The Wine Thread #2 - Page 21

Kevin Bresnahan · November-1st-2009, 08:13 AM

Surprising even myself, I did take the job working at the new Messina's Liquors in North Andover, now called The Wine Connextion. Yesterday was my first day.

First off, my feet were killing by midway through my 12-7 shift. I forgot how bad it is to stand all day.

The store hasn't advertised at all and their "Grand Opening" isn't until November 14th, yet were still pretty busy. I think it is because word is quickly spreading about the really low prices.

Some examples:
Groth Cabernet Sauvignon - normally $65/bottle, $35/bottle
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon - normally $75/bottle, $56/bottle
Duckhorn Merlot - normally $60/bottle, $38/bottle
Guigal Cotes du Rhone - normally $15/bottle, $10/bottle
Felino Cabernet Sauvignon (my current favorite wine) - normally $23/bottle, $16.29/bottle (come buy some quick before I take it all home!)
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel - normally $33/bottle, $25/bottle

I wonder how long I'll be able to keep this up. Over the winter will probably be easier than the summer. In the summer, I like to ride on Saturdays.

If you're in the area, come by next Saturday (11/7). I'll be there again from 12-7.

BTW, the tasting table was set up with Simi Chardonnay, Delas Cotes du Rhone, Guigal Cotes du Rhone, Allegrini Palazzo della Torre, Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosenblum's Désirée Chocolate Dessert Wine and an Italian Pinot Grigio who's name escapes me due to my lack of interest in it. 7 different tastes. Sam says he sees as many as 20 bottles available to taste on future Saturdays.

Kevin

lonely-at-the-top · November-2nd-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Bresnahan

Yesterday was my first day.

Good luck!

jesus marion joseph · November-2nd-2009, 10:41 AM

I was having dinner at a friend's house a few nights ago and the conversation somehow turned to "Two Buck Chuck" wines. Turned out my friend had a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, but had been unimpressed by the wine. He said the label should read "savignon blanc".

Kevin Bresnahan · November-2nd-2009, 06:37 PM

Two Buck Chuck is Three Buck Chuck nowadays.

The Bronco Wine Company. Only in America. It's mind boggling how many different labels they use to push their cheap wine. Here's the most comprehensive list I could find:
Albertoni Vineyards
Alexander and Fitch
Almond Creek
Bad Dog Ranch
Bears' Lair
Black Mountain
CC Vineyards
Cedar Brook
Charles Shaw, AKA Two Buck Chuck
Chateau California
Coastal Ridge
Coastal Vines
Congress Springs
Crane Lake
Domaine Laurier
Domaine Napa
Dona Sol
Douglass Hill
Down Under
Estrella
Fat Cat
Forest Glen
Forest Hill
ForestVille
Foxbrook
FoxHollow
Grand Cru
Grove Ridge
Hacienda
Harlow Ridge
JW Morris
JFJ Winery
Laurier
Montpellier
Napa Creek
Napa Crossing
Napa Landing
Napa Ridge
Napa River
Oak Vineyards
Quail Creek
Quail Ridge
Raymond Hill
Redwood
Rock Brook
Rutherford Vintners
Salmon Creek
Santa Barbara Crossing
Santa Barbara Landing
Sea Ridge
Silver Ridge
The California Winery
Thousand Oaks
Three Knights Vineyards
Trellis

Every one of them with pretty much the same wine inside.

Dr Dave · November-2nd-2009, 10:41 PM

You wanna be in wine retailing, you gotta work Saturdays. You don't work Saturdays, you do something else.

And yeah, you want comfortable shoes. I wear New Bals 587s, because they correct my overpronation. I switch to Timberlands "Torrance" waterproofs now and again for variety. Now that you know how important it is, you'll soon find the shoes most comfy for you.

lonely-at-the-top · November-3rd-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

You wanna be in wine retailing, you gotta work Saturdays.

You wanna be in wine drinking, you better do it Saturdays, too

Douglas · November-3rd-2009, 03:35 AM

Kevin,

How did the Delas CdR compare with the Guigal? I've not tasted a Guigal for a while, but people have been saying that it has been improving recently. Good luck with the job.

Kevin Bresnahan · November-3rd-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas

How did the Delas CdR compare with the Guigal? I've not tasted a Guigal for a while, but people have been saying that it has been improving recently.

Funny you should ask! When I went to man the tasting booth, the first thing I did was taste the wines myself. I took a sip of the Delas and thought to myself, "Ack. This is one of those French wines where they really want to taste the terroir". It tasted more like dirt than fruit. Head to head, the Guigal killed it.

People started coming in and in almost every case, they preferred the Guigal. At one point, one of my fellow employees came over to try the 2 Cotes du Rhones and he almost spit out the Delas. He dug the Guigal, just like I did. Sam the owner of the store saw Steve dump the Delas and heard us talking about how lousy it was. He came over and said, "What? It should be really good." He poured a taste, gave it a whiff and made a face. Took a sip and said, "Corked".

This was my biggest fear taking this job. I know good taste but I don't know bad or "off" taste that well.

We popped open another bottle and I tell you - night & day! The second bottle was so much better, I could almost recommend it over the Guigal if someone was looking to save the $1.50. Heavier mouthfeel and nice fruit-forward taste. A little drier than the Guigal (which some prefer) and a bit more earth. I still prefer the Guigal, even at $1.50 more.

