#90 - Have A Sip (For Free) At Long Island Wine & Spirit Merchants

Long Island knows a thing or two about making wine—just ask any one of the umpteen wineries that call our East End home. But between the price of gas and the idea of going to a winery and having to drive an hour or more to get home, hiking out to the North and South Forks isn't always feasible. Instead, try a five-or 10-minute spin over to .

How big is the wine selection at Long Island Wine & Spirit Merchants? So big that different varietals are sorted with large placards that read "Merlot" and "Cabernet." And in the past two years since the store opened, it has not only grown its sizable list of offerings but also refined it to suit the local palates.

If you're unsure what vintage and maker to buy the wine enthusiast in your life, their beverage connoisseurs can help you pick a bottle based on their likes and dislikes, or suggest some food pairings.

What really sets Long Island Wine & Spirit Merchants apart, though, is its . Because although you can read that a wine has "hints of aged French oak" and "finishes with the taste of ripened blackberries and charcoal," the only way to truly taste that oak and charcoal is to uncork a bottle and start sipping. The "Try Before You Buy" concept isn't seen in the wine world too often, and that opportunity alone makes visiting the Merchants a worthwhile trip.

All this is to say nothing of the "spirits" half of the store's name; if it's distilled, chances are they carry it.

Category: Food & Drink
Price: Free
Season: Year-round
Note: Check our events calendar for upcoming wine tastings. And of course, never drink and drive.

Stay tuned for #89 next week, same time same place. And  if you missed #91.