Archive for March, 2013

Weekend Food & Wine Pairing: Wines For Comfort Fo

March 29th, 2013

We’re still not out of the woods of winter, even though full-on spring is right around the corner. Still time for some rib-sticking comfort food and the wines to go with them. [level-members] Our recommendations this week come from Meg Houston Maker on Palate Press. Top of the list for me is cava with grilled […]

What They’re Reading – Bon Appet

March 28th, 2013

This week we saw a number of articles that will probably have caught your clientele’s eye in Bon Appetit. [level-members] Top of the list is the “Top 12 Easter Menus” article which includes an absolutely amazing Greek dinner menu. Our local farmers market had pea shoots this weekend. I had never had them before. They […]

Comparison Marketi

March 27th, 2013

As an independent shop, you can’t compete on price and you can’t compete on selection. The internet and the superstores will beat you every time. A great way to turn that problem into an opportunity is to embrace it. [level-members] No, I don’t mean advertising that you’re running a special on Yellow Tail: “$2 MORE […]

PoS and Computer System Securi

March 26th, 2013

There is a real allure to integrating your systems as fully as possible. Some PoS systems are all-inclusive, and they make it easy to integrate in useful ways – and they typically have strong security precautions in place. (We’ve written about PoS systems in the past.) But you still have to be careful, [level-members]especially if […]

Sangria, Moonshine and a Pione

March 25th, 2013

The sangria business is booming and Yellow Tail is getting in. [level-members]They will release Yellow Tail Sangria in 750ml and 1.5-liter bottles beginning this fall. If you’re looking for something a little different to stock, Firefly Distillery of South Carolina is channeling its southern roots with the release of its Firefly Moonshine line of flavored […]

Weekend Food & Wine Pairing: Champagne Partne

March 22nd, 2013

In light of yesterday’s What They’re Reading item about Champagne’s medicinal values for your memory, we couldn’t resist a great Champagne pairing. [level-members]From Food & Wine, we’re recommending this Grilled Chicken Breasts with Grapefruit Glaze. For a partner, you don’t have to stick with Champagne. A good sparkler from any region will do. Seek out (and […]

What They’re Reading – Great Wine Values from Serious Ea

March 21st, 2013

This week your customers might be reading the Ask A Sommelier Feature from the Drinks column on Serious Eats. First on the list is our new favorite sommelier, Savanna Ray from Wildwood Restaurant in Portland, OR. [level-members]She earns our love with her pick of the Loire Valley as a top value. Like her, we have […]

Retail Wine Marketing Tip: Go To Macy’

March 20th, 2013

This week’s Marketing Tip O’ the Week: Go to Macy’s. Not literally, but if you happen to find yourself near the Macy’s flagship store in New York, be sure to check out their windows. Even if you’ve never been anywhere near Macy’s in Manhattan, you probably know they’re famous for their window displays, particularly around […]

Small Business Tip – If It Matters, Measure

March 19th, 2013

Tuesday means business tips. This week, let’s talk about retail selling smarts. There’s lots of stuff out there about how to set yourself up mentally to do a better job each and every time a customer walks through the door. For my money, though, nothing is more important than this:[level-members] If it doesn’t get measured it, […]

Wine Industry News: Top Brands of 2012 and Tennessee Scotches Wine Sales in Supermarke

March 18th, 2013

News from the industry this week includes the snappy, clever (maybe) names of 2012’s top wines as well as news from Oregon on ways to put wine waste to good use. And Tennessee reconsiders wine sales in supermarkets. [level-members] Strange Bedfellows Not every day that the religious right and the liquor industry find themselves on […]