October marks the one-year anniversary of Kerri Platt’s ownership of the Wine Bottega, and the venue's recent upgrades bring new flavor to the Old World feel of this North End space. Though the venue has been a wine shop since 2000, Platt revamped the rustic bilevel space last year, adding blown-glass pendant lights and matching sconces from Tuscany, crimson and cream-colored drapery, and deep mocha shelving.
On the first floor, the store houses a large supply of hand-crafted wines from around the world. Italian-inspired decorative touches include beamed ceilings and dark wood flooring. Downstairs, a cellar is available for private parties of as many as 20 guests. A large table is the focal point of the low-ceilinged room, which also includes wooden built-in shelving, a red bench, and a veritable library of wine books to peruse.
Guests can bring in their own food to pair with the wine, or the Bottega staff can arrange meat-and-cheese platters and olive selections from neighboring North End eateries, notably Salumeria Italiana.