Buying Wine 101 – Picking a Wine Store

by admin

I am not a wine connoisseur. I do not even have a decanter. (Some of my married friends own several.)

But I love wine, especially try different styles. There are tons of resources exist for learning about wine. But I do not have time to read them. Instead, I decided to by doing, or learning. . . Drinking. My only problem is knowing which bottle to choose.

If you see me in a wine bar with over a thousand bottles, I must either be a sommelier or a psychiatrist.

I usually by studying the notes start to hang in the bottles. Those whose names associated with them, such as Wine Spectator or Robert Parker and Bill Mast. I see the images and colors of the label. I analyze the price structure and to weigh the costs and benefits. Then, after an hour or two when I’m frustrated, I make a decision totally arbitrary.

So I came to this conclusion. I need help. And as my therapist has its limits, I need a wine shop with people who can help the process of buying a good bottle.

All wine shops are not the same. Some factors to consider when choosing a wine shop:

1) Selection

Do not be fooled. After thousands of bottles is not the same as a good selection. Many large stocks of wine liquor stores with labels that are heavily advertised and sold with the largest reduction. You can go into a store and think, you have many possibilities, but all you really own bottles repeated again and again.

What makes a good choice? Find a shop: (1) with an experienced wine buyer, and (2) with a variety of tastes, regions, and prices. Offer a good selection of wines that are both familiar and unique. Why the choice is so important? Think of it as playing the odds. You are much better choice a couple of hundred wines by the buyer in a few thousands who were transported by truck in bulk sampled.

2) Storage

If you go into a store and start to sweat, to turn. Wine should not be stored above 80 degrees, or it will lose its flavor. That is why the wine is usually made and stored underground. Avoid large warehouses where the temperature can be controlled only with difficulty. Looking for a wine shop where the workers are happy sweater for the summer. It is likely that the wine chilled and happy.

3) Information

A good wine shop is a good source of information. Do not be afraid to ask many questions and seek the recommendations of the staff. Many shops to wine samples from Kansas City, offers a great opportunity to try before you buy.

4) Price

Of course, prices vary for wine very much and I never found a business that is still cheaper. Even the big discount stores are not always money savers. After finding a store that you like on the basis of three factors, you can make money by saving subscribe to the newsletter or the business of the wine club. Shops often send special offers and deals to those customers in the first place.

A special fifth category is convenience. This is important, especially when you buy in bulk, or if you look back a quick pick-up on the way to work. It is good to know, where several shops are good in the city, so you know, that we meet, whenever the feeling strikes.

Here are my choices (in no particular order) for great wine stores in Kansas City:

1. Basement and attic. Located in Brookside, this little shop a lot more than the eye. Upstairs is the loft, “a showcase of new furnishings and decor and old. Below you can follow your path” Cave “, a maze of any kind with a good selection of wines, beer, gourmet food, kitchenware and more. 112 W 63rd St, Kansas City, Missouri, (816) 444-2444.

2. Keller rats. This unique boutique at the crossing of the anti-big box wine. Cellar Rat is proud of its hand-picked with personal service. Cellar Rat restored building itself is impressive. The 5,000-square-foot business and craft beers, gourmet meats, cheeses, spirits, cigars and chocolate. 1701 Baltimore Avenue. Kansas City, MO (816) 221 9463rd

3. Vino 100th If you are in the south of KC, you should Vino 100th Vino 100′s concept is to offer more than 100 bottles of wine for $ 25 or less. The store is well organized and offers a selection of cigars, single malt scotch, cognac, port, smoking accessories and wine gifts. 13 135 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64 145 (816) 941-Wine (8466).

4. Lukas Liquor / wine bar. If size matters to you, Lukas Liquor bills itself as the largest in the Midwest retailer of fine wines, spirits and malt beverages. It was recently expanded by adding to the wine bar, cooking classes, event space provides for team building or corporate meetings and regular wine tastings and alcohol. 13 657 Washington Street, Kansas City, MO 64 145, (816) 942-8707.

5. Rimann liqueurs. No matter where you are in Kansas City, there is probably one of the alcohols Rimann nearby. The stores are located in Lenexa, Prairie Village, and more recently in Briarcliff. For three consecutive years, named Food & Wine Magazine Rimann in its list of “Top Wine Stores in America” to the selection, service and advice. Briarcliff: 4155 North Mulberry, Kansas City, MO 64 116, (816) 587-3399, Prairie Village: 3917 Prairie Lane, Prairie Village, KS 66 208 (913) 236-5311; Lenexa: 15 117 W. 87th St. Parkway Lenexa, KS 66 219 (913) 492-1604.

6. Ensimnger liqueurs. Ensimnger offers a variety of wines personally selected by her boss, Judy Ensminger. Judy believes that “there are no bad wines, just different wines for different events.” 11 052 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66 210 (913) 469-9006.

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