Ace Beverage - Terrific Wine and Liquor Store in Wesley Heights Featuring Our Own Joe Riley

[Joe Riley]

(Admins/Moderators: feel free to remove this or close this on Thursday)

Ace Beverage at 3301 New Mexico Avenue NW (the Foxhall Square building)
has free passes good for 2 people each, for an advanced screening of the new Ralph Feinnes movie "The Constant Gardener" for this Wednesday, August 24th, at 7:30 at the Landmark Theatres E St. Cinema (E street and 11th NW)

Seats are NOT guaranteed and are limited to theatre capacity and are first-come, first-served. No one will be admitted after the screening begins, either so ARRIVE EARLY.

Here's a little info on the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387131/

No purchase necessary. The passes will be on the front counter, but I hope that any Rockwellians will take the time to say "hi".

Sorry to post something so completely unrelated to the topics and themes here, but these passes just arrived, and I wanted to offer the community here an evening's free entertainment. Besides, then you can go out and grab a late bite and post about it here, and especially the wine you had

[Joe Riley]

German wines are argueably my absolute favorites.

Give me the names and I can obtain them for you and I'll make the prices worth your while.

Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

[DonRocks]

I'm splitting this into a new topic because I can say, without question, that Joe Riley is a GREAT person to know for any customer serious (or eager) about wine.

Expert or novice, I would not hesitate to seek out his guidance. And I have on several occasions, too. He's knowledgable, trustworthy, truly loves wine, and treats whatever "profit" his store makes as the result of his hard work, and not as any sort of pre-planned goal.

Ace Beverage (202) 966-4444.

Joe, when can I pick up my Dauvissat?

Rocks.

[Joe Riley]

Joe, when can I pick up my Dauvissat?

Rocks.

Oh, please, not YET! I just got the cases angled properly for my feet, and I'll never be allowed to buy an ottoman with store funds

You're too much, Rocks.

Some men are born to greatness, others have it thrust upon them. And then there's me, who risks stumbling into it by the grace of Mr. Rockwell.

Good heavens, where to start?

Perhaps with a pontification? Let's see.....

THE VERY BEST WINE IN THE WORLD IS...... the one that someone ELSE is paying for!

(thank you, thank you, I'm here all week....Try the veal!)

Okay. So. Being that I work in Washington, DC. and our favorite indoor sport here is vetting people's qualifications for office, allow me to present my own.

I put the "sewer" in "wine connoisseur".

I put the "spurt" in "wine expert".

I know as much as some, and not as much as others, but I DO know more than any reasonable person ought to about our favorite beverage.

Go ahead and try and stump me - it's easier than you think.

What do I bring, you ask? Passion. There are so many great wines to be passionate and enthusiastic about, and legions of mediocre labels to be suffered through, that at this stage of my life the thing that gets me most excited in my job is finding something really worthwhile at an affordable price. With the weak dollar (vis a vis the Euro, at any rate) this has become increasingly difficult, but I soldier on.

I also ignore most of the wine press. The Wine Spectator? The Wine Advocate? Don't read 'em. Heck, I barely have time to read the Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine that my dear sister renews for me every Christmas, but it isn't because of some reverse-snobbism on my part. I'm just not driven that way.

I used to be, but most wine magazines are lifestyle magazines, and don't really get down into what I'm truly interested in. I'd rather hear from the people who actually drink the stuff. I might get back into reading the Wine Advocate, since my friend David Schildknecht is writing for it now. David makes for incredibly worthwhile reading. I also have to see what Mr. Tanzer is doing these days, I've neglected the International Wine Review, again due to lack of time.

Conflicting streams of thought? Not really. I'd like to read them because of the people behind them who I know, and THEY interest me, but I'm not into the "point system". I always said that if I ever opened my own wine store, I'd call it "The Pointless Wine Shop"

I'm opinionated as all get-out, except when I'm not. And you can take that to the bank.

[V.H.]

For sushi lovers, Ace Beverage is a very short jaunt (by car) from Kotobuki.

