When many people think of the state of Maine, the first thing that comes to mind is a delicious lobster dinner. While the seafood in Maine is well regarded as some of the best, freshest, and highest quality in the United States, the phenomenal wine tasting is often overlooked.
Crisp, acidic wines from high-quality producers work with seafood dishes to elevate both, and there are plenty of different options when it comes to wine tasting in Maine.
Where to Go For Wine Tasting in Maine
Portland
Portland, Maine is a beautiful city that makes visitors feel like they have been transported back in time 100 years by looking at the surroundings. Many of the cobblestone streets lead to historic red brick buildings that today house fantastic wine tasting options.
Grippy Tannins is one of the most beautiful wine-tasting spaces that you will find anywhere in the country. The bright aesthetic and stunning light fixtures work to create a perfect backdrop for showcasing all types of wines while educating guests.
The mission statement of Grippy Tannins is to “Make Wine More Approachable,” and the employees that work the tasting lounge are very accommodating and friendly. They sell bottles of wine to go, and they also serve rotating half-glass selections as well as weekly wine flights.
Maine and Loire is another dual-purpose, wine bar and wine shop hybrid concept. They have been in business since 2015, and in that time they have earned a reputation as one of the best places in the Portland area to grab a glass of wine with friends and co-workers.
The focus at Maine and Loire is on natural wine produced without any sulfites using minimal human intervention. They host a very popular wine club where members receive 2 monthly bottles, and they also host wine tastings and wine education classes.
The North Point serves a worldly selection of delicious wines in a funky and uniquely decorated space. The walls at North Point are covered in cool artwork and photographs, and the food and wine make it one of the more popular restaurants in the area.
They offer a variety of dishes that are ideal for wine pairing, including olives, flatbreads, and charcuterie boards. They offer many wines that can’t be found anywhere else, including selections from South Africa, Austria, and Portugal.
Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine is a fantastic city to live in, and it has been rated the fifth safest city to live in by WalletHub. The city is home to many annual festivals and large gatherings, and the local wine scene is known as one of the best in the state.
Davinci’s Eatery specializes in “Italian Comfort Food,” and their red brick building sets the stage for a fantastic laid-back dining experience. The food here is known as some of the best in the Lewiston area, and no proper Italian meal is complete without an Italian wine pairing.
The wine menu at Davinci’s is diverse enough to cover all different types of palates and preferences, and there are also the usual “staple wines” that one would expect from a reputable Italian restaurant.
Fish Bones Grill is well known in the area to curate one of the best wine lists in the state of Maine. This deep selection of wines features everything from affordable, everyday selections to rare bottles with high ticket prices.
The seafood at Fish Bones Grill is phenomenal and provides the freshness and proper execution that one would expect from a restaurant of this caliber in the Northeast. The historic building makes for an impressive environment and adds a great ambiance.
Marco’s is another Italian food staple of the Lewiston community, and they have been in business since 1978. This traditional restaurant offers the hospitality and service that one would expect from an established, neighborhood restaurant.
They serve a solid variety of Italian wine selections, and they serve rotating specials that are great for guests who are on a budget. Their friendly staff is happy to help guests find the best possible glass of wine to pair with their meal, and even one to pair with dessert!
Bangor
The city of Bangor, Maine has been voted one of the “Coolest Towns in America,” and it offers plenty of different wine tasting options for all tastes and budgets. Bangor is home to famous author Stephen King, and it is a great place to curl up with a book and drink a glass of wine.
Utopia is an upscale Mediterranean spot that features carefully selected wines from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and more. The space is very aesthetically pleasing, as the dark hardwood floors work in contrast with the lightly colored walls and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The staff and kitchen are very accommodating to those with dietary restrictions, and vegan and gluten-free options are available upon request. They offer a large enough variety of wine to please all sorts of different wine enthusiasts.
Evenrood’s is a trendy restaurant that is located in what used to be a bank. They specialize in New American cuisine, and their steaks and seafood are highly regarded as some of the best in the city. This is one of the first spots locals will often mention when asked about wine favorites.
While their wine list and food menu are both moderately sized, the focus here is on quality rather than quantity. Each wine selection is carefully thought out to ensure proper pairings with the wide variety of flavors that the top-notch menu offers.
Novio’s is one of the best options for fine dining in the city of Bangor, and their wine list is highly regarded as one of the best in the area. There are many different items on the menu at Novio’s that can only be found here.
Their upscale dishes feature seasonal vegetables and proteins, and their multi-course meals are best enjoyed with the suggested wine pairings. The wine staff works in tandem with the kitchen to provide thoughtful and well-constructed wine pairings.
Maine Wineries
Cellardoor Winery is located in Lincolnville and is one of the most popular and highly rated wineries in the state. The views around the premises are truly unbelievable, and the winery itself is breathtaking in terms of both architecture and interior design.
This is one of the best places in the state to soak in the full Maine experience while enjoying nearly 30 different styles of local wine. Cellardoor produces everything from late harvest dessert wines to drier selections like Cabernet Franc and Tempranillo.
Catherine Hill Winery offers one of the best wine-tasting values in the state, along with great wine choices and extremely friendly staff. The employees here work hard to make all customers feel right at home, making this one of the most charming tasting options around.
The winery offers an intimate tasting room where guests are encouraged to ask as many questions as they please while enjoying locally produced wines. They offer a tasting of three wines for a charge of only $5, a deal you will not find anywhere else in Maine.
Bar Harbor Cellars offers one of the most unique wine tasting experiences anywhere in the Northeast. At first glance, this hidden gem looks more like a roadside fruit stop or elaborate farmers market than a wine cellar and tasting room.
The friendly owners are eager to share their knowledge of winemaking and local wine grape cultivation, and the prices here are extremely reasonable. They are also pet friendly, making this the perfect place to stop for a long lunch when traveling with pets.
Conclusion
While the lobster in the state of Main may take most of the spotlight away from the wine scene, wine tasting in Maine can be an unforgettable experience with memories that can last a lifetime.
Let us know your favorite places to go wine tasting in the state of Maine by leaving a comment!
