Dig Wine Shop By Wine Expert Wayne Garcia

At Dig, Wayne Garcia's new Dogpatch wine shop, you're not going to find Australian Shiraz, Chilean Malbec or even California Cabernet. The carefully curated selection hails exclusively from France and Italy, but that's not to say there isn't a bottle for everyone.

Each selection in the small shop is beloved by Garcia, who handpicks exceptional wines from small producers. The 200 wines are arranged by country, then from north to south; if you ask, Garcia will spin stories of place and producer, pointing out a Italian white called Coenobium, made by nuns at a Cistercian monastery in Lazio,or a bottle he likens to Grace Kelly.

It's the kind of refreshing salesmanship that actually makes us want to buy the merchandise. Not only because we think Garcia, who also compiles the wine list for neighboring Piccino (where his wife is co-owner) has great taste himself, but because he takes the time to learn what his customers' like too.

If you suffer from wineshop anxiety, worrying you'll be convinced to buy juice you can't afford, rest assured: The prices are written on the front of each bottle, with loads of bottles priced under $20. Should you want to try before you buy, Garcia hosts tastings every Thursday through Saturday ($10 for a flight of 3 wines), so you can find a new favorite, risk-free.

Dig, 1005 Minnesota St. (at 22nd St.); 415-648-6135 or digwinesf.com