Went down to the grand opening of Total Wine, the big east coast wine
merchant that has now opened their first California store in Roseville
(right near the BevMo, actually).

First impression on walking in is - big, big inventory, and well
merchandised. After a few minutes of walking around, had to go back and
get a cart, because the next impression was - "there are some deals
here".

While many of the aisles are the same-old, same-old, some is definitely
harder to find, or at least harder to find at those prices.

We picked up a few things, here are some highlights ...

* 2005 Bordeaux - the store has more in stock than anyone outside of
K&L, that I know of.

* 2004 Calon-Segur for $29.99. R u kidding?! Can't find this for much
less than $40 anywhere else. Picked up 3 more to add to the inventory I
already have - which I got pre-arrival for about $37. Sheesh.

* 2004 Montebuena Rioja for only $8.99. This has been a well known
Spanish QPR for a while - but usually at $10 or $11.

* Torbreck Juveniles for $17.42

* A Monbazillac (375 ml) for only $7.99.

Lots of others.


Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.

AxisOfBeagles > wrote in news:2008012616493416807-
me@donotreplycom:



>
> Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
> selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
> Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.
>
>

They have reputation for big selection but also agressive bait and
switch to house brands by sales team. At least that is the 411 in FL.

--
Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

877 832 2021
904 631 8863 cell

AxisOfBeagles > wrote in news:2008012616493416807-
me@donotreplycom:


> Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
> selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
> Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.
>
>

But, oh yes the opening specials made everyone go green.

--
Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

877 832 2021
904 631 8863 cell

I noticed quite a few large selections of big name negociant wines, and
some extensive inventory of labels that I absolutely did not recognize
- possibly 'house brands'?

Amazing number of personnel - and most were ever-present, keen to try
to help. As always, I politely decline help - I can browse quite ably
all by myself. Sure was pleased with some of those prices tho. Good
thought - they may be 'opening day' prices, and I might want to scour
the inventory online and go pick up any that are particularly good
bargains before those prices disappear.


On 2008-01-26 18:34:36 -0800, Joseph Coulter > said:
>
> They have reputation for big selection but also agressive bait and
> switch to house brands by sales team. At least that is the 411 in FL.

I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie
hanf and dart drug).

any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.

most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy
vintage.

most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.

prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).

almost all sales are on mystery wines.

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:49:34 -0800, AxisOfBeagles >
wrote:

>
>Went down to the grand opening of Total Wine, the big east coast wine
>merchant that has now opened their first California store in Roseville
>(right near the BevMo, actually).
>
>First impression on walking in is - big, big inventory, and well
>merchandised. After a few minutes of walking around, had to go back and
>get a cart, because the next impression was - "there are some deals
>here".
>
>While many of the aisles are the same-old, same-old, some is definitely
>harder to find, or at least harder to find at those prices.
>
>We picked up a few things, here are some highlights ...
>
>* 2005 Bordeaux - the store has more in stock than anyone outside of
>K&L, that I know of.
>
>* 2004 Calon-Segur for $29.99. R u kidding?! Can't find this for much
>less than $40 anywhere else. Picked up 3 more to add to the inventory I
>already have - which I got pre-arrival for about $37. Sheesh.
>
>* 2004 Montebuena Rioja for only $8.99. This has been a well known
>Spanish QPR for a while - but usually at $10 or $11.
>
>* Torbreck Juveniles for $17.42
>
>* A Monbazillac (375 ml) for only $7.99.
>
>Lots of others.
>
>
>Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
>selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
>Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.

Here in NC I agree on the attempt at Bait and Switch...

However they have some P. Javilliar Meurseult from 2005 and it is a House
Direct for them. Meaning buy direct and use local dist for drayage
only.(costco method)

My Total Wine has a pretty good selection at OK pricing...not really cheaper
than anyone else as the marketplace caused the non effiecient model to
change the method of gouging.

Glad to have them...wish they were new again here when you could get GREAT
wines as specials.



