237658 Sun Mar 24 08:03:47 -0800 2002 24 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1260021 My brother is gives tours at Mondavi winery and is coming to visit in 2 weeks. While giving his tour he met a couple from Brooklyn who recommended a wine store on Clarke Street (or near it). They told him the store has good prices and a great selection. Does anyone know what store they are talking about? Thanks, Denise Sun Mar 24 08:03:47 -0800 2002 0 Denise 1 1260022 There is a wine store on Clark and Henry called Michael's, but it's fairly generic. Instead I recommend Heights Chateau on Atlantic Ave., just off Henry. Sun Mar 24 08:35:12 -0800 2002 1260021 0 Ben S. from Brooklyn 1 1260025 The place on the corner of Clark and Henry merged with "Michael's" (who had first bought "Marcolini's" on Hicks, my old favorite) several years ago and isn't as good as it used to be (although I never thought it was that good to begin with). I second the suggestion of "Heights Chateau" on Atlantic off Henry (only 6-7 blocks away); excellent selection, very knowledgable and reasonable prices. I'd also add "Scotto's" on Court Street, 8 blocks or so on the other side of Atlantic Avenue. Sun Mar 24 10:40:40 -0800 2002 1260021 0 Steve R. 2 1260033 Thanks for the info. My brother thinks that the only place you can buy wine is in Calif. He's become a bit of a snob. I will take him to Heights Chateau when he comes. Thanks again, Denise Sun Mar 24 20:38:07 -0800 2002 1260025 0 Denise 3 1260051 I know you meant a particular area in bklyn but just in case he feels like venturing into manhattan - chamber street wines on chamber between hudson and greenwich (or is it washington?) has a great selection of wines especially from the loire region that would definitely be interesting for him. Well priced too. Also that italian wine store on 16th street just east of union sq park is a very attractive store and has interesting wines only from italy. Mon Mar 25 13:57:28 -0800 2002 1260033 0 djk 1 1260026 The Heights Chateau is tops in my book. They are knowledgeable, well stocked and their prices fair. They always have good recommendations. Sun Mar 24 10:59:20 -0800 2002 1260021 0 Joyce Goldstein 1 1260031 not sure of which one that is, but i swear by 'heights chateaux' on atlantic avenue in br. heights (1 block north of sahadi, same side.) Sun Mar 24 14:38:16 -0800 2002 1260021 0 bean 1 1260071 It's actually called Michael Towne. I love Heights Chateau, in agreement with everyone here. However, I stop by Towne sometimes because their prices can't be beaten in this area. The wines the two stores have in common are always a couple of dollars cheaper at Michael Towne, which makes me angry. While I love the recommendations at Heights Chateau, sometimes I get sick of not being able to walk down the aisles there when someone has planted themselves among the clutter. I get frustrated in New York City sometimes that there isn't one completely comprehensive wine store with fair prices and a great selection. I always have to combine my wine shopping to get exactly what I want. Do other people feel the same, or am I missing something? Mon Mar 25 18:57:09 -0800 2002 1260021 0 Kate A. 2 1260080 I usually don't purchase wine or liquor in Brooklyn (even though I live there) because I have found the prices to be significantly more expensive than the same item in Manhattan stores (this is particularly true with liquor). I assume it is because they have to pay more insurance in Brooklyn so they pass the cost along to the customer. Tue Mar 26 10:08:12 -0800 2002 1260071 0 DeeDee 2 1260081 I know what you mean--prices seem so arbitrary at some shops. I really like Red White and Bubbly on 5th Ave in Park Slope. The proprietor and his staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, the store is roomy, so you aren't constantly getting jostled, and they have a good assortment of interesting, entry-priced wines. Plus they do wine tastings on weekends and also offer wine appreciation classes. You should check it out! p.s. and if you're ever in Manhattan, there's a beautiful store called Best Cellars on Lexington and 87th that has no wine over $12, and they have a really great selection. Tue Mar 26 10:25:44 -0800 2002 1260071 0 JessicaSophia 3 1260085 I love Red White & Bubbly too. Wonderful servce, good selection and good-sized selection, reasonable prices, comfortable place to shop and very attitude-free environment. I go there all the time. Check it out for sure. It's on 5th Ave. between Union - President. The owner, Darrin Siegfried, is a well known sommelier and really knows his stuff. And such a nice guy, too. Tue Mar 26 11:34:32 -0800 2002 1260081 0 Nina Wugmeister 4 1260090 I like Heights Chateau and the folks there, but I have recently been concentrating my trade at Prospect Wine Store, 7th Ave and 8th St in Park Slope - not a huge stock and not a lot of name brands - and precious little liquor - but a tightly edited selection and many delicious wines at reasonable prices. If you are looking for Loire wines, for example, I recommend it over Hts Chateau. Tue Mar 26 13:01:21 -0800 2002 1260085 0 jen kalb 5 1260092 On the other hand, if you are looking for something Italian, Spanish or South American, its Heights Chateau in a walk. Tue Mar 26 13:42:48 -0800 2002 1260090 0 Alan Emdin 6 1260097 Prospect Wine has some very interesting