Where the Winos Are

Or maybe I should ask: Where are the wine "enthusiasts"?

I can tell you on Saturday afternoon, I'm enjoying the free wine tastings at Esquin (website here).

The Line @ Esquin

If you like wine (i.e.  you don't think all whites are chardonnay and all reds are merlot) it is imperative that you find your wine shop - a shop where the staff treat you like a friend, you can browse aimlessly, no one steers you towards a $50 bottle of wine for a weekday take-out dinner ($13 or less please), it's not a pick-up joint disguised as a wine bar/shop, and the owner won't engage you in a 30 minute conversation about the minerality of a certain red, which he attributes to the terroir of where the grapes were grown (unless you want him to).

It can be challanging, especially if you don't live smack dab in the middle of  a city.

But be bold!  Use Google, drive around, and check out the wine section at your supermarket (our QFC and Metropolitan Market have great wine sections, dedicated wine guys, and wine tastings!).

p.s.  The Wine Outlet also has weekend wine tastings and deals (website here).
If you have any other wine-shop suggestions in the Seattle area - let me know!