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