As a part of a new series, we’re going to start rating our experiences with wine shops and tasting rooms. All too many times have we ran into folks who really have no business owning or working in a wine shop. These kind of hoyty-toyty folks are ones who have too much money and time on their hands and get a wild-hair idea that they’ll make a killin’ opening a wine shop.

Society and wine-drinkers are large would be better served if some of those folks saved that money for their retirement or went into something they’re actually good at.

If you want to check out a good wine shop with a good wine selection staffed by knowledgeable people, then this Wine Styles store is not for you. I’ve had the misfortune of being arm-twisted into going to a couple of their Friday night wine tastings and each time I feel as if I have to shower.

The shop has a rather poor wine selection given its relative size – perhaps they could have more wines to choose from if the store wasn’t riddled with crap like t-shirts, “wine monopoly games” and other useless junk.

Another sore-spot with me is how none of the wines are divided into regions and varieties, which makes finding something a real pain in the ass. You’re forced to become like a mindless lemming and slowly walk around the store trying to find something – Lord knows the staff won’t be able to help – they act as if they’re doing you a favor by even talking to you.

Look at all that useless crap! (click on image to enlarge)

Using a 10-point scale, here’s my rating for this store:

• Wine Selection: 5/10
• Staff Knowledge: 3/10
• Prices: 2/10
• Overall experience: 3/10

The staff members walk around as if they don’t have a clue as to what’s going on and to make matters worse, their wine prices are absolutely REDICULOUS! I’ve seen cheaper prices in some restaurants than this place – really – it’s that jacked up.

-duane pemberton