Welcome back to the Gates Circle Fine Wine and Liquor. With the season change, we are doing more than just spring cleaning. As you have probably noticed, we redecorated the fine wine room with breathtakingly beautiful stained glass a month ago, and that’s just a start. We are now constructing a gorgeous tasting bar with a refrigerator and even a sink. One more step we are taking to further your shopping, and tasting, experience here at Gates. Make sure to check out our website at http://gatescircleliquor.com/ for upcoming events, and stop by and ask about our free wine education classes held every other Saturday.

                With warmer weather near, the staff has assembled a selection of wine perfect for spring. We have picked out some impressive whites, rosés, and sparklers that are guaranteed to refresh you this season. Also, we have chosen some lighter easy-drinking, but still delightful red wines that are well suited for patio enjoyment or a nice dinner. Feel free to ask us about them and we will, as always, oblige.

                We have recently brought in a Spanish line-up of Riojas from Ermita. We have a couple reds, a white, and a rosé. All are of exceptional quality, and are impeccably priced. We had the privilege of meeting the wine maker, which is one of the many perks to our jobs, as he came in for a private tasting. It is great to hear the story of production, the history, and especially why the wines are made the way we are. We here at Gates Circle are constantly in the pursuit of knowledge, and are always excited to share with you what we have learned. Feel free to ask away, or just chat about your most recent discovery in the vast world of wine and spirit.

                All of us here love our drink and are extremely passionate about it. I’m sure you have taken notice. As mentioned earlier, we are always looking to expand our artillery of information and know-how. This is incredibly important to me, especially in a world that is ever-changing. It is not often enough that employers drive employees to gain such a wealth of knowledge. I would like to thank ownership and management for allowing me to grow as I have. Just a year ago I found myself attempting to decipher a wine list, usually to failure. I now have the confidence and experience needed to do so easily. I would walk in to a wine shop and grab whatever, usually to disappointment. I now find myself educating employees at wine shops when I’m out of town. That’s cool. That is what happens when working at Gates for a while, as it has happened to us all. I am extraordinarily thankful to all that have assisted and to those who have given me the time and resource needed. This is information that I will always use and knowledge I can never lose. So again, please feel free to ask questions.

                Now I would like to speak of a more pressing matter. In the past, New York State residence played a crucial role in the decision to keep wine out of supermarkets. This would have been devastating to retail shops, local wineries, and especially the wine consumer. That law, if put in place, would have left you in the dark when shopping for the right bottle. There would be no informed associates to assist, and a very boring selection. This would make your wine buying experience as boring, if not more so, as grocery shopping. Now, another predicament has arisen. Something called the “At Rest Act” has been proposed to New York legislature by two distributors. These two distributors are by far the biggest in New York State. This act would force shipments from out of state to sit “at rest” in New York for a period of two days. This might not sound like much, but would be devastating to all the small companies that carry our favorite wines. These companies have warehouses in New Jersey, as the cost is significantly less. If they are forced to store in New York, their expenses would increase substantially, in turn raising prices to the consumer. Also, inadequate facilities in New York City may be used causing damage to the wine. If you are a concerned resident and consumer, let your opinion be known. Here is a petition http://signon.org/sign/ny-state-senate-do-not?source=s.tw&r_by=2998101

                Thank you, and see you soon.