[Joe Riley]

For sushi lovers, Ace Beverage is a very short jaunt (by car) from Kotobuki.

Only about 4 minutes, 2 if you drive the way that I do.

We have a lot of great saké, too, in various sizes and containers. I recently got Rocks hooked on what is being called "box saké", which comes in containers that we are used to seeing milk or juice in. Both 900ml and 2.0L size, which fits perfectly on a refridgerator shelf, and it's REALLY good saké!

I also have the most amazing plum wine - Choya Ume Plum. You can find it at Sushi-Ko, and if you have a Saké-tini at Kaz sushi bistro, it is made with 2/3 Choya and 1/3 saké with bits of chopped plum in the martini glass. Tasty stuff! If you read that information about it on their website, you wonder why we aren't all drinking it, it sounds so healthy for you.

[Joe Riley]

One thing that we do that a lot of customers have fun with is out close-outs, which are dne in different ways.

We have a $5 "blue bin special", where every wine in there is $5. Some might have ruined labels, some might be getting long in the tooth, but we believe that every wine there is still drinkable. If you buy one, and it's bad, PLEASE bring it back and we'll swap it out for another $5 bottle.

We also have open cases on the floor which are all priced as marked.

Additionally, there is a display with whites on one side and reds on the other, and all those wines are priced as marked as well.

There are also liquor close-outs, those products which simply don't sell, at least in our store, which are just taking up room.

We also have beer close-outs, where all standard-sized beers are $0.75, or a 6-pack for $4. Larger-sized beers are $3.99.

Why do we have this? Simple: 95% of our business is with caterers, and we are constantly having to buy wines that we don't usually carry for specific events and when they are over, we often have wine that we don't have room or display space for, and our storage space is limited.

We're also not running a wine museum, this stuff has to go!

[Waitman]

I'm splitting this into a new topic because I can say, without question, that Joe Riley is a GREAT person to know for any customer serious (or eager) about wine.

Expert or novice, I would not hesitate to seek out his guidance.  And I have on several occasions, too.  He's knowledgable, trustworthy, truly loves wine, and treats whatever "profit" his store makes as the result of his hard work, and not as any sort of pre-planned goal.

Ace Beverage (202) 966-4444.

Joe, when can I pick up my Dauvissat?

Rocks.

I'll pick that up for you, Rocks. Ace is just around the corner from my kid's school. Really, it's no problem.

[mr food]

Hi Joe,

I remember buying wine from you at Bottom Line in Georgetown. What ever happened to that lawyer who owned it? I think I came into Ace a few years ago and spoke with you there.

[Capital Icebox]

We also have open cases on the floor which are all priced as marked.

There are also liquor close-outs, those products which simply don't sell, at least in our store, which are just taking up room.

We also have beer close-outs, where all standard-sized beers are $0.75, or a 6-pack for $4.  Larger-sized beers are $3.99.

A question for Joe (and, I guess, Don): would it be possible to post about these closeouts as they occur, or are they pretty much an everyday thing? Or does Ace have a mailing list?

Many thanks.

[Joe Riley]

Hi Joe,

I remember buying wine from you at Bottom Line in Georgetown. What ever happened to that lawyer who owned it? I think I came into Ace a few years ago and spoke with you there.

I'm not really sure. He had to close Bottom Line Wine, but I guess he still has the B license. You can't move it, though.

He still runs the Wine Rack wine storage facility there, but I took my wine out of there a couple of years ago, I simply couldn't afford the rent anymore (I had almost 95 cases stored there).

He was/is a lawyer, I guess that's what he does these days.

[Joe Riley]

A question for Joe (and, I guess, Don):  would it be possible to post about these closeouts as they occur, or are they pretty much an everyday thing?  Or does Ace have a mailing list?

Many thanks.

I can try to, but for the most part, these are single case lots, and they can go quickly sometimes. I'll see what I can do though.

We don't have a mailing list (yet) nor a website (yet) but we're working on it. My boss is something of a Luddite and has to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I once kidded him about being the greatest 19th century wine merchant in the country

[CrescentFresh]

A question for Joe (and, I guess, Don):  would it be possible to post about these closeouts as they occur, or are they pretty much an everyday thing?  Or does Ace have a mailing list?

