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Best Wine Stores In The Twin Cities

There are lots of wines to choose from and lots wine shops all over town. Deciding where to go and what to get can be a daunting task. This list features some of the best places around the Twin Cities to stock up on your favorite flavors as well as where and when to get free tastings, hear free music and find classes to brush up on your wine knowledge.

Surdyk's
303 E. Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-3232
www.surdyks.com

Located in Northeast Minneapolis, Surdyk's has been a long-time staple in the area for all things beer, cheese and wine. Its wine selection is vast and full of variety. The employees are happy to assist you in finding something in particular or to help guide you if you have no idea what you're looking for. This shop hosts events like wine tastings, samplings and a grape stomp at its storefront. One of the popular nights to buy wine during the week is Wednesday which is when it runs its four for $40 special. Stop into Surdyk's on a Thursday night for lots of great deals. And every Friday and Saturday includes wine tastings, so stop in and try before your buy.

Cork Dork Wine Company
4726 Cedar Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 721-9463
www.corkdorkwineco.com

Cork Dork Wine Company is a locally owned wine shop in the Nokomis neighborhood in Minneapolis. It features a nice curated collection of wines and beers for sale. This wine shop offers free wine and/or beer tastings every Thursday, and if you follow it on Facebook or Twitter, you can stay up to date on what wines are being sampled when. The staff is very knowledgeable and will help you with your wine selection no matter what price point you're shopping in. This is the place to go if you're looking for something 'out of the box' and affordable yet delicious.

Pairings Food & Wine
6001 Shady Oak Road
Minnetonka, MN 55343
(952) 426-0522
www.pairingsfoodandwine.com

Pairings Food & Wine is located on Shady Oak Road in Hopkins, just north of Highway 62. It has a wide variety of wines and cheeses to choose from for any occasion. One thing that sets Pairings apart from other wine shops around town is that it offers classes and events monthly. The website keeps you up to date so you know what is going on and how to sign up. Along with this, Pairings also offers wine tastings, a full to-go and eat-in menu, as well as catering and live jazz on Thursdays. This is the perfect spot to head out to after work on a Thursday and enjoy some wine and music.

Related: Best Creative Pizza Places In Minnesota

Sunfish Cellars
803 Sibley Memorial Highway (Hwy. 13)
Lilydale, MN 55118
(651) 552-5955
www.sunfishcellars.com

Sunfish Cellars in Lilydale is a cute little wine shop that has a ton to offer. Its selections take you around the world and back again with wines from Argentina, Spain, Chile, USA and more. The staff is always eager to help guide you to the perfect bottle, so even if you don't know what you're looking for, you're sure to leave with something great. Along with great wines, Sunfish has a great line of wine accessories. Chillers, aerators, openers, books, you name it and this shop probably has it. Sunfish Cellars makes a good stop for a birthday, anniversary or hostess gift on your way through Lilydale.

The Wine Market
720 Main St., Suite101
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
(651) 452-9463
www.thewinemarket.us

Mendota Heights is home to The Wine Market. This one-stop shop features lots of wine and lots of events for people who drink it. Wednesdays and Saturdays include tastings of select wines. Tuesday is 'Teacher Tuesday' where all teachers get 10 percent off their order, and Fridays are another fun night over at The Wine Market. It hosts tastings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., along with jazz music from local musicians. Keep this place in mind the next time you're searching for a great wine or a good time.

Related: Best Tasting Menus In Minnesota

Amber Ranzau lives on the edge of Uptown in Minneapolis and is a gal about town. She frequents the local restaurant scene, loves to support new and local businesses, follows the latest and greatest fashion and design trends, and she does all of this while working as an interior designer, spending time with her man, The Specialist, and taking care of her two goldfish Felix and Petunia and their tankmate Huey the Snail. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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