In an America where banks and other businesses are “too big to fail,” it’s nice sometimes to turn our attention to the little guys, the smaller wineries and retail outlets that are trying to make their marks. Or just make it, period. The other day, I visited such a place, a new store in Plymouth called Vinifera.

What a delightful surprise. Shoehorned into a nondescript strip mall (is there a strip mall anywhere that is non-nondescript, and if so, would that make it “descript”?), the store is a narrow but very welcoming space. There’s one rack apiece of craft beer and spirits, but the focus is definitely on wine. The selection is beautifully chosen, the prices more than fair. Several wines scattered around the store proffered some nice sale prices.

The father-son tandem of Christian and Dave Nesheim maight have taken on a Sisyphusian task, but their store is a soothing oasis near the bustling interesdection of Hwys. 6 & 101.

St. Cloud wine educator Kent Benson wrote an incisive article about wine terminology for a recent edition of Wines & Vines. This local wine watchdog does a good job of keeping me on my toes on this and other oenological matters.

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Add Papa’s Deli in North Minneapolis to the list of local restaurants with half-price wines a couple of nights a week, on Monday and Tuesday.

Also, the Lake Elmo Inn is waiving corkage on bottles purchased at the Cellars as long as the wine is not on their list. You’ll need to bring along the receipt from the store.

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One of the great quaffing events of the summer, Haskell’s Beer & Wine Cruise, boards at 5:30 p.m. sharp on July 14 at Harriet Island in St. Paul. Cost for the 14th annual event is $50 for Bacchus Society members, $55 for non-members. Call 612-342-2437, ext. 921 for more info.

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