Many thanks.

Great. I can see the announcements coming and next thing you know, we're all crowding at the doors of Ace Beverage waiting for them to open like it's Walmart on Black Friday. Then we rush inside, each grabbing at the same bottles and clubbing each other like baby seals.

[V.H.]

I'm not really sure.  He had to close Bottom Line Wine, but I guess he still has the B license.  You can't move it, though.

He still runs the Wine Rack wine storage facility there, but I took my wine out of there a couple of years ago, I simply couldn't afford the rent anymore (I had almost 95 cases stored there).

He was/is a lawyer, I guess that's what he does these days.

You mean you had about 95 personal cases of wine? That must have been some party when you moved it all out.

[Joe Riley]

You mean you had about 95 personal cases of wine?  That must have been some party when you moved it all out.

The party is pending Someday...someday....

[Sthitch]

Joe,

By chance do you sell Egly-Ouriet Champagne?

[Joe Riley]

Joe,

By chance do you sell  Egly-Ouriet Champagne?

I don't have it, but I should be able to special-order it. I have a salesman checking into that for me right now. I'll let you know!

[alan7147]

Joe,

By chance do you sell  Egly-Ouriet Champagne?

Any one in particular? I believe they have a brut, grand cru brut and a grand Cru Brut Vieilles Vignes.

[Stretch]

I recently got Rocks hooked on what is being called "box saké", which comes in containers that we are used to seeing milk or juice in.  Both 900ml and 2.0L size, which fits perfectly on a refridgerator shelf, and it's REALLY good saké!

I know I'm a bit late, but this explains a lot!

[liam]

Joe,

The 2001 and 2002 German riesling vintages certainly were spectacular. Fortunately, we've squirreled several bottles away in our basement, including a few picked up at a recent end of bin sale here in Madison, WI.

I'd be interested to hear your opinion about the 2003 and 2004 German vintages, particularly in Mosel and Pfalz. Any great values out there that folks in the DC area should pounce on?

Edited October 25, 2005 by liam

[Joe Riley]

Joe,

The 2001 and 2002 German riesling vintages certainly were spectacular. Fortunately, we've squirreled several bottles away in our basement, including a few picked up at a recent end of bin sale here in Madison, WI.

I'd be interested to hear your opinion about the 2003 and 2004 German vintages, particularly in Mosel and Pfalz. Any great values out there that folks in the DC area should pounce on?

Hi Liam,

Unfortunately, because the dollar has lost over 50% of it's value against the Euro since January of '03, the values have been disappearing.

Fortunately, there are still good wines to be found that won't break you.

One of my standby wines is the Rudi Wiest Rhine Riesling, which is actually custom made for the U.S. importer (Mr. Wiest) by the grower who is argueably the best in the Rheinhessen: Fritz Hasselbach of Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim. It is sealed with a screw-top closure and always delivers the goods. It's $10.99, too.

Terry Theise has a lovely Mosel regional wine that he and Johannes Selbach (Selbach-Oster) bottle every year now and it is simply called "TJ Riesling", the T being for Terry and the J being for Johannes. It is unmistakeably Mosel wine (wet slate, apple) and it is in a clear Bordeaux-style bottle so as not to frighten those who see tall green or brown bottles and run out of the room. Around $10-11.

Please note, there are scores of what I call "cheap" German wines, but many of these are of questionable origin (the German wine laws are not without their loopholes) and "cheap" should never be a mutually inclusive term with "value".

I'm not saying that every German wine need be an ESTATE-BOTTLED one, though those are of the most interest to me, but they should be honest.

Many wine drinkers who know "Piesporter Michelsberg" are used to the idea that this represents inexpensive German wine, but that vineyard is absolutely enormous, and represents a lot of what is wrong with German wine (overcropped, etc..). Want to know what GREAT wine from Piesport is? Try Reinhold Haart's Piesporter Goldtropfchen wines. Not "cheap" but I guarantee that if you try a bottle of his, you will say to yourself, "AH, so THAT'S what all the fuss about Piesporter wines is supposed to be about!"

