There’s something to be said for huge inventories and the lower prices that can accompany them, but not enough can be said for personalized service. Who doesn’t appreciate being remembered by name, or the rapt attention of an employee focused solely on your needs, instead of a ringing phone or the manager’s voice in his microphone earpiece?

While the Swirl Girls are indeed regular customers of the chain wine stores in Palm Beach County, and give frequent recommendations for finding wines there, we also have our favorite local shops where proprietors suggest wines for us because they intimately know our tastes. We’re aware there are plenty more neighborhood stores that we’ve never patronized, so we’re dedicating column space to an occasional series highlighting the independent wine shops and their features and specialties.

If there’s a store you’d like us to give a shout-out to, please let us know by emailing SwirlGirls@pbpost.com.

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THE WINE CELLAR, Boynton Beach

The Wine Cellar in Boynton Beach prides itself on its selection of boutique producers from all over the world offering high quality wines, made in small quantities and offered at a good value. And since they don’t have the large inventory the chain stores typically do, the managers know they have to compete on a different level and that comes from their service.

“We provide as much knowledge as possible to our customers,” said Cris Peterson, Group Cellar Manager. “We’re good at knowing our customers personally and knowing what they like, so when we get something in [that fits their preference] we let them know.” Peterson’s white wine preference falls to the Sowman Sauvignon Blanc, from the Marlborough region in New Zealand, and her red preference is the Pillastro Primitivo-Negroamaro, a blend from Puglia, Italy (both $13.79).

The store, which celebrates its two-year anniversary this month, offers complimentary wine tastings every two weeks where it serves six to eight wines, along with light hor d’oeuvres. Customers enjoy special prices on the bottles being served that night. The next event takes place on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. To be alerted in advance about the tastings, you can sign up for their e-newsletter on the website. They also offer private wine tastings at the store for fundraising and other events.

— “Earthy” Jennifer

The Wine Cellar: 1500 Gateway Blvd, #140, Boynton Beach; 561-742-2376; thewinecellarboyntonbeach.com; open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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HAMPTON’S OF PALM BEACH FINE WINES, Palm Beach

Hampton’s of Palm Beach Fine Wines has been an island mainstay for close to 60 years. The shop’s newest owner, Josh Volpe, who purchased the place in the fall of 2012, has worked hard to refurbish the old image. That included a total store remodel and a focus on customer service.

“When I bought it, this place had a lot of potential that it wasn’t realizing,” says Volpe, “We’re really trying to change the perception of what the old store was, to put a real focus on the customer and to our own wine knowledge.”

Hampton’s has always specialized in the Old World, particularly in French Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne. While you can still find the requisite Blue Chip wines on the shelf, Volpe’s expanded his California selection as well as added a few obscure gems. One of his current favorites is the 2009 Inglenook Cabernet by Francis Ford Coppola ($75), which he loves equally for the wine in the bottle and the history of the property as one of Napa’s earliest quality wine producers.

Volpe’s love for a good wine story equals his love for good food. Some of his favorite pairings include Champagne with fried calamari or foie gras with Sauternes. “I hate the term foodie,” he says, “but I guess I am one. I love how wine interplays with food and the history a bottle of wine can give to you – both its own history and the memories it creates for you.”

— “Dry” Gwen

Hampton’s of Palm Beach Fine Wines: 257 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach; 561-832-8368; hampwine.com; open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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FLAME LIQUORS, North Palm Beach and Tequesta

The bright red Flame Liquors sign helps you find this well-stocked wine store on U.S. 1, just north of PGA Boulevard. It looks fairly standard from the outside, but if you like wine, you really need to step inside.

There, owners Naresh and Babita Advani have thousands of bottles of wine. The selection is heavy in California, French and high-end Italian wines. New Zealand wines are popular, and the Australian wine section is pretty substantial, too.

“Cabernets and chardonnays are my favorites,” says Naresh. “But it depends on the wine. I really like big cabs.” (Perfect words for Bold to hear.)

This is the store that makes it easy to try something new. White Burgundies take up almost an entire aisle. Lots of Bordeauxs. Nine different rosés. And an enormous stock of ports, with all price points.

In the back, the special wine cellar, with super high-end wines: Screaming Eagle, Scarecrow, 2005 Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($175.99)… the dream cellar.

The Advanis have two stores now, this one and one on U.S. 1 in Tequesta, which also carries a large wine selection. They had a wine tasting in December and are planning more. The North Palm Beach location also has a well-stocked cigar store.

— “Bold” Lynn

Flame Liquors: 12189 U.S. 1, North Palm Beach; 561-626-2000; 544 N. U.S. 1, Tequesta; 561-746-8118; open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.