WHY Educated and refreshingly honest staff members, who also know their way around tequila and beer.

WHAT Wine Expo started as a champagne specialty shop and has evolved into the westside’s go-to source for Italian wines. Owners Ali Biglar and Robert Rogness cultivate relationships with Italian winemakers and ship back via their own import business to keep prices low. Almost as entertaining as the vast selection are the clever descriptions posted by the cases. Ditto the newsletter, which is a hoot.

WHO Fans of vino italiano.