In the interest of full-disclosure, I do not currently have any Rheinhold Haart for sale, but it is easily available to me. I'm not "pushing" anything here and if I were, I'd freely admit it. I prefer the honest approach

I'm actually going to work this weekend on improving and cleaning out our German and Austrian section a bit. I'd like to offer some new wines.

As for the 2003 and 2004 vintages, I'd rather refer you to Mr Wiest (http://www.germanwine.net/) and Mr. Theise (http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/2004vtgupdate.html) and their expert opinions (granted, they DO have sales agendas, but they want your reeturn business too, as do I!) I hope that Mr. Parker will allow David Schildknecht to write about German wines extensively, even if it's only online. I take David's word as gospel in this area.

For an even more informed assessment on German vintages, check out Bill Mayer's newsletters in .pdf format here: http://www.theageofriesling.com/newsletter.html Bill is the formost retailer of German wine in the United States, very passionate and informed and experienced.

[liam]

This is great stuff, Joe. Thanks much!

I've always done well in the $20-40 range with German rieslings. It's nice to have a few suggestions for more everyday drinking.

[Olivia255]

Not that my humble opinion counts or anything, but can I just say that in the personality, knowledge, and thoroughness departments, Joe Riley ROCKS!

Ok, I guess I just said it. Joe, you rock!

[Joe Riley]

This is great stuff, Joe. Thanks much!

I've always done well in the $20-40 range with German rieslings. It's nice to have a few suggestions for more everyday drinking.

Thanks, Liam. Yeah, in the $20-$40 department you can do VERY well, that's for sure!

[Joe Riley]

Not that my humble opinion counts or anything, but can I just say that in the personality, knowledge, and thoroughness departments, Joe Riley ROCKS!

Ok, I guess I just said it.  Joe, you rock!

(blushes) Correction: DON Rocks. I rule

[Joe Riley]

Scrumptious Pinot Noirs.

I had the pleasure of trying some incredibly delicious Pinots from Oregon (and one from California) yesterday that were new to me, and I can't wait to tell you about them.

But I don't have all the pricing information yet

Stay tuned. These are some rockin' wines, and would be great with Thanksgiving dinner, too.

I'll try to update this today.

[Barbara]

Thanks for this info. There's a whole lot I don't know about wines in general and Champagne in particular, but having a helpful vendor is half the battle. I particularly appreciate your analysis of the rise in prices for the big guys.

Budweiser is the biggest selling beer in the United States.  Is it because it is the best-tasting?  No, it's because it offends the fewest number of people.

It offends the hell out of me. I won't drink the stuff, period. It sells because of the advertising and the PRICE. It is cheap stuff--the beer equivalent of "wine in a box," which I also won't drink. We are people who will never have a wine cellar and don't subscribe to the wine magazines, either. But, we drink wine with dinner every night and it's real thrill to find an inexpensive bottle of wine that we just love to drink.

[Joe Riley]

we drink wine with dinner every night and it's real thrill to find an inexpensive bottle of wine that we just love to drink.

And THAT is the hardest task of my job, finding inexpensive wines that I think are worthwhile, not merely above average or acceptable, but truly gratifying. It isn't easy. I think that most of the inexpensive South American wines that we get here are becoming increasingly forgettable, and though I understand that there is currently a Spanish wine boom here in the U.S., I continue to be uninspired by them. Sure, I can appreciate some of the classic estates, but I cannot remember the last time that I tasted a Spanish red that caused me to say, "Wow, I have GOT to stock this!" or even buy a case for myself. I can't explain it, I just think that I'm too into French/Italian/German/Austrian wines to allow for much else. I like a lot of New Zealand wines, and there are some South African wines that I like (some nice values, too) and there are a couple of Argentine wines that I think are awesome. California? Give me Zins, give me Syrahs, Pinots and some wonderfully unhearalded wines such as Carignane and Mourvedre, and treat them properly. I'm finicky, but I've earned it with the ocean of boredom that I've had to deal with over the years.

