wine/liquor store near Arenal?

Old Dec 29th, 2005, 12:45 PM
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wine/liquor store near Arenal?

We would like to be able to drink wine at night while watching the volcano, but hate hotel markups. Is there a place in La Fortuna or nearby where we will be able to buy decent, moderately-priced wine, or should we plan on bringing a few bottles in from San Jose?
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 09:02 AM
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There are a couple of small supermarkets in La Fortuna - they will usually carry a few Chilean wines for sure - but there won't be that much choice - I find wines expensive in CR compared to Panama but still better priced for the Chileans than in the US... If you want something specific I would stop in a bigger supermarket in San Jose.

Cheers,
Andrew
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 09:48 AM
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There is a grocery store in LaFortuna that has a selection of wine but it's a small store by American standards so they're limited. I recall a large liquor shop in LaFortuna also but other than passing it in the car, can't give directions (sorry!) Widely available throughout CR are Chilean and Argentian wine. Probably not what you drink at home, but from my experience they are quite good! Wines from California are avail. here but only in the higher end stores in San Jose and you will definitely pay quite an upcharge for it. You can probably get by with what is avail in Fortuna unless (as Andrew said) you are very brand specific. There is duty free at the airport baggage claim (San Jose) where you'll find a limited selection of French wines. Hope this helps! Lisa in Manuel Antonio Oh...PS: Don't forget your wine opener but don't put it in your carryon ... I've "donated" more wine openers in the past 4 years to airport security, drats! Also, (and this might be a girl thing!) stash a few of those nice acrylic wine glasses in your baggage. Somewhere in the archives is some wine recommendations I made for avail wines in CR (I am certainly NO expert, just like my vinos!) If you're interested, I'll see if I can locate it! Cheers!
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 12:47 PM
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Thanks for the tips, Lisa and Andrew. I have enjoyed Chilean reds in the past. I am not familiar with whites from Argentina or Chile, and I'm sure we'll want some chilled white in humid May (although I understand it will be chilly in Monteverde, so I'll pick up some reds too). I'd appreciate any recommendations for good wines available in CR. When we visited a few years ago, we found some nice $10 French whites at a grocery store in San Jose. We were very happy to have them at Punta Islita where wine seems to start at $50 for a bottle that would be $15 in California. I will be sure to tuck a bottle opener into my checked luggage and take along the acrylic glasses from our picnic set.
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Old Jan 1st, 2006, 07:26 PM
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Good call Lisa, my wife always carries her acrylic wine glass - I'm not so fussy!!! But a corkscrew is a definite part of the luggage.

Concha y Toro is a well known Chilean brand and they have varying levels of wine but even the lower end ones are quite drinkable...

There are very few Chilean or Argentinean wines I would say no to - they are all quite decent for the price you pay.

Cheers,
Andrew
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