-
-
Servorg
Oct 18, 2012 01:48 PM
I really like Total Wine http://www.totalwine.com/ and their prices are normally excellent. For instance I purchased a 750 ml bottle of Bertani Amarone 2004 from them recently for $89.99 and I thought that was a very good price for that wine.
›1 Reply-
re: Servorg
ocshooter
Oct 19, 2012 10:24 AM
Get on the mailing list. I have received coupons for up to 20% off wines ($20 of every $100 purchase). Not all wines are included, but a there are always alternatives. When I was buying a couple of bottles for my very small destination wedding, I saved a lot on some very nice wines.
-
-
Dornfelder
Oct 18, 2012 12:28 PM
Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa ... hands-down, by a landslide, whichever term you prefer. The better half and I visited there yesterday afternoon, and were impressed with the selection, the nearly perfect cellaring conditions of the better selections (how perfect did a 56-degree room feel on a day with triple-digit heat?), its surprisingly competitive pricing and the knowledgeable, friendly staff on hand.
Sorry, but I just can't recommend Wine Exchange as an option. Over the last decade-plus, I've found service to be seriously lacking, despite the good selection.
›5 Replies-
re: Dornfelder
Midlife
Oct 18, 2012 12:47 PM
Some of the sales people at Wine Exchange can have something of an 'attitude', but the store gets in some really great value wines (especially imports) at good prices. I try to avoid the staff as much as I can, unless I find someone there who seems "interested".
Hi Times IS hands down one of the best wine experiences in Southern California, let alone OC.
-
re: Midlife
Dornfelder
Oct 18, 2012 01:02 PM
Thanks for the +1 regarding the 'tude of the WE folks, Midlife. I've dealt with that even when I've paid for my wine, believe it or not. After all, I can't avoid 'em by walking out of the store without handing over the money for the goods!
And you're spot on about HT being "hands down one of the best wine experiences in Southern California." Impressive praise indeed, considering that K&L, Wine House, Wally's, Twenty-Twenty Wine Merchants and the Woodland Hills Wine Company are also in the region.
To return to the OP's post, however, I'll vote again for your asking for a HT gift certificate.
-
re: Dornfelder
Porthos
Oct 18, 2012 01:17 PM
Love K&L. Have been with them for a long time and I buy from them a lot. Enough for them to know me by name a lot. But at the Hollywood branch there are a couple associates who are complete A'tude holes. Sometimes there is a bad egg or two even in the best of the best.
So far, I too have not encountered anything but nice from Hi Time.
-
-
-
re: Dornfelder
Porthos
Oct 18, 2012 01:14 PM
Wine Exchange's service isn't as friendly as Hi-Time but they are not unfriendly either. It is adequate for me. The prices at Wine Exchange are sometimes 10-20%+ less. They have a very interesting Burgundy and Riesling selection. I would not write off Wine Exchange for the serious wine enthusiast.
I agree. Someone new to wine would be better served at Hi Times.
-
re: Porthos
Dornfelder
Oct 18, 2012 01:43 PM
+1 for your point, Porthos, about a wine newcomer's chances of having a solid experience at HT than at WE. And even though I'm someone you probably would call a "serious wine enthusiast" -- I'm planning to earn my CWS and CWE certifications next year -- I still need the wine merchants I work with to be helpful and informative, and appreciative of my business. Not to hijack this thread, but I will not allow my hard-earned bucks to go to shopping establishments who take their customers for granted.
Too many strong wine options exist here, IMHO, to settle for less than a terrific shopping experience as far as wine's concerned. (While you're at it, Dive, please ask for a second HT gift certificate to send to yours truly.)
-
-
-
