On the Prowl

When it comes to enjoying and collecting wine, perhaps one of the more overlooked considerations is – Where do I get my wine? For the average person, the local grocery store (Kroger, Meijer, etc) will have an adequate selection. However, I have found that many grocery stores place a heavy emphasis on American wines and sometimes have an unorganized selection. That grocery stores catering to mass market retail would focus on American wines is hardly surprising: American wines dominate national consumption figures.

In a (fairly) recent Harris poll, 91% of wine drinkers claim to regularly buy and/or drink American wine. However, only 44% buy Italian wines and 40% buy French wines. The same poll indicates that many more people would consider purchasing wines from countries other than the USA (73% would consider Italian wines and 62% would consider French wines) but, either due to a lack of knowledge or availability, American wines continue to dominate the marketplace.

Each person has to find his or her own favorite shops, but I will attempt to list a few that have proven successful for me:

Hiller's – This upscale supermarket has a very robust selection of wines. With multiple locations across Metro Detroit, there is probably one very close to you. The selection of French and Italian wines is notable but not exceptional. However, it is as good as or better than any other supermarket. There is also an abundance of Spanish, Australian and South American wines. Furthermore, Hiller’s has its own wine club. An individual who signs up would receive up to twelve different wines each quarter, hand-selected by Hiller’s wine buyers, for either $120 (Taster’s Table) or $240 (Collector’s Club) per case.

WineStyles – Part of a recent trend in retail wine shops, WineStyles is dedicated to “demystifying the wine buying experience”. The chain started in 2002 and has since expanded to 22 states, as well as Mexico and Puerto Rico . Unlike traditional wine shops, WineStyles organizes its wines by taste or sensation rather than by grape varietals. Their eight classifications or ‘Styles’ are Bold, Mellow & Fruity for red wines and Crisp, Silky & Rich for white wines, with Nectar describing the sweet dessert styles wines and Bubbly including champagnes and carbonated wines. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help. Winestyles’ focus is on carrying affordable wines, but they do carry a selection of more “upscale” wines in the back part of the shop.

World Market – Never mind, World Market is going out of business across the state of Michigan . However, with locations in nearly every state outside of the Northeast, chances are you will run into one again. Unlike many stores, World Market lists its entire selection online, although you can’t actually make a purchase. One thing to be wary of: World market carries wines of all qualities. You might see a Barolo sitting next to a non-DOC Italian or a Cru Bourgeois sitting next to a bottled simply labeled “Product of France”, so just keep that in mind. Overall, though, the selection is above-average.

Market Village – Relatively new to the Novi area, Market Village has a high quality of selection and variety of wines. Unfortunately, the location is poor and I am not sure how long the place will stay open. Hopefully their traffic picks up, because the location is very convenient for me! No matter what type of wine you happen to be looking for, Market Village will have it, including high-end Barolo and Barbaresco wines. I was surprised to pick up a couple of bottles and see $100 price stickers on the back, just mixed in with the other wines. Of course, Market Village also has an extensive selection of more moderately priced wines. According to their website, they have over 1500 different bottles of wine in their selection.

Merchants Fine Wine – Located in Dearborn, Merchants certainly doesn’t look like anything special from the outside. Even once you step inside, it has the feeling of a drafty warehouse. However, what counts is the selection and service, and both are exceptional. Since I no longer have much reason to go to Dearborn , I haven’t been to Merchants in quite awhile, but it is definitely a recommended place to shop for wine.

simply wine – I haven’t actually been to simply wine, but from its description, it appears to be very similar in concept to WineStyles, where the wines are organized by taste, rather than grape or origin and the focus is on value wines. I’ll hopefully make a visit in the next month and provide an update on my findings.

Unfortunately, internet purchases of wine are prohibited in Michigan, which makes it just a little bit tougher to find that specific wine you might have in mind. However, with the large number of shops in the area, you are bound to find it eventually, or maybe something even better! Happy hunting!