Popular throughout Europe for years, at wine bars and stores such as Paris' Lavinia wine store, an enomatic is a self-serve wine dispenser. Patrons purchase a wine card (similar to a debit card) and insert the card into the machine for a wine pour.

The enomatic just came to my area, the first such machine in Ohio is located at 87 West 2 wine bar in Westlake Ohio's Crocker Park, just west of Cleveland.

I asked the establishment's owner, Tom Lutz why a wine bar patron would prefer to use the enomatic instead of having a server bring their wine. He explained that the enomatic takes the stress and mystique out of ordering wine. There's no embarassment about not knowing what the server is talking about or worry that you are being sold a wine that's not to your taste or budget.

I tried the enomatic on Thursday night and I have to say it's an intriguing gadget. Look for one in your neighborhood.

^{(photo © C. Sully/courtesy of 87 West 2)}