Notes from the Cellar

As I juggle my wine glass, a notepad, the tasting brochure and a pen, all the while trying to keep my customers' preferences in mind, I begin to have mixed feelings about the tasting format used by the distributors to showcase their wines for store buyers.  On the one hand, there are literally hundreds of wines to sample, many of them high-end selections that the sales reps don't bring around during their normal course of business.  On the other hand, with so many choices it's essential to stay very focused on the needs of our store, and not become distracted by "exciting" wines that won't resonate with my buyers here in Beverly.

After each tasting I try to sit back and think:  What trends did I see emerging this year?  Is South America still hot?  Has Australia rebounded?  And what about price point -- has the recession left its mark? 

This year I see two consistent themes:  variety and value.  Wine lovers are more open than ever before to new regions and varietals, especially if it means drinking great wine at a great price.  Brand loyalty is becoming a thing of the past as customers recognize that the best wine can come from the most obscure sources, and a big name could just mean a big advertising budget.  Throughout the fall I will continue to fight my way to the front of the tables, in search of new and intriguing discoveries for Henry's Wine Cellar.

Facebook update:  227 fans and counting.

~ Kurt