It's too bad the French refuse to go screwcap. Delas lost quite a few sales Saturday because of one bad cork.

BTW, speaking of Screwcaps, I could not find one Aussie wine with a cork on the shelf - whites & reds alike. High end to cheapie, they've made the switch and don't appear to be looking back.

Kevin

Kevin Bresnahan · November-3rd-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

You wanna be in wine retailing, you gotta work Saturdays. You don't work Saturdays, you do something else.

And yeah, you want comfortable shoes. I wear New Bals 587s, because they correct my overpronation. I switch to Timberlands "Torrance" waterproofs now and again for variety. Now that you know how important it is, you'll soon find the shoes most comfy for you.

I almost wear Ecco shoes exclusively. I imagine that if didn't have my Eccos on my feet Saturday, I would've had to sit down a few times. As it was, I made it through almost the entire day before it started getting to me. I wore my Ecco boots. This week, I'll wear shoes instead and see if that's any better (it should be).

I can't say enough good things about Ecco shoes.

And now back to wine.

hornplayer · November-3rd-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Bresnahan

Two Buck Chuck is Three Buck Chuck nowadays.

The Bronco Wine Company. Only in America. It's mind boggling how many different labels they use to push their cheap wine. Here's the most comprehensive list I could find:
Albertoni Vineyards
Alexander and Fitch
Almond Creek
Bad Dog Ranch
Bears' Lair
Black Mountain
CC Vineyards
Cedar Brook
Charles Shaw, AKA Two Buck Chuck
Chateau California
Coastal Ridge
Coastal Vines
Congress Springs
Crane Lake
Domaine Laurier
Domaine Napa
Dona Sol
Douglass Hill
Down Under
Estrella
Fat Cat
Forest Glen
Forest Hill
ForestVille
Foxbrook
FoxHollow
Grand Cru
Grove Ridge
Hacienda
Harlow Ridge
JW Morris
JFJ Winery
Laurier
Montpellier
Napa Creek
Napa Crossing
Napa Landing
Napa Ridge
Napa River
Oak Vineyards
Quail Creek
Quail Ridge
Raymond Hill
Redwood
Rock Brook
Rutherford Vintners
Salmon Creek
Santa Barbara Crossing
Santa Barbara Landing
Sea Ridge
Silver Ridge
The California Winery
Thousand Oaks
Three Knights Vineyards
Trellis

Every one of them with pretty much the same wine inside.

sounds like you're having what's sometimes known as "baptism by fire!"

and you'll learn to know when a bottle is compromised.

Douglas · November-3rd-2009, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the report, Kevin. Let us now what you're tasting next week !

The French are slowly making the move to screwcaps. I think the Chablis house Domaine Laroche has - after a couple of years with both - now moved completely to screwcaps, including for its grand crus. And on the shelves you do see more screwcaps (and even boxes of serious wines) beginning to make an appearance.

rollhead · November-3rd-2009, 04:38 PM

The screwcaps discussion reminded me of one I've been drinking

After hornplayer suggested that I try South African wines (as being similar to Bordeaux), I came across a $10 bottle of a South African Cabernet I've been enjoying.

Cheap enough and "barnyardy" enough for my taste:

I found it in the liquor store in the bottom of the decrepit, defunct hotel in town. The old lady ran it and now her granddaughter is running it.

She had it on the table of $10 wines, along with the bottles of Red Truck.

I've been corrupting her. Got her to pick up some Elijah Craig bourbon and Joel Gott reds (@$20). (I am assured by my friend the wine snob that Joel Gott makes good wines.) Not the usual fare for the drunks and woodchucks in town.

hornplayer · November-3rd-2009, 04:53 PM

Joel Gott DOES make good wines. So far, I've found that any bottle with his name anywhere on it, regardless of price point, will be enjoyable.

rollhead · November-3rd-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hornplayer

Joel Gott DOES make good wines. So far, I've found that any bottle with his name anywhere on it, regardless of price point, will be enjoyable.

I'm saving the two bottles I have for a "wine tasting" I'm planning sometime in near future.

jesus marion joseph · November-3rd-2009, 05:36 PM

Kevin, you've ruined my life with your list! When I was courting mrs. jmj (many moons ago) we used to buy Congress Springs Chardonnay, and just this morning I picked up what was labeled as a "limited bottling" of their 2005 or 2006 cabernet. Aaarrrgghh!

Jimmy Cantiello · November-21st-2009, 11:24 PM

Sinister Hand from Owen Roe Winery is an interesting wine I was introduced to tonight. I never heard of Mourvedre grapes. But the blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre grapes piqued my interest. Imo, it's a winner. It went well with my quail appetizer and rack of lamb main course. If you ever come across it, check it out. I will definitely be trying some of their other offerings in the future, especially the pinot noirs.

http://www.northwest-wine.com/Owen-R...ster-Hand.html

http://www.northwest-wine.com/owen-roe-winery.html

Squaredancecalling Steve · November-22nd-2009, 02:25 AM

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...911219964/1033

Kevin Bresnahan · November-22nd-2009, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...911219964/1033

Jeez, what a lonely looking picture. It looks like they have him on display like a wax dummy.