Oh, and I can't drink Budweiser either unless I'm REALLY thirsty and hot and there are no other alternatives and it is served very cold.

Don't even get me started on light beer. I like the comedian who said that, "People who drink light beer don't really enjoy the taste, they just like to pee a lot."

[Barbara]

And THAT is the hardest task of my job, finding inexpensive wines that I think are worthwhile, not merely above average or acceptable, but truly gratifying.  It isn't easy.  I think that most of the inexpensive South American wines that we get here are becoming increasingly forgettable, and though I understand that there is currently a Spanish wine boom here in the U.S., I continue to be uninspired by them.  Sure, I can appreciate some of the classic estates, but I cannot remember the last time that I tasted a Spanish red that caused me to say, "Wow, I have GOT to stock this!" or even buy a case for myself.  I can't explain it, I just think that I'm too into French/Italian/German/Austrian wines to allow for much else.  I like a lot of New Zealand wines, and there are some South African wines that I like (some nice values, too) and there are a couple of Argentine wines that I think are awesome.  California?  Give me Zins, give me Syrahs, Pinots and some wonderfully unhearalded wines such as Carignane and Mourvedre, and treat them properly.  I'm finicky, but I've earned it with the ocean of boredom that I've had to deal with over the years.

Oh, and I can't drink Budweiser either unless I'm REALLY thirsty and hot and there are no other alternatives and it is served very cold.

Don't even get me started on light beer.  I like the comedian who said that, "People who drink light beer don't really enjoy the taste, they just like to pee a lot." 

Well, you may consider us Philistines, but we just LOVE Alamos Malbec from Argentina. For us, this was a FIND and I love it with steak. That and the "Terret Sauvignon Blanc" (Bellevue, or is it Belleview ?) from WF for $6.99. (The Chardonnay of the same brand sucks, in our view). We have paid MUCH more money for these types of wines in restaurants and in stores which don't compare in drinkability.

I won't drink Bud or any of its cousins under ANY circumstances. Strangely enough, I'm one of those who thinks "Life's too short to drink cheap beer" considering that pretty good beer can be had for about 7$ (or less) a six-pack. And, the better the beer, the longer I can nurse a bottle. But, beer is almost exclusively a Summer drink for me. I consider people who down a six-pack or two of Bud (or its equivalent) at a sitting to be nothing more than alcoholics. And don't get me started on going to a party and finding the wine to be that dreck of several liters packed in a plastic bag inside a cardboard box. Honestly, what are people thinking?

On the other hand, we have been burned by spending far more $$$ on Champagne and other wines which were, to say the least, disappointing. For our wedding (a simple lunch-time family affair, BTW), I bought a case of Henckel Trocken from Germany. Everybody LOVED it, including me, and it went very well with the food I had prepared.

To further complicate matters, vis-a-vis wine, it's a yearly thing. The last time I was at Firefly for Happy Hour, Wabeck featured a lovely wine. I asked him what it was and where he got it and found that it was the last of that particular year. And, it was a more obscure brand not usually stocked in most liquor stores. So much for buying any of THAT. I'm sure you understand the problem I am outlining here--another instance of "Too Soon Old, Too Late Wise."

[Joe Riley]

No Barbara, I don't think that you're Philistines, I'll bet that Alamos Malbec was good. I've had at least one previous vintage and thought it was okay, but for the same money I much preferred the Altos Las Hormigas Malbec. I think that Alamos does a good job. If you ever want to splurge a little bit, go for their "big brothers" the Catena Malbec and Cabernet.

I kinda think that this is how I judge a lot of wines, rightly or wrongly. I find one that to me defines a style or type and it becomes my yardstick by which I measure anything similar. Sure we all do that to an extent, but since I'm involved in commerce I have to decide, "is it better than what I already have?"

