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