The first instant I entered the Wine Boutique I was struck by the ambience, and the friendliness of the service. Therese and Ciara are sisters-in-law and their enthusiasm for their business is obvious.

Therese’s dad was a postmaster for a long time in Ringsend in the very building that is now the Wine Boutique. After 30 years Therese took on the premises for this venture which has been open four months.

The wines on offer are superb and come from all over the world. I was informed that the Italian and Spanish wines are the most popular at present. Therese and Ciara are professionals in this field. The wines are personally assessed and they employ their own ‘tasting notes’.

Therese and Ciara have diplomas with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and are associated with the Wine Board of Ireland.

The Wine Boutique offers a genuinely personal service which is more into quality than quantity. Not only can you buy wines, a range of fine foods is also on offer, such as Lavazza coffee, Sheridan’s gourmet cheese, glassware, cigars and even to top off the ideal gift… greeting cards!

There are regular wine tastings twice a month, so be sure to watch out for any advertisement on the blackboard outside the shop.

The Wine Boutique is closed each Monday, and the hours are from 12 to 7.30pm Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 9pm at the weekends, and on a Sunday, 2pm until 8pm.

The Wine Boutique is situated at 2 Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, email: therese@thewineboutique.ie, Phone: 01 667 5281. They also have a Facebook page, which is quite a novel approach to keeping in touch with customers.

Above: Therese and Ciara pictured with Therese’s father Brendan.