Bangalore’s walk-in wine stores

There used to be a time when booze buying had to be done under covers, from smelly hole-in-the-wall outlets frequented by stinking shady guys. Not anymore. As Bangalore’s pub-hoping janta graduates from beer guzzling to wine sipping, the city’s liquor turf too registers a sea change. Welcome to the city’s swanky walk-in wine stores where shopping for wine is not just another weekend chore but almost a revelation in itself!

Meet G Satyanarayana, owner of Sam’s Wine & Spirits at St Johns Church Road. Himself a connoisseur of good wines, Satyanarayana is a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to knowledge about wines. You can feel the passion ring true as he makes a sweeping gesture over the array of Indian and imported wines and gives you tips, on the aside, about wine serving. Expect a range of premium liquor—scotch, champagne, cognac, liqueur, beer and wine—from all over the world.

Other such shops in the city are Madhiraa (Basavanagudi), Madhushala Wines (Hanumanthanagar), Mahaveer Wines (Rajaji Nagar), Total Spirits (New BEL Road), Sarorera Wines (BG Road), Madhuloka Wines (HSR Layout), SLNS Wines (Banashankari), Not Just Wine and Cheese (Airport Road), Scotch Yard Wines (Sadashiva Nagar) and Wine Baron (Banashankari 2nd Stage and JP Nagar).

So pop that cork … and let the good times roll!