Tonight, a bunch of the local posse is getting together to taste through some 2005 Bordeaux to see where they are in their evolution. Theme is double blind with all wines rated 96 points or better from RMP (no comments please). A couple of QPR ringers will be thrown in to keep us honest. Will also have bubbles, whites and some Sauternes to round out the evening.
Hosting a cali cab under $20 tasting…talk about the blind leading the blind. The guests know even less about wine than I do. But it’s a good excuse to get lit with 16 other people.
Table and Vine is a really great store. Huge selection that mostly focuses on CA and French wines. It also has a good variety of German, Spanish and other new world varieties. I would say the store best compares to a Bev Mo with a bit deeper selection and variety.
Back in the late '80s Big Y Wines was in a huge space that appeared to have been a grocery store in a former life. The wine area was huge… over 2000 different wines in row upon row of wire racks. They kept it cool, too… 55F, if memory serves. And the guys who worked the floor were great… young, but knowledgable… turned me on to all sorts of stuff I’d never heard of, and they often had something good open in the back.
I think they changed their name to T&V in the '90s, then opened a second store in Springfield, and closed the original store in Northampton a few years ago. It sounds like they are still huge and great… can’t wait to get back there some fine day…