Monthly Archives: March 2018

Retail Analysis

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Michael’s Town Wines & Spirits

For my retail beverage shop analysis, I visited Michael – Town Wines & Spirits located on 73rd Clark Street, Brooklyn, NY. At first I expected to walk in into an old traditional low lighting ambiance, but instead this wine retail store had more of a modern, today’s typical like wine store. When I walked in, the first thing I saw was the register. I saw an employee having a conversation with a customer, so because I didn’t want to interrupt their conversation, I decided to explore the store myself and wait for an available employee to assist me. I probably walked around the store a quite few times until Jim ( an employee) noticed I’d might needed some assistance. I explained to Jim that I was a City Tech Hospitality management student doing a project on wines, he was delighted to help. I interviewed Jim and asked him a couple of questions.
How did you develop your wine knowledge?
Jim: I gained my wine knowledge from asking questions, and overshadowing other employees
Where are most of your wines imported from?
Jim: mostly from California, France, Italy, we also have wines from Washington state, and New Zealand. We import from as many countries and state possible so that we can accommodate our customers.
What are your best French wines?
Jim: I would say our best French wines are white Chablis, Red Bordeaux, people love wines that they can drink and cook with.
What dessert wine is highly recommended?
Jim: any Ice wines (Ice wines is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine)
What wine that can last over 10 years?
Jim: Once the wine is cool, placed in a cool environment and stored properly.
How do you arrange your wine bottles?
Jim: all of our wines are classified by its country or state, region and on either if it’s red or white wine.
What is your most expensive wine?
Jim: our most expensive wine is Colgin, Napa valley red wine 2014 Ix estate at the price of $499

Based on my observation this wine store was like a library, but a library with hundreds of wines. The wines were arranged by the Country, state, region, whether if it was red or white and price too. I thought it was a great idea that they arranged the wines bottles that way because looking for a wine bottle can be over whelming. What I thought was really interesting was that some of the wines would have a green sticker, the green sticker indicates that the wine grapes are organically framed, which I think I great because consuming things that are organic has now become the new trend. Throughout my interview with Jim asking all these wine questions, Jim has mentioned some really good points. He mentioned that people tend to be intimidated when to buying cheap price wine because they believe that the more money you spend on wine the better quality it is. There’s not nothing wrong with expensive wines, but cheaper price shouldn’t be overlooked because it can be at times a better quality and taste of wine.
After spending almost 3 hours in Michael’s – Town Wines & Spirits, I can honestly say it was bit overwhelming from the amount wine bottles that was there. Besides that I had fun learning from Jim about the wines they sell.

known to one of the best wine to have bbq meals.

this wine is from Washington state

considered the cheapest white French wine, at the price of $8.99

Michael Town Wines and Spirits

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Admittedly, I originally chose this location because it was very close to the school, but I’m very glad such a large and informative shop is within walking distance. The store has a large selection of wines from various countries. Each country is labelled by either red or white, while region and grape variety are typically grouped together on the shelf.

When I got in, I spoke to Jim, who seemed very knowledgeable and happy to help. I asked him about what wines would pair best with Haitian food (which is a blend of French, African, Taino, and Spanish cuisines) and we went on a trip all over the store.

Wines from Argentine, Spain, South Africa, and New Zealand

Jim showed me a variety of affordable wines that he thought would pair well with specific dishes, as well as some of his personal favorites. He recommended a variety of reds and whites, such as Pinot Noir and Reisling, for their ability to cut through fatty meats, or for their ability to draw out latent flavors in the dish.

Unfortunately we weren’t able to get much into the Rose wines, since Jim started getting heat from his staff, but I wanted to include them into the post since they were such a pretty color.

Wall of Rose

Very pretty bottle design.

I really enjoyed my time in the shop, and definitely plan on visiting again.

Huge 3 liter bottle of wine!

Wine Store Visit– Heights Chateau

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I went to the wine store, Heights Chateau, yesterday night after class. Heights Chateau is located in Brooklyn about 20 minutes walk from school. The physical location is 123 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11201. The reason why i waited until night time to visit a wine store is because of the lights brighting out from the window. Many different wine stores have their lights brighten out the window differently. Heights Chateau is a little different than the other; they have wine bottles outside, and some displays outside to attract people’s attentions. When I walked in, the staffs in the store were extremely polite. They walked up to me and tried to explain all the information to me and asked me for the particular wines that I was looking for. I have had taken multiple pictures of the wines that I am interested into and wanted to try out some days.

Rkatsiteli 2016 from Australia, cost, $20 USD

I am not sure how to read off this bottle, but wanted to share how cute this outside is.

Chenin Blanc 2015, from California; cost, $12 UDS.

i Clivi R_B_L_, sparkling wine; cost $23 USD

The Front store of Heights Chateau

Chateau La Petre 2014 from Bordeaux, France

Camins Del Priorat 2016 from Spain, cost, $23 UDS

Heights Chateau

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When I first visited Heights Chateau located on 123 Atlantic Avenue. I was a little nervous because although I study wine, I felt that maybe I would be overwhelmed by all the options. When I first walked in, the register was right in front of the door, witch was interesting only because it was so close to the door. The wine geeks/employees greeted me, and immediately I walked into the store looking for what caught my eye(which by the was everything). All of the wines where organized, where France was on the right side of the store, hard liquors/spirits where towards the back of the store, there where also, islands that included south African wines, and Italian wines. The wines where separated by regions so it was really easy to find what you where looking for. The wine store, to me resembled a bookstore. They had stairs connected to the shelves, just in case you wanted wine towards the top of the shelves. I loved the woody, dark feeling of the store and I couldn’t help but be very tempted by everything I laid my eyes on. The South African wines section was the most interesting to me, because I never thought South Africa as a winemaking country. Wine making in south Africa seems like a mystery, until now. wine making as a history back dating to the 1700’s. producing high alcohol wines because of the hot climate.

I found some of the staff to be really helpful; at least two of the staff asked me if I was okay and needed any help. I mentioned that I did have a paper to write and if it would be okay to ask a couple of questions. The woman was very open, I asked:

Can you tell me about how you got involved in the wine industry?

Shh don’t tell anyone, but I fell in love when I was younger. my parents let me drink wine with them and it opened my eyes. Then I started to work as a waitress in the restaurant industry and loved everything about wine.

Tonight I’m serving fish what would you recommend?

Well, any region that is next to water is good, with fish. A Pinot noir or a chardonnay from California would do too.

She was very helpful and recommended I try Sourgal Moscato d’ASTI 2017, because I like sweet white wines. I also brought a Willm Gewwurztraminer 2016, Alsace, I really loved both, they where light, and sweet and aromatic. They where very affordable too, which is great for a struggling college student; between 13-20 dollars. I spent about 45 minutes there just walking up and down the aisles, and not once did I feel pressured to leave.

 

 

Italy: Alta Mora etna bianco 2016 Grape: carricante Alcohol: 13%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France: Rhone ; Crozes-hermitage cuvee Papillon 2015 Grape: Syrah Pairs: lamb

A region we haven’t studied: Backsburg 2016 south Africa Grape: Chenin Blanc Origin:western cape ALC: 13% Tate: zesty, dry, fruity. Pairs: versatile