Happy new year to you please.  Hope you enjoyed the year end celebration, and may this year be the best one yet.  Here at Gates, we are always glad to see you and answer any questions you may have, particularly wine and spirit related.  Check out our seasonal wine rack we are assembling, comprised of “new wines for a new year”.  We will be highlighting unique wines from all over the world, and at all different prices.  They may seem a little obscure, but that’s the fun.  The more you try, the more you understand.  There is no such thing as too diverse in the world of wine.  After all, variety is the… well you know; I don’t think I have to say it.

Also, make sure to check out our staff picks.  As always, we will be choosing an exceptional wine and an exceptional value.  We are in this business because of our passion for the drink, and we have the advantage of tasting many wines frequently.  Read through what we have to say, as it may be quite helpful in unearthing a new find.  New this year, we will also be choosing staff favorite spirits and liqueurs.  So be sure to look for our monthly selections of these as well.  We are always working on updating our website, and are really excited about our ever expanding blog.  Look for updates from different staff members, as we all have diverse styles, tastes, specialties, and definitely different ways of expressing them.

Free education classes will be starting up again.  The first class will be Saturday, January 21st at noon.  We are still working on choosing the perfect topic to start with, as there are so many options.  Look for more information on our website, or just ask next time you stop by the store to stock up.  Take advantage of our discounts on quantity purchases, 10% on any six bottles of wine and 15% on a dozen (no further discounts on sale items).  Make sure you aren’t left with an empty glass when the snow hits.  We do live in Buffalo.

Even though the New Year celebration is over, don’t forget about Champagne and sparkling wine.  Bubbly is great on many occasion.  There is immense variety in sparklers from around the world, and they all make great pairings with different foods.  I personally don’t like to show up for brunch without a bottle of Cava (Spanish sparkling) or Prosecco (Italian sparkling).  If the host or guests get lucky, they may even find themselves sipping on Champagne.

As many of you already know, there is no feeling comparable to that of indulging in a great bottle of wine.  There is no price in the definition of great, as greatness is determined from how you feel after the first, as well as last taste.  Once again, preference is at play.  No one bottle is “better” than the next.  Enjoy what you like; enjoy it often.  To drink is to release in life, so release.  The connection between art and taste is found in wine.  The idea of perception, the perception of preference, and the ideal of these ideas are concepts to always consider.  Did I just go too far?  Sorry, but all is fair in love and wine.  

This month I would like to thank everyone at Gates Circle.  I hope that you have noticed, as I regularly do, how the store is always well and splendidly stocked, as well as always in smooth operating order.  They never fear a little, or a lot of work.  My job is made easy on a daily basis due to them.  It is truly amazing how they, at all times, allow and encourage me to be the best I can be.  Thank you all for being good people.  They have assembled a great staff of honest, hard-working, and just genuinely fun people.  They have made my job delightful.  This is Tyler, signing off.  Until next time.  

“I only take a drink on two occasions – when I’m thirsty and when I’m not” – Brendan Behan