| I'm not a wine connoisseur. I don't even own a | | | | newsletters or joining its tasting club. Often, |
| decanter. (Some of my married friends own | | | | stores send out special deals and offerings to |
| several.) | | | | these customers first. |
| But I like wine, especially trying different kinds. | | | | A special fifth category is convenience. This |
| There are tons of resources out there to help | | | | matters especially when you're buying in bulk, or if |
| you learn about wine. But I don't have time to | | | | you are looking for a quick pick-up on the way |
| read them. So I learn by doing, or . . . by drinking. | | | | home from work. It's good to know where |
| My only problem is knowing which bottle to pick. | | | | several good stores are in town, so that you'll |
| If you put me in a wine store with over a | | | | know which one to hit whenever the feeling |
| thousand bottles, I either need a sommelier or a | | | | strikes. |
| psychiatrist. | | | | Here are my picks (in no particular order) for |
| I usually start by studying the notes that hang by | | | | great wine stores in Kansas City: |
| the bottles. The ones with names attached to | | | | 1. Cellar and Loft. Located in Brookside, this little |
| them like Wine Spectator or Robert Parker or Bill, | | | | shop is much more than meets the eye. The |
| the stocker. I contemplate the pictures and colors | | | | upstairs is the "Loft," a showplace of new and |
| of the label. I analyze the pricing structure and | | | | antique home furnishings and décor. |
| weigh costs and benefits. Then after an hour or | | | | Downstairs, you can wind your way around |
| so, when I'm completely frustrated, I make a | | | | "Cellar," a labyrinth of sorts with a good variety of |
| completely arbitrary decision. | | | | wines, beers, gourmet foods, kitchen items, and |
| So I've come to this conclusion. I need help. And, | | | | more. 112 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO, (816) |
| since my shrink has his limits, I need to find a | | | | 444-2444. |
| wine store with people who can help me through | | | | 2. Cellar Rat. This unique boutique in the |
| the process of buying a good bottle. | | | | Crossroads is the anti-superstore of wine. Cellar |
| All wine stores are not created equal. Here are | | | | Rat prides itself on offering a hand-picked |
| some of the factors to think about when | | | | selection with personalized service. Cellar Rat's |
| choosing a wine store: | | | | restored building is impressive itself. The |
| 1) Selection | | | | 5,000-square-foot shop at also carries artisan |
| Don't be fooled. Having thousands of bottles is not | | | | beers, gourmet meats, cheeses, spirits, cigars and |
| the same as having a good selection. Many large | | | | chocolates. 1701 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO |
| liquor stores stockpile wine with labels that are | | | | (816) 221 9463. |
| heavily advertised and sold with the largest | | | | 3. Vino 100. If you are in South KC, you should |
| discount. You may walk into a store and think | | | | check out Vino 100. Vino 100's concept is to offer |
| you've got thousands of choices, but all you really | | | | over 100 bottles of wine for $25 or less. The |
| have is same bottles repeated over and over. | | | | store is well-organized and the also offers a |
| What makes a good selection? Look for a store: | | | | unique selection of cigars, single-malt scotch, |
| (1) with a knowledgeable wine buyer and (2) with | | | | cognacs, port, smoking accessories and wine gifts. |
| a variety of tastes, regions, and prices. A good | | | | 13135 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145 |
| selection will offer both wines that are familiar and | | | | (816) 941-VINO (8466). |
| unique. Why is selection important? Think of it as | | | | 4. Lukas Liquor / The Wine Bar. If size matters |
| playing the odds. You're much better off choosing | | | | to you, Lukas Liquor bills itself as the midwest's |
| from a few hundred wines tasted by a | | | | largest merchant of fine wines, spirits, and malt |
| knowledgeable buyer than from several thousand | | | | beverages. It has recently expanded by adding |
| that were trucked en masse. | | | | the Wine Bar, which offers cooking classes, event |
| 2) Storage | | | | space for corporate teambuilding or meetings, and |
| If you walk into a store and start to sweat, turn | | | | regular wine and liquor tastings. 13657 Washington |
| around. Wine should not be stored at | | | | Street, Kansas City, MO 64145, (816) 942-8707. |
| temperatures over 80 degrees, or it will lose its | | | | 5. Rimann Liquors. No matter where you are in |
| flavor. That's why wine is usually made and | | | | Kansas City, there is likely a Rimann Liquor |
| stored underground. Avoid large warehouses | | | | nearby. Stores are located in Lenexa, Prairie |
| where the temperature may be hard to control. | | | | Village, and most recently, in Briarcliff. For three |
| Seek out a wine store where the workers are | | | | years in a row, Food & Wine Magazine named |
| happy wearing sweaters in the summer. It's likely | | | | Rimann in its list of "Top Wine Shops in America" |
| that the wine will be well-cooled and happy too. | | | | based on selection, service and advice. Briarcliff: |
| 3) Information | | | | 4155 North Mulberry, Kansas City, MO 64116, |
| A good wine store is a good source of | | | | (816) 587-3399; Prairie Village: 3917 Prairie Lane, |
| information. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of | | | | Prairie Village, KS 66208 (913) 236-5311; Lenexa: |
| questions and seek out staff recommendations. | | | | 15117 W. 87th St. Parkway Lenexa, KS 66219 |
| Many stores in Kansas City offer wine tastings, | | | | (913) 492-1604. |
| which are a great opportunity to try before you | | | | 6. Ensimnger Liquors. Ensimnger offers a variety |
| buy. | | | | of wine personally selected by its proprietress, |
| 4) Price | | | | Judy Ensminger. It's Judy's belief that "there are |
| Of course, wine prices vary widely, and I've | | | | no bad wines, just different wines for different |
| never found one store that's consistently cheaper. | | | | events." 11052 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS |
| Even the big discount shops are not always | | | | 66210 (913) 469-9006. |
| money savers. After you've found a store that | | | | is Kansas City's exciting new online restaurant |
| you like based on the other three factors, you | | | | guide. Eat. Drink. Taste KC! |
| can save money by subscribing to that store's | | | | |