Pricing, Service, Selection... since 1957
by Tobin Sharp
February, while the second month of the calendar year, has, at Hi-Time, traditionally been our "first month" of the new year-- generally following a busy fourth quarter (and 2014 was awesome, thanks to you our loyal friends and customers!) led by such holidays as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's celebrations. January has been our recovery month for many years. It's a time for us to get the store re-stocked and shipshape for the upcoming year while also spurring us to come up with ideas and plans for the next 11 months.
It has been when we've mapped out the newsletter for February-- specifically-- while eyeing the rest of the year as well and trying to think ahead. Since I took over as newsletter editor (way back in June, 1998), this has been an annual ritual. A couple of years ago we made the decision to cease the "dead tree" version (i.e. "paper") as both printing and paper costs, and environmental concerns, made strong arguments against the newsprint line.
After much thought over the last year, and final meetings in January, we have decided to focus our storyline (that of our store and the great drams, etc., we carry) away from a monthly newsletter and toward a trio of online media outlets: this blog, our almost-daily emails and social media (mainly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with perhaps more to follow).
Our emails, in conjunction with our website, will be the main sales portal and source of all that's new, cool or on sale here at the shop. When we get the latest and greatest high-scoring California Cab, or Bordeaux, rare Bourbon or Scotch, hoppiest beer around, etc., we will most likely let you know via email.
The blog will undoubtedly cover some of the same topics as our emails but will afford us the chance to go into more depth, maybe covering a bit more history, perhaps have an interview with the creator of the featured beverage of the day. It will also allow us to quickly get the word out on items that are important but maybe not necessarily something we'd email. Last call on a particular wine. One more case of that one beer was found. One of our favorite winemakers is stopping by this afternoon. It will also be a place where our staff can talk about what we're drinking, or places we've visited, vineyards we've strolled through. Many of the traditional newsletter items (wine of the month, featured wineries, et al) will be seen here and perhaps in briefer format in our emails. It will undoubtedly morph a bit here and there, as we delve deeper into the well of words (in conjunction with our whisky tumblers) as the year progresses, but our goal is to make it interesting and informative.
Social Media covers a little bit of everything-- news about what's going on at the wine bar or in the store, hopefully humorous items related to booze, items of interest to help us all get through the work week on the way to the weekend. It's really just a great way to be in touch with you all and be there to answer questions, get a chuckle now and then, keep the narrative moving forward (toward Friday!).
Our goal is to provide the same information we have in the past but in a more immediate way across the three platforms mentioned above. Underlying all of this are the three main pillars we stand upon at Hi-Time, and have done so since 1957: fair pricing, excellent service, tremendous selection.
We look forward to seeing you all online and instore this year-- Cheers!
***
February 2015 Wine of the Month
Mas Grand Plagniol "Tradition Rouge" $10.99 [334188]
Costières de Nîmes
50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
Cyril Marès has several vintages under his belt now and father Roger has happily handed over title to the domaine. The wines always show exceptional aromatic appeal, supple texture and uncannily intelligent balance between fruit and oak. We never seem to buy enough of them, mainly because they have little to sell. Wines like these offer incontrovertible proof that not much money can buy you a lot of love. In a market now brimming with Nîmois wines, these remain at the top of the pile.
The great ones do their best work in the lesser vintages, as proved by Cyril in years like 2008 and 2002. We challenge you to find a wine that better combines aromatic flair, suave texture and sheerly delicious spicy Rhône fruit at such a silly price.