"gerald" > wrote in message
...
>I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie
> hanf and dart drug).
>
> any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.
>
> most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy
> vintage.
>
> most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.
>
> prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).
>
> almost all sales are on mystery wines.
>
> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:49:34 -0800, AxisOfBeagles >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>Went down to the grand opening of Total Wine, the big east coast wine
>>merchant that has now opened their first California store in Roseville
>>(right near the BevMo, actually).
>>
>>First impression on walking in is - big, big inventory, and well
>>merchandised. After a few minutes of walking around, had to go back and
>>get a cart, because the next impression was - "there are some deals
>>here".
>>
>>While many of the aisles are the same-old, same-old, some is definitely
>>harder to find, or at least harder to find at those prices.
>>
>>We picked up a few things, here are some highlights ...
>>
>>* 2005 Bordeaux - the store has more in stock than anyone outside of
>>K&L, that I know of.
>>
>>* 2004 Calon-Segur for $29.99. R u kidding?! Can't find this for much
>>less than $40 anywhere else. Picked up 3 more to add to the inventory I
>>already have - which I got pre-arrival for about $37. Sheesh.
>>
>>* 2004 Montebuena Rioja for only $8.99. This has been a well known
>>Spanish QPR for a while - but usually at $10 or $11.
>>
>>* Torbreck Juveniles for $17.42
>>
>>* A Monbazillac (375 ml) for only $7.99.
>>
>>Lots of others.
>>
>>
>>Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
>>selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
>>Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.

gerald wrote:
> I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie
> hanf and dart drug).
> any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.
> most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy
> vintage.
> most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.
> prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).
> almost all sales are on mystery wines.
> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:49:34 -0800, AxisOfBeagles >
> wrote:

Actually the company is from New Jersey. They bought Herbert Haft's 5
Total Wine stores in Northern Virginia at least 5 years after they
were operating two stores in Maryland and more to the north. They
did have some very knowledgeable people working in their stores but
there is no doubt that they had a lot of people that were fairly
new to wine pushing stuff they had never tasted. Most of the people
in this group would go into a warehouse to 'buy' rather than wanting
someone to 'sell' to them.
I found over the years that they stock a lot of different Chards
and Shiraz but are light on Zin, Cab and Italian. You will never
find the new hot wine there. Very conservative buyers that are using
last year's catalog.

On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:03:39 -0500, gerald > wrote:

>I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie
>hanf and dart drug).
>
>any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.
>
>most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy
>vintage.
>
>most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.
>
>prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).
>
>almost all sales are on mystery wines.

I'm not a collector of wines nor am I one that quibbles over this
vintage or that. I do know that if I want a bottle or two of good
drinkable wine for a party or a special meal Total Beverage is the
place I go here in Northern Va. For me the next step up is COSTCO.
If I want a real special bottle I go to one of the better wine shops
in DC during my lunch hour.

What I really like Total Bev for is their selections of Stouts,
Porters, and heavy Ales. Since they sell it by the bottle many a time
I will walk out of there wit a box of 24 bottles, 2 bottles per brand.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The email address associated with this messages is a SPAM trap that
is automatically deleted before downloaded to my PC.

gerald wrote on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:03:39 -0500:

g>I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total
Beverage(herbie
g>hanf and dart drug).

Yes, I live there too! The Hafts killed a lot of smaller local
bookstores by discount pricing and then went out of business
themselves because of a massive family fight. Damn them!

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Jan 26, 8:49�pm, AxisOfBeagles > wrote:
> Went down to the grand opening of Total Wine, the big east coast wine
> merchant that has now opened their first California store in Roseville
> (right near the BevMo, actually).
>
> First impression on walking in is - big, big inventory, and well
> merchandised. After a few minutes of walking around, had to go back and
> get a cart, because the next impression was - "there are some deals
> here".
>
> While many of the aisles are the same-old, same-old, some is definitely
> harder to find, or at least harder to find at those prices.
>
> We picked up a few things, here are some highlights ...
>
> * 2005 Bordeaux - the store has more in stock than anyone outside of
> K&L, that I know of.
>
> * 2004 Calon-Segur for $29.99. R u kidding?! Can't find this for much
> less than $40 anywhere else. Picked up 3 more to add to the inventory I
> already have - which I got pre-arrival for about $37. Sheesh.
>
> * 2004 Montebuena Rioja for only $8.99. This has been a well known
> Spanish QPR for a while - but usually at $10 or $11.
>
> * Torbreck Juveniles for $17.42
>
> * A Monbazillac (375 ml) for only $7.99.
>
> Lots of others.
>
> Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
> selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
> Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.

thanks for post. In-laws live in Sacramento, hopefully this is closer
to them than Corti Bros! Will keep in mind for next visit.

