If you plan well, you can sip from some of the best wine lists in the city at prices that rival the wine shop down the street. In industry terms, these deals are known as retail wine nights. Here are some of our favorites in the city.
A restaurant marking up the price of a bottle of wine (typically upwards of 100 percent) is nothing new. We diners pay it because that glass of Oregon pinot gris goes so well with the cioppino we ordered. But if you plan well, you can sip from some of the best wine lists in the city at prices that rival the wine shop down the street. In industry terms, these deals are known as retail wine nights. Here are some of our favorites in the city.
SundayBarcelona hosts Un'wine'ed Sundays with all bottles at retail pricing. (You can take a bottle or two home for the same price.) Bonus: There's also live music from 7 to 9 p.m. at the bar.barcelonacolumbus.com
Tucci's Retail Wine Night runs 3 to 9 p.m. The special applies to bottles $100 or less at the Dublin restaurant.tuccisdublin.com
MondayFor years, Due Amici Downtown has run Uncorked on Mondays, when every bottle of wine is half-off.due-amici.com
TuesdayMezzo in Dublin offers more than 180 bottles (excluding some of its rarer offerings) at half price.mezzodublin.com
WednesdayThe first Wednesday of every month, The Refectory offers all bottles under $100 at retail prices. That's more than 200 selections from one of the city's best wine collections.refectory.com
Every Wednesday at Ella in New Albany, wines are discounted to the state minimum, plus diners can taste wines with general manager and sommelier Dave McMahon for $10.ella-restaurant.com
Everyday specials:Alana's Food and Wine sells bottles at only $5 above the state minimum. And at Basi Italia in Victorian Village, the markup is minimal (about $10).alanas.com; basi-italia.com