542, collierswine.com)
Deerfield Fine Wines
This wine store on Louviers Drive in Newark takes the snobbery out of the vino evolution. It’s all about the taste—and tastings—and the experience. (266-8061, deerfieldwines.com)
FranksWine
Founded in 1986, this store near Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilmington—long known as Frank’s Union Wine Mart—is a landmark. Enter the room to the left of the door to find deals on overstocked products. Owner Frank Pagliaro is revamping his Golden Wine event. Expect a new take in October 2013. (800-283-7265, frankswine.com)
Hockessin Liquors
Hockessin and Avondale wine aficionados appreciate the weekend tastings at this boutique store. (If he—or she—is “just not into that”, there are more than 1,500 beers.) (235-5848 hockessinliquor.com)
Kreston’s Wine & Spirits
Opened in 1933 by Samuel Kreston, the store has seen a lot of changes, including a name change from Kreston’s Liquor Mart to the more upscale moniker it wears today. (For kicks, take a look at the “Our Memory Lane” section on the Web site.) The store, which now has a sister shop in Middletown, offers more than 6,000 different wines. (652-3792, 376-6123, krestonwines.com)
Moore Brothers Wine Company
Situated in Wilmington’s Trolley Square, Moore Brothers sources its wine directly from artisan wineries in Germany, France and Italy. The Web site lets you explore the wines’ tasting notes before you buy. Or, after you buy, use the Quick Response (QR) code to access the notes on your smart phone.
(498-0360, moorebrothers.com)
Premier Wine & Spirits
The Limestone Road store near Stanton might be big but it sports a boutique atmosphere. “Customers enjoy ‘shopping’ at our store. They don’t just grab and go,” says manager Mike Whitwell. There are more than 3,300 labels. (996-9463, premierwinespirits.com)
Ryan’s Wine & Spirits
There are more than 500 hand-selected wines, spirits and beers in this North Wilmington shop. Expect surprises. “Wines have staying power for a brief time, as I’m constantly looking for new wines that complement the activities, weather and food options available each season,” says owner John Ryan. Don’t like the wine? Ryan’s will replace it or offer a refund. (655-8466, ryanswinesandspirits.com)
Teller Wines
In 2003, Steve Kogler and his wife, Jennifer, opened Teller Wines to “tell” people all about wine. And they’ve done just that. Employees taste every wine in the store, so they can give you the scoop. (Nice work if you can get it.) Every month, you can order the Teller 12: six whites and six reds that employees love. (644-7400, tellerwines.com)
The Right Bottle
Opened in 2003 and relocated to the Simons Corner Shipping Center in Smyrna in 2008, the store lets your order ahead and offers a VIP membership program. (653-6131, rightbottle.com)
The Wine & Spirit Company of Greenville
Wine tastings on Fridays and Saturdays, good deals stacked at the front of the store —what’s not to like? (658-9463, wineandspiritco.com)
Veritas
A pioneer on the Wilmington Riverfront, Veritas offers wine tastings every Friday and Saturday. These are not run-of-the-mill selections. Owner Venu Gaddamid carefully picks every offering, making Veritas the place to socialize and sip. (543-6071, veritaswineshop.com)
Ward’s Fine Wines
Owner Oscar Zelaya, who was born in Buenos Aires and studied at the University of Delaware, purchased this Trolley Square-area shop—a fixture since 1933—in 1992. Here you’ll find wines from small vineyards and a big helping of personalized service. (656-8548, wardsfinewine.com)