Expertise without attitude? Yep, it's possible. Brookline Liquor Mart, a wine and spirits staple located at 1354 Commonwealth Ave. in Allston, is one of the larger stores of its kind. But, die-hard patrons have come to expect more than just an extraordinary range of products and services at BLM. For this emporium serving up stellar potent potables since 1934, it's all about service minus the snobbery. “I tend to look for the good things in any bottle of wine I try—the grape flavor, the color, the (real) value of the bottle," says Roger Ormon, BLM's wine manager. "I'm not just interested in fancy or expensive wines. I can get just as excited about a fantastic $15 bottle of wine as I can about the finest vintage from Bordeaux.” BLM is lauded for its convival Saturday wine tastings and expanded calendar of wine-related events, such as their upcoming "Celluloid and Wine" film series perfect for oenophiles. Also, BLM Wine + Spirits specializes in crafting wine cellars as well as offering appraisals on existing cellars. And, extending their "expertise without attitude" approach online, they've launched a new internet sales department perfect for that last-minute gift for a colleague or friend ... or even yourself. For store president Lisa Miller Ryan, it's been a life-long passion to maintain the family tradition of selling the best product and educating wine drinkers for more than half a century. In fact, her father Burton J. Miller is CEO and chairman. "I cut my teeth in the wine business," Ryan says. "I probably took my first steps down the aisle of the store.” Still not sure? Don't pop a cork. Let the knowledgeable team at BLM guide you with their "Vineyard Picks" e-newsletter here.

Do you not know the difference between a malbec and a syrah? Or are you a hard core oenephile searching for that hard to find ice wine? Either way, you will be welcomed with open arms at the Wine gallery. Let the knowledgable staff help you with their selection, and do not be scared to "taste away" at the wine jukebox that pours free half ounce samples.

Kerri Platt is the owner of this shop, in which you will find six or seven thousand bottles of wine. The wine runs a wide range of price, from $7 to hundreds of dollars. The philosophy is that there are very good wines that are inexpensive, and they seek out excellent deals as well as hard-to-find vintages. This is the kind of place where you can walk in and say that you're not ready to purchase anything, but had some questions. They'll take the time to answer anything, as the staff are extremely knowledgeable. With this kind of focus on quality and education, you will want to come back time after time and quit wasting your money on bottles of wine that don't make the grade. Bonus: free wine tastings every Friday from 5pm to 8pm.

UPDATE: 33 Restaurant re-opened with new menu items and a revamped interior. Click here for the new eats. A trendy and funky South End hotspot located on Stanhope Street next to Stix. Attire is more business casual. Known for their interesting cocktails and celebrity sightings. The three-course, $33 prix fixe menu is offered at all times and presents a good bargain for scene-chasing diners. The menu can best be characterized by and is known for having a variety of vegetarian options as well as it's ability to meet your dietary needs. Their cocktail list is extensive to cater to the after work crowd that can quickly turn into a party scene at night. There are 2 floors to the place. Downstairs has a small and sexy lounge.

From their website: Located in the heart of Massachusetts’ apple country, Nashoba Valley Winery is a stunning hilltop orchard overlooking the charming town of Bolton. Always growing and ever-beautiful, we are open daily throughout the year, with the exception of The Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Since first producing superior fruit wines in 1978, Nashoba Valley Winery has earned wide acclaim as a pioneering winery orchard and a premier destination for visitors seeking excellent wine, exquisitely prepared food, and a gorgeous country setting. The family-owned orchard, winery & restaurant, set on 52 rolling acres, boasts a state-of-the art wine-making and distillation facility, an exceptional wine and gift shoppe, a brewery, and a gourmet restaurant. With over 100 national and international medals to its credit and accolades from such noteworthy publications as “Boston Magazine”, “Wine Enthusiast”, “Cooking Light”, ”Food & Wine”, “The Yankee Magazine” 2003 Editors Choice, and "Community Newspaper Company 2004 Readers Choice Award, Nashoba Valley Winery is the ultimate destination for any wine connoisseur. We take the art of winemaking seriously. And with over 20 varieties of wines, a variety of hand crafted beers and distilled spirits, Nashoba Valley is dedicated to quality and is recognized as a premium producer. From its beginning until today, Nashoba Valley remains a family owned winery with our focus on quality and value at the forefront of all we do. Plan a visit to a truly unique American farm and learn why Nashoba Valley was selected as one of the ultimate destination places on the east coast. Check out Povo's Guide to Apple Picking in Massachusetts!

Template:Liquor Store This red-clapboard store has a homespun look and reasonable prices, keeping Quadlings happily tipsy (although for heavy-duty hard alcohol purchases, it's best to head up to Liquor World in Porter Square). Nearly 1000 wines, many of which sell for $6-9, and over 200 imported and domestic beers ($6/6-pack of Bud, $12/6-pack Anchor Steam) pack this small store, not to mention a nice but limited selection of New England cheeses. Lots of locally brewed beers, as well as a decent selection of regional wines. Free wine tastings held Sa 2-5pm. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Boston's young consulting crowd never looked better in this dimly-lit downtown watering hole. Swank and surprisingly stentorian Vinalia (Latin for Festival of Wines) is part upscale restaurant and part wine bar that serves Mercer fare at Baine prices. The Crab Fritters with Napa Cabbage Cole Slaw ($12) and Steak Tartare ($10) are traditional introductions to the sumptuous Lobster Risotto ($27) and Veal Chop ($34), and the desserts (chocolate molten cake $7) are pedestrian but delicious. Satisfy your enological pursuits with any one of the array of international wines by the bottle and glass—ask you server for recommendations.

Brix Wine Shop opened on Washington Street in the South End a few years ago and were an instant success in this funky neighborhood. With weekly tastings and a variety of services being offered like free delivery and discounted cases, the onephiles in Boston knew where to head.

This stylish wine shop has it's successful big sister in the South End to thank for it's opening. The ladies of Brix have the formula right. Free tastings on Friday and Saturday, special and custom orders, private wine tasting parties, and free delievery are some of the reasons why Brix is bringing the lively and fun back to a whole lot of old grapes. Hours of Operation Monday through Saturday 11am - 9pm Sunday 12pm - 6pm

Blanchards is a large liquor store, with a parking lot out back. There are tastings each weekend and they carry a big selection of wine, beer and liquor. There's also a nice snack section up front, so you can get cheese and crackers here to go with your Chardonnay or a bag of pretzels to go with that case of Sam Adams.