Review: Wine Room in Winter Park, Florida

Winter Park, Florida has been stigmatized as a place for the rich and (hardly) famous of Central Florida. Park Avenue is lined with expensive boutiques and even more expensive restaurants. The hefty price tag associated with Park Avenue wining and dining has kept those of us with budgets away. It's now time to ignore what you've heard about Park Avenue in Winter Park. While it may not be the most economical place to purchase your clothing, Central Florida's most unique wine bar is located on the avenue.

Every wall in The Wine Room is lined with climate-controlled wine dispensers. Add funds to your Wine Room card, insert the card into the wine dispenser and choose an ounce, half of a glass or a whole glass of wine. An ounce of wine will cost anywhere between $1.50 and $5. The more wine you opt to have poured into your glass, the more cost effective it is. The assortment of wines provides something delicious for every budget. If you choose only an ounce at a time, you'll be able to try a variety of wines without overspending.

The Wine Room has a diverse hors d'oeuvres menu. They have goat, cow and sheep cheeses from a plethora of countries. A small cheese or charcuterie platter will cost around $18 and a medium cheese platter nearly $30. The platters do come with a variety of different breads and crackers including these great toast-style crackers with olives baked-into them; if you're trying to keep spending down, dining elsewhere would be wise. If you have some extra money to spend any of these platters serve as an excellent way to cleanse your pallet between tastings.

Ask for a suggestion from their friendly staff, and prepare for a tour of Spanish tempranillo-based wines, Argentinean reds and refreshing chardonnays. As you go on your guided tour, be sure to write down what you loved, as they regularly change their selection. If your favorite wine has been replaced, don't panic. The Wine Room sells nearly every wine that they have ever served by the bottle. You can also opt to enjoy your bottle of wine on one of there big leather couches. But beware, as they do charge a corking fee of $10. If you don't finish your bottle, Florida state law allows you cork it back up and take it home with you. Just be sure to put it in the backseat

The Wine Room, despite its uptown location, is a great spot for everyone. With your Wine Room card you can budget exactly what you are able to spend. This is a great alternative to trying wine by the glass elsewhere, where it's easy to lose track of how much money you've spent. With its budget-friendly style and its vast selection, there is no excuse for you not to head out to Park Avenue.