Wine by Ones and Twos
Buying wine in Portland—or any other town or city in Maine—is not easy if you’re looking for more than just a bottle or two.
The other day I wanted to buy a case of Zinfandel. I didn’t have any particular one in mind. Most Zins offer reliable drinking. They’re made from a grape variety that seems to thwart all the pitfalls that can occur from one vintage to the next.
I stopped into Browne Trading, which generally has an excellent collection of wines. The trouble is, I discovered, that you can’t get—on the spot—more than a couple of bottles at one time.
I found a few Zins that I knew and liked but none were available by the case. The most I could purchase was two or three bottles. I went to almost every wine purveyor in the city to find the same situation.
All of the dealers— such as Leroux, Rosemont, The Clown and Browne Trading—offered to get me a case in one day. That wasn’t good enough. I needed it then and there for a large group that was coming to dinner that evening.
I suppose I could have planned better, but I didn’t. After all, when you live in a city that is Maine’s largest, you should by definition expect to have at your fingertips what you want when you want it.
Truth be known, most of the wine that I have comes from away. But apparently having wine purchased and delivered across state lines is against the law in Maine. Even going to the New Hampshire Liquor stores and transporting it back is a no-no.
This is absurd. If it’s legal to buy Vermont butter in Maine then it should be just as lawful to purchase California or French wine from dealers who have large supplies of it in other states who are more than happy and willing to sell and ship it to you.
Moreover, buying a bottle of wine in Maine is more expensive than doing so in New York, Massachusetts or many other states in the nation. I’ve bought wine from Sherry Lehman in New York, the city’s premier wine shop, for nearly 20 percent less than it would cost to purchase in Maine.
An enterprising entrepreneur would probably do well to open a well-stocked shop devoted entirely to wine. We have a few but they’re not very good from the standpoint of inventory and variety.
Portland prides itself in its great restaurants, which incidentally have wonderful wine lists that are in high demand by patrons. So I don’t understand why shops like The Clown and Browne Trading that have fairly substantial selling spaces set aside for selling wine have ultimately so little to show for it.
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John, I would suggest that if you are unsatisfied with the level of service Maine businesses have to offer, you are more than welcome to head right back to the Big Apple. As a sophisticated New Yorker, I'm sure that you are well aware that the New York metropolitan area has a population in the neighborhood of 10 million people, whereas Portland has perhaps 1% of that. Perhaps this is why businesses in New York can buy in larger volume and then give you a 20% discount, but I'm sure that you don't need an ignorant accountant from Maine to explain economics to you.
In the immortal words of the Wicked Good Band in their classic song "People from Away", "...we're gonna bring those hicks some culture" is what they always say, but the only ones they're bringing it to are other people from away.
In closing, on your way back to New York, don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.
Regards, etc
Greg Lewis
Browne Trading Co.
Posted by
GregFebruary 8, 2006 03:23 PM
Oh and, Harding
You can’t write about how great you think you are in this blog. Busted again!
Posted by
February 27, 2006 03:39 PM
When did Harding ever write how great he thinks he is? Besides, does he even need to? Obviously, his crowded restaurant speaks louder than you.
Posted by
February 27, 2006 10:59 PM
In response, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long. I’ve been in Europe, enjoying the other side.
Obviously the response I got was from either Sara or Harding. Which I think is great. However, I think you should know that my words as a patron speak very loud. I not saying that I was unhappy with the food or the service. What I am saying is that, If you guys are going to pay attention to a web blog and write a response. Then you need to understand the meaning of constructive criticism. I will also tell you in complete honesty, that my experience was not a 10 out of 10. I not sure that it was a 2 out of 10. But, for the first time this is what I expected. I hope when we go back thing will have gotten better.
Oh, Almost forgot! Remember this one! This is what we are Talking about!
As to the chefs talking with patrons...have you seen the way chef smith interacts with his guests, it's like they were coming to his home for dinner!!! A truly welcoming vibe
Posted by harding
February 24, 2006 02:19 AM
Posted by
March 14, 2006 10:15 AM
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