When Phil Miller and Natalia Karebin were preparing to make the leap from professional careers in academia and real estate respectively, to a new life as wine-shop owners, they found Plymouth to be the perfect place to do so. You see, demographics here mirror those of the American population most likely to enjoy wine—homeowners with a significant amount of college education.

Vino 100 opened last December and has quickly become a go-to shop to explore wines of $25 or less from around the world. Miller says their goal is to “empower the customer to buy intelligently and to feel good about what they are buying.” Though wine drinkers are a diverse group who want to try new things, they often rely on old favorites merely because selections in traditional liquor stores can be difficult to navigate.
So Miller and Karebin offer a way for customers to make sense of what they are seeing with an ingeniously simple method of presentation: Wine here is not organized according to country or grape, but by flavor and body. Its 100 selections are presented along two walls of the store, beginning with the lightest and sweetest wines on one end and progressing to the most full-bodied and driest at the other. (Additionally, a Wine Barometer system highlights food pairings.) This month, Miller walks us through that progression, sharing his knowledge and passion for both good wine and good food:

Spellbound Chardonnay, 2008
As summer turns to fall, chardonnay drinkers tend to turn from their lighter, non-oak offerings to those with a touch of oak. Crisp, fresh and extremely versatile, this bottle pairs well with light cheese and virtually any chicken, fish or salad. From Napa Valley and a Mondavi family heritage, Spellbound’s focus is on delicious wines that can be enjoyed every day. $16

Bodegas Lorca Fantasia Torrontes, 2009
Some white wine drinkers are truly “fair weather,” drinking whites only in warmer months and climes, but true lovers enjoy year-round favorites like this torrontes, a white wine grape from Argentina. It is a perfect complement to light fish dishes with its lively, fresh aromatic characteristics. $16

Condesa de Leganza Rosé, 2007
Long dismissed by serious wine drinkers, rosé is now beginning to “step into its rightful role,” Miller says. This light, sweet selection from Spain’s tempranillo grape comes in a festive bottle with filigree motif that enhances its salmon pink color. With hints of cherry, strawberry, ripe raspberry and spice, it serves turkey, game and salmon equally well. $12

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna, 2005
As nights begin to cool, we tend to crave our comfort foods: pastas, stronger cheeses, game, stews—perhaps even a hotdish. What better way to serve them than with the healthiest wine you can drink? This cannonau (the Italian equivalent of the French grenache) boasts the most positive health benefits of red wine (anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-lowering and other beneficial cardiovascular effects), including the most resveratrol. Perhaps, this should be a reason to drink more of it—but we’ll let you be the judge. $18

Meschini Malbec, 2008
Autumn air blankets the area with the earthiness of bonfires and the crisp scent of autumn leaves. This malbec, Argentinian but with strong ties to the Twin Cities, match these aromas with its own complex character. Owned by Twin Cities residents Eugenio and Teresa Meschini, the Mendoza region vineyard in Eugenio’s native Argentina provides this earthy autumn offering, which works well with anything save the lightest fish—a perfect accompaniment to pork, pizza and spaghetti with meatballs. $12?

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Looking for something a bit festive? Prosecco continues to be the bubbly of choice, and Vino 100’s pick is the Riondo, a great accompaniment to appetizers, chicken and turkey (it’s never too early to plan for the holidays). $15