Located in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn at 6715 Bay Parkway, Caesar’ Wines Liquors is a remarkable wine retail store that has been around for almost 25 years.

Business Card

The store front made the shop seem to be more focus on spirits, rather than wine. The pirate right in front of store was appealing to me, since a sign that says “Price Cutters” was right above it. The pirate almost made it felt like it was there to help their guest demand reasonable prices for their wines and liquors.

Store Front

After being astonished by their store front, making entry to the store marked my favorite “moment of truth.”  I was quickly mesmerized by all those wines that the store carried and originally I thought their spirits section must be bigger than their wine section. A staff working their quickly asked if I needed help, but I politely told him I will look around first.

The floor spacing seems to be approximately 2500 square feet or even more. But at that moment I cannot tell because there were boxes and boxes of wine stacked on top and right next to each other.

As I slowly maneuver to the big sign on top of the ceiling that says, “wine,” I start to see wines that I recognize such as Bordeaux blends. Finally making my way to the wine aisle, the first thing I noticed was how the aisle was sorted with three flags hanging on top of the ceiling, as the photo below show.

Wine aisle sorted by place

I was not surprise that the first flag was the Flag of Italy, then France, and lastly the United States. Right in mind I knew those were the top places that wines are being produced. The shelves are marked with prices ascending downwards, so the less expensive wine was on the bottom shelves.

As I was wandering around the bottles of the wine in Italy, I quickly was able to recognize some of wines in the region of Chianti and I knew Chianti was a DOCG. I looked at the band on the capsule and I found the green band that says DOCG.

As I continued onto the wine of France and United States I recognized some of the top region of France I studied in class, such as Burgundy and Rhone Valley. As for the wine of United States, not being surprised I noticed most of the wine was from California, because I knew California made the most wine in the United States. I also was able to recognize some of the AVA’s I studied, especially the ones in New York such as Hudson River Valley, and Long Island.

Finishing with the wine aisle, right in the middle between the spirits aisle was the sake section. Although I have not yet learn about sake, I found it interesting and fascinating to see all different assortment of sake.

Assortments of Sake

At the liquor aisle, as for the arrangement it was not much different than the wine section. On top of the ceiling it hang a poster that sorted all the different kind of spirits they offer. The arrangement went from “Bandy and Cognac,” “Cordials,” “Gins and Aperitifs,” “Rye and Bourbon,” “Rum and Tequila,” “Scotch,” and lastly “Vodka.” On the shelves it was also labeled from the highest prices assenting down to the lowest.

Spirits aisle sorted by types

Walking back out to the front section of Caesar’s, there was a refrigerator that stored all the sparkling wines. Right on the top, I noticed the winery Moët & Chandon and I knew those were Champagnes because it comes from Champagne.

Fridge at Caesar’s

Moët & Chandon (Champagne)

Right beside the fridge was a cabinet that was locked up, and those were their higher quality and more expensive wine. I did notice some that said Medoc on the labeling, and that made me reference to the region France. Beside having a wine cabinet, they also have a liquor cabinet that contained some of the higher quality of whiskey. I did recognize the Hennessy X.O. Reserve and the Johnnie Walker’s Gold and Blue Labels.

Wine cabinet @ Caesar’s

Liquor cabinet @ Caesar’s

Overall my experience at Caesar’s was pleasant. The staffs their was friendly. I definitely recommend this wine shop because they have a huge sections of wines and liquors. I find the the prices are reasonable and lower compared to a wine store that my friends work at in Redhook, Brooklyn. Even if you do not personally drink wines or liquor, they offer miniature collector’s bottles. I find it great to be souvenirs or collectibles for homes.

Miniature liquor bottles @Caesar’s

Lastly, for something extra I will like to share my home’s Miniature liquor section. Now that I know Caesar’s sells it, my dad can finally add to his mini collection.

My mini collection at home

Crush Wine and Spirits is anything but pretentious. The exterior of the store is so modest, you would never assume that past the automatic door is a 3,200 square foot space housing an array of carefully selected wines. Located on east 57th street, Crush is a Midtown gem that has been around for almost ten years. If the name Drew Nieporent doesn’t strike to you, then perhaps you should look into just a few of his restaurants (i.e, Tribecca Grill, Nobu, Corton.) He also happens to be the owner of this wine store along with managing partners Josh Guberman and experienced wine collector Robert Schagrin.

The design of this store is what makes this wine shop so special. Still wines to the right. Everything else to the left. (Sparking, sake, spirits, decanters, wine glasses, books, etc.) If you go further to the back is a private wine tasting room -which looks more like a private conference space- nicely upholstered with leather and mahogany. And adjacent to that is a temperature controlled room known as, “The Cube” where high-end rare finds are nicely tucked away behind a glass wall.

In the middle of the room are four to five stations where the salespersons anchor themselves to answering calls, handling online orders, and keeping an eye out for any patrons who need help being guided through the store. And even further to the back was a private office where a few more employees seem to be on their laptops. I didn’t understand why a midsize wine store required so many employees on site, as I witnessed one girl who stepped out the store, came back inside and unknowing of my presence, yelled, “It’s so nice outside, you guys!” . . . to which not a single soul replied. But perhaps their business is actually a lot larger in scope than it appears.

Their wines are organized from right to left: starts with German / Alsatian then to Esoteric, Spain, and Beaujolais and towards the back, rows of Bordeaux and Burgundy blends. All displayed against a glowing back-light, the bottles are carefully placed horizontally so the labels get the recognition it deserves. From top to bottom, the price ranges go from high to low, showcasing wines anywhere from $90 all the way down to $15. If you’re on an even lower budget, Crush offers discounted specials all displayed near the entrance ranging from $9 to $12 for a bottle. Not bad at all.

On the left side of the store is a nice collection of spirits, and a small fridge with: sake on top to chilled white wines in middle, and then to your Veuve Clicquots on the bottom. You will also come across some interesting glassware and accessories. Beautiful glasses from Champagne flutes, traditional Bordeaux and Burgundy, sherry and port glasses, to even a few old fashions. A few decanters were on display, as well as wine opening sets, perfect for a gift to your wine-obsessed friends.

Now, I didn’t get to see the Cube room or step into the wine tasting room (as it appeared at the time that it was occupied) but the staff so kindly guided me through the store and I for once did not feel like I was lost in an infinite abyss of unfamiliarity. The staff were available when needed but definitely not eager or overbearing … which I personally believe is the best kind of service.

I highly recommend Crush Wine and Spirits.

http://www.crushwineco.com/

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