This just in from one of my Astoria correspondents:

Even though I loves me the Grand Liquor store for cheapie wines, I thought I make you wise to another alternative in the ‘hood called Off The Vine (44-21 30th Ave, right across from the kick ass Italian food shop, is that around 45th street? You know the one). They opened about 3 months ago. While Grand’s selection is kind of all over the place, Off The Vine has a lovely selection from smaller vineyards around the world. Plus, the owners are cool, and they had a big plate of cookies at the counter from the Italian bakery next door (yum!), and a bowl of doggie treats (can’t vouch for those). Check it out. I think they are worth supporting.

I’d cruised past the place a couple of weeks ago, but I was mid-errand and couldn’t stop. It’s high time Astoria got its own hipster wine shop. Grand Ave does indeed have some excellent stuff, but you have to know what you’re looking for to pull it out of the surrounding TGIFriday’s Magic Mudslide mixers.