tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10545804.post115713772481533234..comments2023-08-03T07:55:48.617-07:00Comments on élevage: Seattle wine shopsVincent Fritzschehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153962387209512138noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10545804.post-1157783285864974832006-09-08T23:28:00.000-07:002006-09-08T23:28:00.000-07:00To be sure, Esquin is a great shop. I failed to me...To be sure, Esquin is a great shop. I failed to mention the outstanding selection of older Bordeaux. I'd definitely shop there if I lived in Seattle. The prices are in part due to the messed up distribution and taxation system for hooch. What are you going to do.<BR/><BR/>As for the scent of Seattle, don't worry about it. Seattle reminds me of San Francisco in many ways, this being only one, endearingly in a way. Portland, when we returned, looked in comparison like a toy city. A great place, maybe what San Jose wishes it were. But there's definitely a younger sibling thing.<BR/><BR/>By the way, thanks for the great time. We ought to do it again, sooner than last time.Vincent Fritzschehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18153962387209512138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10545804.post-1157773819059286082006-09-08T20:50:00.000-07:002006-09-08T20:50:00.000-07:00"The skyline is bigtime, the streets crowded, and ...<I>"The skyline is bigtime, the streets crowded, and downtown on a warm summer day there’s the stale stench of urine mixing with fresh sea air. That’s old school big city stuff, something Portland can’t match."</I><BR/><BR/>Pure poetry, Vincent. Walking to the market for lunch the next day I, too, experienced a urine blast. I was hoping you and the kids had been spared, but alas, you got the full-city effect.<BR/><BR/>Sorry we talked up Esquin only to have it dissapoint. If anything, I guess it shows how much a wine geek I'm not. Maybe coffee next next time? I can geek with the best of them there.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and the bubbly? We're celebrating as of right now! I might have to brave those M&S dorks one more Saturday and pick up another bottle of each.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10545804.post-1157491838119321612006-09-05T14:30:00.000-07:002006-09-05T14:30:00.000-07:00I think you pretty much summed it up on the Seattl...I think you pretty much summed it up on the Seattle wine retail scene. I haven't been to the Ravenna shop, but the last time I was in McCarthy and Schiering on Queen Anne, they couldn't have been nicer. I had bought some wine to drink at a picnic and had forgotten a corkscrew. When I asked if they had a cheap one I could buy, the guy at the counter gave me one, gratis. <BR/><BR/>On Esquin, I usually stop in when I am picking up an order at Garagiste, which is just a block or so down the street. Esquin seems to have the best selection of Oregon Pinot Noir in town, but compared to Portland, well, you know. I have found the odd bottle of Giacosa and Allemand in Esquins when browsing in the past. The last time I was there I bought a bottle of 98 La Rioja Alta. It is usually worth stopping in. You are right about their newsletter, they are focused on the under $10 bargain market.<BR/><BR/>The folks at Pike and Western are extremely friendly and passionate wine geek types. The selection is limited, but they know what they have and are usually helpful.<BR/><BR/>Delaurentis is a great place to buy cheese. Nice Italian wine section, but no bargains.<BR/><BR/>Next time you are in Seattle, it might be worthwhile to stop in at Garagiste. It is 99.9% an email only retailer and the building is a storage and shipping warehouse, mainly. They do have a small (read tiny) but interesting retail shelf when you first walk in. I have seen Roumier Chambolle Musigny, old vintages of Ridge Monte Bello, some very good Mosel Riesling values, etc. You might even get to meet Rimmerman, who is quite a character.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com