The place I decided to use for my retail wine assignment was Ambassador Wine and Spirits on 54th St. and 2nd AV in Manhattan.  This Store is located around the corner from where I work and the person I spoke to is a regular customer where I work so it made it easier to walk in there and ask the questions I needed to ask. A friend and I stopped by on a Monday around 2:30 in the afternoon. We spoke to Lenny and we were told by him that they weren’t allowed to answer questions based on the store itself, however when I showed him my questions and he could answer 2 out of the 3 questions I had. The one question he couldn’t answer was “what is your typical client like.” However, based on the type of people I see/ saw that went into the shop it seems like there clientele is mostly aged from 30- 60.
The two Questions he answered was how he got into the wine business and what sort if wine they specialize in. Lenny explained that the reason he got into wine was that all of his family has been in the wine business in one way or another and he grew up watching and experiencing with his family and so naturally it just became something that he was interested in and it helped that he is a Biochemist by trade.
As for what kind of wine they specialize in he said they specialize in everything, there’s no specific type of wine they focused on. They have wine from Japan, France, Italy, Spanish etc… they also have Vodka, Tequila, Bourbon, Gin and Sparkling wine. He said they have one of the largest selections of wine since it was a 2-floor shop, he said we could have a look around downstairs as well and if we had any questions he could answer he would to the best of his ability. My friend and I went down to the basement we toured the whole place took pictures and we saw that they had some large designated rooms for different kinds of wine. There is a whole room designed for special champagne that one can make an appointment to have it all explained and shown. Lastly there most expensive wine that I saw was also downstairs with a locked shelf and it was a 2003 Ch Mouton-Roth Pauillac at $700 and they also provide wine tasting Thursday-Saturday from 5-8 pm
Spanish Region Wines
French Margaux
$700 2003 Ch Mouton-Roth Pauillac
Coessens Rose Sparkling Wine
Cristal,
Good job on your retail wine analysis. I am surprised that there is a 2-floor wine shop! How excited is that. It makes me extremely curious about the different types of wines they carry. I’m sure they have tons of different kind of wine! I enjoy reading your visit at Ambassador Wine and Spirits. I can’t believe that their expensive wine is $700, that is crazy!
Two floors is kind of a lot to look through. I can imagine it being difficult to pick something with a wide selection.
Damn $700 wine from 2003 the best I saw at height chateau was only $200 besides the wine that were supposed in the cellar
That is so cool how they have a special room for champagne, the retail store I went to just have a bookshelf type section, however Staten Island is much smaller compared to Manhattan.
I went to Heights Chateau and I am shocked to see you were able to get a look at a bottle of wine that is sold at 700 hundred dollars all the expensive wines were downstairs in their cellar.
Wow, those wines a super expensive, surely are wines to spoil yourself. And a wine shop with two floors. That’s going to be a personal field trip. Thank you for sharing this shop with us. Now I know a little about Ambassador Wines before I go!!
You found some gems. Great hunting, now find some that are similar in taste profile but accessible for every day and you are a big winner!!
You found some gems. Great hunting, now find some that are similar in taste profile but accessible for every day and you are a big winner!!