whatami, Laurel Hood’s vineyard near Newberg, OR. She ran a wine shop in Cannon Beach in addition to having the vineyard. I think she’s leasing the land to someone else now. 3 years ago brother made his own wine, I guess from the second harvest, because he was house-, horse-, cat-, and vine-sitting for her. We’re probably going to drink some of it for Christmas Eve and/or New Year’s Eve.
Friar Tuck’s (a liquor store about the size of your typical Wal-Mart), usually. They have the biggest selection.
Sometimes Famous Liquors (a corner liquour store).
If I have a lot of money to blow, The Corkscrew (a locally-operated wine shop).
So not true! If you live in a great wine growing region and you’re not visiting the local wineries, you’re missing out on one of the best things about where you live.
Just about everyone I know that lives here visits wineries fairly often, are wine club members, participate in region or winery events, etc.
Lots of the smaller wineries have no distribution and even the mid-sized and larger wineries have limited distribution. Almost all have a wine or two that can be found in the tasting room only. Some even offer ‘neighbor’ or ‘locals’ discounts on events and purchases. And like toadspittle and I mentioned, if you work in the industry, the discount makes it one of the most economical ways to stock up on wine.
From Winos
I’ll have to check it out sometime. Newberg is right down the road and is close to many of our favorites.
In Ontario, the Government run liquor store is the LCBO, and they have a section called Vintages. I have done very well going into Vintages aiming to spend $15 a bottle on average. Visiting wineries is also a good way to shop.
In general, the stuff in our grocery stores (it has to be Ontario wine to be sold in a grocery store.) doesn’t tend to be anywhere near the best that our local wineries can offer, which is too bad, because the good stuff isn’t any more expensive.
Since we are discussing this, I figure I will clear some things up
Thanks to the 21st amendment (to the Constitution), which repealed Prohibition, Each state in the union has the legal authority to have absolute control over the production, distribution, and sale of beverage alcohol in their state. What this essentially mean is that we have 50 different sets of laws govering how, when and where you can buy you wine.
These laws run the whole gamut of control and ridiculousness.
NC - Supermarkets can carry beer and wine, but all other alcohol must be carried in state owned stores.
NJ - SPecial liquor stores can carry all three (beer, wine, and liquor) as well as limited other consumables (mixers, chips, soda), but in a Supermarket the alcohol must be payed for and packaged seperately.
NY - Beer is available in supermarkets. Wine and Liquor reqire a licence to sell.
These are the only states I have absolute first hand knowledge ( I Have lived and/or worked in all 3). But I am aware the laws are different in other states.
When it comes to shipping wines direct from wineries (or even buying it and bringing back to you home state), many states have sever limitations. Almost all states require you pay taxes on any out-of-state, direct form the winery, wine you have purchased, wether it is being shipped to you, or you bring it home with you. Many states also have an annual limit on the ammout of wine that can be purchased. Internet shipping is hampered by these laws as well.
People in certain states know it is impossible to get wine shipped to them. Sometimes it requires that your state and the state the wine is being shipped from have what is know as a “reciprocal tax arrangement”, that allows tax revenue to be shared. What most people dont know is that wine (and other alcohol) is usually taxed at all three-teirs of the production/distrobution cycle. A winery has to pay tax on wine it makes. The Distributor has to charge a tax to sell it to a retailer, and if your state has a sales taxes, you pay that at the register.
Taxes on alcohol are a very important part of you states tax revenue. The 3-teir system also benefits the middle level, the distributor, because in most states each brand of wine or liquor has a contract with a single distributor. Allowing people all over the US to buy a wine (say Berringer White Zinfadel) dirrect fromt he winery would prevent the distributor in each state from getting their cut of that sale. So you can see where the distributors stand in keeping the status-quo. There have been many attempt by the federal government to change this, but up to now, not much has changed.
Hope this little info helped everyone out
Grapes!
Not just the federal government, Kylede; lobbyists from wine-producing states (such as my beloved California) have been trying to bash down the blues for years.
As for where I buy wine; mostly Trader Joe’s or the supermarket. Markets in good neighborhoods often have fantastic wine selections. There are also wine shops all over the place, and wineries a short drive away. I can buy beer, wine, and liquor almost anywhere, almost any time, with no fuss except for ID (which hasn’t happened in years [sob]).
Doesn’t just about everyone you know work in the wine industry?
Besides, you’re not a native and shit. I am right and you are wrong. The end.
Actually, of my friends, only two other people work in the wine industry.
And I’ve been here almost 10 years, I’ve got my CA cred by now. (PS - It’s flippin’ cold here right now.) 
Does it come with Jip and Janneke on the bottle?
I thought about saying just that, but I’ve made and enjoyed cranberry, banana, and pear wines.
I get mine from a place called (not kidding people) High Times.
If you’re ever in Northern Kentucky, you need to go here: http://www.thepartysource.com/ for all your booze/cigar/party needs. The wine section is the best in the Cincinnati tristate area, and that includes Jungle Jim’s.
RE: the OP, I agree that grocery stores have caught on with selling better wines (in those states where its permitted). There is a MUCH better selection of quality wines from the likes of Kroger stores in my area now than there used to be even ten years ago.
It’s an excellent development in the consumer’s favor.
Is Best Cellars still around? I loved that place when I lived in NYC. Great concept: They only keep 100 different wines in the shop at a time, all under $15, sorted by taste rather than region/varietal.
I didn’t know you lived in Costa Mesa!
I’ve shopped at High Times on many an occasion.
Grocery store. Our stores sell quality wines, and you can’t get wine at liquor stores here. I’m not impressed by local wineries.
65% BevMo
20% wineries ( various )
5% specialty wine merchants like Kermit Lynch.
10% supermarkets ( usually Andronico’s, which is a small, higher end chain in the Bay Area ).
Thanks for the tip! More than once, I’ve driven the 1.5 hrs to northern Kentucky (/southern Ohio) just for Jungle Jim’s; I’ll add this to my next itinerary!