The Wine Country

Whether you’re a novice or expert, The Wine Country wants to empower you to drink like a pro. Above all, they want you to like your wine. This wine, spirits and gourmet food shop has developed a large, loyal following, thanks to its expansive selection and knowledgeable, down-to-earth customer service. The shop is known for its dry rosés, modern, refreshing and crisp wines from France, Spain, Argentina and California. The German, Italian, French and Spanish wine sections are well stocked. Of course, California wines are represented, too. If you ask for advice, the staff is going to query you on your tastes, budget and the food you plan to serve with the wine. Without rigidly following the pairing rules, they’ll keep asking questions until they think they know what will please your palate. You may even get to taste a possibility if there’s an open bottle in the tasting room. If you become a Wine Country groupie, you’ll spend a lot of time in the tasting room. Not actually a room, it’s just a separate part of the store where you can taste from the honor bar and attend special events, tastings or classes. Once you’ve chosen your wines, you can peruse the selections of specialty spirits, beers and ales. There are also French cheeses and other gourmet foods, plus wine glasses and giftware. Sweets await at Rossmoor Pastries next door. Ristorante daVinci at Long Beach Airport serves fine cuisine with a view of the runways. Visit Delius for upscale dining, a wine bar and happy hour. More casual options include Hokkaido Asian seafood buffet, Kiku Roll & Sushi, Fantastic Burgers, Super Mex, Subway and Starbucks.

Tips: Let your guard down and surrender to the staff’s expertise. Their job is to make you happy, not pass judgment on your wine creds (or lack thereof). They are passionate about teaching you, so let them guide you to new territories. And don’t miss their highly informative and comprehensive newsletter. Pick up a hard copy in the store or join the email list online. As you’ll see, The Wine Country is a flurry of activity, with tastings and special events almost every night. If you want to increase your wine I.Q., this shop provides abundant opportunities.

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