Stupid Questions 1

When I stared my job at the wine store I thought I would get a lot of questions that would help me further my knowledge of wine. Here is a few that haven’t helped.

Me: Can I help you?

Customer: What kind of wine do old people drink?

Me: Ummm….WHAT? (I think is he joking?)

Customer: What kind of wine do old people drink?

Me: (Nope he’s Serious)….Well how about a lighter wine, one with lower alcohol.

Me: Can I help you?

Customer: What kind of Champagne do men drink?

Me: (One that comes in a can)

Me: Can I help you?

Customer: Do you have any (certain brand name) Rum?

Me: No, sorry.

Customer: OK, I will take this magnum of Champagne instead.

This one is from a coworker.

Customer: Do you have a knife? I would like to shot gun this beer.

Wine Review

Cono Sur – Viogner.

Colchagua Valley, Chile

2004 – 13.5 %

$10.99

Appearance – Light Straw Core, No rim

Nose – Intense – Fruity – Peaches, Floral. Med complexity

Palate – Med Acidity, Light Body, Med Alcohol, Good Length, Nice Balance

Overall – I would pay twice as much for this.

It all Started with Strawberry Angel

Second day of work and I am about halfway to feeling comfortable at the store. I think I know where all the different countries are located.

One thing I never thought about when working at a wine store was that I am going to have to check for ID. I find it difficult that some underage kid is going to buy an expensive bottle of wine or beer just so he can drink. I remember not having much money at that age and the last thing I would do is go and spend $30 on a bottle of wine. Although I do remember going and buying a couple bottles of Strawberry Angel for five or six bucks, and then sitting in a back alley with a couple of friends drinking. Gladly we have no Strawberry Angel.

W is for Wine, Whinging and Whatever!

So I have started a part-time job at a wine store. Hopefully I can quit my boring office job and get involved in the wine industry full-time…Or is that drink full time!

So the first day of the job made me feel like an idiot about wine. I have not tried any of wines that the store sells and I am supposed to give recommendations and explain how the wines taste. There is only so many times you can use the phrase "It’s my first day, I haven’t tried this wine yet." Even though I have taken a couple of sommelier courses and host a wine tasting club, when people start asking questions it is difficult to remember everything you know so quickly. I overheard a co-worker use the phrase ‘The producer of this wine is very good, they make good quality wines.’ So I turned this phase into a favorite…that is until I know the wines we sell.

Wine Review

Two Hands – Brave Faces 2002

Barossa , South Austraila $49.99 retail

65% Shiraz, 35% Grenache Alcohol – 15%

Appearance – Deep Purple Core – Almost Opaque. Violet Rim. Stickes to the side of the glass like glue.

Nose – Complex - Med - Jammy, Plummy, Slight - Perfume, Cassis, Forest floor.

Palate – Consistant with Nose, Med+ Tannins, Med+ Acid, Med Body, Hot, Med+ Length.

Overall it’s good but I don’t think it’s worth the price.