5 Things Your Liquor Store Won't Tell You | Connecticut Food & Wine

Here is our list of things liquor stores won?t tell you.

1. Just because a sign marks a bottle 93 points, doesn?t mean it?s rated 93 points.

This is where the liquor stores or distributors get sneaky on you. Only the best stores make sure there is no misleading of their customers, and you will know you?re at a great store when the vintage with 93 points matches what is actually on the shelf.

If a 2008 Pinot Noir gets 93 points from Robert Parker, many will use the sneaky trick of taping that SAME 93 PONT SIGN onto the rack when the 2009 vintage is stocked on the shelves.

Next time you?re shopping, look closely at the vintage printed on the card and make sure the ratings actually match what?s there. If it doesn?t, bring it to the owners attention that you feel you?re being mislead because that vintage is clearly not the same.

Hint: If the store owner replies, ?Well, we don?t put the signs up, our distributors do? you need to find a new store.

Source: GoMemphis.com

2. You don?t need to spend big money to get high quality.

Contrary to popular belief, you really don?t need to spend big money to get high quality wine and spirits. Take the time to research wines on the internet newspapers or blogs to find what provides value for your dollar.

Often times, with names like Grey Goose, Coach, Prada- much of the mark up truly is paying for the name. You are buying into the brand and what it says, even if the product isn?t really superior.

Hint: Research your favorite Napa Valley grape varietals, purchase from countries they originated in for quality and value.

Image: Pinterest

3. Sales Techniques.

Liquor stores won?t tell you that they have techniques and practices to increase sales and thereby enhance their profits. Display counters are arranged to entice you to buy products that you wouldn?t go for otherwise. So, stick to your planned list.

Source: Google Images

4. Not all Prices are the same.

While the price of some premium brands of alcohol may not have much room for discounts and savings, (like that ?95 Krug you?ve been lusting after) many prices are flexible at least up to the point of reaching the current price minimum in the state.

For example, in Wallingford there is a certain small liquor store that sells Bogle Vineyards Phantom for $15 a bottle. That same bottle is $20-$22 in other stores within two miles from the $15 location.

Hint: I asked, and $15 is still not the price minimum. Keep track of prices on a notepad and venture to new stores often.

DAN GLEITER, The Patriot-News, 2008

5. Many merchants don?t actually drink or taste wine

If you are looking for advice on what to buy and describe in detail what you?re looking for, it shouldn?t be too much to ask someone who has actually tasted what they?re selling.

Make sure to ask carefully if they have tasted the wine themselves and what their thoughts are. After all, if you?re paying the markup at a small shop you should be paying for their knowledge and service, not just regurgitation of what their distributors tell them is good!

Source: http://www.ctfoodandwine.com/drink/5-things-your-liquor-store-wont-tell-you/

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