Wine Expo   

As a Wine Hobbyist and collector for 25 years and whose sub-hobby is visiting wine shops (i've been to virtually every wine shop from San Diego to Santa Barbara), I feel I can offer a bit more balanced review of Wine Expo. I would suggest to "All Caps" and Ali Biglar hater that you would appear more creditable if you could tone down the anger. As far as Mary is concerned, it must have been a long or off day for the Wine Expo staff. To answer "all caps" there are many very good wines out there that are unknown. All vintners were unknown at one time. Yes, it is possibly "safer" to stick to known or prestigious brands but you are also usually paying for the name. It is also true that a neighbor's wine could be similar in quality to a Big Name wine. But it is also true that a neighbors wine could be very unlike the more prestigious wine, it all depends. One should try both a well known brand and some of the offerings of Wine Expo. It is true that Wine Expo shys away from carrying the Big Names for the most part; but they are doing the wine drinking public a favor. Anyone can carry the big names but it takes work to seek out and find the unknown and possibly future stars that are going for much less than the Big Name wines. Some are as good as the big names and a few are not. You should try a few and find out for yourself. To answer Ali Biglar hater, Ali is not around much, the one to talk to is Robert if you can manage to get there before he goes home. Also, it is the JOB of the wine shop staff to share their interpertations of the wines they sell, this is why you go to a wine shop as opposed to Ralphs or Pavillions! I also agree that the Wine House is a very good shop. Lance at the Wine House is the one to talk to about Italian wines. So, my review of the Wine Expo is a very good shop for Italian Wine. Their Champagne selection is also very good, although not as good as some claim. There are other stores that have bigger selections. Lyndon

HEY PEOPLE SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU STOP BY THIS WANNA BE WINE SHOP. ONE WORD OF ADVICE, DONT SHOP HERE. THEIR SELECTION IS VERY LAME, THE NAMES ARE UNKNOWN, PRICES ARE COMPARABLE TO REPUTABLE WINE BRANDS BUT TASTE IS FAR INFERIOR TO SIMILAR COMPETITORS. THE PROPRIETOR SHOULD THINK TWICE IF HE IS SO KEEN ON BUYING FROM THE NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE WINERIES CLOSE TO THE MAJOR KNOWN BRANDS. BOTTOM LINE, HERE YOU REALLY PAY FAR MORE FOR WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN. I WAS STUPID ENOUGH TO FALL FOR THE CRAP THE GUY WAS FEEDING ME AND IT HELPED TO SAMPLE A WELL KNOWN WINE WHILE I SHOPPED. THE TASTINGS ARE VERY HELPFUL ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THOSE WINES THEY OPEN FOR CUSTOMERS TO TASTE ARE NOT CARRIED BY THE STORE AND INSTEAD BY THEIR NEIGHBORS!!!!!

Owner Ali Biglar,an illetrate cheap wine affectionado! it is best to let the brains behind the business, Mr. Robert to do the talking. At least he likes to eat well, so he can recommend a better wine. The owner is a crooked charlartan. He often pickes up his clients at the store judging by the bottles of wine they buy. The atmosphere of the store is just as much a pick up joint as a wine store, the two go in handy. The owner would like to continue the party at his house if permitted. He is a first class pathological liar , and therefore customers are not that interested to pay attention to him ,they go to get their wine. Staff is arrogant and the same speach is given to every other customer..............F for originality. The whole mood of the store sucks, You can find cheaper wine, better tasting wine, better sevice if you take the time to go 2-3 blocks N/S/W/E of wine expo. you will not regret it. HAppy wine shopping.........just not at wine expo!

Not to be confused with "arrogant," this staff knows their stuff. Unlike user "Mary," I've never had a staff member talk down to me. Their recommendations are usually spot-on because they ask you questions regarding the cuisine the wine will be served with. Or if it's a simply a get-together, what kind...formal or informal? What's the occasion? What's your price range? I'm no wine expert, but they've never made me feel silly. In fact, I come off looking like a wine expert to my friends because I always show up with just the right bottle from Wine Expo. The best place I know to find an excellent bottle of wine for under $15. Highly recommended.