My store must have 23 diffferent New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. 23! Do we NEED 23? Probably not. I'm sure that we could easily halve that offering. We have over 20 west coast Pinot Gris wines - again, probably more than any reasonable store ought to have, and if it were left up to me, I'd probably get rid of several. I think that we have over 100 California Chardonnays, which is preposterous. 30 would probably work out fine.

I like really good beers with friends, or if I'm out for a pizza dinner at Paradiso on M St. (thanks to Thor for improving the beer selection!) And if I go to R.F.K. I make an effort to get some Foggy Bottom Pils or Red Hook, but otherwise I just don't drink much of it because it goes right to my waist, which needs no help in expanding.

[mr food]

Speaking of New Zealand, the buzz is that 2005 is a much better vintage than previous years for SB. I've had the basic 05 Nobilo and thought it indeed was better than its predecessors. Joe, you've probably tasted the 05 SBs, what's your take?

[JLK]

Two questions, Joe:

What's your exact address? How's your bourbon selection? Thanks!

[crackers]

What's your exact address? 

3301 New Mexico Ave. NW 20016.

[JLK]

How about my bourbon question - does anyone know the answer? Thanks.

[Joe Riley]

How about my bourbon question - does anyone know the answer?  Thanks.

We've got Bourbons galore. Lots of lovely bottlings at every price range.

My all-around favorite is the Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve, but I've also developed a love for the Corner Creek and the Black Maple Hill, both of whose prices are far from larcenous.

Stop on by, I'd love to show them to you.

[Barbara]

I'll bet that Alamos Malbec was good.  I've had at least one previous vintage and thought it was okay, but for the same money I much preferred the Altos Las Hormigas Malbec.

Joe, I found your recommendation in little liquor store best known for being a place to buy lottery tickets. You were right; it was delicious and much appreciated by the folks who drank it. Thanks for the tip.

[Joe Riley]

Joe, I found your recommendation in little liquor store best known for being a place to buy lottery tickets.    You were right; it was delicious and much appreciated by the folks who drank it.  Thanks for the tip.

Thank YOU, Barbara, for the feedback. Sounds like you had better luck than most of the folks who go in to buy lottery tickets - ha!

The bad news is, this wine is now out of stock until the new vintage, which should be available in January. I'm looking forward to it.

[Joe Riley]

WHile Ithere is lots to like at Ace, I dont recall being impressed with their Italian selection (while their Single Malts, Alsatian and odd reds from California get me all hot and bothered).

Well, it isn't for lack of trying. When was the last time you were in?

By the way, our Alsace selections right now are not what they used to be. I expect that to change this year, though. Eventually, we'll have Schoffit and Albert Mann back in, and we'll soon have Koehly. Boxler is the best guy in Alsace, we do have him. I avoid ZH like the plague, though - Olivier Humbrecht is one of the great winegrowers of the world, but their style leans towards the sweeter aspect of Alsace, plus the fact that they are SO expensive, so we just don't carry ZH. They can always be ordered, though.

Our single malt selection DOES rock and roll, if I do say so myself. We probably have around 60-70 selections at any given time.

[deangold]

  Well, it isn't for lack of trying.  When was the last time you were in?

so we just don't carry ZH.  They can always be ordered, though.

Our single malt selection DOES rock and roll, if I do say so myself.  We probably have around 60-70 selections at any given time.

Amen to ZH. Not my style at all. I will say it has been over a year since I was in to see your Italians. BUt like I said, the Malts and the california reds are the best in town by far. I dont drink a lot of French stuff so I wouldn't comment on those. What I do love about the store is that all the selections speak of some real passion and opinions on wine, and not just a buy everything or buy highyly rated wines mentality. If I were someone who did shop regularly in a retail environment, I would imagine it would be easy to calibrate my tastes to the tastes of the folk doing the buying there. To parapohrase spencer Tracy speaking of Katherine Hepburn... "There's not a lot there.... but what there is is choice". Ace is small but each section is developped with a lot of thought.

