There may be a bigger selection elsewhere, but more down-to-earth and helpful wine retailers you won’t find in Tampa Bay. Owners James and David Mela pride themselves on non-snobby customer service and will point you toward the best $8 chardonnay or $50 pinot noir with a patient smile. Or, if you’re serving white fish in cream sauce, they can match something up with that too. Need a gift? In a rush? Check out the nice guys at Vintage. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931.
This article appears in Sep 14-20, 2005.