Comments on: So where do you buy your wine?

By: Irish Wine Contemplations

Irish Wine Contemplations — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:04:00 +0000

Robert,

Great Post, I have been thinking about this topic for a while. In Ireland, like all other countries, there are a number of sources of wine. Wine specialist chain merchants (O’Briens Wine, O’Donovans), Independant wine merchants, Supermarkets, general off licences & online. Each sales medium has it’s own pros and cons and I feel there are a number of factors that influence who buys what where. The most important factors that distinguish each retailer I feel are sales personal and range of wines.

Personally I will buy certain wines from certain retailers if it’s something I want and the price is right but to try something new and interesting that I haven’t heard of in advance or wasn’t planning on purchasing will require a good sales person. These people are becoming ever more rare in the wine industry over here and it’s a real pity.

By: gopaz

gopaz — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:03:00 +0000

Because our time is rather limited to peruse retail shops in Barcelona at leisure in search of odd finds, I’d rather chat about the experience of finding a ‘cool’ wine shop. Personally, a wine shop is very similar to a book shop for me. They both are treasure chests full of beautiful covers, created by fascinating people from places I’ve never been. What differentiates a cool wine shop from an uncool wine shop is primarily the feeling I get the moment I walk through the door. Is it warm and inviting? Do I enjoy the staff and are they passionate about wine/food? Do I feel that my questions will be answered? Can I form a relationship with the store? If I can’t find the wine I want, will the store go out of their way to get it for me?

I love knowing that my resources are supporting people I trust and believe in. Even if a store has a better selection of wine at a cheaper price, I won’t spread the word unless the ambiance and staff equal in quality.

By: Simon

Simon — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:46:00 +0000

The customer has complete freedom of choice. I have bought their ‘case deals’ (i.e. 12 bottles of the same wine, or a ‘fixed’ selection of 12) but I also buy 6 or 12 bottles of my own choosing at a time and get a small case discount (and my two free bottles, as I joined their Premier club thingy.
When I was there yesterday I was warmly welcomed, and one of the staff was asked to open a bottle for me to try (as I had previously enjoyed something similar) so they’re obviously very much customer-oriented in terms of wanting us to experience new wines as they become available.

By: Wulf

Wulf — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:38:00 +0000

Majestic has been the main prop to my recent interest in developing my palette and getting beyond buying for the pretty labels.

Of course, barely had I started before their local (Catford) branch closed down! However, the second case was ordered via the internet, which went smoothly, so I am likely to try them again via the web.

By: Robert McIntosh

Robert McIntosh — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:45:00 +0000

thanks Ryan. Of course I too buy from all sorts of places, online and not – I have even been known to buy wines from Tesco and the other supermarkets, of course.

I worry though that online sources are of most interest to the converted. But who is doing the missionary work? Where does the 19 year old student, or 22 year old new graduate with her first pay cheque, who’d like to learn to appreciate wine (and not just buy the latest offer) go? Who is even raising their interest in wine in the first place?

By: ryan

ryan — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:42:00 +0000

Here in Spain it is often the grocery store, though this is mainly due to the fact that our tastitng schedule doesn’t leave us much time to seek out wines that don’t relate to Catavino. If I was a bit more in the disposible income world,I would definately turn to online resources, not only to support them, but I find they often are very helpful when looking for something new.

By: Robert McIntosh

Robert McIntosh — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:34:00 +0000

thanks Simon. I actually had a thought about the new Laithwaites shops just as I was finishing the post. I have not been in one, but with the power and marketing cleverness of Laithwaites behind them you never know.

do you have to buy wine by the case in there or can you buy single bottles?

By: Simon

Simon — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:55:00 +0000

We were recently blessed with a real Laithwaites shop (Binfield). I certainly don’t buy ALL of my wine there, but I do buy cases. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and they have that most welcome of features – a tasting table.