[Joe Riley]

Amen to ZH.  Not my style at all.  I will say it has been over a year since I was in to see your Italians.  BUt like I said, the Malts and the california reds are the best in town by far.  I dont drink a lot of French stuff so I wouldn't comment on those.  What I do love about the store is that all the selections speak of some real passion and opinions on wine, and not just a buy everything or buy highyly rated wines mentality.  If I were someone who did shop regularly in a retail environment, I would imagine it would be easy to calibrate my tastes to the tastes of the folk doing the buying there.  To parapohrase spencer Tracy speaking of Katherine Hepburn... "There's not a lot there.... but what there is  is choice".  Ace is small but each section is developped with a lot of thought.

I predict a dinner at Dino soon with lots of old Montebello Cabernet being consumed

[deangold]

I predict a dinner at Dino soon with lots of old Montebello Cabernet being consumed 

Please, not till after I get back from my vacation. Jan 27 or after!

[Joe Riley]

If you're interested in getting some 2003 Duckhorn Merlot at a scandalously-low price (for Duckhorn, anyway), drop me a PM. Long story short, I have some to move and I'll make it worth your while.

[Pool Boy]

Anyone know the hours at Ace?

[jparrott]

They close at seven on weeknights and either 5 or 6 on Saturdays.

[Pool Boy]

They close at seven on weeknights and either 5 or 6 on Saturdays.

Grazie, dude

[cucas87]

A big, big thanks to Joe Riley, who was very gracious and helpful and sold me, at a lovely DR.com discount, some bottles of the sauvignon blanc and shiraz that jparrot so nicely provided at the L'Academie dinner. Thanks to jparrot for bringing the wines and putting me in touch with Joe, and thanks to Joe, for being so gracious to a small purchaser like myself.

[Halloween]

Here's another thank you for Joe Riley. Last week, I called him and told him I was looking to purchase a case or so of wine (under $10/bottle) for a baby shower. Boy did he take care of me! Before last Saturday, I'd never been to Ace Beverage, but I can tell you that i'll be going back again and again. Joe was gracious and an absolute professional.

Thanks, Joe!

[Joe Riley]

(Moderators, please feel free to merge this with the Ace Beverage thread once folks have had a chance to read it)

For all of you who attended the L'Academie de Cuisine event last month, and are in search of the wines you experienced that evening, I have most of them in stock now.

Hartenberg Shiraz 2001

R. Dumont & Fils Brut Nature N.V.

Monterosso Sauvignon Blanc 2005

I haven't received any interest yet on the Clos de la Roilette Fleurie 2004 or the Avondale Muscat Rouge 2003, but they are available for ordering if anyone wants them.

I've heard from some folks already and you have picked up your wines, but for those of you who are still waiting for them, they are here!

Please feel free to call me at (202) 966-4444 or drop me an email at joe@acebevdc.com for further information or to place your orders.

We now return to our regularly scheduled forum.

[Joe Riley]

Hey there, all of you Champagne enthusiasts, and anyone looking for early holiday gift shopping!

Because of overstock, I can offer you some AMAZING bargains on four of Terry Theise's grower Champagnes:

Gaston Chicquet "Special Club" 1997

Henri Billiot Brut Reserve N.V.

Henri Billiot Brut Vintage 1998

Larmandier-Bernier Brut Millesime 1998

Folks, I won't post the pricing here, but let me assure you, I can give you pricing on these that would harken back to the pre-Euro days of 1998. No, I'm not kidding. I never dreamed that I could sell these Champagnes for that kind of pricing ever again (unless the Euro completely tanked against the dollar).

For more background information on these four Champagnes, please go here:

http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/documents/...agneCatalog.pdf

And please hit me up for pricing via email: Joe@AceBevDC.com

Grab these while you can!

[Joe Riley]

Oh, and less anyone be concerned, I just retasted all of these Champagnes yesterday. They are ALL awesome. No "damaged" good here. I know how they are shipped and I've seen where they are stored, not to worry.

That Billiot Brut N.V. is a RIOT of red fruit - positively a jailbreak of flavor, it made me hungry!

Picking a favorite among those four though would be like picking a favorite among my four non-thumb fingers on my left hand. I love them all, but for different reasons