The Begining

     When I first moved to Boston I was drawn into some liquor stores by their flashy signs and claims of great wine selections, only to discover that their idea of great wine was what my girlfriend refers to as mom wine. That's not to say that their is no place in the world for inexpensive lower end wines (the snobs call it table wine). The fact is that some table wines are excellent, which brings us to the heart of this post. After days of perusing the giant selections of mediocre wines, I happened across what appeared from the outside to be a scummy back ally liquor store. As you may have noticed I do not identify myself as a snob so after a long day at work I had no qualms popping in for some beer. What I discovered changed my outlook on the liquor store in general.

     I took one step through the door and found myself immediately eye to label with a Phillippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet. I know what your thinking now "oh no French!", but its O.K. I'm going to walk you through it. Phillip Rothschild was one of the most highly respected wine-makers in the world during his lifetime. When he was a young man of just twenty years old he took over one of his families vineyards known as Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, Medoc, which is known as one of the greatest grape growing regions on Earth. Thats where the word Mouton comes from. He went on to make some of the most high-end wines in existence. Now we have digested most of that French phrase Phillippe de Rothschild, just a guy's name. Mouton, the name of the vineyard where he grew the grapes and made the wine. Now there's just one more word to dissect, Cadet. In the French millitary a Cadet is the lowest rank, it like a private here in America. Cadet is just the name Phillippe gave to his table wine. It can be found for between $10-$12 U.S. dollars. It was made by the simplest processes but unlike the afore mentioned mom wines, it was made by a master of his craft with the best possible grapes grown on the best possible land and those things, collectively known as the Terrior, lay at the heart of great wine. 

     Needless to say when I saw that bottle beckon  me from an underestimated retail space my opinion was instantly and irrevocable altered. I have since frequented Stoney Brook Liquors, just a stones throw from the Stoney Brook stop on the Orange line. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and wont give you that impending feeling of inferiority that most wine-sellers evoke. This location embodies the essence of what this blog is searching for a great and constantly changing selection, a no frills snob-free environment, and a friendly knowledgeable staff. this is the kind of place where you could browse yourself or simply ask for a recommendation and you will not be steered wrong. 

     Both Phillippe de Rothschild's Mouton Cadet, and Stoney Brook Liquors earn my most sincere recommendation.