Maine & Loire — Restaurant in Portland

Maine & Loire has quickly become my absolute favorite wine shop! As someone who wasn't well versed in wine when I started shopping here, especially natural wine, I was initially intimidated to go into the shop worrying I would be overwhelmed by choices and options I didn't understand. This could not have been further from my experience! The team is incredibly thoughtful and talks to you about wine in real ways describing it in a way that's not pretentious and makes you feel comfortable exploring their huge and amazing selection.

I've attended some of their tasting events as well and have learned so much about my own taste and preferences because of the user-friendly way they approach wine. Their team isn't just knowledgeable, they're able to describe their wines in ways that are meaningful whether you're a novice like me or you have your own depth of experience with wine.

I also appreciate how safe they have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing that when I stop by for a glass of wine everyone around me is fully vaccinated and those that are popping in to grab a bottle are masked allows for their beautiful space to be all the more relaxing. With their entire inventory online as well it's so easy to pre-order bottles for pickup when I'm in a hurry or looking for something in particular as a gift for a friend or a...

Update: I did get my refund after being able to get ahold of them over the phone after multiple tries of getting voicemail. While I still think that the situation could have been handled better (gift card was sent the same day just an hour or two before they swinged by, you could see the receipt/amount on my brother's phone), at least I got my refund. My brother said the staff was rather unhelpful, and having worked in hospitality/dealt with Square issues before - there's always way to ensure customers have a nice experience. I sent a gift card to my brother who just got engaged in Portland and is leaving back home tomorrow. The wine shop said their POS is down and would not sell them a bottle even though they already have my money. I tried calling to get a refund and get sent straight to voicemail, I hope I can get my money back. I am soooo dissapointed that they ruined this moment...

As someone who is not extremely well versed in the in the intricacies and terminologies of most wines, aka a, "layperson" in the field, I find this shop to be a diamond in the rough. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, funny and respectful to my limited vernacular in the field. I love Maine & Loire, they can recommend a variety of wines (their selection is inimitable) based on a couple of simple adjectives I can think of that I'm looking for in a wine that particular day, and I've never been disappointed. The staff is well versed and down to earth. I also enjoy the fact (this review is written during the pandemic) that they respect the health and well being of both the customer and their staff enough to not let anyone handle the bottles. I mean, what good does that do anyways? A bottle of wine isn't a magic 8 ball if you hold it before buying it. As a local resident I've been going here the past six years and cannot recommend...