Wayne Laing ran successful retail shop Wine Underground for several years, but he wanted a closer connection with his customers, so in 2008 he sold the retail business and set about launching a restaurant. His ode to oenophiles 13.5% Wine Bar offers more than 40 wines by the glass and over 200 by the bottle, so it’s no surprise that you gave the Best Wine Bar nod to this “hip in Hampden” hangout in our 2012 Drinker's Choice Awards. We caught up with manager Joe McLean via email to hear what makes the bar special and find out where the 13.5% team might sip vino on a night off.

– Can you name two (or more) specific things that make 13.5% Wine Bar special/deserving of the win?

Outside of our phenomenal kitchen and our outstanding, eclectic wine list, the two biggest factors that set 13.5% apart are our staff and our ambiance.

Our engaging staff brings a warm, educated, informative, and professional attitude to the table every time, all the while leaving behind the pretension and snootiness that can be so prevalent in the wine conversation these days.

This is framed by the inviting aesthetics of 13.5%, which really draw our guests into the experience.  I can't tell you how many out-of-towners come in and comment on how 13.5 reminds them of New York, but our regulars understand that we're just a part of the Hampden that we all know and love.  It's that sort of combination that makes 13.5% so unique.

– Can you briefly tell us why you were inspired to open 13.5% Wine Bar?

Our owner wanted to use his love of wine, food, and fun to provide Baltimore with a place that is a unique fusion of wine bar, restaurant, and late night spot.

– If you had to choose another winner in this category that is not your establishment(s), who would you choose?

Our sister location, Silo.5% in Locust Point offers the best of 13.5% in a grander scale. However, outside of the family, Grand Cru is probably the wine bar we're most likely to patronize on our days off.