About Town

Reds, Whites & Food

by Marguerite marsh

WILL SHILLING PHOTO

Wine lovers and wine novices alike will appreciate the food, wine and atmosphere at The Wine Guy Wine Shop in Pickerington.

Tucked away in a shopping center in the east-side suburb, The Wine Shop is a hidden treasure. Once you pass through the front door you're transported to a warm, spacious room with 14-foot ceilings and hundreds of bottles of wine, neatly lined up on dark wooden shelves. Cases of wine also form aisles for easy perusing.

With more than 2,400 bottles to choose from, the selection process is simplified by the grouping of wines by country of origin or type of grape.

Wine accoutrements—such as corkscrews, wine toppers, charms and glasses—are also scattered among the cases. If you like a good cigar with your wine, find one to go from the cigar humidor.

Can't decide on a bottle? No problem. Have a seat at the tasting bar and try a glass. Or try a wine flight—which offers a taste of four different wines. Flights are available in six different groupings, such as White, Red, Sparkling or Sweet Wines.

WILL SHILLING PHOTO

If you're still not sure, ask one of the staff for assistance. It might just be Craig Decker, the owner, also known as "The Wine Guy."

"I've tasted every wine that we sell," says Decker. "It's about a good time with wine. It's a casual atmosphere. We want everyone to enjoy themselves, whether they know a lot, or not much, about wine."

If you're intimidated by wine, The Wine Shop may be just the place for you—the vibe is casual and inviting. "We want to help the customer understand about a bottle of wine," says Decker.

Decker and his staff also understand food. On the other side of the tasting bar is a dining area featuring tapas. The only thing more difficult than choosing just a few bottles of wine is choosing just a few tapas.

Select from menu items such as Cajun Scallops, Olive Tampenade & Hummus, Thai Chicken Pizza, Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops or Pan Seared Duck Breast. Each dish is large enough to share and so delicious you'll want to taste them all.

Every Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. Decker and his staff host a theme wine tasting event—a perfect opportunity to try new wines, meet fellow wine lovers or just relax and learn. Each event features different wines, from Beaujolais and Syrah to Australia and Spain.

No matter what wine or culinary experiences you seek, The Wine Guy Wine Shop will not disappoint.

February 22nd, 2007

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