Our tasting notes: The nose is rich, sweet, dark and spicy-- cassis, raw meat, boysenberry, dark florals & spices, vinous plum and assorted blue/purple fruits, black tea. The palate is full of dark fruits, blue to purple to black. Subtle tannins and excellent acidity keep the wine buoyant, not bogged down. Notes of cola berry, mixed herbs and baking/brown spices are reinforced by a layer of bright fruit in the mid-palate. The finish is lengthy with sustained notes of reiterated dark fruits and spices.
by Tobin Sharp
February, while the second month of the calendar year, has, at Hi-Time, traditionally been our "first month" of the new year-- generally following a busy fourth quarter (and 2014 was awesome, thanks to you our loyal friends and customers!) led by such holidays as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's celebrations. January has been our recovery month for many years. It's a time for us to get the store re-stocked and shipshape for the upcoming year while also spurring us to come up with ideas and plans for the next 11 months.It has been when we've mapped out the newsletter for February-- specifically-- while eyeing the rest of the year as well and trying to think ahead. Since I took over as newsletter editor (way back in June, 1998), this has been an annual ritual. A couple of years ago we made the decision to cease the "dead tree" version (i.e. "paper") as both printing and paper costs, and environmental concerns, made strong arguments against the newsprint line.
After much thought over the last year, and final meetings in January, we have decided to focus our storyline (that of our store and the great drams, etc., we carry) away from a monthly newsletter and toward a trio of online media outlets: this blog, our almost-daily emails and social media (mainly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with perhaps more to follow).
Our emails, in conjunction with our website, will be the main sales portal and source of all that's new, cool or on sale here at the shop. When we get the latest and greatest high-scoring California Cab, or Bordeaux, rare Bourbon or Scotch, hoppiest beer around, etc., we will most likely let you know via email.
The blog will undoubtedly cover some of the same topics as our emails but will afford us the chance to go into more depth, maybe covering a bit more history, perhaps have an interview with the creator of the featured beverage of the day. It will also allow us to quickly get the word out on items that are important but maybe not necessarily something we'd email. Last call on a particular wine. One more case of that one beer was found. One of our favorite winemakers is stopping by this afternoon. It will also be a place where our staff can talk about what we're drinking, or places we've visited, vineyards we've strolled through. Many of the traditional newsletter items (wine of the month, featured wineries, et al) will be seen here and perhaps in briefer format in our emails. It will undoubtedly morph a bit here and there, as we delve deeper into the well of words (in conjunction with our whisky tumblers) as the year progresses, but our goal is to make it interesting and informative.
Social Media covers a little bit of everything-- news about what's going on at the wine bar or in the store, hopefully humorous items related to booze, items of interest to help us all get through the work week on the way to the weekend. It's really just a great way to be in touch with you all and be there to answer questions, get a chuckle now and then, keep the narrative moving forward (toward Friday!).
Our goal is to provide the same information we have in the past but in a more immediate way across the three platforms mentioned above. Underlying all of this are the three main pillars we stand upon at Hi-Time, and have done so since 1957: fair pricing, excellent service, tremendous selection.
We look forward to seeing you all online and instore this year-- Cheers!
***
February 2015 Wine of the MonthMas Grand Plagniol "Tradition Rouge" $10.99 [334188]
Costières de Nîmes
50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
Cyril Marès has several vintages under his belt now and father Roger has happily handed over title to the domaine. The wines always show exceptional aromatic appeal, supple texture and uncannily intelligent balance between fruit and oak. We never seem to buy enough of them, mainly because they have little to sell. Wines like these offer incontrovertible proof that not much money can buy you a lot of love. In a market now brimming with Nîmois wines, these remain at the top of the pile.
The great ones do their best work in the lesser vintages, as proved by Cyril in years like 2008 and 2002. We challenge you to find a wine that better combines aromatic flair, suave texture and sheerly delicious spicy Rhône fruit at such a silly price.
Our tasting notes: The nose is rich, sweet, dark and spicy-- cassis, raw meat, boysenberry, dark florals & spices, vinous plum and assorted blue/purple fruits, black tea. The palate is full of dark fruits, blue to purple to black. Subtle tannins and excellent acidity keep the wine buoyant, not bogged down. Notes of cola berry, mixed herbs and baking/brown spices are reinforced by a layer of bright fruit in the mid-palate. The finish is lengthy with sustained notes of reiterated dark fruits and spices.
