At Kwiker Liquor they know that the key to having a great selection of Fine Wines, is knowing a great selection of Vintners and Winemakers. And they take pride in cultivating these relationships to bring the very best to their customers on the Beach and beyond. This month we will explore Boutique Wines with Vintner and Winemaker Tom Di Bello of Di Bello Wines.
“Boutique Wine – A New Wine, New Choice”
“We know what we like and like what we know.” For most of us that means buying the same products over and over since we know they always deliver on our expectations. But with more choices than ever we’re all compelled to try new things.
Have you tried a new wine lately?
Kwiker Liquor has a wide selection of wine and is usually the first store to carry new wines in the area. As a key partner for DiBacco Imports, we often set up tastings in the store on Saturdays so you can “try before you buy.” Together with Kwiker we have successfully launched many new brands from our portfolio. Boutique brands like Eric Kent Wines (Sonoma), Del Dotto (Napa Valley), Andis Wines (Sierra Foothills) just to name a few.
The boutique wine market is a fast growing category much like craft beer and spirits. and while some of the big brands available at most stores might be favorites, the hard to find, small production wines are what we specialize in and what can really open your eyes to the exquisite quality of boutique wines.
What is considered a boutique wine?
Boutique wines are handcrafted and small production, usually 150-300 cases annually. The winemakers are usually the owners of the winery and are of a high pedigree. Some have made wine for bigger well known brands but are now focused on a collection of boutique brands. A boutique wine is usually from a specific appellation and a specific vineyard. With every boutique brand comes a story. Someone’s passion and desire to create a work of art in the bottle. Most of the labels on these bottles have a significant meaning and you’ll see many of the wines details on the back label. Some of the winemakers, like Eric Kent mentioned above, use different artists’ paintings on the labels. Others incorporate something personal like Andis Wines, which stands for owners Andy Friedlander and Janis Akuna.
Is it worth the extra $$?
Like most handcrafted items, boutique wines usually demand a higher price due to the more intimate and labor intensive production. But in the end you’re supporting a true work of art and many times you’ll experience a new level of taste for some of your favorite varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Some of the more notable boutique brands like Del Dotto become collector wines, allowing additional aging to get a closer taste of perfection. These wines are well worth the price and are great to drink every day or on special occasions.
With so many new boutique wine choices at Kwiker Liquor, you can be sure there’s one we “know you’ll like” and soon enough it will be “one you’ll know” by name.
