Style File: Wine

WSVN -- Tired of gambling on new wine? Well, no more losing at the taste game. Wine lovers have hit the jackpot in Fort Lauderdale.

Kevin Irish: "It's like gambling, you put your card in the machine, and you can always recharge it at the end if you run out of money, and actually you have a better time doing this than gambling."

At the 7th Street Wine Company, you get to try it before you buy it. You buy this smart card, which is like a debit card, then use it to sample wine at these computerized machines.

Chris Skillicom: "They place the card in the slot, put the glass under the spicket, press a button and out comes the wine."

Chris Skillicom: "We have 96 wines on tap, over 1600 which we are always changing because we want to open up new flavors, new wines, new worlds to people who are getting into wine."

Ana Hesny: "It's good for someone who's new at this because you get to see the difference in the reds and the whites."

The sampling stations are sectioned off by wine regions and countries. Prices start at $1 an ounce and can go up to $20 an ounce for more expensive vino.

Kevin Irish: "It's sweet that you can try something like that without actually buying it and see if you really like it. I don't know if I would spend $70 on a bottle of this as opposed to what we had over here for $21.99."

7th Street also offers a private room for parties, and wine tasting and pairings every Friday night.

Nico Romano: "They have a lot of appetizers, so the food compliments the wines. That brings an extra dimension to the tasting."

If you're looking for wine for pairing and food for sharing, then check out Wine 69, a new wine bar in Miami on Biscayne and 69th.

Ben Neji: "What makes Wine 69 different is that we really spent a lot of time, months and months. We searched what wines we are going to carry here."

They offer more than 250 labels, including rare jewels from small vineyards around the world, and, again, it's all about experimenting.

Ben Neji: "We are serving here what you call a wine flight, meaning three different wines, small pours of two and half. The patrons will have time to taste and compare and then pick the one they like."

Also the food on the menu is designed to go with the wines.

Audrey Marvez: "I just love the cheese and the appetizers. They are so good, and they really match the wines."

Expect a wine tasting every Thursday night, and, every so often, artists are there to show off their work.

Ana Miranda: "It's really nice. You have an appetizer, some wine, have an opportunity to buy some art."

Michael Phoung: "I've been here five or six times. It's a good crowd. The price is good, setting is good. It's a good place to make new friends."

So, no more whining! You've got two new places that'll wine and dine you.

Belkys Nerey: "Wine 69 also offers a wine dinner once a month, and, at 7th Street Wine Company, the smart card has a minimum of $25, but you don't have to use it all at once."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Wine 69
6909 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33138
305-759-0122
www.wine69miami.com

7th Street Wine Company
701 S. Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Tel: 954-522-5560
Fax: 954-522-5516