Best Bars For Wine Tasting In Los Angeles
Wine is complicated. Much like whiskey, it has notes and layers of many different elements. It can be bitter or sweet with a broad range in between. Unfortunately, there's no way of telling what a bottle of wine tastes like until you open it and try some. The price range also varies greatly and just because it's expensive doesn't necessarily mean you're going to like it. You could very well be stuck choking down an over $20 bottle of the stuff simply by luck of the draw. But thankfully, more and more bars are providing wine tastings. This is a great way for the experienced to explore new palates, while the novice can find a wine they like without committing to one bottle. Here's a guide to the best bars for wine tasting in Los Angeles.
Wally's Beverly Hills
447 N Canon Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 475-3540
www.wallysbeverlyhills.com
For any LA resident or tourist that loves wine, Wally's in Beverly Hills is a must visit. The space, as well as the offerings inside are incredible. Transforming the combination of food and wine to an entirely new dimension, Wally's stocks over 2,500 bottles of wines of all price points and it's a great spot to sit back with friends, sip on a glass, and have some snacks with it too.
Silverlake Wine
2395 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 662-9024
www.silverlakewine.com
If you stop by Silverlake Wine on Sundays, Mondays and/or Thursdays, you'll get to enjoy delicious wine tastings where each night features a different line up of offerings. On Thursday nights, there's a theme with three reds and three whites. Gourmet bread and butter is provided, with a food truck option out front. Mondays are mellow and relaxed with new and unique wines paired with farmhouse cheeses, olives and Heirloom LA bread. Once a month on Sundays there is a food and wine extravaganza with four courses of food paired with exciting wines. The prices for the flights are reasonable and the wines are usually a hit.
BUZZ Wine Beer Shop
460 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 622-2222
www.buzzwinebeershop.com
The guys at BUZZ wine beer shop believe a great wine experience doesn't have to involve fancy talk and formalities. Instead, drinking wine should a pleasurable experience regardless of how much or how little you know. But if you're looking for a knowledgeable "wine person" then you'll get one at BUZZ. They taste up to 400 wines a week from 160 sources and have about 4,000 bottles of the most unique wines of the world, but only a handful stack up and are added to their line up. Thursday nights are flight nights where you can taste some of these amazing wines.
Domaine LA
6801 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 932-0280
www.domainela.com
Domaine LA is one of the smaller wine stores in Los Angeles, so with less shelf space every bottle has to count. Priding their business on bringing small batch, quality and rare wines to the public, the owners hand pick each bottle out of love and appreciation for the wine. Sunday tastings (subject to change) make these wines accessible without forcing you to commit to anything. Unpretentious and quite friendly, your flight host will help you connect with the palates and understand them. Tasty food pairings are a bonus.
Harry's Wine & Spirits
11684 San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 820-9988
www.harryswinela.com
Harry's Wine & Spirits may be located in the wealthy city of Brentwood but there's nothing pretentious about this shop. The store is casual and friendly, and so is the staff. Monthly tastings are relaxed and all experience levels are welcome. Etiquette, techniques in aerating wine and identification are all explained to newcomers. The more experienced wine connoisseur can expand their knowledge with wines from Portugal, France, Argentina and Italy. Tastings consist of six different wines that vary in color, density and flavor. Private tastings are also available.