i'm no wine authority (yet)

Wine is one of those things most of us want to learn more about but are a little intimidated by. I never want to be the jerk at the restaurant who spends a ton of time scrutinizing the wine list, pretending I recognize winemakers and certain "vintages," and then making the waiter bring me a taste before I finally choose the one. That's why I love wine shops -- they're a really great way to get more knowledgeable about what's out there in a low pressure environment. My friend Sarah had been talking about Wine Authorities for a while, so we finally made a trip down there over the weekend.

The setup is awesome -- the front wall of the store is stocked with empty wine glasses and a row of all different wine varieties for the tasting. A few tables are available inside, and there are a good amount of small tables and chairs outside, too.

Wine Authorities also sells craft beer!

You serve yourself, which is my favorite part! No judge-y wine experts telling you what to get, but I'm sure the staff would be happy to help if you have questions. Each wine is available in 3 sizes: a taste, a 1/2 glass, or a full. Little placards can be found above each wine letting you know a little about the wine and giving suggestions for food pairings.

 Paying is really easy. Since the wines vary in price and each size has a different price, you purchase a little card ($1 each) and let the cashier know how much money you'd like to put on it. To use the card, just put it in the slot at the top of the wine dispenser and push the button for the wine and size you'd like. Just make sure you keep the card for next time... which for me, will hopefully be soon!