12/06/08

A treasure chest of wine accesories

by 923

Discovering Pinot was like discovering a treasure chest of wine accesories. I went in after hearing a friend's recommendation and I was blown away by the amount of specialty items and products related to wine. I was searching for a very specific high end corkscrew by Laguiole. They are not easy to find in Philadelphia or any other city for that matter. Not only did they carry the one I was looking for; they carried it in five different colors! They also had less expensive versions made by the same company as well as all of the traditional waiter corkscrews, Rabbit wine openers, and some I had never seen before.

The store was full of surprises: crystal wine glasses that the owner of the shop literally banged against a countertop to demonstrate how durable they are, tables made out of authentic wine barrels from vineyards around the wolrd, and a decanter that fits inside a bottle that decants the wine as you pour! Just when I thought it couldn't possibly get any better, the owner offered me a taste of their chocolate wine sauce. I have never been one to turn down a taste of chocolate anything, and it was fabulous. It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and chocolate and it's just the right balance of flavors and texture. It's not too sweet because it is a darker chocolate and it compliments the berry flavor of the wine. It's kind of like a really great chocolate milk with a kick to it! He suggested pairing it with strawberries or over ice cream which I am planning to try as soon as I get either of those things in my fridge! I found tons of Christmas gifts for my friends, and made a mental note for some great wedding gift ideas. This store is definitely one of my new favorites in Philly!

• Pros: easy to get to on Market Street, great selection

Oenophiles cheer for this Old City shop specializing in everything for the wine enthusiast--sans the grape.

by Contributor

In Short
This friendly shop boasts superior Riedel glasses and gift sets, clever wine racks, wine keys, travel flasks, cork stoppers, gourmet items, literature devoted to wine tasting, and just about everything for imbibing imaginable. Heck, there's even refrieration--such as a 14-bottle wine cooler as well as complete bars for your home. First Friday Open House events bring free wine tastings and live jazz, making for a convivial feel at a store devoted to wine.