What Dads Want
It’s been a while. There are times when if you have nothing to write it’s better to write nothing. Combine that with quite a heavy workload and a trip to Nova Scotia in search of that ever elusive, good bottle of Canadian wine (from the east coast, at least), throw in organizing the largest non-trade wine tasting in Westchester and there you have a few reasons for being off-print for the last few weeks. Politically though it’s been a very busy three weeks. The move to put wine in supermarkets and baguettes in wine stores will come to a head soon. I have listened to both sides of the argument and whilst I agree that the monopolistic characters of the grocery industry are as eveil as those in the wine industry, my long-term fear is that if this change does not occur then the writing is on the wall for independent, boutique, wine stores. The Wegmans and Costcos of the food business will simply build stand alone liquor stores that will stock thousands of SKUs irrespective of quality and will discount these SKUs to the point where existing liquor stores will be unable to match price and will eventually close. Better to allocate a few thousand square feet to Yellow Tail wines than have a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse at my back door. Furthermore who really has the right to tell you, the consumer, that you can’t buy a baguette with your wine or a bottle of plonk with your Heinz Baked Beans? If you are interested in the debate and would like to support the bill to introduce wine in groceries then visit: http://ny-wine-in-grocery-stores.com/
I actually think that this bill, this time, may pass. My reasoning is largely based on the quid pro quo effect. Secretly I suspect that the big two liquor distributors in New York would quite like to see the bill pass. On the outside they have to support its withdrawal because they supply 90% of the crummy wine stores where the knowledge of wine is limited to ‘yes we have red wine….and some white’. Of this number certainly a few will close – here my Darwinist economics prevails – let those that cannot adapt to change fail – let those that can move forward, stronger. But the numbers that these distributors will see close will pale into insignificance with the number of supermarkets buying their specialty – discount jug wines. But for the distributors to allow the bill to pass will require the quid pro quo from Albany, and the State senate may just give them that ‘out’. Albany is set to present a bill – S.4499 and H6884. The legislation, which would require all wine stores in New York to procure their inventory only through an officially designated “primary source”, is claimed to be necessary to combat problems with counterfeit wines. However, the sponsors of the bill have offered no evidence that even a small problem in counterfeit wines exists in that state. In addition, the bill’s proponents, New York state wine wholesalers—who would benefit significantly from the legislation—have also failed to offer any evidence that counterfeit wines are a problem for New York Consumers. What the bill will do is to strengthen the monopolist hold that distributors have on the sale of wine and spirits. Without their dominance, consumers would see a 30% cut in retail prices – the fact that these distributors uphold the 3 tier distribution system is to ensure that their profits remain stronger and higher than anyone else’s.
Personally I would be happy if both bills pass. The one allows me to diversify my product line, open a second store and combine my two favorite hobbies – food and wine. The other would certainly restrict and even close down some of my competitors who thrive in the ‘grey market’. If I had a preference though, pass the wine in supermarket bill and can the S4499 – anything that dents the distributor’s monopoly is a plus to the sale and consumption of wine in this State.
The Fifth Annual Wine at The Wainwright was a huge success. We had 320 guests, rumor has it that Ed Burns was amongst the glitterati, but I didn’t see him, and they availed themselves of more than 240 bottles of wine. Not bad for an evening out. I would like to thank a few people who made it possible: God, my parents, the Board…..seriously, thanks to Gary Stone, without whom there would be no Wine at the Wainwright. His food, his staff, his tent – spectacular. Thanks also to Hillary Jones, Executive Director at the Wainwright who slipped us in under the radar so we could actually hold the event. Thanks to Marina and Bruno without whose help none of this would have got done, and thanks to all of you that showed up and made the night so memorable. Let’s do it again next year!
A plug here for our wayward English girl who thinks that doing a Triathlon is fun! I mentioned a few weeks ago that one of our customers, Melissa Brown-Grieco is doing the Lake Placid Triathlon and she is raising money to support a local charity. We have agreed to donate a portion of the sale of any wine with an animal label to her cause – so far we have raised $312.00. If you can help her please do and visit her fund-raising web site at : http://animalnation.org/site/donations/melissa-brown-grieco
Now on to this weekend. Aside from my birthday, the second most important day in the year is this Sunday. What Dads Want day. I like to begin with a real coffee, maybe a classic English breakfast – black pudding, bacon, fried eggs, fried bread, lashings of mushroom and Lee & Perrins; followed perhaps a little later with a long, cold Bloody Mary. Clothes all ironed and neatly laid out so I don’t have to think. Possibly a youngan outside washing my car. No mowing, no gardening, no laundry, no having to put my hands in the sink….all day, and that includes the evening. Appreciating that that isn’t going to happen I’ll content myself with drinking copious quantities of wine. So what do we want? Here are some suggestions. A triple play on the wines of Provence. Beautiful bottling/packaging, a rosé, a white and a red all from Chapelle Gordonne. This is the vineyard that supplies Domaine Ott with the grapes for their $35+ rosé. I tried them all yesterday and was so enamored that I bought them on the spot and had them delivered for the weekend. The rosé is light, refreshing, a true ballet dancer on the tongue, the white is hedonistic but clean, clear and without that sapping fruity stuff that is delivered in so many southern French wines. And the rouge – a classic southern Rhone style with a hint of the Mediterranean. Beautiful trio. Expand your horizons. They retail for $24.00 each – the triple pack, this weekend only, $65.00.
I would also be happy with a triple play from Spain; Bodegas Reyes, Tamiz. 100% Tinto Fino, aged 6 months in American oak, not overwhelming but just the right hint of maduro cigar; Martinez Lacuesta Crianza, 2008 – 85% Tempranillo, 10 Graciano and 5% Mazuela – a little bit heartier, some darker fruit and a broader mouth-feel; and to finish the triple play, El Coto de Imaz Reserva 2004. Individually they would cost $67, for Dad’s day yours at $59 for the three. These are great reds for the BBQ. Anything with a dose of sauce and you’re in heaven.
In fact we just bought in about $20,000 of new wines for the weekend. From baby Sancerre to a host of new Rosés, more sparklers, some lovely Bordeaux, Pali Pinot Noir, new stuff from Australia and sauvignons from NZ. All in all we are looking to have a very delicious Father’s Day.
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