Hello,
Staying in Boston for a week. Are there good wine stores to visit which have old and rare sections? Also, a good spirits specialist store?
Thank you in advance.
I’m curious about this too
Your best bet in town is Federal wine. They opened up a new fine and rare room downstairs that has a lot of good stuff. You’ll have to ask to go in there it’s not part of the normal store.
In the suburbs Gordon’s in Waltham and Marty’s in Newton are both good.
+1 to all these suggestions
+1 to all of these. Federal is great for old and rare. For spirits they also have a large whiskey and scotch selection. Here is their website.
http://www.federalwine.com/
There is also a Gordons in Downtown Crossing that has a limited selection of wines but also a large spirits section. Its about a 10 minute walk from Federal.
In addition to the fine recommendations above for Federal and Gordons in Downtown Crossing, I’d also suggest Brix Wine Shop on Broad Street (they may have another location as well) and Boston Wine Exchange on Devonshire. They have good selections (generally) but, like most stores in the state, they are quite pricey. Fun to window shop and maybe splurge on a bottle…but don’t expect too many bargains.
(Federal is my favorite local store — and if you’re an Italian wine fan, I can think of no other expert than Peter)
I enjoyed Social Wines in the Southport area when I was in town for a conference last week.
This is news to me. You can hardly move down there - how did they open up a new room? Or are you referring to the whole downstairs?
There’s a room downstairs that is only accessible by key and it holds the real good stuff. It is also climate controlled
This topic was discussed in the past year or so. Check old threads for this topic. As I recall there were many good suggestions.
JM Fine Wines slightly outside of Boston is an awesome place to visit and buy from. Family owned and they have an amazing selection of Napa Cabs if your into them for the right price.
Word on the street is the new room at federal was Ned Johnson’s (Fidelity) former cellar he kept at his office. Federal took over the space.
The whiskey selection at federal is very good too.
Don’t be shocked when you walk in. It looks like a mom and pop packy at first 
.
I loved reading the word “packy.” The only place I have heard this word is in Massachusetts. Homesick right now, thank you.
A store to check out is Lynnway Liquors, has a broad selection of domestic and imported wines, rare whiskey, beers, and personal service,
located in Lynn MA., Boston’s North shore community.
Tell em Tony sent you
I went to Boston University and started learning about wine from Marty at Marty’s wines.
When I went there it was Macy’s wines but I guess Marty took over. Those were the days of $12 for 1st growth wines.
Nice to know the store is still good.
Rapid Liquors just north of the city on rt28 in Stoneham is also very competitive. Ask for Doug, very fair guy.
Definitely one of those words you only hear people from Mass. (and maybe parts of RI) use. Like frappes and jimmies.
+1 on Rapid and Doug
Definitely RI…
TTT