Our article in the union leader last week, June 2012

Serve yourself

We received some great news from Dan and Nadine Villafranca at Vino Aromas on Elm Street. Their try-before-you-buy wine store has just been licensed as New Hampshire's first self-service wine bar by the state Liquor Commission. Vino Aromas has had the technology to operate as a self-service wine bar since it opened in September, but until they received this special license the Villafrancas weren't allowed to let their customers do the pouring. Those bureaucrats at the state are always making it so easy for businesses to try something innovative.

Vino Aromas' customers insert a pre-paid card into machines that let them choose a 1.5-, 3- or 6-ounce glass. They can't be over-served. Dan Villafranca said this technology is also being used in some hotels and on cruise ships, where visitors can use their room keys to pour themselves a drink and have it charged to their room account.

We love the idea of being able to try a wine before buying a bottle of it — especially if it's a fancy bottle. But don't worry, human bartenders. Until these machines can learn to listen to our problems and mix a dirty martini with the right number of olives, we don't see them putting you out of work anytime soon.