Wine and Whine

So there’s a story you might like. Years ago I went to Central Liquors. It’s in downtown DC. It’s the kind of place you remember going to when you were very drunk late on a Saturday night. I was into wine and the Wine Spectator had run ads that Central Liquors was selling Chateau DuCru for $59 a bottle, which seemed odd because everyone else was selling it for $89. Naturally, I had to go investigate. I’m nosing around the store when a guy in a gray sweatshirt and similarly styled sweatpants says, “Can I help you?” My first impression was he was an electrician’s apprentice. (too old to be that, but that was my impression.) I say, “Yeah.” And ask my question. When I finish he says, “I paid $59 a bottle for that lot. I’ve got some in the back that I’ll sell for $89 when that runs out.” Okay. I now know he’s the owner. Then he says, “But if you like that …” and he motions me to follow him to the back of the store. Next thing we are at a little table filled with wine bottles swirling glasses, sniffing and drinking. I’m leaving the store with two cases and have spent $250 (this is like 30 years ago.) I’m half in the bag. He’s got a table up front with wine on sale. I’ve got an open slot in one of the boxes. I ask if anything on here is any good. He says, “Yeah.” and pulls out this bottle – half price, 50 bucks. “Why half price?” I ask. “Didn’t sell,” he says. I buy it. Gaja Barolo. The Gaja family brought back the Barolo grape. It is the top of that wine. From Northern Italy. Now, I’ve got a problem. What am I going to do with one bottle of this kind of wine? Mi Ann, Scott Skinner, Dean Jordan, Jose, Ron, Blake – I ask you? Well, Corey comes to town. We have dinner. I serve the wine. He says, “This is pretty good. How much does it cost?” I say, “One hundred bucks.” He nearly choked. Yeah, it was worth every penny.