In 2008, 750ml Wines opened in Akron (2287 W. Market St., 330-794-5754, 750mlwines.com), bringing the retail wine bar concept to that part of town. A few months back, owner Karla Walters expanded the concept to Brecksville (8309 Brecksville Rd., 440-526-8100), where business has been "overwhelmingly good," she reports.
Named after the quantity of wine in the typical bottle, 750ml adheres to the philosophy of “good company, great conversation and fine wine." An impressive list of approximately 800 wines by the bottle is augmented by 10 reds and 10 whites by the glass, 20 popular beers, and even a short list of sakes. Wines by bottle hit every conceivable price point, with the most expensive coming in around $400.
“We carry familiar brands, but pride ourselves on our selection,” explains Walters. That selection earned the shop two Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. If you want to venture into new viticulture territory, staffers will happily and skillfully guide you toward selections that match your tastes. 750ml handles orders of all sizes, from single bottles to full cases, which earn the buyer a 10 percent discount.
The wine-friendly food ranges from cured meats and artisanal cheeses to an array of inspiring flatbreads. Those join a roster of a half-dozen appetizers like stuffed peppadew peppers, edamame hummus and crab cake sliders. Enticing sweet treats round out the menu, with deconstructed s’mores and a fig and orange peel ice cream topping the list.
The space is comfortable and relaxing, a pleasant blend of retail wine shop and easy hangout, with blonde wood and soft lighting giving it an intimate feel. A commitment to sustainability, with an emphasis on recycling and employing packaging from recycled and/or biodegradable sources, distinguishes 750 from its peers. The shop also features a “green seal collection” of wines from wineries that focus on sustainable, organic and/or biodynamic practices.
750ml Wines is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday — Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
