The retail wine store that I visited is Astor Wine & Spirit. It is located on 399 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003. I went on a Wednesday afternoon around 2 PM. When I stepped in, I was quite surprised with how huge their store is. Before I spoke with a retail store employee, I walked around the store first. It was clean, bright, and very well-organized. The selection of wine is amazing. You can find almost any kind of wine here. I saw all different types of wine from different region. Then I introduced myself to one of the retail store employee. His name was Charles, he was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. I let him know that I am a current student from New York City College of Technology studying wine and I would like to ask him a few questions.
He was extremely friendly and was pleased to answer my questions. The first question I asked was “What is the most popular wine that you sell?” He didn’t really say a specific wine because he says that every consumer has different taste in wine and that majority of the customers are buying their wine by regions. That is why you see their wine categories into different region and below each region you see will have a staff picks suggestion. (Pictures below). Which then lead me to my second question, “How is the wine set up?” He said that the store is set up mainly into two different parts. The back of the store is more of “New World Wine” (United States, Australia, South Africa, China, India, Japan, Argentina and New Zealand) while the front of the store is portrays more “Old World Wine” (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany)
This is an example of how the wines are organized. They are separated by region, so all wine below this sign is from the Loire Valley.
Staff pick (Their suggestion): “Les Argiles,” Chidaine
Great Deals ON SALE Moutiouis suc chidaine NOW: $29.97 WAS: $38.96
Wine from Rhode Valley
Staff Recommendation: 40eme Rugissants Estezargues
The last question I asked was “What is his own personal favorite kind of wine?”
Charles personal favorite wine is Riesling. To be more specific, he recommended Riesling by Dr. Loosen 2016 or 2013 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett Nahe. Riesling by Dr. Loosen is an entry level, off-dry Riesling a hint of peach flavor. But if you like a Riesling wine with more sugar, sweetness, and high acidity, the 2013 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett Nahe would be perfect. I eventually bought the Riesling by Dr. Loosen 2016 to give it a try and because it was pretty cheap ($11.96) compared the other one which was (~$23).
Riesling, Dr. Loosen 2016 ($11.96)
2013 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett Nahe ~($23)
Anne,
The way this store organizes there wines is very interesting and it makes me wonder if any other stores do it this way or if they organize it by years and regions. Your analysis was well thought out and written. Glad to see you’re expanding your palate by trying the recommended wine.
I wanted to go here, it looked awesome online.
It has been a pleasure to read your assignment. I feel good to see how others perceive the vinicultural experience. Though I’ve had wine in my life for many years, I feel that I don’t know much about it at all. Glad to study wine.
I was wondering if you got a chance to taste some wines fro here?, i also had a pleasant experience coming the Astor Wines and also bought a Riesling wine, a 2015 vintage.
I like how you explained the space of the wine shop to give us an idea of the atmosphere of the shop. Also how you decided to tried his preference of Riesling, hope you liked it.
Im so glad they were able to provide information on German wines, the first store I visited couldn’t help much and weren’t knowledgeable about the Riesling grape. I have to visit this place soon!
New World Wines sounds interesting. The place I went to had every country sectioned and I did not see any Chinese wine. I once saw a documentary on how Chinese wine is on the rise and how the demand for it is rising in China itself. They were so used to foreign wines and attaining a social status for attaining imported stuff, but once they realized that their own domestic wines were being exported and getting praise, they started to buy domestic. Interesting how wine was once a status indicator but now you have boxed wine which cheapens it in every way. But it doesn’t make it a bad thing, it means more customers which leads to a higher demand.
I like that you compared similar wines to each other.
I like that you compared similar wines to each other.
I like that you compared similar wines to each other.