Why Local Bottle Shops Make Wine-Buying Sense

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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Tom Champine, GoLocalPDX Wine Expert

So you’re a Portlander. You pride yourself on shopping locally and eating well. You love to know what’s going on in and around your neighborhood. And your friends do too. Presumably, that’s why you are reading this publication. So when you are entertaining people you actually care about, or you are being hosted by those near and dear, I challenge you to raise the bar, and buy better wine, locally. 

We all know those ubiquitous wine labels that are perennially stacked on the end caps of grocery aisles, or featured in a dangerously tall tower on your way towards the produce section. The yellow signs taped on the base of the structure draw us in. “On sale” they promise, or “Special.” But at festive gatherings how many times do you see the same, familiar bottles?  Not so special, it turns out. So make a pact to reward life’s occasions with more interesting wine selections. Because you’re worth it.

To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with grocery store wine. We all stock up there while picking up the groceries. And many big box retailers carry fantastic wines. But I’m making the argument to also include the independent wine retailer in your routine. These smaller, locally-owned shops have their finger on the pulse of what’s seasonally appropriate, and what you need to drink now. Believe me, there are many, many bad wines out there, and the best bottle shops have tasted their way through them to curate for you the best selection they can. Added to this, many of these shops offer unique clubs, or wine tastings to introduce you to bottles you may have walked past. Take advantage of their hard work!      

Never fear not knowing “the lingo.” Simply think about what your needs are. Is it hot out, or cold? What’s for dinner? What’s your budget? What’s the occasion?  By giving the staff a frame work of your needs, you can pick out a fantastic and appropriate bottle together.    

You can also feel positively virtuous buying booze like this: By buying from smaller locally owned wine retailers, you are better supporting the local economy. You will also improve your palette and possibly make new friends along the way. Over the next several weeks, I plan to introduce you to some of Portland’s bottle shop pioneers who are paving the way, and making Portland, a smarter, more sophisticated wine town.    

Great Wine Buys, 1515 NE Broadway, (503)-287-2897.

This classic, cozy bottle shop is a terrific place to pick up bottles for all occasions in North East Portland. The collection is smartly curated, by a team of knowledgeable staff that are willing to help. The collection spans Old and New World with a decent focus on the Pacific Northwest. I’m impressed with the selection of value conscious wines, with a good mix of high-end bottles, all without being overwhelming. 

Take advantage of their Friday and Saturday night wine events. They have a terrific, and up-to-date, website with an event calendar listing multiple tasting opportunities, and special features. These tastings are a terrific opportunity to experience new wines, or those in limited release.  

Buy Now! 

Summer is the time when roses hit the bottle shop shelves with a flourish, and even though fall is fast approaching, there's still time to indulge in this seasonal delight. In fact, I encourage everyone make pink wine a year round quaffer, though it's worth stocking up now while everyone still has their summer selection in stock. Why rose? It pairs with a wide variety of cuisine, it’s refreshing and it tastes so good! Selections change regularly at most bottle shops, but on my most recent visit to Great Wine Buys, I found the following gems:

Amestoi Rubentis Rosada, Getariako Txakolina, 2013, $19.99 With fresh fruit, wonderful minerality, and low alcohol (11.5%) this sucker is very easy to drink on a hot day! Note: This wine is allocated out and extremely difficult to find, so snatch it up ASAP.

Armas de Guerra, Rosada 2013, Mencia,  $11.99  Delicious, ripe summer fruit, and very creamy on the palette, but with loads of brightness and minerality on the finish.  

Vin Gris De Cigare, Rose, Bonny Doone 2013, $18.99 Provencal in style, this Grenache-based wine has decent fruit, but won’t beat you over the head with it.  Nice balance of fruit and savory notes, not one-dimensional. 

Rioja Rosado 2013, by Muga, $12.99  Another Grenache based wine, this also has some Tempranillo and Viura. Lots of strawberry and red raspberry, layered with a little pepper. Very satisfying. 

When not eating and drinking around Portland, sommelier Tom Champine works in Oregon’s wine country at Raptor Ridge Winery, performing national sales and market development. 

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