We know, we know, a little while back we were singing the praises of the Big Guys, (Binny’s, Sam’s, Jewel) But hey! Can you blame us? It was Big Box mania. (By the way, our sources tell us that it’s still better to shop at the big guys when buying in bulk)

This week, with holiday entertaining in mind, we’d like to take a different perspective on wine consumption. We sat down with our favorite wine savant, Vince Santo, to talk about the difference between buying inexpensive as opposed to cheap wines, and the best way for a PoorLittleRichGirl to shop for wine like a sommelier.

Santo recommended that you check out your local wine shop (we’ve suggested a few below). Small wine shop buyers painstakingly scour the city looking for the best possible wines at the lowest possible prices. While large stores often make cheap wine purchasing decisions in corporate board rooms based on name recognition, positioning and special discounts, smaller independent shops make their decisions by tasting, tasting and more tasting! It’s not a bad gig if you have the tolerance for it. Smaller shops tend to find inexpensive wines that are “off the beaten path.” Such wineries have usually put their money toward quality wine making rather than mass marketing and advertising. So it is possible to find a better value in these lesser known labels.

Here are a few more tips from Santo for perusing the $10-$15 table at your local shop:

First and foremost, always ask for help if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The small shop thrives on making you a return customer, so they want to make sure you’re happy and that you will come back for more.
Let’s talk “vintage.” Less expensive wines are better when consumed at a younger age. So if you have to decide between a 2004 or 2006, your best bet is to usually go with the newer bottle. In the end though, it’s always safer to ask.
If you know of a more expensive winery you like, ask if they carry an “entry-level” brand (a less expensive version made from the same grapes).

Like we said before, If you’re planning on throwing the party of the century, it’s probably best to get a couple of cheap cases from Sam’s or Costco (or become very good friends with your local Franzia dealer). But if you’re more interested in a bottle of something delicious, seeing a friendly face when you walk in the door, and learning something new, go visit your local wine shop.

Below are some option that should be within stumbling distance of your apartment!

South Loop

Lush: 1306 S. Halsted (also have Roscoe Village location)
Warehouse Liquors: 634 S. Wabash  

Bucktown

Cellar Rat: 1811 W. North Ave.
Red and White Wines: 1861 N. Milwaukee

Wrigleyville/Southport

Que Syrah: 3726 N. Southport

Old Town

Galleria Liquors: 1559 N. Wells
Potash Brothers: 1525 N. Clark (the wine shop is in the basement)

Andersonville

In Fine Spirits: 5418 N. Clark 

(Lindsey Duda)