italian wines as well - ask some of their sales people for recommendations, the kid called, I think, Elmer for example and one of the saleswomen (the latter used to be at Sherry Lehman) are major wine geeks. I have had my best experiences in wine shops in situations where the sales person has actually tasted the wine - not as common as you would think. Tue Mar 26 16:36:48 -0800 2002 1260092 0 jen kalb 7 1260100 I believe you mean Linus and Amy. Its not my purpose to run Prospect down. But Heights has several times as much Italian wine and Matthew (the owner) has tasted them (with the possible exception of trophy wines of which he gets only afew bottles). Tue Mar 26 18:28:02 -0800 2002 1260097 0 Alan Emdin 8 1260101 I do mean LINUS and Amy, sorry. I was basically making the point that for me the essential element is getting the service of a seller with a palate I can trust - really important if you want to increase the chances of buying something that is more than sound and serviceable. If you can't enter a wine store, ask what is delicious and get some thoughtful and enthusiastic answers, you are not likely to do well. I respect Matthew at Heights Chateau, who has hung in there and kept up his quality standards to build a fine business, and his manager Rick Landy (I dont believe he is buying the wines in this gig, however) a great deal- HOwever, I have just had a lot of run of the mill wine from the store recently in the $10-15 a bottle range, in categories like the aforementioned loire and in german and alsatian rieslings. They have a really big, comprehensive selection and add many wines each week - realistically its hard to be sure that every bottle is great doing that volume and # of wines. I will shift over to look at the Italians the next time I am in there. We are SO lucky to have several fine wine merchants in downtown Brooklyn. Tue Mar 26 19:58:13 -0800 2002 1260100 0 jen kalb 9 1260103 German wine is certainly a particular stength at Prospect, and I suppose the Loire as well. I am not especially fond of Cabernet Franc or Sauvignon Blanc, however. Tue Mar 26 23:43:06 -0800 2002 1260101 0 Alan Emdin 5 1260108 What do people think of Big Nose Full Body, further down on 7th Avenue? Wed Mar 27 10:42:35 -0800 2002 1260090 0 Stephanie L. 6 1260136 I haven't been there myself, but I have friends who swear by that place. If you go, let me know what you think, Jen! Thu Mar 28 10:37:12 -0800 2002 1260108 0 Cathy Elton 5 1260194 Have you tried Big Nose, Full Body on 7th Ave btwn 11-12th Sts? Charles and Chisty run an great little shop with very personally researched choices--and they have excellent taste. There are tastings every Sat. afternoon from about 4-7, and it is a friendly, neighborhood place with good discounts on 6 or more bottles; they are amazingly young and nice----but very sophisticated in their choices. Sat Mar 30 11:14:34 -0800 2002 1260090 0 Lisa R. 4 1260093 I do like Red, White and Bubbly (even though the name embarrasses me, even to type). It's just not as convenient for me as Michael Towne, HC and Scotto's. Barring NY state liquor laws changing (maybe someday!) or a Sams' Warehouse-type place opening, I think the trick is to find the good combination for your needs. For me, it's inventive selection and good help (Heights Chateau and Scotto's), low prices and old favorites with some quirky stuff thrown in (Michael Towne). And even that needs supplements (Union Square Wines, Astor). But you're right, I should head over to Red, White and Bubbly more often. I also second the Chambers St. Wines cheer. Great little place. Tue Mar 26 13:43:21 -0800 2002 1260085 0 Kate A. 3 1260335 I recently moved here from Northern California. My best friend of 25 years and hi father are both complete cork dorks (his dad worked at Silver Oak) and gained my taste in and love of wine from them. I've found many stores that have exceptional selections--although, not the best prices--the place I keep returning to is Best Celolars. Best Cellars is worth the trip to Lexington and 86th. All of their wines are "over achievers." If you're looking for a great, everyday red for $10-12, they always come through. Plus, if you order a case or more (mixed or of a single wine) they deliver it for free. Thu Apr 04 17:25:22 -0800 2002 1260081 0 Stampy 2 1260094 Well, there is Garnet, or closer to Brroklyn with higher prices, there is also Astor. Tue Mar 26 13:43:57 -0800 2002 1260071 0 Alan Emdin 1 1260138 Here's what I think's a relatively new one: Rouge et Blanc on Washington Street in Dumbo. Its run by a young Frenchman who, when asked, says he's from a small village near Paris called Verseilles. He limits himself to a reasonable number of wines not exclusively French, which he knows well. He also has a limited selection of French glassware, wine glasses, carafes and decanters. Its next to a new restaurant which I haven't tried called Rice and around the corner from Jacques Torres' chocolate factory and store (which I have tried -- too often.) Thu Mar 28 11:25:02 -0800 2002 1260021 0 Tony Sifton 1 1260260 Heights chateau on atlantic is by far the best wine store in brooklyn towne wines on clark st is basically catalog wines that they always keep in stock heights chateau always has new things and they are better and more interesing , they are also fairly priced. Tue Apr 02 10:05:17 -0800 2002 1260021 0 jason carey