A Great Wine Store in Boonton

In the valley below the hilltown of Boonton, NJ lies a great wine store called Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars.

Ok I admit I am waxing poetic, but tooling my Saturn Sky up the steep drive into Boonton I couldn't help but reminisce of rides into Panzano, a hilltown in Tuscany, in our Alfa Romeo.

Boonton is a charming with many cafes and pubs. That's Panzano on the right. Boonton is below.

Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars is away from Main Street in a warehouse and factory area on Myrtle Avenue, close to Interstate Route 287. It stood out as a bright oasis.

As one writer comments "Downtown Boonton is definitely a unique place for New Jersey. The town was built on a rocky hill in Morris County with historic Victorian homes and a main avenue that twists and turns with shops and sidewalks. In our era of sprawling suburbs and cookie-cutter neighborhoods, downtown Boonton is a gem!"  Cafe New Jersey

There are two Zagat rated restaurants Il Michelangelo and the famous Reservoir Tavern.

Back to my main story, I pulled up into the ample parking lot, grabbed a cart and walked in. The store is a sea of selections. It was a little difficult to focus at first. But it soon became clear that they had something for everyone.

100's of beer selections, micro, imports, kegs, cases, bottles. A broad liquor, cordials and specialty drink inventory. One of the largest selections of box wines I have seen and lots of jug wine. But most outstanding is their broad selection of interesting quality wines.

I have wanted to visit this store for some time. An article in the Wall Street Journal on California Sauvignon Blanc featuring a very good review for the 2005 Bernardus finally got me there. I found the wine by searching for it with www.wine-searcher.com and discovered it at Liquor Outlet.

As I wandered around the store I met Steven Giammarino, Wine Manager. Steve is very friendly and knowledgeable, a good person to know. He quickly understood my taste in wine and made some great recommendations.

Steven has a passion for stocking his store with unique, many small production, wines. Of course he has many standards but the focus is on great special eclectic wines.

He noticed I had three bottles of another favorite Sauvignon in my cart. A wine from Italy, Tenuta Villanova, which is produced in the Northern Italy, in Friuli Venezia Giulia. We shared the same love for this excellent wine.

Summer is the season for Sauvignon and I like that the grape is grown all over the world.

This one "Shows a golden yellow hue of varying intensity. Fruit dominates the nose, where some distinctive varietal aromas of spring flowers, sage, mint and bell peppers also emerge. A well-structured wine with a refreshing tanginess. A fine aperitif and an excellent wine to pair with full-flavored fish dishes, spicy pasta and rice dishes, soups, young cheeses and speck, Tyrolean smoked ham." Importer. Yes, I can taste it now.

Tenuta Villanova is situated at Farra d’Isonzo, a small village in the Collio DOC zone of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. Founded in 1499, it has a centuries-old history. The ancient cellars have been visited by scholars such as Louis Pasteur and Giovanni Dalmasso. Wouldn't you love to visit there.

Steven recommended  to me a 2005 Tenuta Luisa Cabernet Franc, also a Friulian wine. This moderately priced wine shows great finesse, rich flavor and balance. Great with rich roasted meats. I love it. Last night I had it with a pasta dish I made of fresh tomatoes, baby arugula, shrimp and chorizo, the wine was perfect with this dish. All ingredients were from Kings in Montclair.

"The Luisa family first established Tenuta Luisa in 1927. The largest development came in the late 1960s when Nella and Eddi, joined forces to bring together their farming expertise. Unity has always been the strength of this mission. This collaboration also includes the two brothers, Michele, an oenologist and Davide, an agricultural scientist, along with their respective wives, Federica and Elisa. Their greatest contribution includes interpreting new market trends by cleverly weaving their older generation wisdom with the vigor of the younger ones; including young Francesco and Giovanni, the family’s succession into the third millennium." Importer Vias WIne

Another recommendation which I truly enjoyed was an exceptional Soave, Brognoligo, by  Cecilia Beretta, the golden honey color of this wine struck my eye. Steve confirmed my choice.

If you like Soave this is a great wine at an unbelievable price of $7.50 before discounts.

"It has perfumes of ripe golden apples with sweet notes of flowers. Balanced on the palate, with an aftertaste of almond that blends well with the sweetness of its bouquet."

This Soave pairs well with light antipasti, delicate dishes such as tagliolini with shrimp and artichokes or seafood risotto as well as fish entrées such as seabass and crab."  Winemaker. It is also good with mild Italian cheeses.

I found another favorite Donnafugata Anthilia a Sicialian wine that is perfect for summer picnics. I was  intoduced to this wine at Il Buco in New York City a few years ago and have been enjoying it every summer since.

"This is a crisp white with interesting dimension thanks to solid fruit flavors and minced herb aromas. You’ll find basil, wild sage and white pepper on the nose. This Ansonica and Catarratto (two Sicilian indigenous grapes) blend is creamy but less intense in the mouth." Winemaker

I found many other special wines which I will write about as we open them. Next will be an Austrian Sauvignion that I will be opening for my brother in law Dan Slager when he visits us next week.  Dan spent years studying in Austria and now is Editor in Chief with Milkweed Editions in Minneapolis.

Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars is a great source for wine.

Visit them on line at http://www.liquoroutletwinecellars.com

or at their store, be sure to ask for Steven Giammarino, Wine Manager

Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars

289 Myrtle Avenue
Boonton , New Jersey, 07005
Phone: 866 454-7688

Comments

[Harry Balzanya]

Great story, but your wrong about that Steve guy. He really only knows Italian wines. I happen to prefer New World wines (Australia, Chile, California) and Steven seems clueless. He likes to recommend wines that he can make a lot of money on. That is good for him, but I prefer quality.

[Kevin]

Great story about Boonton and Liqour Outlet. I happen to work in Boonton, my wife and I among many others we have sent thier way frequent this great place.
We know Steve very well and are impressed with his attention to his customers. As you mentioned he has suggested many a great wine to us also. As wine lovers we have a well stocked cellar and Steve has helped to fill it.
Again Great story!