Buying Wine, Step 1: Pick A Wine Store.

I'm not a wine connoisseur. I don't even own acan save money by subscribing to that store's
decanter. (Some of my married friends ownnewsletters or joining its tasting club. Often,
several.)stores send out special deals and offerings to
But I like wine, especially trying different kinds.these customers first.
There are tons of resources out there to helpA special fifth category is convenience. This
you learn about wine. But I don't have time tomatters especially when you're buying in bulk, or if
read them. So I learn by doing, or . . . by drinking.you are looking for a quick pick-up on the way
My only problem is knowing which bottle to pick.home from work. It's good to know where
If you put me in a wine store with over aseveral good stores are in town, so that you'll
thousand bottles, I either need a sommelier or aknow which one to hit whenever the feeling
psychiatrist.strikes.
I usually start by studying the notes that hang byHere are my picks (in no particular order) for
the bottles. The ones with names attached togreat wine stores in Kansas City:
them like Wine Spectator or Robert Parker or Bill,1. Cellar and Loft. Located in Brookside, this little
the stocker. I contemplate the pictures and colorsshop is much more than meets the eye. The
of the label. I analyze the pricing structure andupstairs is the "Loft," a showplace of new and
weigh costs and benefits. Then after an hour orantique home furnishings and décor.
so, when I'm completely frustrated, I make aDownstairs, you can wind your way around
completely arbitrary decision."Cellar," a labyrinth of sorts with a good variety of
So I've come to this conclusion. I need help. And,wines, beers, gourmet foods, kitchen items, and
since my shrink has his limits, I need to find amore. 112 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO, (816)
wine store with people who can help me through444-2444.
the process of buying a good bottle.2. Cellar Rat. This unique boutique in the
All wine stores are not created equal. Here areCrossroads is the anti-superstore of wine. Cellar
some of the factors to think about whenRat prides itself on offering a hand-picked
choosing a wine store:selection with personalized service. Cellar Rat's
1) Selectionrestored building is impressive itself. The
Don't be fooled. Having thousands of bottles is not5,000-square-foot shop at also carries artisan
the same as having a good selection. Many largebeers, gourmet meats, cheeses, spirits, cigars and
liquor stores stockpile wine with labels that arechocolates. 1701 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO
heavily advertised and sold with the largest(816) 221 9463.
discount. You may walk into a store and think3. Vino 100. If you are in South KC, you should
you've got thousands of choices, but all you reallycheck out Vino 100. Vino 100's concept is to offer
have is same bottles repeated over and over.over 100 bottles of wine for $25 or less. The
What makes a good selection? Look for a store:store is well-organized and the also offers a
(1) with a knowledgeable wine buyer and (2) withunique selection of cigars, single-malt scotch,
a variety of tastes, regions, and prices. A goodcognacs, port, smoking accessories and wine gifts.
selection will offer both wines that are familiar and13135 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145
unique. Why is selection important? Think of it as(816) 941-VINO (8466).
playing the odds. You're much better off choosing4. Lukas Liquor / The Wine Bar. If size matters
from a few hundred wines tasted by ato you, Lukas Liquor bills itself as the midwest's
knowledgeable buyer than from several thousandlargest merchant of fine wines, spirits, and malt
that were trucked en masse.beverages. It has recently expanded by adding
2) Storagethe Wine Bar, which offers cooking classes, event
If you walk into a store and start to sweat, turnspace for corporate teambuilding or meetings, and
around. Wine should not be stored atregular wine and liquor tastings. 13657 Washington
temperatures over 80 degrees, or it will lose itsStreet, Kansas City, MO 64145, (816) 942-8707.
flavor. That's why wine is usually made and5. Rimann Liquors. No matter where you are in
stored underground. Avoid large warehousesKansas City, there is likely a Rimann Liquor
where the temperature may be hard to control.nearby. Stores are located in Lenexa, Prairie
Seek out a wine store where the workers areVillage, and most recently, in Briarcliff. For three
happy wearing sweaters in the summer. It's likelyyears in a row, Food & Wine Magazine named
that the wine will be well-cooled and happy too.Rimann in its list of "Top Wine Shops in America"
3) Informationbased on selection, service and advice. Briarcliff:
A good wine store is a good source of4155 North Mulberry, Kansas City, MO 64116,
information. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of(816) 587-3399; Prairie Village: 3917 Prairie Lane,
questions and seek out staff recommendations.Prairie Village, KS 66208 (913) 236-5311; Lenexa:
Many stores in Kansas City offer wine tastings,15117 W. 87th St. Parkway Lenexa, KS 66219
which are a great opportunity to try before you(913) 492-1604.
buy.6. Ensimnger Liquors. Ensimnger offers a variety
4) Priceof wine personally selected by its proprietress,
Of course, wine prices vary widely, and I'veJudy Ensminger. It's Judy's belief that "there are
never found one store that's consistently cheaper.no bad wines, just different wines for different
Even the big discount shops are not alwaysevents." 11052 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS
money savers. After you've found a store that66210 (913) 469-9006.
you like based on the other three factors, you