In article >,
Bill Loftin > wrote:

> gerald wrote:
> > I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie
> > hanf and dart drug).
> > any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.
> > most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy
> > vintage.
> > most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.
> > prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).
> > almost all sales are on mystery wines.
> > On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:49:34 -0800, AxisOfBeagles >
> > wrote:
>
> Actually the company is from New Jersey. They bought Herbert Haft's 5
> Total Wine stores in Northern Virginia at least 5 years after they
> were operating two stores in Maryland and more to the north. They
> did have some very knowledgeable people working in their stores but
> there is no doubt that they had a lot of people that were fairly
> new to wine pushing stuff they had never tasted. Most of the people
> in this group would go into a warehouse to 'buy' rather than wanting
> someone to 'sell' to them.
> I found over the years that they stock a lot of different Chards
> and Shiraz but are light on Zin, Cab and Italian. You will never
> find the new hot wine there. Very conservative buyers that are using
> last year's catalog.

We have them here in Virginia Beach and I have been totally unimpressed
with their stock or sales people.

In article <2008012621560916807-me@donotreplycom>,
AxisOfBeagles > wrote:

> I noticed quite a few large selections of big name negociant wines, and
> some extensive inventory of labels that I absolutely did not recognize
> - possibly 'house brands'?
>
> Amazing number of personnel - and most were ever-present, keen to try
> to help. As always, I politely decline help - I can browse quite ably
> all by myself. Sure was pleased with some of those prices tho. Good
> thought - they may be 'opening day' prices, and I might want to scour
> the inventory online and go pick up any that are particularly good
> bargains before those prices disappear.
>
>
> On 2008-01-26 18:34:36 -0800, Joseph Coulter > said:
> >
> > They have reputation for big selection but also agressive bait and
> > switch to house brands by sales team. At least that is the 411 in FL.

Buy when they first open because the local store is selling at full
price for the 2005 Bordeaux wines.

"Joseph Coulter" > wrote in message
. 97.136...
> AxisOfBeagles > wrote in news:2008012616493416807-
> me@donotreplycom:
>
>
>
>>
>> Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
>> selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
>> Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.
>>
>>
>
> They have reputation for big selection but also agressive bait and
> switch to house brands by sales team. At least that is the 411 in FL.
>
Joseph,
I've not experienced this in their Claymont Delaware store. The staff there
are knowledgeable and helpful. They have turned me on to many new wines and
helped me locate wines I was looking for they didn't have in stock.

Jon

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:38:48 -0500, Lawrence Leichtman
> wrote:

>
>We have them here in Virginia Beach and I have been totally unimpressed
>with their stock or sales people.

I visit my in-laws in Va. Beach several times a year. Are there shops
you would recommend? I haven't had very good luck.

Thanks.

In article >,
Casey Miller > wrote:

> On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:38:48 -0500, Lawrence Leichtman
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >We have them here in Virginia Beach and I have been totally unimpressed
> >with their stock or sales people.
>
> I visit my in-laws in Va. Beach several times a year. Are there shops
> you would recommend? I haven't had very good luck.
>
> Thanks.

PJ Baggins on Laskin Road is the only high end wine store in Tidewater VA

In article >,
"Zeppo" > wrote:

> "Joseph Coulter" > wrote in message
> . 97.136...
> > AxisOfBeagles > wrote in news:2008012616493416807-
> > me@donotreplycom:
> >
> >
> >
> >>
> >> Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
> >> selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
> >> Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.
> >>
> >>
> >
> > They have reputation for big selection but also agressive bait and
> > switch to house brands by sales team. At least that is the 411 in FL.
> >
> Joseph,
> I've not experienced this in their Claymont Delaware store. The staff there
> are knowledgeable and helpful. They have turned me on to many new wines and
> helped me locate wines I was looking for they didn't have in stock.
>
> Jon

Not here, They are neither knowledgeable or for that matter helpful.
They don't do bait and switch but it is what it is. They generally will
not help with getting wines they don't have in stock and that is true in
all 3 Tidewater locations.

On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:10:59 -0500, Lawrence Leichtman
> wrote:

>In article >,
> Casey Miller > wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:38:48 -0500, Lawrence Leichtman
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >We have them here in Virginia Beach and I have been totally unimpressed
>> >with their stock or sales people.
>>
>> I visit my in-laws in Va. Beach several times a year. Are there shops
>> you would recommend? I haven't had very good luck.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
>PJ Baggins on Laskin Road is the only high end wine store in Tidewater VA

Thanks. I'll seek it out.