Wine tasting machines

[ooo000ooo]

The local off licence/bar/wine and beer specialist has had a bit of a face lift and converted part of the premises into a wine tasting bar type area. They've installed machines that dispense a range of wines in various quantities.
Called in tonight and great being able to try 3 or 4 different wines without paying out for a whole bottle that I may not like.

[soad]

Plenty of purchases then?

[ooo000ooo]

as it's a school night, sampled 3
There were a couple of women who were having some coordination issues trying to get their card in the machine just before they staggered out he door

[number2]

Out of interest, where would one find said shop?

[ooo000ooo]

http://www.lighthousewines.co.uk/

although it's just changed names to "The Sipster"

might be a bit far for some to travel to they do keep an amazing variety of booze.

[number2]

Thanks although yes, a bit too far from me.

[tomtom]

The wine tends to sit in those machines for far too long, so it loses what quality it may have had after the first day or so.

[RichTT]

Was in Adelaide a few months ago and went to the national wine centre. Had an awesome little tasting session there. Pre-authorise a debit card and get given a little card and it just tots it up as you go.

[Fastchas]

https://www.lokiwine.co.uk/

This one's in Birmingham.

[Zod]

tomtom said:

The wine tends to sit in those machines for far too long, so it loses what quality it may have had after the first day or so.

Not if they are properly installed and maintained. The wine that leaves the bottle is replaced by inert gas. It's the same principle as the Coravin (if you like wine, want to sample expensive bottles to check ageing or just not drink all of an expensive bottle in one go, you should get a Coravin).

[ooo000ooo]

RichTT said:

Yes it was one of these machines, the manager changed a bottle, the metal things at the bottom rise up to push the bottle on to the top. there was a hiss as it docked which I presume is the gas that forces the wine out and keeps it good while it's in the machine.

[number2]

Zod said:

Not if they are properly installed and maintained. The wine that leaves the bottle is replaced by inert gas. It's the same principle as the Coravin (if you like wine, want to sample expensive bottles to check ageing or just not drink all of an expensive bottle in one go, you should get a Coravin).

The sommelier at Alyn Williams used one of those on the bottles in the wine flight. Looking now at the cost of a Coravin I'd say you're right about using them on expensive/aged wines...

[KungFuPanda]

If anyone is close to Manchester, these guys have these machines too.

http://salut.co.uk

[PurpleTurtle]

We have one in Reading called The Tasting House, very popular and a great little business.

The wines aren’t cheap, but it gives Average Joe like me the opportunity to sample some expensive stuff I otherwise wouldn’t get to try. They’ve also expanded into doing nice nibbles (charcuterie boards etc), I often nip in when I’ve got an hour to kill.

[peter tdci]

This place has tasting machines - generally with high end stuff available - http://www.thesampler.co.uk/store/

Branches in Islington and Wimbledon.

[Benznut]

The way forward for wine bars.

I often visit www.vagabondwines.co.uk/ They have a few locations in London. You get a top-up card and simply spend as you go. Some excellent wines with staff happy to help and provide guidance. A good selection of food as well.

I will have to try the other places mentioned

[Lozw86]

Try The Black Bottle if in Winchester, all wine served in this fashion and a good selection. Quirky little pub