One of the biggest concerns
of customers in our store is the price of wine. Many people come in after a
trip to France or Italy and are discouraged by the fact that they see $19.99
price tags on wines they drank in Europe for a few Euros. This is not because
we are making huge margins at Liquormart, and it certainly isn't the fact that
the winemakers are getting paid any premiums for shipping their wines here. The
reason is the multi-tiered system that rules the wine industry. An estate in
Europe must sell its wine to an importer. That importer then sells it to a
distributor, who sells it to the store. Often the estate has to pay a negociant
to make the wine available to importers.
With everybody getting their substantial cut, it is small wonder that
the wines double or even triple in price from the estate to the shelf.
Is there a way to combat
this? Not always, but one person does it the right way. Enter Denver's own
Philippe Sevier. He owns some vineyards
of his own in Europe. He also visits other small estates that make
wonderful wines, and brings them to
Colorado, acting as importer AND distributor. He even delivers the wines himself in his van. When other
distributors host trade tastings they do so at restaurants, museums or art
galleries at considerable expense (ultimately born by the customer in the
store). Phillipe hosts trade tastings in his dining room, with dozens of wines
lined up on the table, a few assorted cheeses to enhance the flavors of the
wine, and an occasional treat from his delightful wife's oven. He knows everything about every wine, so it
is a very valuable experience for all who attend.
Not only do his methods keep
prices very reasonable, but he gives small estates an opportunity to showcase
their wines...and many of these wines are very, very good. They grow grapes in
the same terroir as the more expensive,
well known estates, and have similar winemaking techniques. They can avoid the
techniques of mass production that enable the production of hundreds of
thousands of cases of wine, and also diminish the flavor and character. The
result is a great wine for a great price.
Sampling Sevier's wines is
like taking a tour of Europe, and it doesn't feel like a low budget one either,
until you hit the checkout line. If we start in Bordeaux, chateau Carbonneau
delivers vibrant black fruit flavors with earth, cassis and spice. This is an
every day dinner wine for $9.99. Chateau La Croix Bonnelle from St Emilion,
shows surprising complexity, with rich dark fruit, earth and spice. One of the
most expensive wines in his portfolio at a whopping $16.99!
When looking for crisp,
minerally vibrant whites, one may forget Bordeaux and Sevier is there to remind
you of these great bargains.
Traveling next to Cahors, we
come to the birthplace of Malbec. Although most people think of Argentina when
they think of this grape, it originated in France and is one of the grapes
found in red Bordeaux. Cahors are primarily Malbec with a little Merlot or
Tannat thrown in. They are more structured and less fruit forward than the
typical Argentinian example, and more complex. Sevier has two, and they are
excellent – Chateau St Sernin ($13.99) and
and Chateau Nozieres ($12.99), both are bursting with ripe plumb, black
cherry, cocoa, vanilla and spice. Next time when you think of Malbec, give one
of these a try.
This is just a small sample
of Mr. Sevier's list of wines. Burgundy
is represented and he really does the Loire Valley in style. Wines from Chinon,
Bougeuil, Anjou, Muscadet, Sancerre and Vouvray are all found on our shelves
and are all fun to try, with not a single one over 15.99!!! The Rhone Valley is
not forgotten either. So come in the store and ask for me. Let Philippe Sevier
and I take you on a tour of France. First class accommodations at Supersaver
prices.
Cheers!
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