LA Wine Shops

A neighborhood favorite for residents of trendy Beachwood and Bronson canyons, Victor's has a small but well-chosen wine selection, with most bottles clocking in at very … reasonable prices. Don't let the unassuming décor fool you; the guys behind the counter know their stuff, and whether you're grabbing a bottle for dinner at the restaurant next door or looking for something to take home, they're always happy to fire up a cigarette and talk it out with you until you're satisfied. [link]

Du Vin's focus is European wines, and the shop, a converted house off Melrose, feels like it should be tucked away on a narrow side-street in Paris. Cool and cavelike on … the inside, Du Vin specializes in rare vintages, but there's a nice selection of bottles for under $20. Owners Robert and Rene relish helping customers pick out the best wine for their needs, and they manage to avoid making you feel like a moron in the process -- no small feat, from what we've seen. [link]

Greenblatt's advertises itself as a wine merchant fronting as a delicatessen, and it lives up to the boast; the wine selection is excellent, and the prices are fantastic. … In keeping with the pace of its frenetic Sunset and Laurel location, Greenblatt's stays open until 2 a.m. every day, so if you're looking for a bottle of Moet in the middle of the night, now you know where to find it. The owner is particularly fond of French wines, especially Bordeaux and Burgundy. [link]

The Wine Merchant specializes in swanky vintages -- in fact, most of its bottles originated at the world's top vineyards. (Well, what did you expect in Beverly Hills?) … Lavishly decorated with dark wood and plush couches, the Wine Merchant has a few bottles for $15 or so, but the real finds tend to be a bit pricier. Be sure to get there during daylight hours; wine celebrity Dennis Overstreet, the owner, closes up shop at 6 p.m. [link]

Don't go to LA Wine Company expecting a sweet little neighborhood market; the place is a warehouse offering great wines at cheap prices thanks to its freedom to buy … in bulk. Which is not to say it's unfriendly -- what could be more hospitable to those of us young 'uns than an "under $12" club? The selection is constantly shifting, so there's always something new and interesting to try. [link]

We'll take any excuse to wander around Larchmont Village pretending we live in a quaint town in the Vermont countryside, but this neighborhood wine-shop-con-deli is worth … the trip irrespective of its charming location. A small deli featuring the best baguette sandwiches on Larchmont faces a wall of wines available in all vintages and prices, and the very knowledgeable staff are known for helping shoppers not only pick a great wine, but learn something in the process. [link]

Silver Lake Wine specializes in artisanal wines from around the world, meaning there's something for just about every budget. If you've ever wondered what Slovenian … vineyards have to offer, now you can finally find out. The store also hosts three weekly wine tastings at prices ranging from $8 to $20, and has been known to collaborate with Hollywood wine dive Lou on events. [link]